After taking a gap year, I'm considering going back to college as an adult. Do college grants or scholarships exist specifically for adults, and if so, what should I look into first? Any advice would be awesome!
Absolutely, there are various resources available for adults returning to school, in the forms of grants, scholarships, and other financial aid programs. Here are a few to start:
1. Federal Pell Grant: This is a need-based grant for low-income individuals and you don't have to be a traditional student to qualify. The amount you receive will depend on your financial need, the cost of attendance, and the number of credit hours you take.
2. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): This one is worth checking this out if you're in severe financial need.
3. State-based grants: Some states provide grants specifically for mature students. Check with your state's Department of Education to see what aid is available, with some offering specific programs for non-traditional students.
4. Scholarships: There are scholarships geared specifically towards adult learners. For example, the Imagine America Foundation offers scholarships for adult learners while College JumpStart Scholarship is open to non-traditional students.
Always be sure to use the net price calculator on a college's website to understand what you might need to pay out-of-pocket. This will give you accurate predictions of what attending the institution will cost.
Remember to fill out the FAFSA each year to qualify for federal and state aid, including grants and loans. Even if you think you might not qualify for need-based aid, many schools require the FAFSA for their own scholarship programs.
Colleges themselves often provide aid packages that include scholarships, grants, and sometimes no-interest loans for non-traditional students. You can always check with your school's financial office about institutional aid programs as well.
Finally, it’s important to apply for scholarships and aid early since some funding is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. So be on top of those deadlines! Good luck on your journey to return to school.
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