Page 4 - Senior Times South Central Michigan January 2022 - 29-01

Page 4 Senior Times - January 2022
RETURN TO LEARN
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
The unique opportunity afforded to mature adults goes well beyond retirement and into new learning years. While some fall into retirement with ease others are challenged by the newfound idle time. Learning new hob- bies, reading, volunteering, and even travel are all great but what can you do when that doesn’t fill the schedule?
Rather than sit idle consider going back to school. You won’t be alone, as more and more mature adults have chosen to return to learn.
Be sure to ask your local college about free or reduced tuition, grants, and scholarships, or even your local community foundation. Tax breaks may be available for the senior learner so be sure to consult with your accountant
The good news is that there are often opportunities for reduced or free tuition, or attending classes that are more tailored to your personal interests rather than academia.
new social circles, preventing isolation. Maybe your higher education dreams were
Interestingly enough, some colleges have taken proactive steps to become more senior friendly. Arizona State in Tempe has gone
so far as to build a retirement community
with a twist with dorms built specifically for seniors on campus. While it hasn’t happened in Michigan yet the concept is promising. We have seen the reverse however, where tradi- tional students are living onsite of senior com- munities and work in exchange for room and board.
If you are still in the workforce you may be surprised to learn that your employer may offer a reduced tuition program or partner- ship. You can take advantage of this program to expand or upgrade your skills and enjoy learning again.
dashed by life circumstances, or possibly the armed forces. As a mature adult the timing could be just right to return to learn. You may be surprised to find that some local colleges even grant credit for life experiences. You don’t know until you ask.
Now that we have spent nearly two years learning how to use technology the reality
is that you can even eliminate transportation issues and learn online. If going to a tradi- tional education setting is too intimidating consider programs at your area library or senior center. Many are still offering online courses. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also offers a variety of online programming at Get Set Up. Visit www.getsetup.io for more information. You can sign up for free at the site. Use the coupon code: MICHIGANHEALTH while booking your class to waive your fee for paid classes. National organizations such as AARP have learning programs as well.
If you have decided that retirement is your next step but are certain that now is the time to expand that hobby of yours into your next career, now might be the time to take the busi- ness courses necessary to be successful. Be sure to ask about reduced tuition for seniors
at your local college. Financial aid, grants, or scholarships might be another option.
What if you just want to learn for the sake of learning more about what interests you? Life Long Learning programs exist across the United States on more than 120 college cam- puses. The Life Long Learning Institute offers a host of programs from fun to finances, from learning to knit to map making. If you have an interest reach out to your local college
to find out if they have a program you can sign up for. Furthermore, if you have a skill that others might like to learn about consider teaching that to others through the program.
Some of you just love learning and with the free time that retirement can afford learning can be your next passion. Keeping your brain engaged is always good for you to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. More than that, going back to school will create a new opportunity to meet new friends and develop
Once you’ve made the decision to return to learn the next step to consider is financing.
Return to learn this year and fulfill the next item on your New Year’s resolution list.
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as you take the next step toward learning. Also ask your financial advisor if an educa- tional fund can benefit your future interests. Financial aid might even be an option that you can explore.
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