1. Adult Students and Financial Aid Presented by David Pearlman, D. Ed.

2. Who are adult students? http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/about- us/video-stories

3. Who are adult students? Veteran Married Parent Employed Active Military Single parent Unemployed Underemployed Widow or widower Living at home Employer Educational Assistance Program Employed full-time 3

4. Who are adult students? Returning to the labor market Mental or Health issues Displaced worker Displaced Homemaker Incarcerated (or recently released) Facing legal challenges Retired Older adult learner Senior Citizen Program Graduate or professional program Career Change Life Changing Event 4

5. To do: Look into getting a General Educational Development (GED) certificate if you don’t have a high school diploma; try searching online for “GED certificate” and your state’s name. Research careers and the need for various jobs in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Or, for an interactive tool, try the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search. Use College Navigator to find the right school for your career intentions. Get tips on choosing a school. Check the Yellow Pages and ask employers to recommend schools that provide training in the skills you will need for the career you choose. 5 From: College Preparation Checklist, US Dept of Education

6. To do: Ask your employer if assistance is available to help you pay for school. Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search to find scholarships. Apply for federal student aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Get to know the financial aid staff at the school you plan to attend; they can help you with aid applications and explain the types of aid available. 6 From: College Preparation Checklist, US Dept of Education

7. Counseling Adults Bad Stories What did you (we) learn from this? 7

8. Counseling Adults Good Stories What did you (we) learn from this? 8

9. Financial Aid for Older and Nontraditional Students According to data from the 2007-08 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), nontraditional students are more likely to receive the Pell Grant than traditional students, but less likely to receive private scholarships. 9 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

10. Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree (Age 24-29) Represent 13.8% students pursuing a Bachelor's degree 20.9% of Pell Grant recipients 4.7% of private scholarship recipients 10 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

11. Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree (Age 30 and above) Represent 14.4% of students pursuing a Bachelor's degree 17.2% of Pell Grant recipients 4.8% of private scholarship recipients 11 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

12. Likelihood to receive a Federal Pell Grant – Bachelor degree 40.5% of students age 24-29 receive the Pell Grant 32.0% of students age 30 and above receive the Pell Grant Compared with 23.1% of traditional students who receive the Pell Grant 12 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

13. Likelihood to receive a private scholarship - Bachelor 3.0% of students age 24-29 2.9% of students age 30 and above Compared with 11.1% of traditional college students 13 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

14. Certificate or Associate's Degree Age 24-29 represent 20.8% of students 25.3% of Pell Grant recipients and 16.2% of private scholarship recipients Age 30 and above represent 29.1% of students 27.8% of Pell Grant recipients 27.6% of private scholarship recipients 14 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

15. Likelihood to receive a Federal Pell Grant – certificate or associate degree 37.0% of students age 24-29 29.0% of students age 30 and above Compared with 28.4% of traditional students 15 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

16. Likelihood to receive private scholarship – certificate or associate degree 2.2% of students age 24-29 2.6% of students age 30 and above Compared with 3.1% of traditional college students 16 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

17. Likelihood of pursuing a certificate or associate degree Nontraditional students are more likely to be pursuing a Certificate or Associate's degree than traditional students, and less likely to be pursuing a Bachelor's degree. 35.8% of nontraditional students are pursuing a Bachelor's degree 58.6% of traditional students are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree 17 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

18. Federal Student Aid Nontraditional students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid just like younger students. A student who has already earned a bachelor's degree or first professional degree is no longer considered an undergraduate student and is ineligible for the Pell Grant. (There is an exception for postbaccalaureate programs necessary for teacher certification or licensing credentials as required by the state.) 18 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

19. Additional Federal Aid An additional $4,000 per year during the freshman and sophomore years and an additional $5,000 per year during the junior and later years. "Professional judgment" Counseling for over-borrowing 19 From: Financial for Older and Nontraditional Student retrieved Oct 11, 2012 from www.finaid.org

20. P.A.W.S. Perseverance + Ambition + Will = Success PAWS sought to improve the rate at which adults on public assistance pursued and completed post-secondary education. PAWS was a free program developed in 2006 under the Altoona Community Outreach partnership. Fairview Hills Public Housing was selected for the program. Funded with H.U.D. grant 20

21. Why P.A.W.S. 21 From: P.A.W.S. Manual, pg 10 Source: National for Children in Poverty (2006).

22. Need for P.A.W.S. 22 From: P.A.W.S. Manual, pg 12 Source: National for Children in Poverty (2006).

23. Resources of P.A.W.S. Program Peer Mentors (three) Faculty coordinator (and researcher) Meeting space (community center of public housing) Technology (two computers and printers) Social Services (how does going to school effect welfare payments) Career (participants attended local career fairs) Expertise of high school guidance counseling staff Program dinners with topics (and pizza) Mini college Fairs (all local schools) FAFSA Completion session Group and individual follow-up 23

24. P.A.W.S. Mentors Starting the conversation Establish Goals and Interests Struggles with education Adjusting to education Financing an education Career goals Resource person 24

25. There were 32 P.A.W.S. Participants 9/32 did not complete the application process (28%) 23/32 enrolled in post-secondary education (72%) 13/23 enrolled at Penn State Altoona (56%) 10/23 enrolled at other schools (44%) 78% of participants were women 25

26. Adult Students and Financial Aid Thank You! 26