Decide on the best academic institution for your educational goals. A number of institutions and academic programs are designed with the working adult and returning student in mind. If you are returning to college to advance your career, you should consider staying on your career trajectory and pursuing an academic major related to your job function or the position you desire in the future. Another issue to consider is your schedule; do you have the flexibility to attend day classes or would an evening part-time program be more appropriate?
Complete the application process. Before you can apply for financial aid or academic financing, you must be enrolled in a qualified academic institution. Contact the institution you are interested in attending and complete the school's application process. In order to be admitted, you will have to meet the admission criteria. Requirements vary by college and academic department. Some institutions will require you to submit previous transcripts or standardized test scores. Once you successfully complete the admission process and obtain your letter of admission, you can begin the financial aid application process.
Apply for federal financial aid. In order to complete an application for federal financial aid, you will need to answer questions about your income, expenses and tax liability. You will also need to have your school's financial aid code so your Student Aid Report (SAR) can be sent to the institution's financial aid office. The SAR is automatically generated from the information you input on your financial aid application. You will also receive a copy of your SAR, which will detail what your financial obligation will be. The amount of money you will be responsible for is identified as the Expected Family Contribution. The lower your EFC, the less you will be expected to pay and the more aid you may be eligible to receive.
Review your financial aid offer letter, which will be sent to you from the college. It will outline the amount of aid you are eligible to receive. If your EFC is low enough, you may be offered federal, state or institution-sponsored grants. Grants do not have to be repaid. In order to receive the free aid, you will have to reply to the offer letter by indicating which grant you will accept.
Look for scholarships that you may be qualified for. You may be able to qualify for scholarships based on race, gender, academic achievement or other factors. You can receive scholarships in addition to grants. Scholarships do not have to be repaid and may be used to pay for tuition, books or other college-related expenses. For the best chance at receiving a scholarship, you must meet the criteria and apply by the deadline. You may be able to acquire a list of scholarships from your college financial aid counselor.
Inquire about your job's educational resources. If your employer offers tuition assistance, you may be able to receive funds toward your educational goal. Most employer-sponsored tuition assistance does not require repayment.