Would You Go Back to School If Your First Class Was Free?
Sunday November 16, 2008
That's what Ohio University Lancaster is offering non-traditional students. Fabulous idea. Michelle George writes about the offer for the Lancaster Eagle Gazette. The school calls it "Free Your Promise." That's a cool slogan.
Kim Jeffers was a non-traditional student, and now works at OU.
"We know that one of the biggest obstacles non-traditional students face is paying for college, so we're trying to help eliminate that barrier," said Jeffers, who serves as a transition adviser at the university. "Eligible students must be at least 25 years old, a parent, a military veteran, or a former Ohio University student who has not received a degree or attended in the past five years."What about you? Would you go back to school if your first class was free? Talk to us.
Comments
Hi Deb,
Yes, I’d go back to school in a heartbeat if a class was offered at no cost.
Several years ago, I decided to go back to school. All my courses were taken online. As a single mom, money was tight and I was able to take my classes for very little money due to financial aid. This to me, was a no-brainer. I’m so glad I did it!
Hi Jacer, Thanks for making a good point. Financial aid is available even for online classes. How did you find yours?
I’d definitely take a free class. As for after that, it would depend on how expensive the rest were and how good that first one was!
After I got my bachelor’s, I wasn’t sure about grad school, but ended up getting my master’s about 8 years later because I found a professor that had a grant-funded project that covered tuition and a stipend. Definitely made a huge difference for me, as I wouldn’t have been able to afford tuition at the time. It was definitely a great opportunity!
Personally I have been back and back and back several times when I could not really afford it but loans saw me through.
We are never too old to learn.
Take care.