Is 23 Too Old to Start College? Benefits of Going to College at 23

Many students choose to go to college when they're in their 20s, but is 23 too old to start college? We break down the benefits of going to college at 23 and offer tips for older students.

There is no age limit to apply to college, just as there's no age limit to start college.

This means that you can enroll in college at any age.

While starting college at 23 may have its difficulties, there are also several benefits to starting college at this age.

Benefits of Going to College at 23

Beginning college as a 23-year-old has a few different benefits, and we've broken them down below.

Note that benefits may vary depending on your situation.

You're More Likely to Make Better Choices

The human brain doesn't stop developing until the early 20s.

This means that a 23-year-old student is more likely to make wiser decisions regarding their education.

That's not to say that 18-year-olds cannot make good decisions, just that someone in their early 20s has a more mature brain.

Many decisions go into starting school, such as:

What school to attend
Whether to study on campus, online, or a mix of both
What to major in
How to pay for your education

Students who are starting college a little later than average are also more likely to take their program seriously.

While older students are more likely to need to balance work and dependents, this need for balance can also force them to be more committed to their studies.

You Have Life Experience

There are many reasons someone may postpone going to college, but some of the most common reasons are work, family, or travel.

All of these help a person develop skills like time management, teamwork, and responsibility. These are skills that will help you immensely in college.

This is especially true if you're studying online, which typically requires more personal accountability than traditional on-campus courses.

Many online colleges, like Purdue Global, National University, and the University of Massachusetts Global Campus offer credit for prior experiences.

This can be military experience or certifications earned through work. Many also allow you to test out of subjects if your experience has made you knowledgeable in a certain area.

Additionally, having life experience allows you to offer a unique perspective to the other students in your course, which can benefit everyone in class.

You're More Likely to Know What You Want to Do

About 80% of students in college end up changing their major at least once. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it has drawbacks.

Changing a major can make it take longer to graduate, as you may need to stay longer to fulfill the requirements of your new program.

This can waste time and money, depending on when you switch.

However, because someone in their 20s has the benefits of a more developed brain and life experience, they're more likely to have a better understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and interests.

As a result, someone starting college a little later may have a firmer grasp on what they want to do with their lives and choose a program that corresponds with that.

You May Qualify for More Financial Aid

As an older student, you may qualify for better financial aid opportunities than you would have if you were younger.

All students should fill out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), which will tell you what types of financial aid you may qualify for.

If you're still dependent on your parents, the amount you qualify for depends on their income.

However, you are no longer a dependent once you reach age 24. You also stop being a dependent if you get married or have your kids, among other things.

If you're no longer a dependent and make less than your parents do, you may be eligible for more financial aid, like the Pell Grant.

The Pell Grant is a federal grant, meaning it doesn't need to be paid back.

It's distributed based on income, with lower-income students receiving a higher amount.

On top of that, you may be eligible for unique grants and scholarships. For example, if you have children, you may qualify for financial aid specifically for students who are parents.

If you work full-time, you should also check your benefits. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs to help students pay for college.

How to Go to College at 23

When going to college at 23, the most important thing is to choose the right school for you. You'll want to consider:

Does the school have the program you want?
Are courses offered in my preferred format (on campus or online)
If on-campus, are courses offered at a time that works with my schedule?
How much is tuition?
What financial aid is available?

Adult students with busy lives may prefer an online program, as these are often flexible.

Some popular online colleges for adult students include:

Starting College at 23

23 is not too old to start college; many students start college when they're beyond the traditional age.

With the guide above, you can decide if starting college at 23 is right for you.