I am almost 30 years old and separating from the military. When my duty is complete, I would like to go to college and work a part-time job. Am I too old to start college now?

Many adults begin or continue their college education between the ages of twenty and sixty. Now is the perfect time to investigate that option. Many schools now offer flexible schedule options for people who have jobs and/or families. Most schools offer online classes, certificate and degree programs, as well as evening and weekend classes to fit into any lifestyle. Before you start searching for the right school, you should identify what area(s) of study you would like to pursue and the time frame you require to achieve your goals. It won’t hurt to do a little research on that field of study to make sure that there are available jobs in that chosen field in your state. Answering these questions will help you eliminate some schools and make your decision easier to make.

Can I get credit-by-exam instead of taking a course at a college?

The number of credits that can be earned through this method varies from college to college. Many colleges give credit for students who have taken International Baccalaureate programs at the high school level. Advanced Placement High School courses with a high score can also award credit. For adult/non-traditional students, there is an option to take CLEP tests in designated subject areas. If an individual achieves the required score, the college awards college credit. Most colleges limit how many credits can be earned through testing.

I already have a four-year degree. Is there any benefit for me to attend a graduate school?

That depends on your goals. A graduate degree is required to gain access to certain professions. For example, the job of elementary school principal commands a master’s degree or equivalent. It also depends on the employer. Some employers looking to fill management level business positions, for example, require an MBA. Others are satisfied with a college degree and proven workplace experience. Research into the positions you are hoping to attain in the career area(s) of your interests is the first step in determining whether or not graduate school is the right move for you.

Do I need to take a test to attend college?

No, depending on the school and your intended curriculum. Two-year colleges and technical schools rarely require entrance exams. Most four-year colleges require either the SAT or the ACT when you apply as a new student to a degree program. Students may, however, sign up for almost any individual course with any school; and adults who have completed course work through a two-year college or the military usually do not have to take the SAT or ACT to continue their college education.

If you are seeking to be accepted by a college as student with a predetermined degree program, it is important to know that an entrance test score is only one piece of an applicant’s profile. Admissions counselors review all aspects of an individual including: academic performance, extracurricular activities, work experience and community service. Test scores are not the sole determinant of a student’s acceptance. Adults bring workplace skills, life experience and high levels of motivation to the admission process.

The majority of two and four year colleges do test accepted students in math and writing to determine the appropriate level of their first math and English course.

What will my GI Bill and VA Benefits pay for?

VA benefits, which include the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), VEAP, REAP and Reserve GI Bill, are available for active duty, reserve, and veterans to help with education costs. The Bill can provide over $36,000 in education benefits for:

• College, Business Technical or Vocational Courses
• Distance Learning including Correspondence Courses
• Certification Tests
• Apprenticeship/Job Training
• Flight Training

If you take four classes a semester at a regionally or nationally-accredited college or university, you can get up to $1034 a month (current rates) to cover education benefits, including high-tech or vocational-technical programs. If you take two classes a semester, you could receive as much as $517 a month.

It has been many years since I’ve taken a class. Are there any programs to help me refresh my academic skills?

Veterans Upward Bound is a free U.S. Department of Education program designed to help you refresh your academic skills and give you the confidence you need to successfully complete your degree.

The VUB program services include:

• Basic skills developments to help veterans successfully complete a high school equivalency program and gain admission to college education programs.
• Short-term remedial or refresher classes for high school graduates that have put off pursuing a college education.
• Assistance with applications to the college or university of choice.
• Assistance with applying for financial aid.
• Personalized counseling.
• Academic advice and assistance.
• Career counseling.
• Assistance in getting veterans services from other available resources.
• Exposure to cultural events, academic programs, and other educational activities not usually available to disadvantaged people.

The VUB program can help you improve your skills in:

• Mathematics
• Foreign Language
• Composition
• Laboratory Science
• Reading
• Literature
• Computer Basics
• Any other subjects you may need for success in education beyond high school
• Tutorial & Study Skills Assistance

To be eligible for VUB you must:

• Be a U.S. Military veteran with 181 or more days active duty service and discharged on/after January 31, 1955, under conditions other than dishonorable; and
• Meet the criteria for Low-income according to guidelines published annually by the U.S. Department of Education, AND/OR a first-generation potential college graduate; and
• Demonstrate academic need for Veterans Upward Bound; and
• Meet other local eligibility criteria as noted in the local VUB project’s Approved Grant Proposal, such as county of residence,etc.

I am unhappy at the college I am attending but feel like I have to stay there or I will lose all of my credits. I don’t want to start all over again. What can I do?

If you are truly unhappy at your school, it is wise to investigate a transfer. To begin the process, make a list of the pros and cons about your current school. Then create another list of what your minimum requirements for a new school would be. You will need to decide what is most important to you; for example: location, transferable credits, and student/faculty ratio, internship or co-op programs, among many other factors. College Board is one of the many tools for helping you find schools that match your criteria. Before making any decisions, visit the websites for the schools you like and call them as well. If possible, take a tour of the schools you are seriously considering for a transfer. Above all else, be realistic. You may not find everything you want in one school, so think about what factors are most important to you and your future success.

I am a college freshman and want to participate in a study abroad program. My parents are concerned that it will cost a lot more than what we are paying now and they have their doubts about the value of me living in another country. Can you help?

Many people are under the impression that it is much more expensive than it really is. In most cases, the cost per semester is the same or close to the same as at your present college because whether the partner colleges are located in France, Costa Rica, or Germany, the rates are usually set by the home college. Of course, there are many different types of study abroad programs. Find out which ones your college offers and the cost to participate. In the established programs, the credits you earn in the partner college immediately become part of your college transcript.

There thousands of ways to study abroad. Study Abroad Links is a resource designed to be an easy-to-use and practical starting point for anyone who is looking for information and resources to assist them in selecting a school, program or tour for study abroad or educational travel.

I was not awarded any scholarship money to enter college as a freshman. Does this mean I will never get any?

No, this is a common misconception. There are a vast number of scholarships out there for students at all levels of their education. One source for locating these scholarships is Fastweb. Do a little searching and soon you will begin to see how many scholarships are available in the private sector alone. The office of Financial Aid at your own college can assist you with in-house scholarships offered to attending students as well as other opportunities. Another source is the department of your major. Very often, departments have their own money to award to deserving undergraduate and graduate students who show excellence and determination.

My 11th grade child has a C-average. Will she/he have any chance of getting accepted into a college?

There are thousands of post-secondary schools and colleges in the United States. Many high school students who graduate with average grades are “late bloomers.” They blossom beautifully in the right college setting. The building blocks for college entrance and the college and career exploration process should begin in the freshmen year and continue through sophomore year. It is wise for juniors to be actively involved in the college selection process leaving senior year for completing applications and attending to the financial aid forms. Certainly, young people may change their minds along the way. Establishing a solid groundwork makes for a less stressful year for seniors and their parents.

Does it make a difference if you have a high school diploma or a GED when applying to colleges?

That depends on the college, as well as the specific circumstances that may have led to an individual earning a GED rather than a high school diploma. The Entrance Requirement section on the websites of the colleges that you are interested in will tell you exactly what is needed to enter that school.

A friend told me I’d never get into college because I did not take any foreign languages. Is this true?

No, two-year colleges customarily do not require a foreign language. FOUR-YEAR colleges, on the other hand, want a minimum of two years of the same language. You are strongly encouraged to research colleges you want to apply to before deciding against taking another year of a language. Search for Entrance Requirements. Read what is required for foreign language and then make your decision. If you have no idea where you will want to apply but you are sure you want a four-year college, I strongly recommend the third year as a way to keep more college doors open.

Math is my son’s least strong subject. What is the absolute minimum amount of math he can take and still have colleges be interested in him?

This answer is similar to the one for foreign language. The requirement does vary from college to college. The minimum is generally Algebra I and Geometry, possibly Algebra II; with more competitive schools looking for more college preparatory math: Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus.

Again, it makes sense to contact colleges before making high school course selections. Even if you do not know which college but know the type of college and level of competitiveness that you want, you can visit websites of representative schools to get a sense. College admissions representatives/counselors are also usually happy to answer questions for prospective students.

I understand that you can get a college degree through the military, but what if my child is not selected for a military academy, what are their options?

ROTC (Reserved Officer Training Corps) is a great option. Most colleges offer ROTC. ROTC students attend college while participating with other ROTC students in specific program activities and training. When they graduate from college they have both a college degree and military officer status. There are also ROTC scholarships available. Please contact your local military recruiter for additional information on ROTC scholarships, as there is so much more to learn about the program. The following contains links to listings of ROTC locations and information on each.

• United States Army
• United States Marine Corps
• United States Air Force
• United States Navy