Going back to school might be a terrific option if you want to expand your skill set, advance in your present profession, or take on a new role.
The drawback? School can be costly, time-consuming, and interfere with your current employment.
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However, there are alternatives to enhance your education without going bankrupt or delaying your career.
Here are five pieces of advice from a Thomson Reuters employee who has successfully returned to school while holding down a full-time job.
After that, we take a look at grants for moms going back to school.
Advice for Moms Going Back to School
Below are some tips for moms who have made up their minds about returning to complete their education.
- Think about online courses
Numerous affordable and accessible degree programs and courses are offered online. Top American universities have flexible programs that let you finish your degree on your own schedule while still connecting with classmates and lecturers.
- Does your business provide financial aid for college?
Check to discover whether your employer provides funding for or reimbursement for tuition. In order to help workers advance in their existing roles, get ready for new responsibilities, change careers within the firm, or better position themselves for leadership positions, some employers offers a tuition reimbursement program for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate courses.
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- Inform your manager at all times
Make sure to talk to your management about your goal because you will need their support.
Be candid and honest when describing your motivation for returning to school and how the business and your team will profit from your degree.
Prepare to talk about your anticipated timetable and how long you think it will take you to finish your degree.
If you think your workload might prevent you from finishing your degree, talk to your employer about the potential of requiring flex or decreased hours. As soon as you start your coursework, inform your manager so they are aware of what classes you are taking and how your work may affect your job.
- Make a schedule and follow it
Set aside time each week to work solely on your coursework, and keep to it. Set aside 3 hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 6 hours on Saturdays, for instance, if you anticipate spending roughly 12 hours each week on coursework.
Consider stopping by a coffee shop to avoid any distractions that might be waiting for you at home if you aren’t heading to school for your course.
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- Create a Connection Between School and Work
By incorporating actual work-related experiences into your education, make sure to make the connection between school and the real world.
Find a process in your organization that you believe may be improved and use that for your project, for instance, if you are taking an operations management course and have been given the assignment of developing a new process for a corporation.
After finishing it, discuss your thoughts and approach with the right individuals within your company to see if it may be put to use.
The List of Grants for Moms Going Back To School
Below are some of the grants for moms going back to school. Links to each of their official pages have been included also.
Employer Grants
Nowadays, a lot of businesses provide grants to their workers who are going back to school.
With companies like Walmart and JCPenny on the list of those offering educational grants, it can be simple to get benefits directly via your employment.
It doesn’t harm to inquire even if you work for a smaller business that doesn’t frequently offer grants. In order to grow in their jobs, many employers pay for their employees to return to school.
Make sure you are aware of the requirements. For instance, don’t expect your employer to foot the bill for your education so you can leave the day you graduate! Most likely, you’ll have to consent to stay on as their employee for a specific period of time.
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American Association of University Women
Every year, the American Association of University Women awards millions of dollars in grants and scholarships. This is an excellent area to seek for sizeable grants to augment your school budget because there are many of categories you can apply for. Several of their grants consist of:
- American fellowships for female PHD candidates.
- Grants for women striving to improve in their chosen fields for their careers.
- Fellowships in Selected Professions for those pursuing degrees in professions where women are underrepresented (think STEM jobs).
Fall is usually when applications are open, and the most of them have deadlines between November and January. Find out more information here.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
Students who require financial aid can apply for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). It is a form of federal grant that is given to college students enrolled in undergraduate programs and is not returned.
Depending on the seriousness of the student’s need for financial aid, the FSEOG may reward a student between $100 and $4,000 per year.
Find out more information here.
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State Grants and State Lottery Programs
There are numerous state-specific grant schemes. Some of them even take part in state lottery schemes.
You must complete the FAFSA to apply for the majority of state awards. The appropriate agency receives the information.
Another reason to complete the form even though the time has passed is that your state can have a different deadline.
Fafsa or Pell Grant
The government offers the most well-known and often used award to students who meet specific income requirements. In order to qualify for this grant, a student must enroll in a specific number of hours each year and maintain a specific GPA.
The FAFSA website has applications that are reasonably easy to complete. Your most recent tax return is required. You might be able to immediately integrate your financial data right into the FAFSA form, depending on the tax return service you choose.
Find out more information here.
Other grants and scholarships for moms going back to school are listed below:
Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship
Find out more information here.
“Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers
Find out more information here.
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship
Find out more information here.
Federal Work-Study Program
Find out more information here.
Is It Worth Going Back To School?
56.6% of employers, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), screen applicants based on GPA.
Going back to school gives you the chance to not only finish your degree but also raise your GPA and make a strong impression on prospective employers.
How Can I Go To School Full Time And Not Work?
There are two methods to pay for education without working: grants and scholarships. You will receive free money for college through both options.
Is 30 Too Old To Go Back To School?
It’s never too late to start classes again. Lifelong learning is crucial for giving you a competitive edge in the job market and increasing your employability, in addition to helping with personal growth such as memory improvement and mind expansion.
Is 35 Too Old To Go Back To School?
No, you’re not too old to start over in school at 35. In fact, it might be the ideal time to resume your studies.
Campus programs now more than ever provide flexible scheduling and tuition payment choices that lessen the financial strain of postsecondary education.
Should I Quit My Job And Go Back To School Full-Time?
It only makes sense to enroll as a full-time student if you decide to quit your employment to pursue your studies.
Part-time enrollment in classes is typically insufficient to excuse a complete absence from work. Your resume’s gaps could cause potential employers to question what you were doing during those times.
Can I Get Paid Just To Go To School?
Being a resident assistant, working off-campus, receiving tuition reimbursement, joining AmeriCorps, applying for an internship, working as a freelancer, being an athlete, enlisting in the military, applying for grants, and working as a resident assistant are all ways to get paid to attend college.
Is A Full Time Job Worth It While In School?
You can advance in your academic endeavors while keeping your job, pay, and perks while working full-time. You may require the income from a full-time job to sustain yourself and pay for graduate school, or you may depend on your career for your family’s or your personal health insurance.
Can A 40 Year Old Go To College?
Fortunately, completing a bachelor’s degree while still holding a full-time job is possible for people who want to go back to school in their 40s. You may continue to succeed at your day job whether you decide to enroll in hybrid courses that meet both online and in person or take evening programs.
Is It Worth Going Back To School At 32?
Although the thought of returning to school to complete your degree or obtain a new degree can be daunting and even a little frightening, it is ultimately worthwhile.
The good news is that older students—those who are 30 years old and older—are actually well-positioned to complete their college degrees.
Is It Better To Start School At A Later Age?
The study, which examined 1007 persons between the ages of 24 and 60, discovered that those who started later in life were significantly more resilient, competitive, and confident than those who started earlier.
What Is It Called When Your Job Pays For You To Go To School?
It’s known as “tuition reimbursement,” and many businesses provide it to staff members as an extra benefit.
If you meet their requirements, your employer may help pay for your continuing education courses or degree through tuition reimbursement or tuition aid.
What Country Pays You To Go To School?
In addition to receiving a monthly stipend of about 500 euros, students in Finland are also not charged for attending university.
The next generation is literally paid by the government to learn. Sounds luxurious in comparison to the up to $70,000 annual expense of private universities in the United States.
Is A 4 Year College Degree Worth The Cost?
Despite the high cost of college, getting a degree usually results in financial success. Employees with a high school diploma make an average weekly pay of $809, while those with four-year degrees make an average weekly compensation of $1,334.
A high school graduate’s lifetime earnings are $1.6 million less than a college graduate’s.
What Should I Go Back To School For In My 40s?
After age 40, you can pursue any number of career paths through further study, but the most promising ones are in the healthcare, technology, finance, education, marketing, and business administration sectors.
Is 50 Too Old For School?
You can pursue education at any age. Although enrolling in college after the age of 50 may present some difficulties, there are a lot of options available for adult learners. Your efforts may eventually be rewarded with more favorable employment opportunities and higher earning possibilities.
Why Life Is Better After 40?
You experience mental and emotional changes in addition to physical ones. The good news is that a poll revealed that after the age of 40, life gets better.
Those over 40 often experience less stress. They frequently feel more content and self-assured.
Is It Smart To Quit Your Job And Go Back To School?
Having extra time to study and spend with your family is one of the advantages of taking a leave of absence or quitting your job to return to school. Gaining more schooling can also open up better prospects for you in the future.
Can I Go Back To School Later In Life?
At any age, going back to school is a terrific concept, but it can also bring up challenging feelings that need to be controlled.
The ability to manage fears, insecurities, and anxieties is essential for success. Writing out your objectives, developing self-awareness, and adopting relaxation techniques can all help you cope with back-to-school stress.
Is It Hard To Go Back To School After Gap Year?
Beginning this new era of your life will likely be difficult, much as getting ready to return to school after a break can feel intimidating. Just keep in mind that you took that year off to better grasp who you are as a person, and we’re certain it was worthwhile.
