Grants for Mid-Life Retraining
As of 2010, about 78 million people who are commonly referred to as the "baby boomer generation" are reaching what's considered to be retirement age. Many of these individuals want to keep working, but retraining for a new career can be expensive and starting from scratch can be very discouraging. For those who need a little help, there are plenty of grant programs available to help an adult train for a new life in a more fulfilling career.
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Community Colleges
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Many community colleges across the United States offer special retraining programs for mid-life professionals contemplating a career change. Some campuses offer several programs which prepare older Americans not just for a new career, but also for other challenges which they will face, such as managing money in retirement or technology literacy. Programs such as these offered by community colleges are usually funded through public means.
Mid-Life Retraining Programs
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Some private foundations fund programs dedicated to retraining middle-aged people interested in changing career paths. One program, funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies, is the Plus 50 Initiative, coordinated through the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to offer retraining programs at college campuses specifically designed for people older than 50. The Encore Career Initiative, funded by the MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures, funds innovative programs at community colleges to help those interested in a career change find a meaningful career path.
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Non-Traditional Scholarships
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Anyone pursuing a collegiate degree by entering into an educational institution well after they've completed high school can be considered a non-traditional student. Many schools offer grants or scholarship programs specifically designed for non-traditional students. Many colleges that are interested in attracting non-traditional students offer online courses as well, which reduces the financial burden of room and board along with tuition.
Government Aid
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Various grant programs through which the government releases funds to be spent on a student's education, such as the Pell grant, can be utilized by older students who are returning to school at the mid-life stage. Beginning in 2009, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) included a question as to whether the applicant was a dislocated worker, laid-off in a field which hasn't shown growth prospects, to better accommodate career changers. Adult learners may also benefit from the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) government grant programs.
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References
- Encore Careers: Community Colleges Prepare Boomers for Their Encores
- AACC: Plus 50 Initiative - About Plus 50
- Encore Careers: Community Colleges Overview
- College Scholarships: Grants for Non-Traditional Students
- USA Today: "Pell grants, other student aid can help older college students," Sandra Block; 5-11-2009
- Photo Credit career street black image by pdesign from Fotolia.com
