How to Get Financial Aid for Students Over 24 Years of Age

Students who are older than 24 are called "non-traditional" students. That's because traditional college students are between the ages of 18 and 24. Older students who are going to college for the first time, or students who are returning to college to finish their degrees or get an advanced degree have different needs and face different challenges than students who are coming to college right out of high school.

The number of non-traditional students is growing rapidly because so many people are losing their jobs and need more education to find another job in another field. Getting aid can be tricky for non-traditional students and many times the information that is out there for college students is geared towards high school students who are heading straight to college.

Even though it's not widely known, many colleges do have special support in place for non-traditional students. There are programs to help non-traditional students adjust to campus life, learn how to use the latest technology, and help fill the needs of students who work full time and commute to classes after work.

If you are a non-traditional student and you're not sure how to go about getting the aid you need to pay for college, or how much aid is available to you, the best place to start is to contact the continuing education department of the school you are considering attending. Every college has one. The head of the non-traditional students association on campus can help you find the resources you need to get money for school.

Also, make an appointment to sit down with someone from the continuing education department and talk about the special challenges facing non-traditional students. There are support groups, special classes, and tutoring help available to help non-traditional students feel comfortable attending college.

Non-Traditional Students and Financial Aid

If you have never gone to college before then you have access to the same federal financial aid programs that other students have. Student loans are the most common way that non-traditional students pay for college.

However, if you are returning to college and you have attended college in the past and taken out student loans you might find that you are near or at your borrowing limit, making it difficult to borrow the money you need to pay for additional classes.

In that case, private loans are really the only option. If you can't get a private loan to cover the costs of your education, you might want to try going to a non-profit group for a scholarship or grant.

Some non-profits will give money for college to members of minorities or to single mothers with children or to people who have special circumstances and need some financial help to get back in school.

There are also a lot of state programs that are popping up to help non-traditional students pay for college.