It is late summer and most parents are preparing to resume the routine of getting the kids ready for school, or perhaps, preparing to send their offspring off to college. Many parents and other adults are also thinking they had planned to return to school this fall or enroll in college for the first time, and now, they are running out of time. If you are one of the individuals who has considered continuing your education, now is the time to move into action. Many colleges allow non-traditional (adult) students to apply and enroll in the summer for fall classes. Often we think of colleges as requiring admissions and tests to be completed in the winter or spring before enrolling. That is true of many institutions or programs within colleges, but not all of them. There may still be time to get in for the coming academic year.
If you have been thinking you would like to start or return to college, it does take some action on your part now. Check out the colleges in your area to find out about programs they offer. You will also need to find out about admissions requirements - generally you will need to have your high school transcript sent and, if you have attended a college previously, that transcript will need to be sent as well. If you have not completed high school and have a GED, those records will need to be provided to the college Admissions Office. If you have not completed high school and do not have a GED, you will need to do that before applying to college.
There is probably an application and/or admission fee you will need to submit along with the application. The process of becoming officially admitted to a program is referred to as 'matriculation'. Once you are matriculated in the program, that sort of 'locks in' that set of requirements for your program. So even if the requirements for your degree/program change the following year, or the next, you would still be expected to complete the requirements in place when you matriculated, as long as you have continued to enroll in courses for your program.
Many colleges offer an orientation program, which provides basic information needed to begin your college education. If not, make an appointment to meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss the requirements and any options for your program and first course(s) to take.
You may also wish to talk with the Financial Aid Advisor to find out about financial assistance in paying for college. Unfortunately, most federal or state grants and other awards are distributed before summer. You may also want to ask the librarian at your local library for assistance in locating information about other sources of financial aid. The College Blue Book, The Directory of Financial Aid for Women, and the Directory of Financial Aid for Minorities are reference books available at most libraries and contain information about other grants, scholarships, etc. If you decide to apply for a student loan, I encourage you not to borrow more than you really need. Also, I suggest that you not pay any agency for searching for sources of financial aid for you.
More information on adult students and college will be included in the next post.
Ms. Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
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