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Entry bubble Adults Going Back to College

By: Jim | August 08, 2008 | Category: General

I just got back from attending the American Council on Consumer Interests annual conference. ACCI’s membership consists chiefly of academics and other professionals involved in consumer and family economics. It was good to catch up with colleagues and engage in lively discussions with the professors, but now I've started daydreaming about going back to college.woman in classroom

It’s been nearly 20 years since I graduated from San Diego State. Back then, my only selection criterion was affordability. Now, adults wishing to go to college or a trade/vocational school have more options to consider. For example, the online university concept appeals to many, especially those with busy lives. Me? Having done some distance learning in the past, I prefer the classroom setting.

No matter whether you choose to go back to school online or in the classroom setting, the school’s accreditation is an important factor these days. Your ability to receive federal financial aid to pay for your education can be affected by your school’s accreditation. In addition, many employers in the U.S. only recognize degrees earned from institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the Secretary of Education.

But determining if your potential school’s accreditation is appropriate and legitimate can be downright complicated. Accreditation standards can vary by state, by employer, by occupation, and sometimes within disciplines. Also, just because a school claims to be accredited, the accreditation and the accrediting organization could be bogus, and the school is simply a diploma mill.

The Department of Education offers a searchable database of postsecondary educational institutions and programs accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to help you find out your potential school’s accreditation status. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation also offers a similar tool and other helpful information on accreditation.

Well, I think that’s enough about accreditation and postsecondary education choices. Readers, what else should you consider if going back to school appeals to you, too?

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: adult   adult_education   college   financial_aid   jim   online_university   university  

Comments (5):

blue comment bubble Posted by Ann on August 08, 2008 at 12:29 PM EDT

I would love to go back to school! I'm 68 and have some college education. The only problem I have with returning to the classroom, is, money!

Is there such a thing as free schooling for seniors wishing to complete their bachelor's degree, or even an Associate degree?

Your comments would be gratefully received!...Ann

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blue comment bubble Posted by Jim on August 08, 2008 at 01:05 PM EDT

Thanks for your comment, Ann. Your question got me curious, so I did a search using the term "free college for senior citizens" and came up with some interesting information for seniors interested in taking a college course for free. From what I could determine from a quick look at the search results, it seems there are state schools across the country that will waive the tuition for resident seniors wishing to take a course. There are limitations though. For example, the senior can only attend if the course is not full and as an audit, i.e., not for college credit. Books wouldn't be free. I hope some of our senior readers try the same thing for their specific state and locality to see what comes up for them.

Ann, you mentioned you were interested in finishing a degree, so my note above probably doesn't apply to your question. But in your case, I think the best thing to do is stop by the college you're interested in attending and talking to an admissions counselor. The admissions office may be aware of state-specific opportunities and/or grants that are specially geared for senior citizens.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Ward Deutschman on August 08, 2008 at 09:43 PM EDT

First, think thru why you want to go (back) to college. For the pleasure of it? To develop new skills? For a new degree or to finish a degree? etc. Once you know why youi are going back, look at available schools. Accreditation is important but there are LOTS of legitimate, accredited schools. Which is best for YOU? That's why you need to know why you want to go back. Does the school have the program you want? At the level you need for your goals? (vocational, bachelor's, master's, non-credit, etc.) Then if you can, go visit the school. Speak with students -- and be sure you speak to enough adult students similar to yourself to get a feel for the place. One or two people will only give you one or two people's point of view.

Watch out for the "reputation" red herring. A school with a great reputation might have it because it has great research professors who are fair-to-poor teachers (if they ever teach at all!!), while a school with a local "OK" reputation might have exactly the caring knowlegable teachers you want.

Visit administrative offices (like the registrar and bursar) to see if you get clear understandable and courteous treatment. And talk with a counselor for the same reason. Wander thru the library and the bookstore (careful tho -- if you have not bought college texts in a while, be prepared for "sticker shock!").

And finally, ask about classes that close (fill up early) or that get cancelled or are offered infrequently. You want to have the courses you need available aproximately when you need them. No college can offer every class every term -- how do you need to set your own schedule to accomplish your goals.

But if you plan carefully and do some reasonable "due diligence" going (back) to college can be a world class experience.

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blue comment bubble Posted by JL on August 09, 2008 at 02:49 PM EDT

I am 41 years old, living in the Boston area, and would like to finish the post-secondary courses I began while immured. Teaching and writing have always been my passion. However, my specific set of circumstances have allowed me to gain a bit of experience in areas that are at the fringes of the paralegal field. Although I'm currently involved in Adult Basic Education, I would not shy away from pursuing certification as a paralegal. My problem has been financial aid. Has the Second Chance Act done anything to improve the obstacles faced by individuals who are similarly situated? I have found it is very difficult to compete for grants, scholarships, etc., when the other candidates have a sparklingly clean slate. Where should I turn for help?

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blue comment bubble Posted by Diane on August 09, 2008 at 03:18 PM EDT

I have struggled through college and am working towards a PhD Psychology. I was recently notified that my financial aid will not be sufficient to graduate, and I haven't sufficient credit to get regular credit based loans. I heard through a supervisor at Sallie Mae that there is a way to request the ceiling limit, set by the US Government (not Sallie Mae), to be raised under special circumstances. I have contacted my school's financial aid department, California Dept of Education, Federal Department of Education, and many offices in-between, but no one has been able to find out how or where to request this ceiling limit on financial aid to be raised. PLEASE... can anyone help? I hate to give up now...
I was began attending college, as a single parent, when my youngest of 5 children was 2 years old; she is now 22. I now have 4 grandchildren. I have weathered forest fires, a house fire, 240 mile travel x 5 days a week, always working 2 or more jobs at a time, and still given my children all my love, attention, time and guidance while attending college almost every semester (sometimes full time, sometimes only two classes at a time).
I am sure we all have our hard stories to tell, I just hate to see my education coming to an end before I accomplish my doctorate.
Thank you.
PS. I encourage everyone to go back to college. I prefer the online format, as it fits best into my hectic schedule.

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