BACK
to
SCHOOL
A guide for adults
returning to the
classroom
Roane State Community College
www.roanestate.edu
Welcome
This guide is written specifically
for adults who have been away
from school for a few years, and
it provides general advice on
navigating all the paperwork
and procedures coming your
way.
You are courageous to consider
coming back to school. The good
news is that you are not alone.
At Roane State, many classes
include adult students. Your
adult classmates may be changing
careers, taking courses for the
first time since high school or
returning to college after military
service. Many adult students have
families and jobs, and all are
brave to accept the challenge
of improving their lives through
higher education.
Roane State is here to help you
achieve your goals. If you have
any questions, please contact
the Student Enrollment and
Recruitment Office at
(865) 882-4554.
We look forward to serving you.
Roane State Community College
www.roanestate.edu
The Lingo
When you go to college, you might hear some new terms.
Credit hour or “hours”: A credit hour refers to the amount of time a
class meets per week. For example, many classes are worth “three hours,”
meaning that they meet for about three hours a week. Let’s say you sign
up for four classes, and each one is worth three hours. How many total
hours have you signed up to take? Answer—12 hours. (4 classes x 3 hours
per class)
General education (Gen Ed) or “core” classes: These terms refer
to the common classes that all students take regardless of their major.
For example, whether you want to be a nurse or an engineer, you have
to take English classes.
RaiderNet: RaiderNet is the name of the Web service that students
use to check their Roane State email, pay fees, register for classes, etc.
A RaiderNet link is on the home page of the Roane State website.
Semester: The Roane State academic year is divided into semesters.
Fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks long. Summer semester consists
of full, first and second terms. Full term is eight weeks long. First and
second terms are four weeks long. Fall semester runs from August to
December. Spring semester runs from January to May. Summer runs
from June through July. Roane State also offers intense, three-week
“Maymester” classes, which are held in May between the end of the
spring semester and the start of the summer semester.
Bits of Advice
When you first decide to go back to school, getting started can seem
overwhelming. But remember this—it’s only paperwork. Right now,
today, the only thing standing between you and college is paperwork.
Paperwork can be time-consuming and annoying, but fundamentally,
it’s only paperwork.
Consider these tips to help you manage the paperwork and the
processes that are a part of applying to college, getting financial aid
and signing up for classes.
1.
Keep a copy of everything: One of the best tools for managing
college paperwork is a file folder. After you fill out a form, make
a copy and keep it in your folder. When you get a receipt for your
tuition bill, tuck it in the folder. Keeping a copy of paperwork
makes it much easier to resolve any issues that could occur.
2. Get the name of the person you talk to: Another great tool is
a notebook. Keep it with you, and when you talk to a college
representative about a question or problem, politely ask for the
person’s name and jot it down in your notebook along with the
date of the conversation and a summary of what the person told
you. Why do this? Let’s suppose you need to follow up on a
question.
Consider these scenarios. Which one is better?
Scenario 1: “Hi, I called and spoke to some lady in the financial aid
office a couple of weeks ago about my bill, and I can’t remember what
she said, but I think there’s a problem.”
Scenario 2: “Hi, I spoke with Ellen in financial aid on Jan. 13, and she
said my financial aid would be processed by Jan. 20. But, I noticed my
bill has not changed and wanted to see if there was a problem.”
Writing down the name of the person you talked to, the date of the
conversation, and a short summary of the information will keep you
organized and help college representatives better serve you.
3.
Start early and proactively follow up: If you develop the habit of
getting paperwork turned in well before deadlines, then you will
minimize the potential for problems. In addition, it never hurts to
call to make sure everything is in order (be sure to get the name
of the person you talk to).
4. Ask questions: It’s perfectly OK if you do not understand a term
or phrase, such as “credit hour” or FAFSA. Please ask if you sense,
deep down inside, that you do not understand. Remember,
thousands of adult students come to Roane State, and few are
experts in college processes and procedures. It’s normal to have
questions.
5.
Check your email: Roane State will communicate important
information to you through email. Check your Roane State
email frequently and your personal
email for messages from Roane State.
6.
Talk to your advisor: You will be
assigned a faculty advisor. Find
the person, tell them what you
are interested in studying, and
stay in touch with them. Advisors
are a great resource—if you take
advantage of them.
The Application
The first step toward going back to school is to fill out an application
online through the Roane State website at www.roanestate.edu. The
application is pretty straight-forward, but be aware of the following:
1.
Shot records: Depending on when you graduated from high
school, you may need to show proof of vaccinations. An
admissions representative will know what you need. For now,
just be aware that this is part of the admissions process.
2.
Transcripts: Even if you went to high school or college many
years ago, Roane State will need a copy of your transcripts and/
or GED scores. Tracking down transcripts, especially if it’s been a
few years since you were last in school, can take some time. Give
yourself a healthy cushion (a few weeks) between the time you
submit the application and the start of classes.
3.
Testing: As an adult student, there is a good chance you will
need to take what is called the COMPASS test. The test helps
the college determine your skill level in subjects such as reading and mathematics. Based on your test results, the college will place
you in classes that fit your skill level.
4. Time: Give yourself plenty of it, especially if you have been out of
school for a while. Getting through the admissions process may
take longer than you expect. Allow plenty of time to turn in your
paperwork.
Who do I call for help?
Before you apply: Student Enrollment and Recruitment
(865) 882-4554
After you apply:
Admissions and Records
(865) 882-4523
Choosing a Degree
Roane State awards the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science
(A.S.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) and certificates. When
you select from one of Roane State’s dozens of academic programs,
you will want to check to see if it leads to an A.A., A.S., A.A.S. or
certificate.
What is the difference? Here is an explanation to help you select the
option that is right for you.
Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.): The A.A. and
the A.S. are for students who want to transfer to four-year schools. A
lot of students come to Roane State for two years and then transfer to a
college, such as Tennessee Tech, to finish their last two years and earn
a bachelor’s degree. If you are interested in earning a bachelor’s degree,
then an A.A. or an A.S. may be right for you.
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.): The A.A.S. is for students who
want to go directly into the workforce after they finish school. If your
goal is to start working right after you graduate from Roane State,
then the A.A.S. is likely the right choice.
Certificates: Certificates are also for students who want to go
directly into the workforce after they finish college. For the most
part, certificates take less time to complete than associate’s degrees.
Whether a certificate or associate’s degree is right for you depends
on your career interests. Make sure you understand the difference
between the jobs an associate’s degree could qualify you for
compared to a certificate. Ask your advisor for help!
Financial Aid
Now that you have decided to go to college, you will need to decide
how to pay for it.
The first step is to complete what is called the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, for short). If you talk to a financial aid
representative at any college, one of the first questions they will ask
you is, “Have you filled out your FAFSA?”
What is the FAFSA? It’s a form that you complete online–remember,
it’s just paperwork—and it is your ticket to financial aid. The form asks
for information about you, including your income. You will need your
tax return to complete the FAFSA and perhaps other income documents
such as W -2 forms.
To be eligible for financial aid, you have to fill out the FAFSA, just as to
get into a ballgame, you have to have a ticket. The FAFSA is used to
determine the aid you are eligible to receive.
Give yourself plenty of time to complete the form, and file it early. It’s OK
to go ahead and fill out the FAFSA, even if you have not decided where
to go to college.
Filing the FAFSA requires two steps. Step one is to get a PIN number
from www.pin.ed.gov. This takes only a few moments. After you
complete the FAFSA online, the PIN serves as a way for you to
“sign” the form electronically.
Step two is to fill out the FAFSA form itself online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
This part will take some time, so plan ahead by having your income
documents organized and setting aside plenty of time to complete
the form.
Here are a few other FAFSA pointers:
• Completing the FAFSA is absolutely free. Watch out for websites
that offer FAFSA services for a price.
• Every student’s situation is unique in terms of what aid they might
be able to receive. Go ahead and make contact with a financial aid
representative to discuss your circumstances. Get the name of the person you talk to.
• There is a difference between a grant and a loan. A grant, such as
the Pell Grant, is money you do not have to pay back. A student
loan is money that you borrow and pay back over time.
Also, keep in mind that scholarships are available through theRoane
State Foundation and other sources. It never hurts to apply
for scholarships—it’s only paperwork!
Who do I call for help?
Financial Aid: (865) 882-4545
Taking Classes
Roane State offers hundreds of interesting classes. Advisors will assist
you with finding the classes that are right for your major and for your
schedule. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
• Know your whole plan: Sit down with your advisor and map out
all of your classes, not just the ones you are taking in your first
semester. There could be any number of twists and turns along your
college path. For example, you may have to finish some courses
before you can take others. Developing your personal roadmap early
will help you take the right classes and stay on track.
• Register early, especially if you have a complicated schedule: As
a college student, you get to pick your class times. Keep in mind,
though, that classes fill up fast. If you have to schedule classes
around work, for example, sign up for classes as soon as you can
to ensure that you get the times that you want.
• Go full-time if you can: The odds of graduating drop dramatically
for students who only take a few classes at a time. Find a way to
go full-time or take as many classes as you can in a semester. With
block scheduling you can fit classes into one or two days a week
or arrange to only have classes in the mornings or evenings. By
taking accelerated courses, you can finish some classes in as few
as five weeks. There are many scheduling strategies that will help
you fit a full course schedule into your busy life.
Who do I call for help?
Advising Resource Center
(865) 882-4597
By the Way, College is Awesome
Enjoy this experience. Go to a play. Watch a basketball game. Attend a
concert. Take the time to savor your college experience, whether you
are starting at age 21 or 61.
Roane State offers study abroad opportunities, lectures by world-class
speakers, exciting athletic teams, a host of fun student activities, and
some truly fascinating classes taught by experts in their fields.
Also, please ask for help if you need it. Roane State has wonderful
free tutoring services through the Learning Center. Tutors are available
in many subjects, and they work with students one-on-one, in small
groups and online. The library staff will leap over the reference desk
to help you. The faculty and staff are some of the nicest people you
will meet, and they love assisting students. If you find yourself struggling
in a class or losing sleep over admissions paperwork, ask for help right
away (and, of course, get the name of the person you talk to).
Good luck on your college journey—you can do it!
Roane County Campus
(865) 882-4554
(866) 462-7722 ext. 4554
Knox County Center for Health Sciences
(865) 539-6904
(866) 462-7722 ext. 2323
Oak Ridge Campus
(865) 481-2000
(866) 462-7722
Loudon County Higher Education Center
(865) 986-1525
(866) 462-7722 ext. 4670
Campbell County Higher Education Center
(423) 562-7021
(866) 462-7722 ext. 4534
Morgan County Higher Education Center
(423) 346-8700
(866) 462-7722 ext. 4664
Cumberland County Higher Education Center
(931) 456-9880
(866) 462-7722 ext. 4532
Scott County Higher Education Center
(423) 663-3878
(866) 462-7722 ext. 4694
Fentress County Higher Education Center
(931) 752-8320
(866) 462-7722 ext. 4625
www.roanestate.edu
This document was funded by funds received under Title I of the Carl D. Perkins Career Center and Technical Education Act of 2006. Roane State Community College is
a TBR and AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person
has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of Human Resources/Affirmative Action, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748,
(865) 882-4679, humanresources@roanestate.edu. RSCC Publication #15-046. 3,000 copies printed by Precision Printing and Graphics. Graphic Design–Sandi Roberts