Going back to school... should you?
This can be a tough question, especially for nontraditional students, who are generally older than the traditional idea of students in high school or college. Also, these students can have families or job responsibilities that make going back to school a challenge.
Many workers have been laid off, and are naturally thinking about going back to high school, or attending trade school, tech school, a university, or a community college.
Going back to college - the debt equation
A writer at the Students Over 30 site suggests that it may not always be a good choice for some people to go back to school. They cite an REEF article written by Michael Robertson. In the article, according to the Students Over 30 site, Robertson cites student debt as being one drawback to going back to school (college). Working full-time, he says, can mean a huge debt, which can carry on for many years.
Scholarships and Grants
Of course, if you get a scholarship, this can really help, because scholarship or grant money does NOT have to be paid back. It is worth it to try for a scholarship or grant, even though it must be even harder to get one in the current economy. Check below for some links to apply for scholarships for free. And a scholarship may pay for just part of your real costs for going back to school if you are attending college.
Trade Schools, Tech Schools, Community Colleges
Check out your technical schools or community colleges. They can have what you need, at a cheaper cost. But make sure your credits will transfer if you think you may want to attend a college next.
Going back to high school - definitely cheaper
Going back to high school, on the other hand, can be free, depending on the program you choose. Students today can take tests and courses online, freeing up time for work and family. And having a GED will free you up for a better job or to go on with more training.
-- Betsyanne
Find out more:
Older students getting GED's and more in Lafayette , Indiana
Kentucky offers free GED classes
Redding.com believes most students should take some kind of training after high school
Students over 30: Should Everyone go to College?
Forbes.com: Is College Worth the Cost?
Fastweb: Advantages of Attending Community College
Find Scholarships and Grants
Some good scholarship links from the Nontrad site
Some of my links!
The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and my referral link
I think the concern is sometimes the biggest issue in deciding to go back to school. Tuition goes up every year. With the job market so unstable and finances on a tight or low budget, it's hard to gather the desire to take out a loan to go to school, and sometimes even harder to find the money to pay out of pocket. The higher the degree, the more expensive it gets and I think that discourages a lot of people...especially if they're still paying for student loans.
ReplyDeleteThere will always be a financial decision that you will have to make, you just need to determine if your investment will pay future dividends. If you are in a position where going back to school will pay off over time, then you should find the right program that is not only affordable but one that will generate the results you desire.
ReplyDeleteFear of going into debt is one of the main hindrances to non-traditional students. Many non-trads think that financial aid such as Pell Grants and Stafford loans are off-limits to them because of their age!
ReplyDeleteNot true! These are but two resources available to students of any age. There are options such as taking two years at a community college to save money.
Please see the financial aid office at your prospective school before you write off going back to college as being financially nonviable.
It's a catch-22 situation. On one hand, taking on student loan debt when you are older and have more financial responsibilities is difficult. On the other hand, tuition creeps up every year, so the longer you wait to return to school, the more you'll eventually pay.
ReplyDeleteNontraditional students should look for was to minimize their bottom-line tuition. This can be done via scholarships and/or grants; and by paying out of pocket for classes at your local community college.
These are great, thoughtful comments. Thank you!
ReplyDelete