by Lorraine Nyc

Created on: November 12, 2008

Ok, so you've applied to college at middle age, a school and filled out your FAFSA. What's next.

Well, it's that huge question....what do I want to be when I grow up? Well, breathe a sigh of relief if you're undecided. You don't have to pick anything right away. In fact, I would say if you haven't been in school for a few years, start out part time and just take a couple of General Ed classes to kind of feel things out.

Something else you may want to explore is online classes. I go to a school that is accredited and has a campus with classrooms etc. But, they offer a lot of their classes in an online format. This is the route I've gone to save money on gas, babysitter etc. So far, I have had to actually go to the school for one class. It has saved me a lot of headaches doing it this way!

And here's something kind of crazy....it doesn't really matter what you get your associates in. It has about as much pull as a high school diploma or GED, but it does show that you are applying yourself to your future..which always looks good!

Ok, so maybe you've picked out some classes and you're getting nervous about going back and how you are going to do all this without losing your sanity. Now, please understand that this article is primarily geared towards low income people who are at or close to middle age. So, with that in mind, enjoy the following information.

Believe it or not, the government has actually set up a few things to help people go back to school. Ok, worse case scenario, you're on welfare trying to raise your kids AND maintain some level of self and sanity. Well, the grants etc that you receive do not mean that you are kicked off of the program. Here's how it works. You get rewarded your grants, scholarships and loans. That money goes straight to your school. After they take out tuition and books, they send you a check for what is left over. How much you receive is based on how much you need...per school year. So, about 6 weeks after the semester starts you get a check. Your caseworker does not need to be notified as he/she will send a request for information to your school and they will provide him/her your financial information. So, it's nice to know when you are struggling that there is some light at the end of the tunnel!

Also, if you have to cut back your hours at work to go to school full time, unemployment may compensate what you lose. They also have programs to help pay for gas money to go to school. Call the unemployment office in your area for more information.

Now, I am quite sure someone is going to read this and get all bent out of shape. Most likely, this will be a person whose version of "struggling" financially is in a whole other universe than most of our versions. The fact is that the system in place to help those living in poverty is basically geared to KEEP them in poverty unless they figure a few things out. (I'm well aware someone is glaring at the screen and thinking nasty things about me) But, I have actually done interviews with Caseworkers who told me that part of their training to BE a Caseworker is an entire section on what NOT to tell people. Apparently people are supposed to learn through osmosis?

So, that kind of gives you a jist of the basics. In my next article, I'll be sharing information on obtaining scholarships...there are some relatively new ones out there that are fantastic!

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