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Question: Please help! I am 32, live in North Carolina, was attending community college part-time, and I was just loving it. However, I lost my job and had to stop this semester. So many people have suggested that I "go back to school and finish". I now work in a dead end job and sense the need to finish so I can get a better, more fulfilling career.

MY question is - is it possible to just stop working and go back to school? I know some people who got student loans and woked part-time. Can I get enough loans to cover the majority of my living expences and cover tuition? This Web site touched briefly on my question and other sites have hinted at this, but I just don't know how. - Lloyd

Answer: Lloyd, yes, you can get enough financial aid to cover your tuition and living expenses while attending school. However, remember that the more money you borrow for school, the more you will have to repay. Most financial aid packages include student loans, grants and work. There are several student loans offered by our federal government. You should be careful and certain of any interest rates if you use a private loan to fund your education. The best resource to plan your student funding is to talk with the financial aid advisor and department of the school you plan to attend. They will work with you to review all the various aid and help you select the best for you. There are thousands of scholarship programs (money you don't pay back) and you can research those opportunities through many free online scholarship searches, as well as printed reference materials and other foundationa, organizational, and private sources. Be sure to inform the financial aid advisor if there is a change in your financial circumstances (loss of job or reduced income) as aid is based on prior year's income. - Faith

Question: I am 43, live in Virginia City, Nevada and had graduated with a B.S. in education in 1986. I was what was referred to by financial aid as "an independent student" and worked my way through college. Due to work and changing my major in my sophomore year, it took me 5 1/2 years to graduate. If I remember correctly, my GPA was about 2.95. In 1988, I took the GRE (Graduate Record Examation) to enter graduate school, but did not do very well (I don't remember the exact score, only that it was considered slightly below average.)

I never used my teaching degree. Instead, I ended up in the technology industry until recently. Due to an illness, I have low-vision and am unable to return to my former occupation.

My situation is such that if I am ever going to go back to college, now is the time. I have no idea where to start or even if I could get into a school here. (University of Nevada Reno just upped their entry requirements to a minimum of 3.0 for undergraduates.) I am interested in a career change to geriatric psychology.

Given the hurdles of an ancient degree and a decidedly non-stellar academic past, what steps would you recommend I take to re-enter college? - Renata

Answer: Renata, first I would suggest some solid career counseling and testing to make sure you are heading in the right career direction at your age, or any age. As you are in the Reno Nevada area, unless you choose an online program you are limited to the University of Nevada/Reno campus. You should work with an Admission officer for your department of study. I'd recommend that you try and get into their graduate school rather than complete an entire bachelor degree. You will undoubtedly need some "pre-requisite" courses to apply/enter the graduate program in your field. By taking certain upper-level courses needed for graduate study, you can prove yourself and build up your last GPA from 20 years ago. The Admissions representative can help you select which courses to take and raise your GPA for entrance. As you also suffer from low-vision, you may be eligible for programs and assistance targeted to students with disabilities. Inquire at your local State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. - Faith

Question: I live in Washington and work for a municipal police department as a hiring coordinator. I have an applicant who is requesting information on whether or not we will accept a bachelor's degree from Himachal University located in
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, North India. Can you direct me to a reputable
source who can confirm the equivalency/accreditation of this degree? - Elizabeth

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