Adult education - talk to me

katiewhompus

I've been thinking of going back to school, or at least taking a few classes in things like accounting, business, etc. Finishing another degree isn't really in the cards right now, but I figure even having some courses under my belt might help when/if I want to change cards.

More importantly, Scott has been wanting to finish his Associate's degree. He went to a community college in Maine for 3 years but never finished because he was not a school type and towards the end his father passed away. School got shoved to the side and life happened. Now he's realizing how many doors having a degree (any degree) will open and is thinking of going back. There is a community college about 30 minutes away from our house.

But here are my concerns:
Money : We don't have much extra. Do they give funding for adults? We had great credit when buying our house for a loan but I don't know what the house loan did for future loans.
Time : He already is away from home for 14 hours (12 hour shift, 2 hours commute) a day. He doesn't have much time for homework and classes. Have you found that adult ed. classes are lighter than traditional classes in this aspect?

I went to a public university for my undergrad and was little miss over-achiever, so it's hard for me to imagine going back to school now. Back then I was working 26 hours a week and could barely keep up. I know I wouldn't be taking 18 credits (or him for that matter) but it's hard to imagine being out of the house from 6:30am until 5pm, then going to an hour of class, having an hour of homework, taking care of the dog, cleaning, dinner, etc.

jasmineh7777

I would say that filling out the FAFSA is a good first step.

My H does classes online. He tries to get ahead on his reading on the weekends. It was harder when he had core classes to mess with, but now it is strictly computer stuff and it's not taking as much of his time.

Maybe some online classes that you guys could from home would be a good start?

[Deleted User]

Like Jas said, what about online classes? There are a lot of online programs that are more flexible to work with schedules. I think that Phoenix University is one that focuses on online classes.

Also, I'm not sure exactly how it works, but what about auditing classes? I remember being in a few classes where there were older people (from 30s to 60s, basically not the typical early-20 crowd) who sat in on classes to audit them. They got to take the class for free, had to participate in classwork and discussions, but I think they were exempt from any final exams. But, I don't know if those classes went towards a degree or not.

jasmineh7777

I don't think you get credit for auditing. You're basically paying for the credits, and the people I know that have audited don't pay.
For example, I can audit any classes I want after I graduate. I won't get credit, but I will be able to sit there and learn.

katiewhompus

Auditing could be interesting for me. I love learning and that way I could see if I wanted to pursue a path before putting in the money.

I might try online classes with him but I don't know if that will work. He's very old school and hates computers. I have a feeling he would end up looking at NFL.com instead of classwork.

Nebb

Personally I think that if you really want to do this you should start saving up and do it in the future so that you arent struggling financially. I know you dont have a lot extra and if I remember correctly you had a few large unexpected expenses last winter. I would hate to see you in a bad situation because you were stretched thin due to school. If you really want to do this, waiting half a year or however long, wouldnt be the end of the world. It seems like the safer choice.

katiewhompus

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_adult-education-talk?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:3e584e78-24bc-43e0-9c89-25957cde83ccPost:e3b0eeac-14f7-4ffe-894b-b0ae2fd3e546">Re: Adult education - talk to me</a>:
[QUOTE]Personally I think that if you really want to do this you should start saving up and do it in the future so that you arent struggling financially. I know you dont have a lot extra and if I remember correctly you had a few large unexpected expenses last winter. I would hate to see you in a bad situation because you were stretched thin due to school. If you really want to do this, waiting half a year or however long, wouldnt be the end of the world. It seems like the safer choice.
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

Thanks Nebb, I needed to hear that. Everyone (family, friends) keeps stressing that the sooner the better which has been frustrating.

Nebb

All of my financial struggles that we have had over the past 2 years have made me very cautious with money. You never know what might come up or need immediate attention so I feel like its just better to plan long term as opposed to jump in without a plan.

Maybe if you create a budget to start socking away x amount of money to save up for the tuition costs and books, and then start looking into bursaries or scholarships. Depending on the course or classes, they normally start both in january and then again in the spring (atleast here they do) so that would give you more time to atleast save up enough that it wasnt making it hard for you to get by day to day.

[Deleted User]

I agree with the saving up and doing it when it works for you.  My mom just went back to school a couple years ago and finished and now has her dream job, and she's almost 50!
Because of her doing that, I have quit worrying about what I 'should' be doing and when, and am doing what works for me now!
Don't know if that's going to help you in any way, but that's what I know

jasmineh7777

I think you can fill out a fafsa just to see what you would get. Then you can accept or deny. (I think...)

The online classes I've taken are pretty straight forward:
Online syllabus. Independent reading. Assignments are uploaded to the site.
Some require some class discussion via a board kind of like this. I might be required to respond to say, 2 people a week.

katiewhompus

Hmmm that actually seems doable Jas. I don't know why but I pictured them as being more rigid, like sitting on the computer for 5 hours a day.

Tiff my neighbor just did that! He finished his associates degree at the age of 61 (and after he retired).

Night_Sprite

I think you might need to prioritize mentally.  Are you two considering starting IVF if necessary?  I thought I remembered that.  I apologize if I'm wrong.  IVF is very expensive.  What's more important?  School or baby?  Also, Scott would have to really commit to classes, even just one at a time.  You would also have to consider that some classes may not be offered online.  

I'm not trying to be a naysayer, but school isn't something I take lightly as I've been a professional student for 8 years.  

Night_Sprite

Also, if your savings account is looking slim, I might fortify that before jumping into new financial commitments.  

I feel like a raincloud on your parade. 

ETA: I'm not saying school is a bad thing in any way shape or form.  It just has a lot of commitments associated with it.  

jasmineh7777

Also, are you still interested in certifications?
I know that if you do your security + certification before the end of the year, you don't have to renew it. If you get it next year, you do have to renew it.

The certifications are usually a couple hundred $ for each test.

zippityb

I take 1-2 classes a year at a community college. I used to do night classes, but now I do them online. They are pretty cheap (I think anywhere from $144 - $189 per class), and I have been able to deduct those amounts from my taxes. It has been really worth it to me, as I have been able to learn how to do my job better, and I am making myself more marketable if I have to find a new job someday.

I would try one class and see how I liked it.

Also, the thread title makes me think of Hall and Oates.

npasquale16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_adult-education-talk?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:3e584e78-24bc-43e0-9c89-25957cde83ccPost:cd060bd7-c86d-4ad3-86fe-76478ea13291">Re: Adult education - talk to me</a>:
[QUOTE]Filling out the FAFSA ( <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/" rel="nofollow">http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/</a> )  will give you an estimate of what you are eligible for in federal funding based on your household income. Until you are accepted as a student at an institution, you will have no way of knowing what sort of FA a college will offer you.  If you aren't a full time student, you will find that there is limited funding available. (full time differs from grad school vs. undergrad) However, your H should look into veteran benefits and what is available to him (and perhaps you). If you are only looking to take a class here and there, I highly recommend looking at local CC. Most 4 year institutions are become increasingly transfer friendly, so those credits may be applicable towards a four year degree.<strong> I am pro-online courses, but make sure they are coming from a reputable institution (preferably a brick and mortar) I know most people don't follow this, but I'm a higher ed nerd; for-profit institutions are being raked across the coals these days and are incredibly financially dangerous according to the GAO report.</strong>
Posted by mag920[/QUOTE]

I think everyone else made great points, so this is the only thing I'll add on.  I can't stress how important it is to take your classes through an "actual" university, especially when you work in a school district.  Although I'm taking classes online, they are Indiana University (Bloomington) courses, professors, etc.  Basically, I'm attending the same classes that I would if I actually moved there.  Online courses through a reputable university are the best way to attend a school that's great for your program (IU B is #7 and 8 for lang education) and the classes are cheaper (I'm saving $700 per course by doing this instead of going to an NJ school).  Finally, my district will recognize my degree and also offers tuition reimbursement because it is through a "real" school.

JadziaDax

I haven't read all of the previous posts, but i'll give you my opinion. If you're going to go back, do it now. Do it before you get a little older and decide to have kids. It will be easier. I am 28 years old and i'm tired as hell. I work full time and i'm in school full time and I barely have time to cook. My schedule is a bit different now, but when I had night classes I was leaving the house at 6am and returning home 10pm the earliest. After a while though, you get used to it. I just can't see myself doing this when I have children since it's hard enough without them (many people go back to school after they have children and I give them a lot of credit for that).

Also, prepare to spend most of your weekends doing work. Adult education classes are a little different than undergrad. I've never had a test. It's been all papers and a LOT of reading but it really depends on what program you apply for. If your husband is applying for an A.A. he may be in a class with younger full-time students and will have the same work load.

I have not received anything in financial aid since I am working- and I work in social services with pretty crappy pay. You can always apply for grants and scholarships, and your husband can apply for a military grant. My general advice, for you, is to take a few non-matriculated classes so you can be 100% sure the career path you are pursuing is the right match for you. Once you decide to enroll part time or full time, you'll already have the credits from the non- matric classes. A class or two can't hurt you, and I think it's worth it to pay a little bit of money to figure out where you want to be career-wise.
Sorry for the long rant! 

zippityb

I will also add that my community college lets me just take courses a la carte. I'm not in a program. I just take classes that I want when I want.

katiewhompus

Thanks for giving me so much to think about everyone

NS, that is one of my/our worries. We may be looking at starting fertility testing/treatments next February or starting the adoption process. With things the way they are now we are looking at saving for at least 4 years before having the average adoption fee of $30,000.  It's the rock and hard place of "go to school, get a better job, have more money but more bills" vs "stay where we are now, remain in this income, don't add to bills".

I'm also wondering if it would be wise to wait a few years to see if job things improve. It would be great if he finished his degree and all, but that's no promise he'll find a job that will pay him more for having it, you know?

Sarah, that's the hard part too. When he's waking up at 1am for he cannot possibly take a 4 hour class. Right now he's up at 1am, home from work around 4pm, then dinner/animals/whatever and an hour of free time puts him to bed around 9pm.

scoetto

Katie I'm looking into going back to school, too. Although I have a degree, it isn't helping me in the workforce. I'm thinking about getting a certificate, which doesn't involve a full time degree but does help with job training. And usually they can be awarded in 2-4 semesters.