Steps to Get Back in School

This is part 2 of a prior article. You can read part 1 here – Going Back to School after Dropping Out.

• Apply for admission into the college. Check the deadlines so you don’t miss them.
• If you are not planning to attend the same school, you will have to get copies of your transcript from the previous college(s) you attended and provide them to your new school. Usually, you can request your college transcripts from the Registrar’s office at that school.
• Apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA. It can be completed online at fafsa.gov.  If you applied for admission into multiple schools you should list each of those schools on your FAFSA.  In most cases, once you’ve been admitted and your FAFSA is filled out, then your school will be able to determine your eligibility and send you an award letter which would say the amount(s) and type(s) of aid you can receive.
• Check the status of your student loans. Hopefully, you have been making payments or are in a deferment or forbearance. If your loans are in default, you will need to get them back in good standing to be eligible for more financial aid. Contact your loan holder to check your status. Login to NSLDS.gov to see who your loan holder is and to get their contact information. Click here to learn more about student loans. Keep in mind, once classes start and you are attending at least half-time and not able to make payments, you should send an in-school deferment to your loan holder so your payments can be postponed.
• Stay focused and keep pushing yourself to go forward.

About Melanie

I am a Financial Coach for college students and parents. I am an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) and received my BBA in Management from Texas State University. I help students understand their financial aid and help them develop a plan to achieve their educational and financial goals. I was a first-generation college student, so I have a personal understanding of some of the struggles students face.

Working in the financial aid industry for 13 years has given me the opportunity to work with students at different points in their life from starting college to graduating and finding a job — all the way through helping them repay their student loans and save for the future.