I'm facing a dilemma and it all boils down to whether or not I am "too old" to attend conventional state college. If this seems like a stupid question, forgive me; I have no family or friends who have continued school after high school. If you can answer some of my questions or point me in the direction of answers, it would greatly help.
I'm a factory worker in Illinois. I'm female and will turn 24 years old in September. I attended one semester of community college the fall after graduating high school, but discontinued work to get a job and have not gone to school on campus since. Last year I started taking online classes through the same community college campus and in May I will have completed four classes in this way.
I want to go back to college, and I want to go to a state university, and live on campus in a dorm. At 24+ years old, is this possible? It seems to me that I never hear of people over the age of 22 going to university let alone living in dorms/a sorority/ect. It seems logical there would be an age limit on who can live in campus housing, but I don't know if that's a fact.
I also have no idea as to where to start looking for financial aid or if I'm even eligible at this age, especially after taking such a break from school.
What I want in the end is to go back to school to obtain a level of knowledge beyond what I have now,and hopefully get out of the dead end of factory work and living.
If anyone can offer advice, facts, or if anyone needs more clarification on my situation, I'll be grateful and oblige.
Thank you for reading this.
You are definitely not too old to attend college. My mom is nearly 60 and is attending college. Plenty of people in my classes were in their 40's-60's.
If there is an age limit at the dorm facility, you will have to look to whatever uni it is you want to go to and find out from them. I can't remember all the various departments of a normal uni, but I guess it would be the admissions office you should call? In any event, they should direct you to whoever it is that CAN tell you, if they can't.
As for financial aid, well it's been a while since I've done it so I won't try to go into specifics, but you can call up the financial aid office at the uni you're interested in and they'll tell you what you need to do. It's their job to help you out with that stuff. You don't have to be a student to receive their help.
Also, keep in mind that there are various government funded programs that will help you out with college money for free. I can't remember any specifics now, but it's worth searching around a bit on google or something. It's worth it, imo.
I have a friend who's in a program that not only pays for their college, but will help them get a job after they've graduated as well.
You're not too old. Technical colleges and state schools across the country are flooded with displaced workers.
If you're American, just go to Fafsa.gov and fill out their form. The timing is kinda tricky since I think you ahve to be accepted to school first, but yeah, go for it.
I'm 26 and I live in a dorm at a state college. Everyone around is in their early 20's but you get used to it.
Follow your dreams!
Were there any set backs? Was it difficult to get in? Did you have luck with getting financial aide?
I'm 25 and at home. Work part time in retail, so I made only 9-10K last year. I went onto the Fafsa website, took maybe ten minutes. The government offered me 2500 for the semester in the form of a grant that didn't have to be paid back. That was enough for 5 classess + books with a couple hundred still left over. They also gave me the option to get 2500 in student loans if I wanted, which I took and am using on a Y membership and a new computer.
It's really turning my life around. Seriously, just go to fafsa.gov.
Im 24, and still in Uni.
I got my prioroties straight. So the kids in my class that just party hardy, will fail, and help boost my GPA. :)
You're not old at all. Some of my military friends actually came from their tour and they're all like 25-27. I've even seen some old dudes and grandmas in our lecture halls. As long as you got the desire to learn, then you'll never be too old.
yeah 24 is NOWHERE near too old for college.
Noone's too old for college. Seriously. I was surprised to see people over 40 attending various classes at my CC.
I'm 24 and still in school pursing a PHd. You're never ever too old, schools are always flooded with people who just want to learn, despite the age.