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I would like to return to college, but where do I begin?
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Your educational options are endless. To sort out alternatives, begin with a tentative set of goals. To gain the most reward for your time and financial investment, use the College Campus Tools module to select the colleges that seem best suited to your needs. You may also visit college counseling centers.
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Can I keep up with younger students?
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You are never too old to learn. Nationally, in higher education, enrollment of students age 30 or older has grown 63 percent between 1980 and 2000: students 30 or older now represent 30 percent of the total student population. And national statistics indicate returning adult students are as successful academically as 19- to 23-year old students. There are many campus resources available to help you complete your first steps back to school. Returning adult resource centers and nontraditional student advisors are available at each campus.
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How can I learn which areas of study are best for me?
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College counselors are your best source of assistance. They can help you map a suitable course of study or career path. Most counseling services are free to potential and enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. All Utah colleges and universities offer counseling geared to adults.
If you prefer setting goals on your own, your local public library offers many useful references, including the Occupational Outlook Handbook, an invaluable guide to careers published by the U.S. Department of Labor. This guide also is available at http://www.bls.gov/oco/. You can find out which careers best match your interests in UtahMentor's Explore Careers module.
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Should I start with credit or noncredit courses?
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If you have been out of school for several years and are unsure of your goals, you may want to start with a noncredit, special-interest course. Utah colleges and universities offer refresher or skills noncredit courses for people who think their skills are a little rusty. Once you feel more comfortable in the classroom, you may register for credit courses.
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How long does a program of study take?
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The length of time depends upon your educational goals. Many colleges offer short-term programs, two years or less (both noncredit and credit), leading to a certificate or associate degree in a specific field such as early childhood education, culinary arts, teacher's aide, computers, emergency medical technician, travel and tourism, or real estate.
The length of a more formal college program depends on the degree you seek. A certificate program may take 18 months or less. An associate's degree takes two years for full-time students and longer for part-time students. A bachelor's degree is generally four years for full-time students, and longer for part-time students.
Many part-time students choose one or two courses rather than a full program. If you choose part-time study during the evenings, classes may be longer in length, but they usually meet only once or twice a week, allowing you time for other courses or obligations. You may also be able to enroll in a weekend curriculum.
Colleges and universities want you to meet your educational goals. You may enroll in noncredit, continuing-education courses each semester. Local school districts and applied technology centers (ATC) also offer noncredit, adult-education courses in the evenings.
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Do I have to take more than one course at a time?
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The number of courses you take is a personal decision, depending upon your time, finances, work and family responsibilities, and educational goals. School advisors can help you plan your course load. You may want to start with a light schedule and a subject you like.
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Will college study allow me enough time for other responsibilities?
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Yes. Colleges have made their schedules as flexible as possible to accommodate adults. Most offer courses, especially the basic requirements, during the evenings as well as days. At some, you may attend classes on Saturdays. Directors of continuing education, admissions officers, and counselors can help you set up a schedule that works best for you.
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Can I get credit for life experience?
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Many colleges offer credit for knowledge gained previously through college-level military or business courses, work experience, or other types of independent learning. Nontraditional degree programs assess your knowledge through portfolio review or challenge exams. Check with an admissions counselor at the school of your choice. Once you are accepted into a program, a faculty member or academic counselor will assist you in planning your course of study.
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Can I apply for college financial aid?
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Yes, your age makes no difference and you may hold a job or be a part- or full-time student. You must, however, show financial need and be enrolled in a degree or certificate program (taking at least six credits).
Your financial need is determined by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can learn a lot about financial aid in Pay for College, right here in UtahMentor. A great source of help is the financial aid officer at the college you wish to attend. Your local library may have lists of independent sources of aid that are available based on religion, ethnic group, disability, career goals, or program of study. Research scholarship opportunities as soon as possible. Deadlines for applications usually fall between January and May.
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What about educational assistance from employers?
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More and more businesses are helping their employees continue their education. Some offer reimbursement for courses and/or flextime to attend classes. Others may bring instructors to company locations. Most colleges and universities arrange flexible, cost-effective training programs to fit employer needs. Professional organizations and unions also sponsor credit instruction with colleges.
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Is there any assistance for displaced homemakers?
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Special programs may be available, through the Utah Department of Workforce Services, for job training, career counseling, day care, and transportation for displaced homemakers — usually women who are forced to enter the workplace because they are divorced, widowed, or must support a husband who has become disabled or economically dependent. Enrollment in these programs is limited and based on need. There are also several nonprofit organizations that help displaced homemakers transition into the workforce.
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Do colleges offer child day care?
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Yes, most Utah colleges and universities provide access to day care. Babysitting services are often posted as well. Call the college of your choice or check out their website to get more specific information.
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Are special services available to adults with disabilities?
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Each campus has a disability services office to ensure you have access to college programs, services, and activities. They provide reasonable accommodation based on documented limitations. Disclosure of a disability is handled in confidence. Services range from providing interpreters and note-takers to textbooks on tape to exam accommodations and adaptive technology. Campus policies on accessing these services vary.
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Can senior citizens take courses without paying full tuition?
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Yes, Utah residents age 62 and older are permitted to enroll on a space-available audit basis in classes at public institutions without regular tuition charges. However, they must be qualified to take the class and will pay an administrative fee for the cost of registration. Some classes have course fees which also would need to be paid. Senior citizens must pay full tuition if they want to obtain academic credit. Private colleges do not have a senior citizen's tuition schedule.
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Are there any college financial aid programs for veterans?
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Yes. There are two places you can go to get answers about VA benefits: the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office ((888) 442-4551) and campus veterans affairs offices. Each campus has a veterans affairs-certifying official who can give you detailed information about the educational benefits of the GI Bill. Check the Campus Veterans Office List for the name, location, and phone number of the campus certifying official.
Veterans are often eligible for other federal financial aid. Information is available in our Pay for College section of UtahMentor. Like all students who apply for financial aid, veterans must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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What if I need retraining before I can get a job?
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Many institutions in the public higher education system work closely with the business and industry community to develop and deliver short-term programs specifically tailored to workforce training needs. In addition, programs at the ten Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT) campuses and the Salt Lake Community College Skills Center are focused on providing short-term, open-entry/open-exit training and job-placement services that are responsive to business and industry requirements.
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What if I don't have a high school diploma?
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Each college and university has different admission standards. Some require a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) Certificate; others have an open admission policy. In addition, some institutions offer GED-preparation programs and provide on-site administration of the GED test. Check with individual admissions offices for more specific information.
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What if I need remedial help?
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Most institutions ask that you take a placement test to determine your starting point in college. Such tests are given to identify where the college might help you so you can be successful in school. For example, placement tests help you determine which math and English classes you should take first. Many students need to "brush up" on their reading, writing, or math skills before beginning college-level coursework. Many of the institutions, particularly community colleges, offer developmental or remedial courses for these students.
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I am from a foreign country, but I live here. I do not read or write English well. How may I return to school?
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Most adult education programs at local high schools offer English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. Students are prepared in basic speaking, reading, mathematics, writing, and citizenship. Community colleges also offer ESL programs as well as tutoring services.
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How do I pick a college or university?
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Most students make this decision based on such factors as proximity, cost, degree program availability, and online course options. You can discover which institution is right for you by starting in the College Campus Tools module. You can visit the websites of those schools that interest you. On their websites, schools describe their programs, costs, locations, and online options.
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Can I transfer the credits I have earned over the years into a current degree program?
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Yes, but the rules are a little different at each institution. Most colleges and universities place limits on the number of credits you can transfer and how old they are. If you completed all of your general education requirements at a public Utah institution before transferring, the admitting public Utah school will accept all of them. However, some institutions limit you to transfer credits that are no more than 10 years old.
And most institutions have something called a residency requirement that means you must take a certain number of your credits through the college awarding the degree. This number usually varies from 15 to 45 credits. Check with the admissions office at the receiving institution.
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Why can't I just take the courses that interest me?
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You can do this, but it may not lead to a degree or certificate. Colleges and universities create learning plans (required courses) so students will do more than accumulate credits. They believe if you take courses that fit with your educational goals, your educational experience will prepare you for success.
So you are free to take courses that interest you. But if you want to get a degree or certificate, it is critical that you talk to an advisor at the institution that offers the degree you are seeking.
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What is the difference between undergraduate and graduate degrees?
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Colleges and universities award degrees that require students to take either undergraduate courses (1000-4000) or graduate-level courses (5000 and above). Students can earn the following degrees:
- Associate Degree (1000-2000 level courses): requires at least 60 to 69 credits.
- Bachelor's Degree (1000-4000 level courses): requires at least 120 credits.
- Masters Degree (5000 and above): requires 30 to 60 credits beyond the bachelor's degree.
- Doctoral Degree (6000 and above): requires around 30 credits beyond the masters degree.
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