Introduction

It s Never Too Late to Get the Degree

You Want and Need

Education makes a greater difference between man and man

than nature has made between man and brute.

--John Adams

If you re over thirty and considering college as an option, you re not alone Hun

dreds of thousands of mid-career adults decide to retum to college each year. Here

are some facts to ponder if you are among the countless adults who are still think-

ing about starting college for the first time or pondering a retum to college to com-

plete an unfinished degree:

[] The number of adult students in colleges has increased steadily over the

last ten years and is increasing even faster now as recessions and new

technologies eat into once-secure careers.

[] According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, more than

fifty percent of the college students in the United States today am over 25.

In addition, over 80 percent of these adults am employed and have more

experience than the traditional college student.

[] At many colleges the average age of the students is over 30. In fact, there

are accredited universities and graduate schools that won t admit students

who don t have significant work and life expertence or who are under 30.

[] Hundreds of colleges offer accelerated-degree programs for part-time stu-

dents.

[] More than half the students in many colleges work full t~me in additlon to

attending school.

[] There am no age restrictions on most federal f manclal ald programs. Ft-

nancial aid is also available for part-time students.

[] Many accredited distance-education programs allow working students to

get degrees at home via computers, satellites, and television--without

ever setting foot in a classroom.

[] Many colleges and universities offer free or low-cost day-cam programs

for parents who want to attend school.

[] There is an adult-oriented support and counsehng center, a continuing

education program for working adults, or an adult-programs office on al-