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Illustration: Aaron Meshon |
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A Class Act
Laura Godfrey isn't donning cap and gown or walking down the aisle to "Pomp and Circumstance," but at 49, she is wrapping up studies for her bachelor's degree. Michael F. Maez says the first time he earned a degree he did it for his mother. The second time, the 52-year-old did it for himself. And every Saturday, María Castillo, M.D., 61, takes an art class at a local college. It's something she says adds richness and creativity to her busy life as a gynecologist. Many older Hispanics are returning to school to fulfill a lifelong dream, to advance careers, or just for the pleasure of learning something new. These nontraditional students are giving up nights, weekends, and family time, and often straining the household budget. It's worth it, they say, with or without the cap and gown.
"I don't care about the public, visual part of it," says Godfrey, an Argentinean native who graduates in August with a degree in communications. Though she earned an associate of arts degree in 1996, she returned to school in 2001, a year after her oldest daughter entered college. "In Argentina, there wasn't that type of degree [associate of arts], so in my mind I still didn't have one. The only degree for me was a four-year degree. So this is a debt I have with myself," she explains. "It will be an accomplishment. I stuck with it." Reasons for returning to school vary but often fit into two categories, says Gabe DeGabriele. He is executive director of the Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE), the only national group solely serving the needs of nontraditional students. "We tend to see the job benefit focus more for the males, and for the females it's more for self-fulfillment." Maez fits both categories. After 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, he retired in 1992 and found no one was ready to hire him at the salary he wanted. The following year, at age 41, he headed back to school and graduated in 1996. He earned a master's degree in criminal justice in 2003. "The main reason I went for my bachelor's was because of my mom," says the Mexican American from Utah. "No one in my family had done it until I did. Now, one of my nieces is in college and my older brother is finishing, too. I guess you can say the chain has been broken."
Castillo, who lives in Miami, Florida, wasn't yearning for a degree or for career advancement. "It's good to do things that are good for your soul, not only for money. I paint because I like it," she says. When she arrived in the United States in 1982, recently divorced and with four children, the Nicaraguan native had to begin her medical career almost from scratch to be licensed in this country. Working, studying, and raising children alone left no free time. Though her skilled hands no longer perform surgery, she now uses them to express herself creatively through her art. There are added benefits, she says. "You always learn something every day, but this is also a chance to be with classmates, to share things. The social aspect is important." When older patients come to her office angry or aggressive, it's often because they are lonely and just need someone to talk with, she says. "They should take a painting class, go back to school, do community service. If they keep busy they'll be happy." Getting Started "The toughest thing is that first class," says Irene Higareda Ponce, 56, who works in reader services at Seymour Library at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. "It's just so strange to go into that unfamiliar setting. It was very scary." She recommends taking a class in a familiar or favorite subject: "You tend to do better in things you know well." In 2000, she earned a bachelor of arts degree. Being the only male in his cosmetology class was very awkward, says 54-year-old Art Adalid, who plans to earn his certification in cosmetology within a year. "At first I was skeptical. I wasn't used to giving a shampoo or putting rollers in someone's hair. Now I feel comfortable." He also knows that learning to color hair and polish toenails will help him be able to practice his true passion, cutting hair. Adalid says perceived language or educational limitations also keep many older Hispanics away from school, but he found lots of help and support at Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, in Ogden, Utah. He says they should not be afraid to ask for help and that many colleges have offices specifically for such students. Finding time to attend classes is often another hurdle. For Adalid, jumping that hurdle meant sharing his dream with his employer. "I talked to my boss and we arranged it so I could come here in the mornings for four hours, then work from 11:30 in the morning until 8:30 at night," says the bus driver for people with disabilities. The schedule means it will take him six months longer than if he were going full-time, but the trade-off will pay off, he says. Other Benefits Getting a master's degree was a way of setting goals for his children, says Maez. "I ask them to match me or beat me." And he uses his experiences when he counsels detainees in the juvenile court where he works. He recalls never being encouraged to seek a higher education and of having barely made it out of high school. He tells his charges, "I'm talking to you because I've been there and done that, not just because I wear a suit and tie." Now with a master's, he also teaches criminal justice classes at Park University in Ogden. Goal setting and a competitive spirit can be good and bad, according to Godfrey. "I have straight A's, and it's terrible," she says with a laugh. "I wish I didn't, because then you have to keep it up. My competition is with my kids. They ask me, 'What did you get, Mom?' " Shared experiences can make for better understanding, too. During one semester, Higareda Ponce and three of her children were all in college at once. "I knew what they were going through," she says. She felt the pressures of studying for a big test and the frustration of not finding research materials she needed until the last minute. The latter experience has made her more sensitive to the needs of students at Knox, she says. Family support for the older student is essential. Working graveyard shifts, then going to school was tough, says Maez, father of a daughter, 15, and a son, 19. "I have great kids and an awesome wife. They were all very good to me, giving me the time and space." His wife, Kaye, who always encouraged him, is even ready to mortgage the house so he can pursue a doctorate, he says. Choosing the Right School One way to know if a school is friendly to nontraditional students is to find out the percentage of such students on campus. "If they can answer that question right away, then they are aware of nontraditional students and probably have good services," he says. "If they can't answer that question, then steer clear." Also good to consider is how many classes would be online, how many would be face to face, and the course length. "For some people, the 16-week semester works, but I don't think that's the majority; most want a more accelerated format," DeGabriele says. "Distance learning [online classes] is an important option, but the students I talk to value the face-to-face interaction with teachers." Godfrey chose the University of Maryland's University College. "It specializes in people like me, offering courses online, nights, and weekends," she says. "You have to plan your studying around your work, not work around your studies, so you have to look for a program that will be flexible enough." Who's Going to Pay? There are scholarships, grants, and loans available, but experts recommend researching the legitimacy and credibility of those granting the funding. The federal government also offers aid such as the Federal Pell Grant, which is available to undergraduate students, and Federal Perkins Loans, which are low-interest loans for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. Another source of financial aid can come from employers. AARP is committed to lifelong learning for members and employees, says AARP education consultant Bryan Rawlings. With that in mind, the organization offers employees tuition assistance. "AARP strives to assist employees as much as possible in reaching their educational goals, to in turn have a positive impact on the members we serve." Sacrifices undoubtedly will come into play when an older person returns to school. But for Adalid and others, they pale in comparison to the rewards. "Maybe [my story] will inspire people and let them know that it's never too late to grab a dream that maybe you thought had passed you by in life," says Adalid, as he gets ready to head back to class. Don’t rush off and enroll in class until you have checked out our 5 tips for picking the school and finding the money. These links are provided for informational purposes only. AARP does not endorse, and has no control over, or responsibility for, the linked sites or the content, advertisements, materials, products, or services available on or throughout these sites. |
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