Hi guys, I’m not sure if this is the right forum… It seems like it though.
I’m 22, completely self supporting but I’m not old enough to get FAFSA because I never had anything “traumatic” to the governments standards happen to me. I have to work 60 hours or more a week to support myself, and even then I still struggle often. I’ve always wanted to become a sports medicine doctor for the NFL, or a futbol team in Europe, I realize that’s a long shot from where I am today, but I’m very driven.
I’m currently looking at regionally accredited colleges online since I don’t think I could go to a regular community college. Does anyone have knowledgeable/factual information on online colleges? I don’t know how I’ll afford it since they all seem way out of my price range, but I’m sure there are plenty of scholarships available.
If not online colleges, does anyone know what I should possibly do?
Not sure where you are but, your local CC is probably a better place to start. They are cost effective, have re-entry programs and are basically made for people like you. You probably won’t be able to maintain your current work schedule and take more than a class or 2 but, that’s still a start.
I agree with what is said above, you most likely will not be able to work 60 hours or more a week and still do classes, even online or at a local community college, the classes are usually just as difficult as classes at regular 4 year institutions and require work outside of class. Something to understand is that the majority of online colleges, except for classes that are proxies of 4 year universities, are usually for-profit institutions, which as a propriety are very easy to get into but require a lot of money with with little to no financial aid available.
It is great that you want to go back to school, it is really never to late to go; what you need to focus on are the optimistic values of your situation. Currently you are 22 years old, which is an age that most commonly will qualify you as either an “Adult Learner” or an “Returning Student” when it comes to enrolling in academic institutions. This title gives you more options when enrolling in schools because many 4 year and 2 year institutions (most commonly 4 year schools) have programs and even self-directed departments that specialize in offering specific degrees for “Adult Learners [and] Returning Students”. Of course the degrees they offer are often limited, usually to business and basic liberal arts degrees, but some may offer degrees in Kinesiology, Sports Medicine/Sports Science, or Physical Therapy (degrees that may help you in your purported career field).
My advice would be to check out you local - or closest - community college or localized academic institution, and see what degrees and especially what classes they offer, because even if they do not offer your specific degree they might have classes in that field that you can transfer to a 4 year institution; something to note is that the majority of community colleges do not offer specialized degrees other than an Associates in Arts or an Associates in Science, some offer more directed degrees but these are commonly highly-specialized and usually have something to do with vocational work or technical degrees. If your nearest institution of higher learning does not offer what your looking for, check out some 4 year institutions online, as a last resort check out free-standing online institutions, but keep in mind financial aid options, academic/degree requirements, hourly cost, and media services the institution offers.
Lastly, can you elaborate as to why you were not able to receive, what to you mean that the government will not supply funding? If you are 22 years of age you should be able to register as an independent adult; if you are an American citizen then you should be able to sign up and receive some sort of funding, community colleges especially supply ample funding to low income, working students.
Here are some links that may help!
http://www.onlineuniversities.com/
*I cannot give you very direct information as I do not know where you live or what level of degree you are looking for, sorry!
My dad makes too much money, and FAFSA doesn’t allow me to be independent unless I’ve been homeless… I mean I could technically consider myself homeless when I was 16, but it’s really not the case I had a home to live in. I just chose to move out of the situation I was in. FAFSA doesn’t let you be considered “independent” unless you are 24 years old. I looked into Asuza Pacific University which is like an hour and a half away from where I live, and they told me that they could help me with my financial situation and they do have a degree program that I could take and then transfer to their 4 year or any other WASC accredited four year for that matter. It also helps that they are a Division II school. It’s been an incredibly difficult process of trying to go back to school since I was 19. My real mom is deceased, my dad make like four times the amount to qualify for FAFSA. He doesn’t believe that he is required to help with college for whatever reasons, and I’m trying my hardest to afford it on my own, I can’t afford to live and cut hours from work to go to community college unfortunately. However, I would love to. I’m adding some extra curricular activities on to my plate, I would have had a full ride to UCLA for soccer if I hadn’t have been in a horseback riding accident in high school, I live in San Diego, by the way for those asking. I know that there are plenty of scholarships to my use and I just started finding some that I’m sure I would qualify for.
Also- thank you everyone for the help and advice, it’s seriously appreciated!