College Bound

Dear Linda:

     I’ve been retired for two years and am bored stiff. I loved school and decided to go back to college—to the chagrin of my children. Is my desire so absurd, and do I get any advantages for having lots of snow on the roof?
College Bound

Dear College Bound:

       There is nothing absurd about learning, and the thirst for it doesn’t diminish with age. In fact, keeping the mind active is the key to staving off a number of age-related problems. Continuing Education is often at the top of a Retirement Checklist, and seniors make excellent students.

       The Texas Education Code allows persons 65+ to audit (full class participation but no tests) any college course with space without paying tuition or fees. For good community relations and because colleges recognize the advantage of running full classes, seniors are offered the empty seats. Ask the College Admissions Office for details about eligibility.

       For retirees interested in earning a first or subsequent degree, it’s important to evaluate skills and knowledge acquired in the work place. Your professional experience may afford you the opportunity to test out of classes. Visit www.collegeboard.com/student/testing or call 800-257-9558 for information about the College-Level Examination Program. “Clepping” out of classes can speed along the graduation process.

       Those who might have trouble getting to a college campus or think they would feel too uncomfortable in the beginning should consider Distance Learning (Online classes that connect the student to the professor via the internet). Students submit their assignments and professors correct and return them using email to communicate. Be sure that any program you choose is accredited. Visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation at www.chea.org or call 202-955-6126 for specific information.

       Funding abounds for seniors. Visit www.usafunds.collegeanswer.com to access a database of over two million scholarships. Read 501 Ways for Adult Students to Pay for College by Gen and Kelly Tanabe and The Scholarship Scouting Report: An Insider’s Guide to America’s Best Scholarships by Ben Kaplan.

       Carpe Diem (seize the day) and worry not what others think.