If anything, the opposite is true. Most private sector sources don't care how much money your parents make. Grades aren't always that important. Sometimes you can get a scholarship just by going through an interview, promising to work for a company afterwards or simply filling out an application. Many application questions deal with personal, occupationl, and educational background, organizational affiliation, talent or ethnic origins.
Any time is a good time to get involved.
Deadlines may be set up to fit the corporation's tax year or they may simply be set up for the convenience of the group that meets to review the scholarship applications. In 1990, one out of four students in the United States was over the age of 25. In 1993, almost half of all students were over 25. Others are making career changes as we shift from the industrial wave to the hig-tech arena. Still others are students who have postponed college until they could afford it.