Returning to school without being in debt for life
October 21, 2010 10:16 AM Subscribe
Asking for my best bud here in Phoenix: Are there scholarships/grants, etc., available for non-traditional students (who are also the first in the family to attend college?) If so, where would I find information?
Here's his story ... with some additional information from me:
Ok... I have an associates degree from 1999 from a trade school with credits that will not transfer to universities or community colleges (One of those private, for-profit, post-secondary schools) I deferred it a while, so I’m paying down a $22k debt at the moment, $300 a month. I want to go to school, but I’m in my mid 30s and don’t know how to go about getting grants and such. I have absolutely no desire to rack up another 30,000 bucks in loans. But somewhere in the last 10 years prices have gone up to around $1000-$2000 a class, including books and other fees. This is true even for my state university.
At this rate, I’d never be able to get a degree. Paying bills and eating are much more important than an education. I'm also supporting my father and grandfather, who is well into his 90s. Sort of a catch-22, because I know that getting a Bachelors could open doors and raise my income. I’ve looked into online classes, but that only saves so much, provided it's a reputable school.
(Notjustfoxybrown's additional info: This guy is an extremely talented artist and graphic designer, can fix or build anything at all, plays guitar, etc. No dummy here ... Works full-time at a local publication and does work on the side.)
Please help me hope him.
Here's his story ... with some additional information from me:
Ok... I have an associates degree from 1999 from a trade school with credits that will not transfer to universities or community colleges (One of those private, for-profit, post-secondary schools) I deferred it a while, so I’m paying down a $22k debt at the moment, $300 a month. I want to go to school, but I’m in my mid 30s and don’t know how to go about getting grants and such. I have absolutely no desire to rack up another 30,000 bucks in loans. But somewhere in the last 10 years prices have gone up to around $1000-$2000 a class, including books and other fees. This is true even for my state university.
At this rate, I’d never be able to get a degree. Paying bills and eating are much more important than an education. I'm also supporting my father and grandfather, who is well into his 90s. Sort of a catch-22, because I know that getting a Bachelors could open doors and raise my income. I’ve looked into online classes, but that only saves so much, provided it's a reputable school.
(Notjustfoxybrown's additional info: This guy is an extremely talented artist and graphic designer, can fix or build anything at all, plays guitar, etc. No dummy here ... Works full-time at a local publication and does work on the side.)
Please help me hope him.
Response by poster: No, he's not a minority.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 10:28 AM on October 21, 2010
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 10:28 AM on October 21, 2010
Best answer: Here is the general scholarship link at Arizona State for first generation scholarships in the liberal arts and sciences (which covers a LOT of stuff). That will automatically apply your friend to several different scholarships. The deadline is late spring semester.
Here is a link to a list of other liberal arts and science programs that offer their own first generation scholarships at ASU.
As far as non-traditional students, I'm not sure if there are scholarships for them or not, but there is a program that has resources available for older students or ones supporting a family.
It might be easier to find more specific info if we knew which programs and degrees your friend was looking at.
posted by wending my way at 10:37 AM on October 21, 2010
Here is a link to a list of other liberal arts and science programs that offer their own first generation scholarships at ASU.
As far as non-traditional students, I'm not sure if there are scholarships for them or not, but there is a program that has resources available for older students or ones supporting a family.
It might be easier to find more specific info if we knew which programs and degrees your friend was looking at.
posted by wending my way at 10:37 AM on October 21, 2010
What's his income level right now? Does he claim his father and/or grandfather on his taxes?
posted by chara at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2010
posted by chara at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2010
Response by poster: WMW: Thank you! I'm not sure he's seen this.
He's interested in either continuing with the arts and doing visual communications or history or linguistics (The problem with people who are too smart for their own good and that they have far too many interests!)
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 10:48 AM on October 21, 2010
He's interested in either continuing with the arts and doing visual communications or history or linguistics (The problem with people who are too smart for their own good and that they have far too many interests!)
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 10:48 AM on October 21, 2010
Response by poster: He makes about $40K a year now and I'm pretty certain he doesn't claim his father or grandfather. It's something he should think about though because his support is very regular and substantial.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 10:50 AM on October 21, 2010
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 10:50 AM on October 21, 2010
Many departments at Arizona State University offer specific scholarships targeted to students taking courses in their field. Just as an example, here are the scholarships awarded by the Political Science department at ASU. Many other departments offer similar awards, which aren't well-publicized, and can really help defray the costs of schooling.
Another thought, if ASU is of interest to your friend: there's been a real professionalization of academic advising at ASU, and advisors there are now skilled at more than helping people understand graduation requirements. They're well-versed in the bureaucracies and opportunities available at the school. It may be worth making an appointment to talk to an academic advisor* in the department that your friend is most interested in, as well as talking to the admissions office.
Also, if we're interested in keeping costs down, ask about what kinds of general education credits needed can be transferred from local community colleges. Some introductory courses (esp. languages, which used to be required for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) are just as good -- and cheaper -- when taken at places like MCC.
*But don't do this during the week of pre-registration, which is when advisors are at their busiest. That could be right about now; check ASU's academic calendar first.
posted by .kobayashi. at 10:51 AM on October 21, 2010
Another thought, if ASU is of interest to your friend: there's been a real professionalization of academic advising at ASU, and advisors there are now skilled at more than helping people understand graduation requirements. They're well-versed in the bureaucracies and opportunities available at the school. It may be worth making an appointment to talk to an academic advisor* in the department that your friend is most interested in, as well as talking to the admissions office.
Also, if we're interested in keeping costs down, ask about what kinds of general education credits needed can be transferred from local community colleges. Some introductory courses (esp. languages, which used to be required for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) are just as good -- and cheaper -- when taken at places like MCC.
*But don't do this during the week of pre-registration, which is when advisors are at their busiest. That could be right about now; check ASU's academic calendar first.
posted by .kobayashi. at 10:51 AM on October 21, 2010
Linguistics at ASU is run through the English department. Here are their department-specific scholarships.
History -- and this is news to me -- is now in the School of History Philosophy and Religion. Their department-specific scholarships and awards are found here.
I don't know anything about Art, or Communications, which are run through different colleges than the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. But a little time with Google should point you in the right directions.
posted by .kobayashi. at 10:59 AM on October 21, 2010
History -- and this is news to me -- is now in the School of History Philosophy and Religion. Their department-specific scholarships and awards are found here.
I don't know anything about Art, or Communications, which are run through different colleges than the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. But a little time with Google should point you in the right directions.
posted by .kobayashi. at 10:59 AM on October 21, 2010
Response by poster: AskMe always helps restore my faith in humanity! (Well, not always but hey, today it did!) Thanks, .kobayashi. Please keep the answers coming.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 11:07 AM on October 21, 2010
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 11:07 AM on October 21, 2010
Oh, I didn't see the part about the existing associates credits not transferring to universities. I would agree with .kobayashi, to speak with an advisor, then, based upon that advice, taking some credits at MCC or Rio Salado. But do the advising first, because sometimes the scholarships require that you be at a certain level of hours in your undergraduate program and you don't want him unintentionally to put himself over any limit.
posted by wending my way at 11:19 AM on October 21, 2010
posted by wending my way at 11:19 AM on October 21, 2010
MCC and RS both offer a lot of stuff online, too, in case in would help with his work schedule.
posted by wending my way at 11:19 AM on October 21, 2010
posted by wending my way at 11:19 AM on October 21, 2010
For example, by the way, any degree in the College of Liberal Arts & Science at ASU requires foreign-language proficiency up to the 202 (intermediate level). While you can test out of it, let's say your friend needs to take language instruction, starting at 101. Unless this has recently changed, introductory language courses can be transferable from local community colleges. Let's also say your friend works full-time, and can budget time for only one course this next semester; let's further say that your friend's first class will be Spanish 101, a 4 credit hour course.
If I'm reading the current tuition & fees correctly:
This course would cost an in-state resident $2,338 at ASU next semester in tuition and fees (not counting books).
This same course would cost an in-state resident $299 at Mesa Community College next semester in tuition and fees (not counting books).
The prices vary according to credit hour. And there's a limited number of courses that can be carried over from community colleges. But if your friend's previous coursework is a sunk cost, and none of those credits can be carried over, Arizona's community college system can be a real financial miracle.
So, your friend should definitely definitely talk with an advisor about what can be carried over, and make a specific plan about exactly which courses can/should be taken at the community colleges first. At the same time, he should plan when he will enter ASU, and make certain that there's no expectation that rules regarding transferring credits will change between now and his matriculation to ASU.
posted by .kobayashi. at 11:34 AM on October 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
If I'm reading the current tuition & fees correctly:
This course would cost an in-state resident $2,338 at ASU next semester in tuition and fees (not counting books).
This same course would cost an in-state resident $299 at Mesa Community College next semester in tuition and fees (not counting books).
The prices vary according to credit hour. And there's a limited number of courses that can be carried over from community colleges. But if your friend's previous coursework is a sunk cost, and none of those credits can be carried over, Arizona's community college system can be a real financial miracle.
So, your friend should definitely definitely talk with an advisor about what can be carried over, and make a specific plan about exactly which courses can/should be taken at the community colleges first. At the same time, he should plan when he will enter ASU, and make certain that there's no expectation that rules regarding transferring credits will change between now and his matriculation to ASU.
posted by .kobayashi. at 11:34 AM on October 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The community college system here is one of the best, but if a Bachelors is the goal start with the Maricopa-ASU Pathway Program
posted by khedron at 4:48 PM on October 21, 2010
- "Guaranteed admission to ASU degree programs when all MAPP requirements are met.
- Eligibility for the ASU Tuition Commitment which provides limits on tuition increases during enrollment at ASU.
- Specific scholarships available for meritorious students who complete an associate’s degree.
- Access to Transfer Advising and other pre-enrollment services on-site at the Maricopa Community Colleges.
- Cost-effective pathway ensuring all courses transfer and apply to an ASU degree."
posted by khedron at 4:48 PM on October 21, 2010
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posted by griphus at 10:27 AM on October 21, 2010