Dropping out of college doesn’t mean you can never go back. Going back to college to give it a second run could have many benefits. You may be in a better financial situation, a better headspace or you may simply have a better idea as to what you want to study (you don’t necessarily have to study the same courses as before).

Just what are some of the important things to consider when returning to college after dropping out? First you need to consider your reasons and be certain that returning to higher education is the right move for you. Then you need to consider the practicalities such as meeting entry requirements, transferring your previous credits, funding your education and studying around any commitments you may have. The following post delves into all of this in more detail.

Why return to college?

The first question to ask is: ‘why should I go back?’. There are several compelling reasons why returning to college after dropping out could be a beneficial decision.

• You want to expand your career options: A degree can unlock job opportunities with higher salaries. You may now have a clear idea as to what career path you want to pursue. Going back to college could give you the means to access this career.


• You want to do it as a personal challenge: Going to college doesn’t have to just be about improving your job prospects. Obtaining a degree could be a personal challenge that you want to achieve for yourself. It could give you a new goal to pursue and ultimately new credentials to bring a greater sense of self-satisfaction.


• You’ve developed a deep interest that you want to delve deeper into: Perhaps you’ve since developed an avid love of reading? Or maybe you find yourself obsessed with astronomy? Pursuing a degree could be a chance to immerse yourself in a passion of yours and deepen your knowledge. This could be a subject that is completely different to the subject you studied before.


• You feel motivated this time around: You may not have had the motivation to study the first time around due to distractions or a lack of clear goals. This time around, you may feel that you’re in the right headspace to study.


• You’re in a better financial position: Returning to college could also be a good idea if you’ve since come into some money or paid off debts that were previously holding you back. Without having to worry about money, you may be able to immerse yourself in your studies.

Ultimately, returning to college after dropping out needs to be a personal decision, driven by your own aspirations rather than external pressure. You need to have a clear subject in mind that you want to study and the belief that you can carry it through to the end. After all, you don’t want to drop out again.

Understand the entry requirements

Once you’ve decided returning to college after dropping out is the right move for you, you then need to consider the entry requirements to get back into college.

Different courses will each have their own entry requirements. While some courses require straight As to get into, others are more lenient. If you’re studying the same course as before, you may be able to use your previous qualifications to re-apply. If you’re choosing a new subject, consider whether you need to take other tests first.

When reapplying you’ll likely need to complete a personal statement that explains why you want to study the course. More prestigious institutions may require more elaborately written personal statements. Don’t be afraid to mention the fact that you dropped out and are returning, and explain why you think you are likely to be more committed this time around. You may be able to mention life skills you have learned since.

A professional recommendation may also be required in your application. This could be from a teacher at your old school, an employer or even a private tutor. Make sure that this recommendation supports the claims about your abilities and character that you have made in your personal statement.

Get help transferring old credits

A big concern that many students have is not being able to transfer old credits from a previous college experience. It’s worth reaching out to the admissions office of the college you’re thinking of applying for and finding out what their guidelines are when it comes to using old credits to get admitted.

You may be able to get official transcripts from a previous institution. These can help admissions staff assess your academic history. Working with an academic advisor is recommended to help you with the credit transfer process. This might save you having to go back and study high school subjects again.

Explore funding options

When returning to college after dropping out, it’s important to explore the various funding options available. Eligibility can depend on various different circumstances such as which funding you have previously applied for, your current financial situation, your age and your responsibilities.

Start by looking into federal financial aid. This involves completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the June deadline. A variety of grants, work-study programs and loan options may be available to you.

There are also state aid options. This can include scholarships and grants that you may be able to use to study at colleges in your state. There may be unique sponsorships for certain demographics including single parents.

Some institutions also have their own grants and scholarships to choose from. You may be eligible if you earn under a certain income or have certain work experience. Some institutions may even have specialist scholarships for veterans or people with certain industry experience.

Employer sponsorships are also an option. This is when an employer promises to pay your tuition fees in return for working for their company. Such a course could be a flexible course that you can fit around your work, or you may be able to take three years to study the course full-time before then working for the company.

There are college planning sites that dive deeper into all the different funding options available. Take the time to use these resources.

Consider an online course

For those returning to college after dropping out, online courses offer significant advantages in managing existing responsibilities. The ability to study from home and at your own pace provides considerable flexibility. If since dropping out you have got a job or had kids, taking an online course might allow you to create a schedule around work and parental duties.

These courses are also cheaper than traditional courses. Tuition fees are lower and you do not have to pay to commute to lectures or live on campus. You may not get the whole on-campus student experience, but not everyone may be interested in this – especially if it’s been a few years since you’ve dropped out and you don’t want to mingle with young students.

There are a huge range of online courses that you can choose from. Take your time to research different options to find one that has the best modules. Make sure that you can also meet the entry requirements.

Conclusion

Returning to college after you drop out can be daunting, but ultimately it could be a very rewarding experience. The first crucial step in returning to college after dropping out is to ensure you have a solid and well-considered reason for doing so. Once you’re clear on your motivations, you’ll need to consider the practical steps involved in re-enrolling. It may be worth working with an advisor to help you transfer credits. Explore all your funding options and weigh up whether an online course could be more beneficial than an on-campus course.