Most likely you are considering returning to school in the New Year but one major thing is holding you back. How much is it going to cost?
I know that for me, I would love to return to school but can my wallet truly survive such a transition? At the time when I was a college mom I only had 1 child. Now that I have three the idea seems far fetched. Fortunately moms, financial aid is available for us to achieve our goals this New Year.
At this point you may be thinking to yourself, “What exactly is financial aid and do I qualify?”
Financial aid comes in a variety of forms. According to How Stuff Works, and I like the way they put this; “Financial aid includes scholarships, need based awards, work-study employment, and student loans.” And that is it in a nutshell. No mumbo jumbo but straight to the point so that you know what exactly you are eligible to apply for. Let’s first look at need-based financial aid.
FAFSA
This one is one I have used in the past and one that I am considering for the future. FAFSA. This is, Free Application for Financial Aid. Before filling out the free application it’s important to gather important documents ahead of time for example:
Determining your dependency status
FAFSA on the web worksheet
School codes
Students and parents apply for a PIN
Check application deadline dates
After these are achieved, you can then begin filling out the application. The FAFSA also allows you to follow up and check the status of your submitted application along with your student aid report.
The other form of need-based financial aid is the College scholarship Service’s Profile. This application is viewed as the application for institutional or private funds and is usually required by many colleges.
If you prove that you are in definite need of financial aid, you are eligible for need-based financial aid.
Loans and Grants
I know the thought of a loan sounds intimidating and maybe even overwhelms you to say the least. I mean who wants to pay for college after graduation anyways, right? Well, I have learned that if you really want to return to school and a loan is what you are eligible for, I say go for it. There are fortunately student loans and parent loans available. They are becoming more popular as it can become a strain just to pay the rising costs of a college education.
The nice thing about student loans is that they offer hassle-free low interest payments. Parent loans are even available. They are designed to bridge the gap between student financial aid rewards and cost of attendance.
Grants are the best type of financial aid available. Why? Well get this. With grants you do not have to repay. That’s right, never. You can’t beat that. A grant is determined on an individual’s financial need and are usually give by federal and state. An example of a grant, and you may have heard of this type, is a Pell Grant. This is the most common. It is determined by your FAFSA application.
Stay tuned for part 2 of “Financial aid for moms returning to school” on Thursday where I will discuss Federal Work-Study and Non-Work-Study jobs.
I would like to hear from you as far as what was discussed thus far. What is your experience with need-based financial aid? Do you have any tips to share concerning those experiences? Please share.
Source: How Stuff Works: Financial Aid, Dave Roos and Jim Belvin
]]>While you may not feel that you fit in with your 19-year-old fellow students, it all adds to the educational experience. Many older students have returned, not to necessarily earn a degree, but to learn more and keep their minds sharp.
Retirees returning to school are eligible for scholarships and financial aid. There are even scholarships from your state that are specifically for seniors. You can also check your eligibility for a scholarship with USA funds.
If you do not want to deal with the hassle of scholarships and financial aid, many schools are offering seniors discounted or free tuition because they have empty spaces in the classroom. So older students don't have to spend their pensions in order to increase their knowledge.
Schools have come to realize that there are benefits in having a full class. Plus, seniors contribute different perspectives and diversity which contributes to an even greater educational experience.
If seniors are interested in education but not going on-campus they have the option of taking classes online. These classes allow seniors to stay inside of their homes and learn. They don't have to worry about cold weather or getting to campus. They can learn, turn in assignments, and chat with teachers but they will miss out on the personal interaction that they would have with students and teachers on campus.
Now if seniors want to return but are worried about being absent so long; many colleges offer classes that can help you catch up. There is also tutoring, and academic counseling which can help students with their transition back to school. Although you may feel uncomfortable and confused at first, there are options out there that can help you. Lily Allen, 72 returned to the classroom after 50 years and earned a B.S. in Gerontology.
While education in the classroom is a great fit for some, study abroad fits others better. Many seniors over 55 can take an Elderhostel trip. While many may not get college credit for it, they are able to see, learn, and experience the world with others at a fairly modest price.
If you aren't quite that daring and wish to stay within the U.S. or your neighborhood, there are programs that can give you a cultural experience, without leaving your comfort zone. These programs can last anywhere from a day to several weeks, and the costs also vary greatly.
Seniors that are interested in returning to the classroom have some great options. The financial burden isn't as heavy as it once was and students have the option to pursue courses online or on-campus. Plus, they can also get out and see the world. Retirement really is the best time of life.
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Many top online universities offer flexible, quick and well-respected nursing and healthcare degree programs that you can complete online.
Visit any of the following online universities to fill out a short “Request Info” form and receive free health and nursing degree information:
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