Tips for earning your next degree Don’t give up. Just the thought of earning another degree can be overwhelming. When you’re taking action to find the right school, apply and enroll, keep your end-goal in mind — remind yourself how life will change once you earn your degree. And if you’re having a hard time with any part of the process, don’t feel like you have to go it alone. Admissions representatives will gladly help you along. Just ask!
Look for flexibility and support. Colleges that offer online and night classes typically understand that most adults require flexible schedules that will fit into their busy lives. Look for schools that offer your program of choice completely online or at night and talk to the school’s representatives about the support they provide to ensure their students who work full-time can succeed.
Find ways to save. First and foremost, if you have existing college credits or a degree, find out how many credits can be applied to your next degree. Next, check to see if your current employer offers any education benefits that will help you pay for all or part of a degree. Some employers even have direct partnerships with local universities where you can take classes at discounted rates. After you enroll, always look for used books first and talk to the bookstore about discounts.
Don’t skip scholarships and grants. Scholarships and grants can have a huge impact on your final costs, so be sure you thoroughly investigate what’s available to you. Check for federal, statewide and local grants; request resources from your school of choice; and spend the time to apply for aid. While filling out more applications may not sound exciting, the time you spend can literally pay off.
Tell everyone. OK, maybe you don’t need to tell everyone but it’ll really help to have your family, friends and employer in the know. By letting them know you’re enrolling in advance, you can gain their support, work out any scheduling kinks and ask for help where you might need it. This will reduce some of the pressure you may feel when trying to balance your commitments.
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Does your employer offer education benefits? Ask your employer if they offer any of these to see if you’re eligible to receive additional funds.
Tuition reimbursement: Employees pay the up-front costs, and their employers pay them back for all or some of the tuition costs
Tuition assistance: Similar to reimbursement but employers typically help pay for tuition up front
Corporate Education Scholarships: Employers who’ve partnered with Davenport University can provide their employees tuition scholarships to offset costs, typically up to $5,000 per employee per year
If your employer doesn’t offer education benefits but is willing to consider it, we’ll find out if they qualify for the Corporate Education Scholarship. Email us at ducomm@davenport.edu
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