� S T A R S A N D S T R I P E S � PAGE 7Friday, April 24, 2009
Six tips on choosing the right school
1. Research all your options.
Talk with students and professors at
different educational institutions and
choose the one that is the best fit for
you.
2. Consult with an Academic
Counselor. Several schools offer free
academic counseling with an adviser
who can coach you on programs that
interest you and will create a sustain-
able career track.
3. Research all the financial
aid options available. FAFSA (Free
Application for Federal Student Aid)
has a Web site, fafsa.edu.gov, which
will provide a form to receive federal
aid. Also, make an appointment with
a financial aid adviser at the schools
you are considering.
4. Discuss your plans with your
family and significant others.
Support from your loved ones will
help you succeed in your academic
pursuits.
5. Explore different learning
models. Some adults may prefer the
"in-class" setting while others may
prefer online learning. Again, choose
the one that fits you best.
6. Make appropriate sacrifices.
Going back to school will require you
to give up some leisure activities such
as your occasional golf game or TV
time.
7. Start with a test run. Take a few
classes to make sure this is the right
decision for you.
8. Go at your own pace. Don't feel
like you have to cram several credits
into one semester or quarter.
9. Write out your academic goals.
This will serve as a reminder to you of
your reasons for going back to school
and will inspire you during challenging
times.
10. Don't be intimidated. Most
adults do very well, some even bet-
ter, than they did in their previous
academic careers and enjoy the
experience of learning again.
� University of Phoenix
Tips on
going back
to school
Going to school is a lifetime
investment. Statistics show
that getting training after high
school will help you get a better-
paying job doing work you like.
But going to school is a big in-
vestment. You're investing your
time. Chances are you'll also
have to invest your own money
or take out a student loan to go
to school. So you need to be sure
that you're choosing the right
school.
1. Talk to a counselor.
Counselors can help you focus
on your needs and goals, and
they have information about dif-
ferent types of schools.
Your counselor also can help
you collect or prepare applica-
tion materials for any future
education endeavors.
2. Shop around.
Contact more than one school.
If your area has a community
college, call the admissions of-
fice or check the school's Web
site to find out what kinds of
training the college offers.
3. Visit the school.
Contact the school and sched-
ule a visit, preferably while
classes are being taught. Get a
feel for the school; make sure
you're comfortable with the
facilities, the equipment, the
teachers and the students.
4. Ask questions
A good school will be happy to
answer your questions about its
programs. Ask the school about
its students: How many gradu-
ate? How many get jobs because
of the training they received?
What kind of job placement ser-
vices does the school offer?
5. Check the cost.
Makesuretheschoolgivesyou
a clear statement of its tuition
and fees. Remember that any
financial aid you get will be ap-
plied first to paying the school's
tuition and fees. If there's any
money left, the school will give
it to you to help you pay for
expenses.
6. Call.
CallyourlocalBetterBusiness
Bureau (or visit www.bbb.com),
state higher education agency,
or consumer-protection division
of your state attorney general's
office to find out whether there
have been any complaints about
the school.
Call the U.S. Department of
Education's Federal Student Aid
Information Center's toll-free
number (1-800-4-FED-AID) if
you have any questions about
your financial aid at the school.
Youalsocanaccesstheorgani-
zation's Web site at www.Feder-
alStudentAid.ed.gov. Download
this fact sheet at www.Federal-
StudentAid. ed.gov/pubs
--Studentaid.ed.gov

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