Non-traditional students and financial aid scams

I have a work-study job in my school library, and love it. I love being around books, and I also love helping people find the information they need. Much of the time, I need to refer students to the professional librarians, but I can handle a lot of requests. Most questions are computer/software-related, such as formatting text in Microsoft Word 2007. Few of the problems I solve have any real significance beyond that person.

Yesterday, however, there was a biggie.

The financial aid office sent a woman down to use a library computer to fill out her FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online.  I told her to let me know if she needs any help. About a half-hour later, she approached the circulation desk, and asked me for some help. I went over to see what the problem was. It seems the FAFSA website was asking her for a credit card number. The cost for filing her application was $79.99.

Uh-oh.

Somehow, she had gone to fafsa.com, which is NOT the legitimate federal student aid site– fafsa.ed.gov! I can only guess that she did a google search for “fafsa,” and selected the dot-com site. There she was, with a pile of income tax papers and W-2 forms… and she had just spent a half hour giving her sensitive information to some shady for-profit website!

I urged her to quickly get out of that phony financial aid website, and put her on the right track. She had some paper work from the financial aid office with the correct FAFSA web address on it, but for whatever reason she had gone to a different site. I think the financial aid office should have been a lot more clear. I felt really bad for her. I hope her information is safe.

“I thought it was free to apply,” she told me, red-faced. “And then when they said it was$79, I knew something was wrong. I’m too old for this stuff, I’m 36…” I tried to assure her that it was okay, and I was glad I set her straight before she got ripped off by a phony site.

Traditional students often have a better understanding of financial aid procedures, but only because they may have been informed by their high school guidance counselors. Non-traditional students don’t always have that kind of support when they return to college.

If you’re applying for federal student aid, protect your personal information and avoid getting ripped off by scam sites pretending to be the US government!

In short, remember these three things:

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

If a website charges a fee to file your FAFSA or asks for a credit card number, it is definitely a scam.

fafsa.ed.gov is the only legitimate site for applying for federal student aid.

Wherein she decides to manage her time more carefully

A common side-effect of writing several different “niche” blogs is that sometimes topics are bound to overlap.

This is one of those times, and this is one of those topic: Time management.

Kindly travel with me across the outer reaches of the ’sphere…

If time is money, then I’m not as frugal as I thought!

Thank you very much.

Academic Success Skills for Non-Traditional Students: Critical Thinking

Returning to college as an adult can certainly be overwhelming!

Being back in a classroom will force you to use some mental “muscles” that you might not have used in a long time. You’ll also need to develop some other skills that might not have even existed when you were in school!

Over the next several days, this will be a series of Top Success Skills for Non-Traditional students.

Math |  Reading | Writing | Critical Thinking | Computers |  Research

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CRITICAL THINKING

Recently, my local newspaper printed an article about the pollution dangers of burning wood pellets for heat. The first sentence of the article reads:

A study conducted for Maine’s oil dealers concludes air quality could worsen if thousands of homeowners switch from oil heat to wood pellet stoves.

Now before you make any rash decisions about how you’ll heat your home this coming winter, read the above sentence again.

Then ask yourself: Why would the Maine oil dealers commission a study on this topic? Well, the article goes on to say:

It takes aim at a draft recommendation of the Governor’s Wood-to-Energy Task Force, which has set a goal of having 10 percent of homes heat with pellets.

Well, if 10 percent of the homes in Maine switch to wood heat, the oil companies stand to lose over 50,000 customers! (In 2000, there were 518,200 households in Maine. Source:  US Census Bureau)  Could that loss of income be the underlying motivation? Do you think there’s even the slightest chance that the findings of the study might be biased in favor of oil heat?

Further on in the article, a gentleman accuses the oil dealers of “using selective information to mislead people”. That may very well be true, but…

“They’re trying to protect their turf, protect their pocketbook, so people will continue to burn oil,” said Otten, who has launched a business, Maine Energy Systems, that’s promoting and selling high-efficiency, European pellet boilers.

Wait a minute. He’s in the business of selling wood stoves. If ten percent of Mainers switch from oil to wood, he’ll have  50,000+ potential customers! When he stands to make a lot of money himself, isn’t it a little hypocritical for him to say the oil dealers are trying to “protect their pocketbook”?

It’s okay to sigh at this point. I don’t blame you one bit.

Modern life– and our media– can be confusing.

Every minute of every day, we are bombarded by sometimes baffling information.

• Experts and pundits dispute each others’ claims.
• Marketing and advertising demand our attention (and our wallets).
• Statistics often make no sense.
• The results of studies and surveys on the same subject contradict each other!

Seemingly at every turn, you encounter groups and individuals pushing their agendas, stirring up controversy, promoting their causes!

This is why critical thinking has never been more crucial than it is today.

Critical thinking is the ability to step back and analyze information, and then make a good judgment as to whether the information is reasonable and logical.

Sure, it’s much easier to just blindly accept what you hear and read. “A major study shows that 98% of all heart attack patients had brushed their teeth within the previous 48 hours. Therefore, this proves that toothpaste causes heart attacks.” I just made that up, but if that “fact” appeared on the evening news, a lot of people would panic! Think about it, though: most healthy people have also brushed their teeth in the past 48 hours! A lot of the information you come across won’t be as obviously ridiculous.

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But how can you know for sure a “fact” or a “statistic” or a “truth” is correct or not?

Critical thinking requires you to have a healthy skepticism towards much of what you see and hear in the media. In college, you’ll be expected to do a lot of research. Your instructors will expect you to use credible sources (books, journals, websites and other resources that are known to be reliable), rather than questionable sources. When researching information for a term paper, you will need to be able to evaluate whether or not a website or article is a credible source: is this information a proven fact, based on solid evidence… or just someone’s personal opinion?

Opinions are fine; we all have them. It’s when personal opinions are presented as fact that there’s a problem.

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Critical Thinking as an Academic Skill

Learning about critical thinking is an incredibly valuable part of your education. I know for sure these ideas were never taught in my education up through high school. My school’s beginning philosophy course, “PHI 101- Critical Thinking” was an absolute revelation to me when I took it last fall. Your college may offer such a course, most likely an offering of the Philosophy (or Humanities) Department. It might be called “Critical Thinking” or “Logic”. Check with your advisor, or your school’s Philosophy department.

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College is no place for mental laziness.

In your college school work, you’ll be forced to really THINK about things. You could say that high school work gives an overview of a topic, focusing on details and facts and figures. College work takes those details, facts, and figures… and analyzes them, looking for connections and patterns. In college, you’ll be looking for deeper meaning, the big picture that connects the facts.

Learning about logic and the structure of arguments will help you immensely in your other classes, especially with essays and other papers. Being able to put together a solid argument (a statement supported by evidence) will help you organize your thoughts and create a well-written paper.

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Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks

It’s often said that adults of a certain age are “set in their ways”. This may or may not be true, but in college, you’ll come across many new ideas and perspectives.  Many of those ideas will challenge your beliefs, and this could be very uncomfortable at times. But this is why you are in college- to learn, to broaden your understanding of the world.

I’m not saying you necessarily have to change your mind or abandon your values. Many of your beliefs and opinions are hard-won, the result of life experience. But how many of your most cherished beliefs were handed down to you from your family, or picked up somewhere along the way without really questioning them? Refusing to question your own beliefs can be scary, and some people see it as a sign of weakness or lack of faith. However, it can be very satisfying to investigate other points of view with an open mind… and eventually decide that your own ideas still stand up to close scrutiny.

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Keep an open mind… but not so open that your brain falls out!

It seems like a total contradiction, but learning requires both an open mind… and skepticism.

The key is to neither blindly accept nor flatly dismiss new information. Check it out. Investigate it. Do some research. And THEN made a judgment.

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Helpful Critical Thinking Resources:

Critical Thinking Skills

Critical Thinking Articles for Students

Identifying the Argument of an Essay (great tutorial!)

Critical Thinking Basics

A Practical Guide to Critical Thinking

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ACADEMIC SUCCESS SKILLS FOR NONTRADITIONAL STUDENTS SERIES

1. Math

2. Reading

3. Writing

4. Critical Thinking

5. Computers

6. Research

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Academic success skills for non-traditional students: writing

Returning to college as an adult can certainly be overwhelming!

Being back in a classroom will force you to use some mental “muscles” that you might not have used in a long time. You’ll also need to develop some other skills that might not have even existed when you were in school!

Over the next several days, this will be a series of Top Success Skills for Non-Traditional students.

Math |  Reading | Writing | Critical Thinking | Computers |  Research

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WRITING SKILLS

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“I’m not looking for a book report on Hamlet. I’m looking for analysis!”

That was my Intro to Literature instructor from last semester, assigning a 5-page essay on Shakespeare’s famous play.

Back in your high school English class, you might have gotten away with writing a paper that simply summarized the plot:

Prince Hamlet encounters his father’s ghost and learns the truth about how his father died. Hamlet becomes obsessed with plotting revenge against the murderer– the King’s own brother, who by the way has since married Hamlet’s widowed mother and has become the new King of Denmark. Hamlet goes a little crazy, and chaos ensues.

That probably won’t cut it in college.

College writing is a whole new level. When my literature instructor said she wanted “analysis” and not a “book report”, she meant business. Your college professors will expect more from you than just a summary of the textbook chapters.

You’ll need to go a lot deeper than just re-telling the story in your own words. Your instructor already knows the story; you need to write a paper that convinces him/her that you understand what the story means.

Literature analysis is beyond the scope of this post (another post for another day), but the point is that

college writing will most likely be more complex than anything you’ve ever written in your school career.

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Building the foundations

As mentioned for Math and Reading, you will most likely have to take a placement test in Writing, as well. You may need to take a lower-level writing course to bring your skills up to the college level. Don’t feel insulted or discouraged. This will help you in the long run, preparing you for success at higher levels.

Required for graduation… and rightfully so!

Most degree programs require at least one college-level writing course. This isn’t just a random, meaningless requirement. It’s practical and useful. Good writing skills will help you succeed in your future course work, too. You’ll need to write papers and essays in other classes, and your writing class will give you skills to build on throughout your college career.

An important skill beyond college

The importance of effective writing isn’t only useful in school. Good writing skills are highly sought-after in the workplace, as well. In fact, many employers bemoan the fact that workers’ writing skills are sorely lacking.

Being able to write well can give you a special advantage in the job market. When there’s a pile of poorly-written resumes on the hiring manager’s desk, your well-written resume will stand out from the crowd. When you outshine the majority of applicants, your chance of winning an interview increases dramatically!

Practice, practice, practice!

Writing is a skill like anything else, and requires practice. You learn to write by… simply writing a lot!  People who seem to be “born writers” may have a natural aptitude, but their skill comes from having actually practiced a lot more than most people!

Spelling and grammar count!

Some teachers have argued that spelling and grammar are not as important as the ideas being expressed. Your college professors and potential employers will disagree. They probably won’t be too concerned about your self-esteem to correct you and take off points for spelling. Whenever I see glaring errors in a written document, I begin to seriously question the content as well. Your use of the language should support your ideas, not undermine them.

Your word processing software has a Spell-Check function… use it! In MS Word, for example, when you misspell a word, a squiggly red line will appear beneath it. You can correct the word yourself, or the software can correct it for you. (Related post: Writing tips: Word Usage)

Finally, papers will need to be written in a much more formal language than what you use in, for example, memos and emails. Abbreviations and Instant Messaging slang are never appropriate in college work.

Need help?

If you’re in a writing class, your instructor is right there to help you with the writing process.

If you’re having trouble writing a paper for another class, however, fear not! Many colleges have resources for helping students with writing. Special departments, often called a Writing Center or Writing Lab, are available on many campuses. Staffed by faculty and other writing professionals, a Writing Center is dedicated to helping students with their academic writing. If you’re having trouble organizing your ideas or structuring an outline for your paper, they can help.

These resources are there for you. USE THEM!

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Useful links

The Owl– Purdue University Online Writing Lab

Academic Writing Skills- adulteducation.suite101.com

Academic Writing Skills- yourdictionary.com

Writing Skills

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THE SERIES

1.  Math Skills

2.  Reading Skills

3.  Writing Skills

4. Critical Thinking

5.  Computer Skills

6.  Research skills

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Writing tips: Word usage

If your having trouble picking you’re words, its okay. We won’t think your a looser if you never seem too chose the write words. Righting has it’s hazards hear and their, and that can sometimes tie you up in nots. Luckily, there knot to hard too overcome.

If the above looked okay to you, then we need to talk!

Spell-Check is a wondrous tool for the writer. In MS Word, for example, when you misspell a word, a red squiggly line appears beneath the word. You can then correct your error, or let the software suggest the correct word.

There is one potential problem– Spell-check doesn’t always catch usage errors. A usage error is when you use the wrong word– “your” instead of “you’re”, “there” instead of “their”, etc. If you use the wrong word, but spell it correctly, your mistake probably won’t be caught by Spell-Check.

Here are some words that often cause confusion.

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FREQUENTLY MISUSED WORDS

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Your- something that belongs to you. Your house, your idea.

You’re- contraction of “you are”. You’re fired! You’re pretty.

Yr- Don’t even think about using this!

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Its- something that belongs to something else. The tree sheds its leaves in autumn. Life has its difficult moments.

It’s- contraction of “it is”. It’s cold out. It’s true.

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Their- something that belongs to them. Their house. Their dog.

They’re- contraction of “they are”.  They’re on vacation. They’re a cute couple.

There- a location. He’s over there. Stay right there.

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Hear- to use your ears. I hear what you’re saying. Did you hear the news?

Here- a location. I’m over here! Well, here we are.

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Right- correct; something you’re entitled to. That’s right. I know my rights!

Write- to put words together. Write a blog. I write the songs that make the whole world sing.

Rite- a ceremony or ritual. The rites of spring.

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We’re- contraction of “We are”. We’re on our way! We’re so happy to see you!

Where- a location. Where are you? Leave it where I can find it.

Wear- to put on, or to cause stress. I think I’ll wear the red dress. That old joke is beginning to wear thin.

Were- past tense. You were just a baby then. Were you serious when you said that?

Ware- a product. Hardware. Warehouse. Selling his wares.

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THIS MIGHT HELP YOU REMEMBER:

In a contraction, the apostrophe (’) stands in for one or more missing letters.

it’s = it is

we’re = we are

you’re = you are

Loose- not tight; free. My pants are too loose. Wild animals are on the loose!

Lose- opposite of win; or to misplace. Lose the extra “o” in “loose”. You lose! Don’t lose your keys.

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Choose- to pick. Which candidate will the voters choose? Choosy moms choose Jif.

Chose- past tense of choose; picked. I think I chose the right one. He chose Mary over Sally.

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to- a preposition. I’m going to the store. Here’s to you. Give that toy back to your brother.

two- a number between one and three. I’ll be back in two minutes. Two can be as bad as one.

too- also; an excessive amount. Me, too! I had too much to drink.

Academic Success Skills for Non-Traditional Students: Reading

Returning to college as an adult can certainly be overwhelming!

Being back in a classroom will force you to use some mental “muscles” that you might not have used in a long time. You’ll also need to develop some other skills that might not have even existed when you were in school!

Over the next several days, this will be a series of Top Success Skills for Non-Traditional students.

Math |  Reading | Writing | Critical Thinking | Computers |  Research

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READING SKILLS

In college, there will of course be a lot of reading to do. Academic reading is very different from the reading you did in high school… vastly different from reading for pleasure! Not only will you need to read a lot of material regularly, you will need to to absorb it.

SKIM… THEN READ.. THEN REVIEW

Ideally, you want to first skim over the material to get the general idea. Don’t expect to absorb everything on the first pass! After skimming, go back and read it actively (below). Finally, review the material again.

HOW TO READ ACTIVELY

Look it up.

Keep a dictionary close by when you’re reading. Look up any unfamiliar words you may come across. Write them down in a notebook as you build your vocabulary.

Keep a running list of important terms and their definitions– in many textbooks, they will be featured prominently in the margins. If not in the margins, you may find a glossary at the back of the book. This will become a great study guide! Then go back and read it more thoroughly.

Take notes.

Jot down the important points as you read.

Many textbooks will feature summaries at the ends of chapters. The summaries will pull together the most important points of the chapter. This is very valuable information to study from. I’ve even made Xerox copies of the chapter summaries to study from.

Do the exercises.

End-of-chapter discussion questions and exercises can help you understand the material better. Take a few minutes to work through those questions and exercises, even if they weren’t assigned as homework.

OTHER TIPS

Take a break.

If you’re tired and having trouble focusing, don’t force yourself to keep reading. You probably won’t retain anything you’ve read. You’ll only have to read it again anyway. Better to just take a break, and go back to it with fresh eyes when you’re more rested.

Keep up.

My best advice to you about college reading: Keep up with your daily/weekly reading assignments! It’s so much easier to read twenty pages a week for fifteen weeks than it is to cram 300 pages the week before final exams!

Other helpful Reading links

Reading Comprehension Tips

Speed Reading

Staying Afloat: Some Scattered Suggestions on Reading in College

Reading Strategies

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Academic Success Skills for Non-Traditional Students

1. Math Skills

2. Reading Skills

3. Writing Skills

4. Critical Thinking Skills

5. Computer Skills

6.  Research Skills

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If you enjoyed this post and/or found it useful, please make a contribution to my virtual tip jar!

Academic Success Skills for Non-Traditional Students: Math

Returning to college as an adult can certainly be overwhelming!

Being back in a classroom will force you to use some mental “muscles” that you might not have used in a long time. You’ll also need to develop some other skills that might not have even existed when you were in school!

Over the next several days, this will be a series of Top Success Skills for Non-Traditional students.

Math |  Reading | Writing | Critical Thinking | Computers |  Research

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MATH SKILLS

Most degree programs include at least one math course as a core requirement. As a beginning student, you will probably need to take a math placement exam before enrolling. Generally, a placement test will evaluate your current skills, and determine which level math class you should start in.

It’s possible you may need to take one or more lower-level math courses before taking the course required for your program. Don’t feel discouraged or insulted; this will help you in the long run. Math skills build upon each other; a solid foundation will help you succeed at higher levels.

Relax.

Math Anxiety is a very real issue for many adults returning to college. Your younger classmates may be only a year or two out of high school, and much of their math skills will be fresher. Don’t let the Whiz Kids intimidate you.  As mentioned above, you will be placed in a course that matches your current skills. Trust that they wouldn’t intentionally put you in over your head.

Ask questions.

If you don’t understand what your math professor is saying, JUST ASK! Chances are, half a dozen other people in the room are too shy to ask the very same question. Nine times out of ten, you’ll hear them murmur gratefully when you ask the professor for clarity.

Attend every class!

Things happen, of course, but make the effort to stay current on work. Math skills build on what you’ve already learned. It’s so important to stay on top of things. Establish contact with with one or two classmates who can fill you in on anything you might miss. Even better, enlist a classmate as a study buddy.

Do your homework!

You don’t learn math just by absorbing what the professor is saying in class, or even by reading the textbook. It takes practice. You need to work out problems on paper until you understand the process. Stay on top of your assignments. It’s not just busy work (usually!)– it’s valuable practice.

When you’re done with your homework, go back and do them again. You’re learning a process. Practice, practice, practice! College courses are usually just two days a week. Don’t lost what you’ve learned- practice some more in between classes!

When solving a math problem, I’ve found you need to approach it logically:

1.  What information is unknown?

In other words, what is the problem asking for? What do you need to find? This is the most important part. You have to get straight to the heart of the problem first.

2.  What information is given?

The nice thing about math problems is, everything you need to solve it is right there.

If it helps to visualize, draw a little picture of the problem. If you’re a visual learner, a quick diagram may be just what your brain needs to understand the problem better.

3.  What’s the relationship between what’s given and what’s unknown?

How is one related to the other? When you think about it from that point of view, you’re forced to look for the missing link between the two. What connects the known and the unknown? You’ll have to decide whether the missing link is a formula or a particular method… and then solve it.

Whenever your professor (or the textbook) presents a formula or method, it’s important! Write down the formula, along with an example of a problem (with the solution) which uses that particular formula. You will eventually get to know which formula/method to use when you need to find a particular answer. Learning to make those connections– see those relationships– really helps.

Organization

Math notes can be messy and confusing. Take notes during class, but plan to re-do them later. A three-ring binder with loose-leaf notebook paper is a great idea for math class. You can move, insert, and delete pages easily.

Those formula cheat sheets (above) are best done when you have time to write them out neatly. Take time after each class to carefully write out a step-by-step solution of each type of problem. Include the actual wording of the problem, so you have the entire context right there. Draw a picture to illustrate the problem. These pages will help you study!

Seek Help!

If your professor can’t explain it to you well enough, you can get help outside the classroom. Most colleges offer free tutoring sessions; if you need it, by all means take advantage of this excellent free resource!

Somehow, I managed to get an A in College Algebra and an A- in Statistics this past year. Believe me– if I can do that, anyone can!

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Helpful Math Links:

Suggestions for studying math

Math skills invenory

Tips for success in math class

Math anxiety tips

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Academic Success Skills for Non-Traditional Students:

1. Math Skills

2. Reading Skills

3. Writing Skills

4. Critical Thinking Skills

5. Computer Skills

6. Research Skills
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Motivation for the non-traditional student

The decision to go back to school as an adult is a life-changing one, for sure! Coming to such a major decision will of course involve sacrifices for you and your family. At the very least, you may need to re-structure a large chunk of your lifestyle, habits, and time-management.

I certainly won’t tell you that all this is easy, because it’s not. There will probably be moments where you feel frustrated and discouraged. When you have papers to write and kids to pick up from soccer and demands from your boss, you may even consider giving up your education dream.

I will, however, tell you that all those feelings are normal and natural. Making such a huge change in your life will take a lot of adjustment on your part (and your family’s).

But how do you stay motivated? How do you remain focused? How do you manage everything?

As a non-traditional student, you already have a major advantage over your younger classmates: you are there because you WANT to be.

You have consciously chosen this path. Not your parents, not your guidance counselor, not your peers. You made a conscious choice. In fact, you may have even agonized over the decision. But in the end, YOU determined that this is what you want to do. You have weighed the pros and cons, and you have made a commitment to improving your life through education.

“Maturity” may be sort of a dirty word in our youth-oriented culture, but it is something that will put you light-years ahead of your classmates.

You’ve experienced Life-with-a-capital-L, you know what “The Real World” is like. The Real World is not some vague future time and place out there somewhere. You’ve lived there. You’ve worked some great jobs, you’ve worked some awful jobs. You may have raised a family. You’ve run a household, you’ve managed a budget. You’ve probably made some mistakes, but you have learned from each and every one of them. You have done and learned things that no 18-to-22-year-old can possibly yet know.

Most importantly, you understand the importance of education.

You know that failing a course means wasting your own time and money. Nobody’s paying for this. You’re not taking your education for granted. It’s all you, baby! Your younger classmates might not have quite made that connection. Skipping classes and turning in poorly-written last-minute papers and missing exams is for the non-motivated students. You’re able to take things seriously and get it done.

As an adult, you alone know how your choice will benefit you in the long run.

You alone know what you dream and desire. You alone know how badly you want to earn your degree. Make the most of that desire. Visualize yourself living the life you desire. Really see yourself accepting that degree, accepting that great new job.

You deserve it, and you can do it!

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Coping with the cost of college

The average tuition for in-state students at our state universities has risen 6.6% this year to $6,185 per year. Believe it or not, that is still a bargain when compared to private colleges, which charge an average annual tuition of $23,712.  (source: MSNBC article “College tuition still rising”)

As the costs of higher education continue to rise, it’s very easy for would-be students to grow discouraged. College is expensive, but is not necessarily out of reach. There are several ways of lowering your education costs.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Community colleges are probably the best education bargain around. At an average cost of $2,361 per year, it makes good financial sense to look into a community college.

You can save a big chunk of money on tuition, while completing the first two years of a four-year degree. Transfer agreements between community colleges and four-year colleges are becoming the norm, allowing students to transfer easily. Many community colleges have specialized Associate’s Degree programs with courses and credits that are designed to transfer smoothly.

For non-traditional students, community college can be an ideal re-introduction to the academic world.

FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

You may very well be eligible for financial aid… but you won’t know unless you apply!

The crucial first step is to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). I can’t emphasize enough the importance of FAFSA! All financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) stems from this important application. Visit the official FAFSA site for more information.

You might not think you can get financial aid, but it costs you nothing to try. Frankly, if you don’t earn very much money now, you may find you are eligible for grants and loans that higher-earning people are not. Ask your college’s financial aid department about grants and scholarships for non-traditional students. They’re out there.

CREDIT FOR LIFE EXPERIENCE

In many cases, this come-on IS too good to be true. No legitimate college will allow you to exchange your life experience entirely for academic work. Perhaps in some situations, it could work for one or two courses’ worth of college credit.  But the truth is, schools that promise actual degrees for little or no actual school work should raise your suspicions.

Here’s an example of how life experience could earn college credit legitimately. Let’s say you’ve worked as a bookkeeper for many years and have decided you would like to advance your career and get a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. A legitimate college might give you credit for one or two of the most basic accounting courses in that degree program. This would reflect the knowledge and experience you already have, but you would still be responsible for completing the rest of the program. It’s a good head start, but not a substitute for actually earning a degree.

TESTING OUT OF COURSES

Another option, which is somewhat related to Credit For Life Experience, is to “test out” of certain courses. If you are knowledgeable on a particular subject, you can take an exam that, if passed, will be recognized as college credit.

The CLEP (College Level Examination Program), for example, will evaluate your knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects. At present, a CLEP exam costs about $65, which is a great bargain compared to the cost of tuition for a comparable college course. For more information, visit the official CLEP website.

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I originally wrote this article for Helium.com. It has been edited slightly.

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Spammers among the blog commenters

My blog comment spam filter caught this gem sometime last month:

A little hard to read up there:  “It is tiring attempting the compute the hours we’ve used up searching for pell grant web pages.”

Now, I don’t have a lot of patience for spam and self-promotion in my blog comment area. It’s a rampant marketing tactic, but I find it disrespectful and, well, sleazy. I delete a lot of spammy comments around here.

For the online casino folks here, I suppose it’s nice that they at least tried to make their spam look like an actual blog comment written by a human being. They used relevant keywords, anyway.

Right now, I’ll make lemonade out of, err… this spam: if they’re struggling that hard to find FAFSA (the only legitimate website for Pell Grant applications), then I hope my blog will help them find it!