Frequently Asked Questions

As an adult deciding to go back to school and start a degree – or finish one you started – you you will probably have some questions. Not only do you need to decide what you want to study, you need to think about how you are going to pay for it. Then you may wonder if it is worth it. After all, how can we put a price on education? So your first question may be:

Is it worth it?
College is a value you place on yourself. I have met people who spend more money than I would spend on a car or a home. I have also met young students who will owe much more than I would consider spending on a college degree. But when it comes to spending money on an education, there is no right or wrong answer. A college education is definitely an investment that will never lose value.

Will going to school take too much time?
Time you spend on improving yourself is time well spent. Going back to school will place demands on you that can be difficult to handle. Remember when you were in high school and it seemed more important to go out with your friends and have fun than to stay home and write a paper or study for a test? Remember how you didn't want to go to school on Monday because you knew the teacher would be collecting those papers? Going back to school as an adult gives you a second chance to get it right. You will be amazed how good you feel when you are prepared and organized for class. Time management will be your friend, not your enemy.

What about filling out forms like FASFA or for financial aid? I might make a mistake!
We are human and it is natural to have fears about things we don't understand. The good news is there are people who can help us with things that may intimidate us. People who work in college admissions and bursar offices are trained to help you succeed. Sometimes it's the idea of filling out a form that scares us more than actually doing it. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to answer the questions. Many forms have instructions you can refer to and if you still have doubts, there is always someone who can help you.

I am afraid of change. How do I know this will work for me?
Whether we like it or not, the world is constantly changing. What better way to be prepared for these changes than to learn that change is good? I have never met anyone on campus who regrets going to school – in fact, I 'm always getting their support. Not every class you take is going to be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. I remember in one of my first classes we had to write a paper and use MLA citations. I was nervous because I didn't know what that was and I was not alone. Several of us – even students who had just graduated from high school – approached the professor after class and expressed our confusion. She took some time in our next class to give us some handouts and went over how to cite our work properly. I was already changing.

I don't have any extra money. How will I pay for college?
This is probably the most frequently asked question, and with good reason. This is the one question that keeps people from starting or finishing their degree. When I wanted to attend college I didn't know how I was going to pay for it. But when I met with my advisor, I was given choices, not ultimatums. Our federal government offers financial aid, the state offers incentives like grants, and even the college offers programs and scholarships I didn't know existed. Many of the costs associated with higher education are affordable, no matter what your income level. Even your employer may support your effort to learn and if you are currently unemployed, school is a great way to motivate yourself toward a career by doing internships. If you have the desire you will find a way to get started and keep going.

Thank you for reading this blog. If you have any other questions I would be happy to offer you some advice or help you to find an answer. As adults who return to school, we often learn best from each other. Please leave your question or comment below. Thanks!

Roxanne B