Making the decision to return to school after many years away from the academic world can be challenging. Being older doesn’t necessarily mean that there are no other obligations to fill up the day. Not everyone can commit to studying at a university as a full-time student. But whatever your daily schedule may be, there are plenty of opportunities available to further your education.
Online Education
The two main reasons why people enroll in online colleges are convenience and flexibility. An online college class can be taken from anywhere in the world as long as you have Internet access. However, it is vital to research potential schools to ensure they are accredited institutions. This will guarantee that all credits you acquire are accepted and recognized worldwide.
Community College
For many people, a college degree may not be the ultimate goal of learning. Even just a few classes can help with advancement at work. Community colleges offer higher education with much lower tuition than a four-year college. Even if you plan to receive a four-year bachelor’s degree, it is financially smart to complete the first two years at a community college.
University
With a solid GPA, transferring to a university from a community college can be fairly easy. The first two years of college are dedicated to general education classes, whereas the last two pertain to one’s major. Many state universities as well as some private universities either waive tuition for senior citizens or greatly reduce it.
Free Learning
For those who always wanted to attend a Harvard class, you can do so from the comfort of your own home. Harvard, Stanford, MIT and other prestigious institutions offer free online classes to students around the world. They each offer complete free college classes but not a college degree. There is no admissions process and certificates are available for a small fee to students who master the material. These classes provide students with basic knowledge to form a foundation for learning.
How to pay for it?
Colleges and the government offer scholarships, grants and loans. The federal Pell Grant is based on income and is free money for those attending school. Low-interest student loans are another alternative to help pay for higher education.
To learn more about returning to school after a long time off, check out these two blogs: the Non-Traditional Student (non-traditional-students.blogspot.com) and the Older Non-Trad Student (oldernontradstudent.blogspot.com).
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