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Stand Out as a Nontraditional College Applicant

By U.S. News & World Report

Applying to college as a nontraditional student can be intimidating. Older individuals, in particular, may feel as though they are at a disadvantage when their high school experiences are five, 10 or 20 years in the past.

The reality, however, is that many college students are considered nontraditional — according to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of 2012, 38 percent of college students were over age 25.

If you are applying to college after some time away from academia, here are several steps you can take to ensure your application stands out.

1. Outline any steps you have taken to return to an academic frame of mind: At age 24, Carrie was a valued member of the lab where she worked as a technician, but she realized she wanted to focus on building better tools for analyzing scientific data.

When she applied to college to study computer science, she highlighted a year of online classes and independent study she completed that focused on computer programming — this demonstrated her seriousness to attend college.

This is a great way for nontraditional students to prove that they are ready for college: document ways you have re-entered an academic mindset. Online courses, regardless of the subject matter, are one way to demonstrate your intent.

Discuss any classes with requirements beyond lectures — homework assignments, discussion groups and research projects can all carry extra weight.

[See answers to three common questions from nontraditional students. ]

Other factors to mention include the agency or company sponsoring the course, the credentials of the person leading the class and the total amount of time you invested. For example, is the instructor a university professor or a teacher at a local school? Did a community college or a continuing education program offer the course? How many hours of lectures did you listen to and how much homework was required?

Even if you did not complete an official class, book clubs, study skills seminars and similar learning opportunities can all suggest that you are re-engaged with formal learning.

Certain colleges and universities that focus on serving nontraditional students may have a specific portion of the application where applicants can note any courses they took as an adult. At many institutions, however, you will need to discuss your nontraditional education in your personal statement or admissions interview.

2. Detail how a college degree fits within your current and future career path: James was in his 30s when he realized he would never be able to spend time with his children if he continued to work two part-time jobs to support his family. He loved helping animals and people and enjoyed his work as a veterinary technician, so he decided to return to school for a veterinary medicine degree.

During his interviews with admissions committees, he spoke about how his love of animals has been a theme throughout his life. He also discussed the ways a college degree would help him make a bigger impact as well as take better care of his family.

Whenever possible, use your personal statement to demonstrate that you have a plan and a strong desire to change your life or the world. Be explicit about your history and passionate about your motivation. If family obligations deferred your dreams, explain how you put your loved ones first in your life for a time but that now it is your turn.

[Find scholarships for nontraditional students.]

3. Discuss any skills that are unique and specifically attributable to college: At age 27, Damon was honorably discharged from the U , S , Army after serving as a helicopter mechanic. His dream was to save lives just like the medics he had known in the military.

Although he had no time for formal study to show his intent, Damon was able to cite the discipline and rigor of his Army training. Keeping a helicopter in the air required incredible attention to detail, a strong work ethic and a refusal to compromise quality — all traits that would benefit a future medical student.

Of course, you do not have to have served in the military to be exceptional and stand out. Fast food service, for example, requires attention to detail, extensive knowledge of food safety regulations and excellent time management skills. Stay-at-home parents learn how to balance competing demands on their time while also meeting the complicated logistics of feeding and housing a family.

When preparing your college applications, review your life experience for skills you have learned to do well and that set you apart from others. Connect those skills to the tasks that college students need to master to succeed.

Starting college after some time away can be a true challenge. Whether in the personal statement or during your interview, inform the admissions staff that you have already faced difficult situations and thrived and that you are prepared to do the same at their institution.

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Stand Out as a Nontraditional College Applicant originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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