Returning to College: A Simple Guide for Adults

December 1, 2024

Going back to college as an adult can be intimidating, but most people don’t realize that almost forty percent of all college students are adult learners over the age of 25. In addition to adult learners, more than 20% of undergraduate students are parents. Reasons for returning to school differ, such as wanting to enter a new field, ensure job security, or to set an example for their children and loved ones. Some may just want to finish what they started, as 36 million Americans have left college without completing their programs.

There are several perks to going back to school as an adult. The older you get, the more likely you are to know what degree to pursue, what workload you’ll be taking on, and what kind of pay to expect after graduation. These factors actually make it more likely that an adult learner will graduate with a degree that leads them to a better work situation, whether that’s a larger paycheck or a better work-life balance. 

If you’ve been thinking about returning to school as an adult, here’s everything you should know before choosing the path that’s right for you. 

Choosing the Right School for Your Needs

Different schools and degrees will come with different time and financial costs. It’s worth comparing your options, such as opting for a lower-cost school like a community college or looking into online schools if you’ll need to continue managing a busy schedule. Some schools are open admission, meaning all applicants are accepted, such as with community colleges, while others are more selective. If you want to apply to selective schools, then start the process several months to a year before you want to start classes. 

Many schools offer flexible course schedules, including accelerated, self-paced, or part-time degree tracks. Online classes allow students to fit in their studies around their existing schedules. Remote and online learning options are no longer considered a lesser higher education experience and can often allow people juggling work and other adult responsibilities to achieve their school and career goals in a way that in-person classes would never allow them. 

Be realistic about the time your classes and coursework will take you to complete. Many students underestimate the time it takes to complete a program. Reach out to the admissions office and ask how the school can help fit in classes around your busy schedule. “Many colleges will allow you to consider full- or part-time enrollment,” says Elaine Rubin, an Edvisors communications specialist. “If you aren’t attending school full-time, it will take you longer to complete your program or degree, but it may make it manageable. It’s best to talk about this with an admission counselor.

Noncredit education or certificate programs are becoming more popular, particularly in fields like project and program management and content development. While some of these programs require a degree to enroll, others are designed for people looking to switch fields or feel more qualified in a certain skill set, like fund-raising or human resources management. If this is a path you’re considering, take note of whether the institution is accredited, which means they would be taught by faculty and would be more useful if you do end up choosing to pursue a degree later on. 

Paying for College Might be More Affordable Than You Thought

Paying for college as an adult isn’t much different than if you were going to college at 18. There are thousands of scholarships specifically meant for adult learners. In addition to scholarships, there are grants. Grants involve funds meant to pay for college that are usually given by the government and that you don’t need to pay back. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that you won’t qualify for college grants without applying first. Start by filling out the FAFSA online and contacting your potential school’s financial aid office.

Some of the most awarded grants include the Federal Pell Grant, which has a maximum payout of $7,395 for the 2024-2025 school year. The amount you’re awarded is determined by your financial need, the cost of your tuition, and whether you’ll be a part-time or full-time student. Other opportunities include a TEACH Grant, which is for students who want to become teachers but must agree to work in high-need areas for a certain amount of time after graduation, and state-based grants. 

A 529 plan is a savings account specifically meant for college savings, and many adults don’t realize that they can open one for themselves. One of the biggest reasons to open a 529 is because your earnings won’t be subject to federal income taxes. In addition, 34 states offer additional tax breaks on these account earnings. If you have family members who want to help you go back to school, they can add up to $14,000 per year to your account as a gift to you without being taxed on their contribution.

Many colleges have started allowing adult learners to turn their work experience into college credits, saving them both money and time. Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement as part of their benefits packages now, so looking into your employee benefits may be the first step in determining ways to pay for college. Education-focused workplaces, especially those in tech and healthcare, will sometimes even allow you time off work to focus on your educational pursuits.

Last but not least is the option of taking out student loans. If you use debt in a smart way and only take out what you need to cover the cost of your schooling, a student loan is not a bad idea. Plus, adult learners with money management experience are less likely to abuse student loans. If you know you’ll be graduating and obtaining a career with a better paycheck, you can devise a timeline for paying off your debt as soon as possible after graduation.  

Set Yourself Up for Success Before You Begin

Gathering your education records will be a good place to start when you’re narrowing down your different options. Not only will the schools you apply to require that you submit your transcripts, but you may also check to see if you have already met some of your degree requirements or prerequisites. If you have other technical schooling or certificates, then gather those as well. 

“Most program policies on transfer credit typically have a maximum limit of 10 years,” says Dr. Bri Newland, assistant dean of the New York University School of Professional Studies Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies. “However, it is crucial to schedule a meeting with an experienced academic advisor who will thoroughly assess your transcripts alongside you, regardless of whether you acquired these credits beyond the specified timeframe.”

When going back to college as an adult with other responsibilities like an existing career or family, staying organized will be essential to your survival. Once you get started with classes, keep track of deadlines and due dates, giving yourself plenty of time to study and complete coursework. Determine where and when you’ll get your work completed, such as a designated space at home or a campus library, and which days and times you’ll use to get your classwork completed. Developing a routine that you can stick to will ensure your success, even when unexpected obstacles arise. 

Insureyouknow.org

Once you do some research, you’ll likely discover that going back to school and attaining the degree you desire is more feasible than you may have thought. With Insureyouknow.org, you may keep track of your transcripts and certificates, college applications, financial costs and payment methods, and eventually, your new degree.

On the Lookout for Free Money? Focus Your Search on Grant Opportunities

June 11, 2020

Individuals, communities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses continue to feel the ever-increasing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help keep them afloat while dealing with diminished incomes and benefits, isolation away from friends, family, and colleagues, or facing an unknown future of returning to their previous careers or businesses, they can seek emergency financial assistance.

As the following selected links demonstrate, a variety of grantors are currently offering grants to assist in meeting financial challenges resulting in the continuing threat of COVID-19. 

Grantspace by Candid provides a continually updated list of emergency financial resources including the following grant  opportunities.

For Individuals 

• The United Way, accessible at www.211.org or by dialing 211, provides a comprehensive list of available resourcesto locate food banks, to help pay housing bills, and to access free childcare and other essential services available on local, national, and statewide bases.
• Coronavirus Tax Relief: Economic Impact Payments is an IRS web page that lets non-filers enter payment information and others to check on the status of their stimulus payments.
• Economic Impact Payments: What you need to know is a FAQ page created by the IRS to answer questions about stimulus payments.
• Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund provides emergency funding for those employed by or own restaurants or bars facing unforeseen expenses not covered by insurance.
• Americans for the Arts Coronavirus Resource and Response Center includes a list of funding/grants resources.
• COVID-19 Freelance Artists Resources is an aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.
• Creative Capital Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak is another list of financial resources for artists working in all disciplines.
• Freelancers Relief Fund grants financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs.
• Student Relief Fund lists resources for college students in need of support due to campus shutdowns caused by COVID-19.
• Artist Relief lists grants for artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19 in the U.S.
• Artist Relief Project publicizes grants for any artist in any discipline whose income has been impacted by COVID-19-related cancellations and closures.
• American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund provides support and temporary financial assistance to members in need.
• Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund for Musicians who have lost income due to a cancelled performance as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• New Music Solidarity Fund offers emergency funds to support freelance artists in the new/creative/improvised music community.
• Dramatists Guild Foundation Emergency Grants provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and book writers in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness.

For Communities

• GrantWatch promotes an Opportunity for USA Organizations to Raise Funds to Benefit Communities Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Community Foundations Nationwide Launch Coronavirus Relief Efforts is a full listing of more than 500 U.S. community foundations in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, that support those affected by COVID-19—directing critical relief to local nonprofits and partnering with local governments and health organizations to help contain its spread.

For Small Businesses

• Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.
• SBA Paycheck Protection Program – An SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
• GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund helps small businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and empower their communities to rally behind them. GoFundMe has partnered with Yelp, Intuit QuickBooks, GoDaddy, and Bill.com to provide small business owners with the financial support and resources needed to continue running their businesses during and after the coronavirus crisis.
• Facebook Small Business Grants Program – Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where it operates.
• Financial Assistance for Small Business is a list of programs providing financial assistance to small businesses compiled by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
• Opportunity Fund Small Business Relief Fund  supports eligible small businesses, especially those run by women, people of color, and immigrants, impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

For Nonprofits

• Funding for Coronavirus (COVID-19)  shares information about philanthropy’s response to the pandemic
• CARES Act: How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds  is a guide created by Independent Sector.
• Loans Available for Nonprofits in the CARES Act is a chart from the National Council of Nonprofits providing details on loan options, eligibility criteria, terms, and application information.
• State Public Policy Resources on COVID-19  is the National Council of Nonprofits page for nonprofit-specific materials from state officials and useful resources on what states are doing in response to COVID-19.
• Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants & Refugees COVID-19 Resources is an aggregated list of resources for nonprofits working with immigrants & refugees.

In general, grant opportunities and corresponding applications adhere to strictly announced deadlines and requirements so potential grantees need to submit proposals on time and meet the specific provisions outlined in each grant’s description. At InsureYouKnow.org, you can save your documents and files relating to grant applications and set up reminders to alert you to keep track of timelines for submitting grant applications and to check on grants awarded.