College Financial Aid Night

So tonight instead of focusing on the kids school we are going to the financial aid night at Century College to see what they have to say. This will be interesting for me as I am very much an "information collector" the more information I have the happier I am. When I went to college last year I really didn't know anything about the process and didn't really learn anything from the school. SO I am excited to go. I am pretty sure that I will get a good amount of my course fees covered by the federal and state pell grants but you never know and I feel it is always best to be over prepared. I am hoping that they will have information on where to find scholarships and grants and tips for applying. That is my biggest concern right now. We have my husband's tuition covered 100% by the GI Bill thanks to his veterans benefits and even a little extra to use for living expenses. This definately cuts back on the stress of returning to school. Now if we could both find a couple of grants or scholarships that can be used to cover tuition, books, or living expenses we would be doing great. I know my husband is worried about making this transition as am I. In the long term we will be much more secure in our jobs and better able to support our children. The now is a bit scary though so I am hoping to get some really great student financial aid tips to help ease us through.

Returning to College

So both my husband and I have decided to return to college. I have a useless degree and he has some credits from the military and has decided to use his GI Bill benefits. We will both be attending the same school for different degrees. Last night was the Open House at the college. It was great! I really didn't know what to expect but I was able to get so much information on so many topics it was amazing. I didn't make it to the table with the information on the college's daycare but I made it every where else. Plus they have lots of information on the hours fees and certifications online and in the catalog so... not really worried, and thinking we'll use the daycare by us possibly anyways because the one near us is open more hours. But anyways, I found out tons of information on the different resources at the college. Talked to the veterans service people and got contact info for my husband and then got information from lots of people on the different course options. My favorite part was meeting one of the nursing instructors and a current nursing student. I will be starting college in the fall taking all me general education credits. (One of the reasons I say I have a useless degree is because not only can I not get a job in that career field - none of my credits transfer) I learned that there are special courses that you can take together so that your classmates are exactly the same in both classes if you choose and if you have a fear of public speaking, like me, this makes it slightly easier because you know the people better. It generally takes people about 3 years to complete the pre requisites for the RN program and I plan on taking 2 years. It will take me atleast 4 years to get a 2 year degree, who knew, so I don't want to take any longer than I absolutely have to. I met an English reading/writing teacher who I will never have because I tested out of her classes, who welcomed me to her office anytime I have a question or want help with an assignment. (How cool is that) I found out that there is a nursing student group which talks about study tips and things they are learning that I can attend before I enter the nursing program. But the thing that I found so positive and encouraging was how many different people said how much they loved having older students in their classes. How the older students are obviously more mature from their life experiences but also tend to do better in class. Whether it's due to the increased maturity or just the desire to be there no one knows but that when you go to college NOT immmediately after high school that the students seem to excel more often and know where they're going. All the resources are there you just have to use them. I am so excited to see where I will be in 4 years time and to know that I will enjoy what I'm doing while providing for my family.

The thing that really gets me is that I spent more money to get that 9 month "career degree" that got me an $11.00 an hour job going nowhere, than I will on attending this college for 4 years to get a degree as a Registered Nurse. When you explore your options the possibilities truly are endless. :D