Adult Learner Handbook

College and financial aid information for adult learners.

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS FOR ADULT LEARNERS

GETTING STARTED This handbook will walk you through steps to explore careers, apply to college, and pay for college.

THINK ABOUT YOUR INTERESTS & SKILLS

• Take an online career assessment on sites such as CareerOneStop.org and MyNextMove.org. • Ask about career resources at colleges you’re interested in attending.

2 LEARN ABOUT CAREERS THAT ARE A GOOD FIT FOR YOU To learn about career opportunities in Nebraska, especially those that are in high demand, visit NEworks.Nebraska.gov .

APPLYING TO COLLEGE

Once you have an idea of what you want to study, research colleges that offer an academic program in that area. Here’s how to get started.

LEARN ABOUT THE TYPES OF COLLEGE DEGREES Diploma/Certificate - Specialized training that typically takes a year or less to complete. Associate - A two-year degree offered by community colleges and career schools. Bachelor’s - A four-year degree offered by colleges and universities. Master’s - Typically takes 1-2 years to complete after earning a bachelor’s degree. Doctorate - Earned after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. 1

LEARN ABOUT COLLEGES IN NEBRASKA Here’s where you can find details: • The chart on page 3 lists all colleges in Nebraska. • College Profiles at EducationQuest.org has details about schools in Nebraska and across the country. Search colleges by location, major, cost, and school type.

ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS WHEN YOU VISIT COLLEGES

Ask an admissions representative about: • Academic programs for careers that interest you. • Admission requirements and deadlines. • Alternative class schedules to fit your needs, such as: o Online degree programs. o Evening courses. o Weekend programs. o Accelerated degree programs. • Transferring credits from previous college courses. • CLEP exams to earn college credit for what you already know.

Ask a financial aid representative about: • When to apply for financial aid. • Which academic-year FAFSA to complete based on when you start college. • The cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and when payment is due.

• Scholarships for adult learners. • How to pay for housing costs.

Most colleges offer: • Tutoring services. • Career counseling center. • Computer labs. • Child care center. • Student Support Services for those who qualify. • Student Health Center. CAMPUS RESOURCES TO HELP YOU SUCCEED

• Resources for military veterans. • Accommodations for a disability.

4 APPLY FOR ADMISSION

As you prepare to apply to the college you selected, be aware that they may request your high school transcript or GED certificate. If you’re a fairly recent high school graduate, the college may ask for ACT or SAT scores. Community colleges may require a placement test such as the Accuplacer or Companion to place you in the appropriate class. After you’re accepted for admission, the college will instruct you to create an online student account/portal for communications about admissions, financial aid, or other college-related matters.

EducationQuest.org

NEBRASKA COLLEGES COMMUNITY COLLEGES 4-YEAR PUBLIC

Central Community College – Columbus Central Community College – Grand Island* Central Community College – Hastings Little Priest Tribal College – Winnebago* Metropolitan Community College – Omaha* Mid-Plains Community College – McCook* Mid-Plains Community College – North Platte Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture – Curtis Nebraska Indian Community College – Macy* Northeast Community College – Norfolk* Southeast Community College – Beatrice Southeast Community College – Lincoln* Southeast Community College – Milford Western Nebraska Community College – Scottsbluff*

Chadron State College – Chadron Peru State College – Peru

University of Nebraska – Kearney University of Nebraska – Lincoln University of Nebraska – Omaha University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha* Wayne State College – Wayne*

4-YEAR PRIVATE

Bellevue University – Bellevue* Bryan College of Health Sciences – Lincoln Clarkson College – Omaha

College of Saint Mary – Omaha Concordia University – Seward* Creighton University – Omaha* Crown College – Omaha Doane University – Crete* Hastings College – Hastings Midland University – Fremont

CAREER SCHOOLS

Capitol Beauty School – Omaha CHI Health School of Radiologic Technology – Omaha College of Hair Design – Lincoln Entourage Institute of Beauty and Esthetics- Lincoln Joseph’s College :: Cosmetology – Lincoln*

Nebraska Methodist College – Omaha Nebraska Wesleyan University – Lincoln Summit Christian College – Gering

Mary Lanning Healthcare School of Radiologic Technology – Hastings Myotherapy Institute Inc – Lincoln Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology – Scottsbluff Universal College of Healing Arts – Omaha Xenon Academy – Omaha*

Union College – Lincoln York University – York

*Main Campus

USE OUR COLLEGE PROFILES TOOL TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU.

eqf.org/ClgProfiles

Financial aid can help you pay for tuition, books and supplies, and living expenses. These steps will walk you through the process. PAYING FOR COLLEGE

LEARN THE TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID

CREATE AN ACCOUNT To begin the process of applying for financial aid, you must create an account (FSA ID) at studentaid.gov . The Social Security Administration must verify your FSA ID (allow 3 days) before you can complete the FAFSA. COMPLETE THE FAFSA The FAFSA is your application for federal, state, and college-based financial aid. Complete the form at studentaid.gov by the college’s priority date. • T he colleges you list on the form will use your FAFSA information (your income, assets, and family size) to award financial aid. • After you submit your FAFSA, expect an email from Federal Student Aid that confirms your form was processed. It will also indicate if further action is required. • Complete the FAFSA every year you’re in college. • If you previously attended college, log into studentaid.gov to check your financial aid eligibility to see if you have maxed out on grants and/or loans. For free help with the FAFSA, see FAFSA Tools at EducationQuest.org or contact the EducationQuest location nearest you.

Scholarships are awarded by private donors and colleges and are not repaid. Ask your college about scholarships they offer and see the Pay for College section at EducationQuest.org for a list of free scholarship search sites. Grants* are based on financial need and you don’t repay them. They include: • Pell Grant • Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) • Nebraska State Opportunity Grant • College-based grants Work-Study* is also based on financial need and provides part-time campus-based employment to help pay for college expenses. Loans* are a type of financial aid you must repay. The college will determine which loans you qualify to receive. Repayment will begin six months after you graduate. They include: • Direct Subsidized Loan: Government pays interest while you’re in school. • Direct Unsubsidized Loan: You pay all the interest. • Direct Grad PLUS Loan: For graduate students, you pay all interest.

*These types of aid are based on FAFSA results.

EducationQuest.org

BE PREPARED FOR VERIFICATION Monitor your student portal and email closely as the college might request verification of your FAFSA information. The college will not process your financial aid until you provide required documents. 4

EXPECT A FINANCIAL AID AWARD OFFER The colleges you listed on your FAFSA will notify you of the types and amounts of financial aid they’re offering. You will only receive offers from colleges that accepted you for admission. Accept or reject the financial aid by the deadline. 5

Below is the maximum amount you can borrow each year in subsidized and unsubsidized loans (combined). HOW MUCH CAN YOU BORROW?

Dependent

Independent

Freshmen

$5,500

$ 9,500

Sophomores

$6,500

$10,500

Juniors

$7,500

$12,500

Seniors

$7,500

$12,500

Undergrad limit:

$31,000

$57,000

Grad Students : $20,500 unsubsidized loan each year Lifetime limit: $138,500

Learn more about student loans.

eqf.org/LoanChart

OTHER WAYS TO PAY FOR COLLEGE

EMPLOYER EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Ask if your company offers tuition reimbursement, scholarship programs, or student loan repayment.

COLLEGE PAYMENT PLANS Many colleges offer a monthly payment plan, allowing you to use current income to pay college costs. THE MILITARY If you’re a veteran, currently serving, or plan to serve, you may be eligible for the G.I. Bill, tuition reimbursement, or student loan repayment. For details, visit gibill.va.gov or visit your college’s Veteran Services Office. HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT This allows you to borrow money as needed, which fits well with tuition payments.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE GAP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you take non-credit courses at a Nebraska community college that lead to high-need jobs, you might qualify for financial assistance. Contact the college for details. NEBRASKA AGENCIES Agencies such as Nebraska VR, Nebraska Department of Labor, and ResCare Workforce Services provide education assistance for those who qualify.

CHECK OUT OUR TOOLS Search for them at EducationQuest.org

ADULT LEARNER CHECKLIST summarizes steps you should take to apply for admission and financial aid. COLLEGE PROFILES has information about colleges in Nebraska and nationwide. FAFSA CHECKLIST helps you prepare for the FAFSA. FAFSA DEMO walks you through each section of the FAFSA. SCHOLARSHIPQUEST contains more than 2,000 Nebraska- based scholarships.

EducationQuest.org

EDUCATIONQUEST CAN HELP YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY TO COLLEGE. We’re a nonprofit organization that provides FREE services and programs for Nebraska students and families including: • College-prep information and tools at EducationQuest.org. • One-on-one help at college planning offices in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, and Scottsbluff. • Outreach services for community agency clients. • Statewide efforts such as college fairs, financial aid programs, and the Apply2College campaign. • Look2College, KnowHow2GO, and Exploring College programs for younger students. We also provide need-based scholarships for students referred by colleges or community agencies and award College Access Grants to Nebraska high schools.

FOR FREE HELP WITH COLLEGE PLANNING, CONTACT THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU.

OMAHA Rockbrook Village

LINCOLN 1300 O St. 402.475.5222

KEARNEY 2706 Second Ave. 308.234.6310

SCOTTSBLUFF 1601 E 27th St. 308.708.7199

11031 Elm St. 402.391.4033

Materials and resources are available in Spanish. Materiales y recursos disponibles en español.

EducationQuest.org

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