Best Adult Education Grants

About Us

Who We Are

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940 and currently headquartered in Baltimore, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all fifty states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.

What We Do

Through our network of blind members, we coordinate many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provide information and support to blind children and adults, and build a community that creates a future full of opportunities.

What We Believe

We are the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power to transform our dreams into reality. We believe in blind people because we are blind people—from our democratically elected leaders to our diverse nationwide membership.

Scholarship Program

Thanks to our generous partners, there are thirty $10,000 merit-based scholarships currently available. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend our national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. 

The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults Scholarship

For more than 100 years the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults has strived to improve the lives of blind and Deafblind children and adults. Best known for annually producing and gifting Braille Calendars, sponsoring the free Braille books for blind children program, and administering the Braille Readers are Leaders contest, the American Action Fund leads in promoting Braille literacy. The American Action Fund is proud to award this scholarship to a deserving and talented blind person. 

Illinois Adult Education and Literacy Professional Development Network

FY27 Illinois Adult Education and Literacy Professional Development Network(Competitive) ICCB will provide $300,000 in grant funding opportunities to be administered to support the Professional Development Network and the Adult Education Hotline.

The grant objectives are as follows:

• Support for Workforce-Aligned English Language Acquisition Instruction, including Evidence-Based Reading Instruction, Assessment, and Instructionally Embedded Technology Integration, delivered through In Person, On Site, and Virtual Support.
• Promote and maintain the Illinois Adult Education Hotline.

The Central AlabamaWorks Scholarship, established by the Central Alabama Community Foundation, aims to support deserving graduates in their pursuit of post-secondary education. Candidates must reside in one of the 13 counties served, hold a high school diploma or GED, and be accepted into an Alabama community college or vocational training program. This initiative, launched in 1987, reflects the Foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and addressing community needs in the River Region.

The Alfred M. Aseel Legacy Scholarship honors the memory of Alfred Aseel’s parents and supports non-traditional students from Tupper Lake and surrounding areas in their pursuit of higher education. With a grant maximum of $5,000 annually, this scholarship aims to empower students to reinvent their futures through accredited colleges, universities, trade schools, or certification programs in the U.S. Eligibility includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a commitment to personal growth and integrity.

The Allen Family Career Advancement Grant (AFCAG) offers financial support for credentialing, licensure, internships, degrees, or certificates for working residents in Essex, Elizabethtown, Lewis, Westport, or Willsboro, NY. Award amounts range from $250 to $3,000 annually, with renewal options available based on academic progress. This grant aims to enhance career opportunities and foster educational pathways, ensuring that eligible residents can pursue their professional goals effectively.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Sue Bailey Service Scholarship

• Graduating senior, graduating early college student, current college student, or adult from the greater Holland/Zeeland area or Byron Center
• Accepted and enrolling/enrolled at an accredited post-secondary school (including vocational/technical school) within the United States
• Working to pay their way through school and committed to service

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Ruth Westerman Oren Nursing Scholarship

• Recent graduate of an Ottawa County high school or technical school or Ottawa County adult resident making a career transition to nursing
• Pursuing a nursing degree to become a Registered Nurse (RN) through an accredited nursing program within the United States
• Priority given to past recipients who have a strong performance record in their nursing studies

The Grand Haven Rotary/Lynne Sherwood STRIVE Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Grand Haven Area Public Schools, especially Central High School, who have benefitted from a mentor's guidance while pursuing their diploma or GED. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and academic achievements, with a thorough selection process by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. Applicants can submit one application for multiple scholarships, streamlining access to financial support for their educational goals.

The James W. Junior and Jane T. Brown Scholarship, established by Jane and James Brown in 2006, offers financial support to adult students over 21 in the Tri-Cities. This scholarship aims to ease the financial burdens faced by those returning to education. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and provide necessary documentation, including transcripts and a Student Aid Report. The program encourages recipients to assist others in their educational journeys, fostering a cycle of support in the community.

The Marvin R. and Pearl E. Patterson Family Fund Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students aspiring to study graphic or fine arts, as well as those interested in environmental sciences. Open to high school graduates from the Tri-Cities area, this scholarship considers leadership, community involvement, and academic achievements, although financial need is not a requirement. Applicants must provide transcripts and relevant documents to qualify for this opportunity.

Graduating seniors and non-traditional students pursuing nursing careers can receive scholarship support for higher education, with priority for those demonstrating financial need. Focused on adult and continuing education, Grand Haven Area Community Foundation invites applicants from the Tri-Cities area, Muskegon County, or Newaygo County to apply through its unified scholarship application process.

Adults returning to school, current or graduating college students, and graduating seniors in Allegan or Ottawa County pursuing skilled trades programs can receive support for postsecondary education costs. Community Foundation of the Holland Zeeland Area provides a potentially renewable scholarship, with financial need considered, for study at accredited or certified U.S. institutions; one student is supported at a time.

Non-traditional adult students in the Tri-Cities area of Northern Ottawa County seeking to continue or return to college, university, technical, or vocational education can apply for the Women's Club of Grand Haven scholarship from Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. Applicants must show financial need, reside in eligible school districts, and submit transcripts and Student Aid Report details.

Adult learners pursuing healthcare education in northern Chautauqua County can receive scholarship support for higher, adult, vocational, or trade education. Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation provides this funding primarily to employees of Chautauqua Nursing and Rehab Center or their spouses and children, with broader county residents eligible if no employee applicants apply.

Nontraditional female students pursuing adult education in northern Chautauqua County can receive scholarship support for college or vocational study. Focused on higher, adult, and vocational education, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation invites eligible residents of communities like Dunkirk, Fredonia, and Westfield to apply with proof of enrollment and a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Nontraditional adult students in northern Chautauqua County returning to college or trade school after time in the workforce can apply for the Benson-Cash Family Scholarship, managed by Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. This scholarship supports higher, adult, and vocational education costs for eligible residents pursuing new or advanced credentials.

Adult learners pursuing workforce training or job-readiness certification programs can apply for support from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Focused on workforce preparation and adult education, this scholarship helps Chautauqua County residents cover costs for non-degree certifications such as healthcare, technical, or skilled trades training.

Women seeking to continue their higher or adult education, especially non-traditional students, can access scholarship funding through the YWCA Chester County Fund in the U.S. Administered by Chester County Community Foundation, this fund supports women’s college persistence and success, which may benefit nonprofits assisting adult learners and women returning to school.

Adult learners and graduating high school seniors in Northern Nevada pursuing degrees, certificates, or vocational programs can receive up to US $1,000 to help cover tuition, books, and on-campus housing. The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada’s Ron and Linda Smith Family Scholarship supports students attending TMCC, WNC, Great Basin College, or qualifying vocational schools who meet GPA and residency requirements.

Women adult learners in Raleigh County, West Virginia pursuing studies at New River Community and Technical College can receive merit- and need-based support for higher education through the Second Chance Scholarship. Grants from Beckley Area Foundation help adult education students cover costs as they return to college to improve employment and career advancement prospects.

Adult learners in northern Nevada pursuing full-time associate’s degrees or certificate programs that lead to better employment can apply for the Robert and Judy Dreiling Scholarship, awarding up to US $5,000. Offered by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, this funding can help adults advance their education and job readiness.

Adult learners in West Michigan returning to college or career training after a two-year break can apply for Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Altrusa International of Grand Rapids Scholarship, awarding US $2,000 - US $5,000 toward educational costs. Residents of Allegan, Kent, Ionia, Muskegon, Montcalm, or Ottawa Counties pursuing adult education must submit two recommendation letters.

Adult learners in Lincoln County pursuing accredited nursing degrees can access funding for higher education and skills training through Samaritan Health Services’ Gribler Loving Trust Nursing Education Scholarship. This U.S. adult education opportunity awards US $3,000 to older students who have completed prerequisites and commit to working within the SPHS system locally after graduation.

Nonprofits and community groups serving Black/African American adults in Stanislaus County can apply for grants from the Stanislaus Community Foundation, with awards up to US $10,000, to support education and community-building programs. Funding may support adult education, financial literacy, workforce development, and health and wellness initiatives that benefit Black communities.

Webster County, WV adult learners pursuing vocational or trade education can access funding through Beckley Area Foundation’s Bill Weese Trades Scholarship to attend trade schools or vocational programs. Recent graduates and career-switchers seeking certification or degree programs that teach specific employment skills may be eligible; the award is renewable with further requirements detailed in the application.

Adults and traditional students pursuing vocational or technical education in Wyoming County, West Virginia can access funding through the Wyoming County Community Fund. Administered by Beckley Area Foundation, this non-renewable scholarship supports residents with a 2.5+ GPA, work experience or strong community service, including GED holders and adults returning to school.

Girls and women pursuing further education, including traditional and nontraditional adult students in the U.S., can receive scholarship support for higher or continuing education costs. Scranton Area Foundation’s Irene Zurine Memorial Scholarship assists those advancing their studies, which may benefit adult education learners seeking degrees, credentials, or returning-to-college opportunities.