If I can chime in without coming across as being superior (which I fear my first paragraph might a bit - I'm presuming on our established friendship - pls bear wit meh) --

I wouldn't worry too much about being surrounded by people a couple (5-8) years younger than you are! I wonder if there's an undertone of "It's harder to find people to date when I'm 26 and a lot of the people I hang out with aren't even old enough to drink" (because when I was that age and dating, being old enough to drink was kind of a hard line in perception to me) - but then - ignore me projecting.

What I meant to say is that, at 26, and also now at 28, I've definitely accumulated a number of friends who are also that much older than me. I inherited (or upherited?) some friends from my sister, who's 5 years younger than me, which played a big part...but for the most part...I don't think there is anything negative or to be judged for that. The older you get, the more you can "stretch" the age range you hang out with and it matters less, I think. By your mid-twenties, I think everyone in the twenties decade should be considered "normal age range for standard friends."

And that being said - I have several friends much older than that! Nodding at several among the hubski crew, yes -- but certainly not limited in any way to them, either.

Also, mega huge congratulations on the scholarships - and have you explored the potential for employer reimbursement? I forget where you are working atm.