Seniors: Earn Degrees Online For Free!

College isn’t a privilege reserved for those fresh out of high school. Just because you’ve reached a certain age, it doesn’t mean you should stop learning. Returning to school or educating yourself in a new field isn’t only helpful in the job market—it can give you a new sense of purpose and meaning in your life. Whether you’re looking to earn your bachelor’s or master’s degree, it’s always the right time to further your education.


Image via Goodluz/depositphotos

Now, there are more ways than ever before to earn a degree. Did you know you can earn a degree online, without even leaving your house? There are tons of online schools that give you the opportunity to earn whatever degree you desire. Whether it’s an MBA or an MSW, there’s an online program that’s perfect for you. With online classes, you’ll no longer have to wake up early to get to an 8 am lecture, in an overcrowded lecture hall while trying to find something in common with much younger college students.

If you’re still not convinced, keep reading to learn about all of the reasons why you should further your education by enrolling in online classes.

Why Should You Further Your Education?

If you’re looking to further your career or start a new job, going back to school will give you the competitive edge you need to stand out amongst other candidates. The older you get, the harder it is to land a job, especially when there are many young people who are vying for the same job and that will probably accept a lower salary because they are new to the job market.

Besides the career benefits that returning to school can offer, learning new things positively impacts your physical and mental health. You’ll be building new connections in your brain while strengthening the preexisting ones, developing problem-solving skills, and helping your memory. In regards to your mood, when you go back to school you’ll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with others both inside and outside of the classroom setting.

Online Vs. In the Classroom

For many seniors, deciding to learn online instead of in the classroom is a difficult decision to make as earning a degree online is something they’ve never experienced before. Firstly, the idea of using computers can be overwhelming, especially when you’re used to learning in a classroom. But, with time, you’ll come to see that you can find almost anything on the internet and it’s much more accessible than going to the library or a bookstore to look up information.

Once you get over the fear of leaning online, you’ll be surprised at how convenient it is to learn in your own home. Plus, you’ll save time and money by not having to commute to class, you can learn at your own pace, and you won’t notice if you’re the oldest person in the class. Also, instead of spending tons of money on textbooks, many online classes use user-friendly sites like Blackboard and Moodle, which allow you to have access to course materials whenever you need them.

Photo by Dan Dimmock on Unsplash

Study For Free

One of the many reasons people decide to enroll in online colleges is that they’re more cost-effective than studying in a classroom. But, seniors can actually take online courses for free! You won’t even have to pay an application fee.

There are so many resources available to make the cost of attending online schools lower and even free like FAFSA, scholarships, tax credits, and aids. One particular aid program, “Encore Programs” is available to adults 50 and over and it offers free or significantly discounted tuition. The benefits are offered from your state and some states allow you to take free courses for credit towards a degree, while others allow you to audit courses or they offer courses at extremely discounted rates.

For information about the resources available for particular schools contact their financial aid office.

Previous articleSeniors Can Earn Degrees Online at Leading Universities
Next articleMeal Timing Can Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals
Ariel H
Ariel is a chocoholic - she loves chocolate, all types of chocolate. Fashion is her next love, she enjoys following all the latest fashion trends. During her free time, you can catch her snuggling up with her two kitties or binge-watching Netflix.