There are more ways to pay for your degree than you might think
You've done the math. You know what a healthcare program at a career college costs. When you look at your future career prospects, you know it’s a good investment … but that doesn’t change the fact that you have bills to pay now, before your career takes off.
You've looked at your FAFSA results, too, so you’ve seen how much federal aid you'll receive. Now you're staring at the remaining balance, and the amount you still need after the government help comes through feels like a lot.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many adult students discover that federal aid alone doesn't cover the full cost of the program they’re looking to enroll in. But there’s more help out there if you look at the whole picture.
When you file your FAFSA, you'll receive an aid package. For many adult students, this includes:
A Pell Grant (typically $4,000-$7,000), which is free government money you don't have to repay
Federal student loans (typically $5,500-$7,500 per year) that must be repaid after you graduate
Combined, that might cover, say, 60-80% of your program cost. Let’s say your program costs $12,000 over 12 months. You’re looking at:
Pell Grant: $4,000 (free)
Federal loans: $5,500 (must repay)
Your gap: $2,500
That $2,500 gap is a good chunk of money you need before classes start … but it’s also money you need to pay your bills, and you don’t want your family to sacrifice for your dreams. So, you start thinking about taking out private loans (with higher interest rates), making payments while you’re in school (tightening your monthly budget even further), working extra hours (like you have any free time to spare) or just delaying enrollment (and the stable, in-demand career you deserve) altogether.
But don’t give up hope. There are private scholarship options available that can make a real difference in how doable it feels to enroll right now.
The Imagine America Adult Skills Education Program scholarship
The Imagine America Foundation, for example, offers a $1,000 scholarship specifically for adult students like you at partner career colleges. It’s called our Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP), and it provides gift aid that you don’t need to repay.
Now, after being awarded the ASEP, that $2,500 gap shrinks by a full 40%, meaning you only need to come up with $1,500. That’s an extra thousand dollars in your pocket to pay for essentials and extras in today’s economy. To make things even easier, many of our partner schools offer payment plans for your remaining costs. Here's how our scholarship helps you cover those:
Without IAF ASEP Scholarship:
Remaining gap: $2,500
Spread over 12 months: $208/month
With IAF ASEP Scholarship:
Remaining gap: $1,500
Spread over 12 months: $125/month
That's an $83/month difference. For an adult learner working while in school, that's money you could put toward childcare, transportation, food, or fewer hours at work so you can focus on studies.
How do I qualify for the ASEP?
The IAF ASEP scholarship is specifically for adult students, typically defined as 19+. You can complete an application here, and talk to your financial aid advisor at one of our 400+ chosen partner schools about eligibility and deadlines.
The scholarship isn't based on grades or special talents, just your status as an adult learner. The whole point is to help students like you — people returning to school or changing careers while managing real-world responsibilities, work and family.
Going back to school is a big step, and the last thing you need is financial stress threatening or delaying your goals. The right funding mix, including this scholarship, makes education feel easier.
Here’s your next step: Check out our partner schools in your area to see which offer the programs you’re interested in. Then fill out an application for the ASEP scholarship! We can’t wait to see it come through.
