College Guide Adult Learner

Adult Learner

If you’re an adult who is considering going back to school, chances are you are juggling a lot—a full-time job, family, tight budget, and an already full plate of responsibilities. Whether you are looking to complete a college degree, certificate, or credential for the first time, or you are going back to school to start a new career path, here are the resources you need. According to a Georgetown study, 63% of jobs in Mississippi will need a credential or a degree by 2031. Earning a credential or degree can boost your income and help you build a better future for yourself and your community.

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Pathways to completion

Need your high school diploma or equivalency? Skill UP Mississippi is an initiative of the Office of Adult Education at the Mississippi Community College Board. Individuals can pursue various High School Equivalency options, whether it’s the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), General Education Development (GED), or MS Competency-Based Equivalency Diploma, while enrolling in career pathways through Smart Start and Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MIBEST). Through career pathways, adult education focuses on a student-centered approach by connecting students to occupational training and postsecondary education to progress within a career. Mississippi allows students without a high school diploma to potentially receive federal student financial aid, through Ability to Benefit, for enrolling in a MIBEST eligible career pathway program. Helpful Tip: Learn more and find your county-specific details by visiting skillupmississippi.com.

Complete 2 Compete & Reverse transfer

If you have Mississippi public college credits, Complete 2 Compete (C2C) is a state program designed to help Mississippi adults complete their college degrees and create a brighter future. C2C helps adults who left college at least 2 years ago to go back to a Mississippi public university to complete a bachelor’s degree. There’s even financial aid assistance for those who qualify. Mississippi’s eight public universities and the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) all participate in the program.

Reverse Transfer

Reverse Transfer allows students who have transferred from a community college to a public university with at least 16 transferable credits to transfer credits earned at the four-year institution back to the community college. These reverse transfer credits count toward earning an associate degree, which gives students an additional credential and improves employability. Contact the registrar at the community college you attended to determine if you are eligible to receive an associate degree.

Enlisting in your education

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides education and financial assistance to veterans, service members, and their qualified family members. The GI Bill® offers qualifying persons the money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training. Additionally, the VA offers a Readiness and Employment program as well as educational and career counseling.

Stacking Credentials

Stackable credentials are a series of certificates, certifications, and degrees that you can earn progressively to build upon your education and skills. Each credential in the stack serves as a stepping stone, allowing you to acquire specific, job-ready skills and knowledge that can lead to employment or advancement in your current job. Over time, you can “stack” these credentials by continuing your education, leading to more advanced certifications or degrees, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree. This approach provides flexibility, especially if you’re a working adult, enabling you to enter or advance in the workforce while continuing your education on a schedule that fits your needs. Stackable credentials are especially valuable in fields where skills development and continuing education are crucial for career growth, such as healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing. Mississippi community colleges have a 30/45/60 stackable credential model.

30 Credit Hours = Career Certificate
45 Credit Hours = Technical Certificate
60 Credit Hours = Associate Degree

Higher Education in or after prison

Adults who are currently or formerly incarcerated may have eligibility to receive state or federal support for higher education. The Mississippi Higher Education in Prison Program offers for-credit humanities courses at no cost to students who are incarcerated. Courses are offered to help students fulfill basic degree requirements and provide them with transformative experiences. The United States Department of Education (USDOE) reinstated Pell Grant eligibility to the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated population. For more information on eligibility and participating colleges and universities, email MCHEP@woodwardhines.org.

Financial Aid Options

Embarking on a journey of adult education often comes with financial considerations, but the good news is that resources and financial aid options exist to support you in your pursuit of knowledge and skill development. Explore the different Mississippi grant and scholarship options. Work with a financial aid advisor at the institution you are enrolling in to determine your options.

My Way Mississippi

My Way Mississippi is the no-cost, one-stop-shop to help Mississippians plan, prepare, manage, and finance their postsecondary education.

How to prosper locally

In Mississippi, a great career is just around the corner. Opportunities in advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and logistics are all in high-demand and offer good wages and opportunities for advancement—with or without a four-year degree. Use the Get2College FREE career assessment (Career Tableau) to help figure out your interests.

Mississippi Apprentice Program

The Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP) provides opportunities to learn in-demand skills while earning a good wage. Participants in Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs receive specialized on-the-job training and can earn nationally recognized credentials that provide the skills needed to compete for top jobs in Mississippi and around the country.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program provides individuals with the professional tools and skills needed to successfully join the workforce and increase employment in Mississippi. Pending funding availability, WIOA provides federal aid to students enrolled in qualifying career, technical, or workforce training programs, and funds are used to assist with expenses such as tuition, required textbooks, and fees for individuals certified as eligible to receive the funds. Applications are completed once per semester during the application period at the nearest Workforce Investment Network (WIN) Job Centers. Learn more about WIOA and find a WIN Job center location that is near you at the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) website.

You’ve embraced the power of lifelong learning and taken a courageous step toward building a brighter future. Each new skill or credential you earn brings you closer to achieving your goals and unlocking new opportunities. Consider what adult learning opportunities best meet your needs. Your next level of success is within reach—believe in yourself and keep going. You can do this!

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