<p>OK, all, I could use some advice. We just slogged through this year's FAFSA. One kid will be graduating from college in June (Yee haww!) and S2 will be entering his sophomore year in college in September. </p>
<p>As I crunched through the FAFSA, I realized that going from having 2 in college to having one in college was going to seriously bump up the EFC for S2. Well, that's life for this next year -- but I am looking down the road. Come the fall of this kid's junior year, DH will be nearing retirement age (older for FAFSA purposes too). It occurred to me that perhaps I could enroll for a semester at the local community college and that would change (I think) the EFC significantly. </p>
<p>I have been perusing the community college catalog for years. We have an excellent community college in our city. It has a number of courses that have intrigued me -- and I've always thought "yeah, I'll take that at some point." Originally I was thinking that I might take one course here or there -- but it might make sense to go ahead and take 3 or 4 and just be a student for a semester. The courses are very affordable. </p>
<p>Has any parent here trod such a path? Any twists or bumps readers perceive? Advise, please!</p>
<p>It would not reduce your child’s EFC. A parent cannot be included as one in college on the student’s FAFSA. But the student can be included as one in college on the parent’s FAFSA, so your EFC would be lower.</p>
<p>I am a parent that is going to college. Just graduated from CC and am starting next week at a 4 year State U. I have very much enjoyed getting my brain back in action. Hoping it may help get me a reasonable job for a few years (ie not answering phones in the big phone company local call center), but thinking my advanced age may make that unlikely.</p>
<p>I agree with swimcat, while you going to school will not reduce their EFC, having your kids in school will reduce your EFC.</p>
<p>I am a huge advocate of lifelong learning, going to school for the enjoyment of it and going to school as a career changer. I say go for it. All the best to you.</p>
<p>Swimcat,</p>
<p>Have you ever considered putting all of your CC knowledge to work? You could think about becoming a high school GC (yep, it would mean grad school) or majoring in higher ed and working for a university? It would never be a dull moment ;)</p>
<p>I am doing an accounting degree and also a second major in Spanish, in hopes that the language (if I can manage to remember any of it - heck, I have difficulty in thinking of words in English sometimes!!) might give me a little edge that might offset my age. I used to be an accountant in England years ago, but did not finish up my qualifications before moving overseas (different system back then in the UK). To be honest, if I knew for sure what my job prospects, or lack of, would be, I would focus on languages rather than the accounting as I really enjoy learning languages. Last semester I took French at the CC and thoroughly enjoyed it. It comes easier to me than Spanish for some reason. I am currently trying to review Spanish for an intermediate Spanish class - it is 8 months since I took Span 1 & 2 and it is almost like I never took it!! I have 7 days to try and refresh the memories and am panicking just a little a bit!!</p>
<p>Well, let’s hope that the terror is small enough to just be invigorating. </p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. I think I will revert to my original plan of just pottering along with a course now and then. I suspect I could be very whiney if I were a full time student again.</p>