Reaching Lifelong Goals

Let’s begin our Nontraditional Student Scholarship journey together.   I understand that scholarship applications can be a scary thing, essays and all that…   There are thousands of dollars available every year for specific Non Trad student scholarships.   I have been gathering websites to review and pass along to my fellow students.   I spent some time speaking with the scholarship office at my local community college here in Oregon and learned some interesting facts.   1.  Many scholarships go unclaimed every year.   2.   Some students make applying for scholarships a FULL TIME JOB!  3.   You need to be on time and complete in your applications.     I learned of one female student who received an $11,000  scholarship because she was the ONLY person who applied for it!!!    My adviser stated that to be effective, you need to keep good records, a time schedule and apply, apply, apply….

A quick search on google brings up 1.45 MILLION hits!   Of course, that includes a bunch of non starters, pass them up.   But one can see that there is some real possibilities out there if you just apply.    There are many sites out there that  will do some of the work for you, for a fee.    I am still trying to weed out the scams and present any of this type of program worth looking at here in this blog category.    Keep up with me on this,  it looks like it will be a bumpy ride!

Schoolscholarshps.org has a great article specifically for Non Traditional Students.   It is a basic overview of the process, with some good points on how to go about the search.    This will be a good place to start looking.   This article answers some good questions.    I highly recommend this article.

College Scholarshps.org is another good place to start.   Again, this article is pointed at Non Trads and our specific needs.   This article has links to some of the major scholarship programs out there for Non Traditional Students.    Not as much information about how to apply, but some solid links to real programs available.   It will be worth your time to look at this site.

Financial aid in general is a topic worthy of an entire website  (they are out there….)   Each institution has financial aid offices with resources for students.   Many community colleges and universities have local scholarships available as well.   A quick search on your school website should link you to them.    Many of these college specific scholarships are broken down into application periods throughout the year.   If you have already missed Fall term, do not give up.    There will be another deadline coming up soon….don’t let this one slip away.    I know that going back to school is hard enough without adding this on too, but take advantage of all that is offered.    There is help out there for Non Traditional Students, coming from many different directions.   Encourage all of your fellow non trads to get involved on the Internet with the growing number of Non Traditional Student resources available.   Just give it quick google….   Search for “lifelong goals”  and you will find this blog listed!

I finished up my Summer Term at Linn Benton Community College in Oregon today!!!  I still get a little bit of summer to enjoy.   But only for a short time…need to get set up for my Fall Term classes.   I have pre registered for everything, which is wise…there is a huge number of new students here in Oregon.   I would guess that the biggest portion of them are going to be Non Traditional Students!   With the economy in the tank, many of us are in the same boat with needing to retrain for better jobs.   I will be in school for a while, I have goals that will keep my nose in the books for a few years.

My advice to you is…get registered for Fall Term NOW!    With the number of new students coming into the system, the availability of classes in your major may be problematic.   I spoke with the Admissions Office of Oregon State University today and she told me that they have a record number of new students this year.   I am sure this is nationwide and your local schools will be in the same situation.   If you are already an experienced Non Trad College Type you probably are already on top of this.   For all of you prospective Non Trads waiting to take the plunge,  now is the time to jump in with both feet.

If you are returning to school after a long time out in the real world, I highly suggest you read my blog entry about taking a College Study Skills class.   Most institutions have some type of course like this and I can recommend them highly!   Also, now would be the time to start looking into your needed supplies like backpacks, Laptops and the all important TI-84 calculator.   I have been blogging about these needed items and check into my other posts for some tips.

I’m going to enjoy what Summer I have left, but I’ll keep posting information here for fellow Non Trads so check back often!    Now to the weeds!