Higher Ed for Adults

Adult Learning Guides

Career Center
Everything you need for job searching, careers, resumes, cover letters and interviews.

Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service
The mission of the Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Services is to promote literacy across the lifespan through emergent and family literacy outreach initiatives and adult basic and English language instruction.

Brainfuse JobNow!
Live Career Help! Resume review, job search & interview preparation from 2-11 p.m., 7 days a week. 

Universal Class 
Universal Class offers courses in fitness, entrepreneurship, arts & music, home & garden, cooking, technology, health, homeschooling, job assistance, legal, parenting, animal care ... plus 100’s more.

Adult Learning Center
Live Tutoring Help! Whether you are going back to school, switching jobs, learning new computer programs, or just want to brush up on an academic skill, live help is here for you, 2-11 p.m., 7 days a week.

Learning Express 
Learning Express offers Learning Centers for computer skills, school subjects, college prep, GED, adult education, workplace skills, and more. Practice tests include GED, ACT, SAT, ASVAB and occupational exams.

Web Resources for Adult Students

Back to College
Online Degrees, Distance Degrees, Online Courses, Adult Student Financial Aid, Scholarships

Entering College as an Adult
From the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The State Regents offer many programs and services to help you return to college or begin your college education.

Mapping Your Future
Mapping Your Future's mission is to enable individuals to achieve life-long success by empowering schools, students, and families with free, web-based college, financial aid, career, and financial literacy information and services. 

Women in Transition, Tulsa
WIT offers college fairs, workshops and ongoing services providing women the resources to make choices in furthering their education.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Oklahoma State University

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) keeps seniors active and social. Geared toward adults 50 and better, OLLI offers courses, travel and social activities to enrich participants’ quality of life. OLLI currently is enrolling for the spring session, which begins Feb. 15 and runs through April 9. Single sessions and multi-week classes are available on a variety of topics, including history, art, science, reading, writing, etc. Visit https://education.okstate.edu/outreach/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/index.html for more details. 

TRIO Educational Opportunity Center at Tulsa Community College

The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) program provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter, re-enter or transfer to post-secondary education programs. An important objective of EOC is to counsel participants on financial aid options and to assist in the application process. Participants must reside in Tulsa, Creek or Osage County, be at least 19 years old and U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. EOC services are focused on low-income (150 percent below poverty level) and potential first-generation college students. First-generation is defined as students for whom neither parent has a four-year college degree. Visit https://www.tulsacc.edu/student-resources/trio/trio-educational-opportunity-center to learn more about this free federally funded program and how it can assist individuals who want to pursue their educational journey.

College Bound Topics

Choosing the Right College

College Navigator
An interactive website that allows you to explore and compare features of different schools, including programs, majors, admissions considerations, campus crime statistics and more.

Campus Tours: Virtual College Tours
This site links to colleges that have interactive maps and streaming video of its campus through an alphabetical or location search strategy. Additional information on the college's or university's degrees, and activities may also be provided, but it is not found for every school. 

Campus Visit Checklist
Make the most of your visit with this list from College Board.

OK College Start
The go-to website for information about going to college in Oklahoma.

Guide to Oklahoma's Colleges and Universities
Getting into college, paying for college, school profiles, and more.

College Score Card
The College Scorecard includes essential information about a particular college’s cost, its graduation rates and the average amount its students borrow.

U.S. News & World Report Education
College and university rankings, career information, financial aid, general tips.

Peterson's Education Supersite
Searching for colleges and universities by name, subject, tution, GPA, major, religion, size, and many other characteristics just got easier with this comprehensive site. 

College Results Online
Produced by the Education Trust, this free resource provides users with information on nearly any four-year college/university in the US. Includes graduation rates, race, gender, college characteristics, student characteristics, admissions, financial aid, and faculty. Search by location, SAT scores, tuition, and student characteristics and outcomes.

Directory of College Degrees
A directory of college degree programs and career education.

The College Database: Colleges, Universities & Online Colleges in Oklahoma
Provides a comprehensive list of colleges, universities, community colleges and vocational schools at the local city and state level.

Smart Scholar: Choosing the Right College
For students who are deciding between schools to attend or which colleges to apply to, this guide directs you through all the decision points and considerations to make.

Entrance Exams

ACT or SAT

Most colleges in the United States require applicants to take exams used to measure educational achievements in a variety of subjects. Your overall score may be considered when you apply for admission to college.

The American College Testing (ACT) exam is more common in Oklahoma, but each college varies on entrance requirements. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is commonly required for admission to many out-of-state colleges and universities.

Cost
Basic ACT or SAT exams typically cost $30-$60. Ask your school counselor about applying for a fee waiver.

Test Prep
It may be best to take the ACT and/or SAT more than once to help improve your score. Practice exams are available to help you prepare. Create an account at OKcollegestart.org for test prep tools. Talk to your school counselor about preparing for the exam and visit ACTstudent.org or SAT.CollegeBoard.org to find test dates and locations.

Check out these library resources as well!

Other Entrance Exams

ABC's of the ASVAB
All about the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery.

Advanced Placement Program
(AP) program offers students the opportunity for college-level work in high school. Many colleges recognize qualifying grades on AP exams for college credit or advanced placement in classes. 

College-level Examination Program (CLEP)
This program offers students a chance to receive college credit in certain subject areas. 

Oklahoma State Department of Education's Advanced Placement Program
This site has been designed to provide information related to Advanced Placement (AP) training, state incentives, and classes for students, parents, teachers, program coordinators, counselors, and administrators. 

Online Test Preparation Classes
These online and in-person test preparation classes are available from TCC.

Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)
This test measures the critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills. 

Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL)
(TOEFL) is a computer-based test given to students who are non-native English speakers and did not complete a bachelors degree at a U.S. university of college. A passing score on the TOEFL test would prove minimal competency in English for the purposes of higher education. 

Entrance Exams Study Guide at the Library

List of study guides that can be checked out through the library catalog. Periodicals and software are may also included in these lists.

Financial Aid for Students

What to do First

Your first contact should be the financial aid office at the college or university you plan to attend.  

Find contact information for your school's financial aid department on the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education web site.

Applications for Aid

You are required to complete the FAFSA application in order to qualify for Federal Student Aid. Eligility for other types of student aid may also depend on the FAFSA application.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All searching for college financial aid should begin here where one can submit current tax information for the student and/or family and and apply for government grants and student loans. 

Federal School Code List
The Federal School Code List is intended as a resource for anyone who is completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When answering the college name and address questions on the FAFSA, you should use the official Federal School Code and name found in this list to ensure fast and accurate processing.

Library Databases

Search these Library Databases to find funding for college.

Please note: 
Foundation Directory Online, Foundation Grants to Individuals Online and the Nonprofit Resource Center reference collections are only available at TCCL’s Central Library. Phone (918) 549-7323 for more information.

Foundation Directory Online
Students can search for scholarships and grants to individuals using this database. Ask the Foundation Center Coordinator for assistance.

Foundation Grants to Individuals
This database provides grant information for students. Please ask the Foundation Center Coordinator for assistance.

Student Funding Foundation Center FAQs

Use Knowledge Base to find answers to frequently asked questions about fellowships, grants, and scholarships for students. 

Click on the links for the frequently asked questions or use keywords such as college, graduate school, students, international students, fellowships, funding for research.

Student Funding - Oklahoma

OKCollegeStart
OKcollegestart.org is the state's official website that provides information about higher education in Oklahoma for students, counselors, and parents. It is designed to be the most comprehensive and current source for college planning for Oklahoma students, beginning as early as middle school.

UCanGo2 Scholarships
Search for scholarships by deadline or category.

Gear Up Oklahoma!
Gear Up stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs and is a federally-granted program that informs Oklahomans about free educational programs, as well as mentoring and financial aid.

Student Funding - Additional Resources

Federal Student Aid - U.S. Department of Education
Visit this page for information about types of federal student aid, eligibility criteria, and repaying student loans, and to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

College Board
College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success through programs and services in college readiness, college admission, financial aid and enrollment.

College Confidential
Features of the web site include:
*Search for Scholarships
*Calculate financial aid and academic index

CollegeNET
CollegeNET is a guide to colleges and universities in the United States and selected other countries. An online scholarship database (MACH25) is also included. This listing includes over 500,000 private sector awards (including school specific awards) from 1570 sponsors. Users must create an ID and a password before creating a profile. 

Fastweb
Fastweb provides private sector funding sources of scholarships, grants, fellowships and loans. A personalized profile is necessary. Federal government financial aid is included. 

FinAid
FinAid is a comprehensive site, providing free access to a wide variety of financial aid resources. One source offered under the Sources of Aid is Fastweb. First-time users must register and complete a profile.

Smart Scholar
Subject guide with links to scholarships, how to write essays, avoid scholarship scams and more.

Navigating College: Homeless and Low Income Student Resources
Highlights of this guide include resources to cover costs associated with going to school, including tuition, housing, meals, text books, medical care and more.

How much will college cost?

College Affordability and Transparency Center
This website allows prospective college students to look up tuition costs for public, private, two-year and four-year institutions

Books - Financial Aid

Getting Financial Aid 2018 by The College Board
ISBN: 9781457309243
Publication Date: 2017-07-03

How to Get Money for College 2017 by Peterson's
ISBN: 9780768940893
Publication Date: 2016-08-16

Scholarship Handbook 2017 by The College Board
ISBN: 9781457307768
Publication Date: 2016-07-05

The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2017 by Tanabe; Kelly Tanabe
ISBN: 9781617600920
Publication Date: 2016-06-14

Scholarships, Grants and Prizes 2017 by Peterson's
ISBN: 9780768940886
Publication Date: 2016-07-26

College Bound Web Resources

OK College Start
The go-to website for information about going to college in Oklahoma.

UCanGo2
Resources to help you plan, prepare and pay for college.

Oklahoma's Colleges and Universities

Tulsa Community College TRiO Educational Opportunity Center
The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) program provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults 19 years old and over who want to enter, re-enter or transfer to postsecondary education programs.

U.S. News & World Report Education Center
College and university rankings, career information, financial aid, general tips.

Peterson's
Guides and timelines for choosing or returning to college, test prep, international student admissions, and more.

The College Board
This resource provides useful information on the college search process, downloadable applications for over 800 colleges, and a comprehensive search engine with detailed information on colleges and universities. Colleges and universities can be searched for alphabetically, by preferences, and a comparative chart with another school or schools. 

College Results Online
Produced by the Education Trust, this free resource provides users with information on nearly any four-year college/university in the US. Includes graduation rates, race, gender, college characteristics, student characteristics, admissions, financial aid, and faculty. Search by location, SAT scores, tuition, and student characteristics and outcomes.

First Steps

Now what

Guides

Life-Long Learning Online

Library Databases for Life-long Learning

Learning is its own reward! Build your brain and learn something new with these great resources.

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
Get professional online video training to improve your business, software, technology and creative skills. Choose from thousands of top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts. Includes course completion certificates to upload to your LinkedIn account.

Mango Languages
Choose from more than 30 languages. Learn by listening to native speakers and engaging in the interactive lessons offered through this user-friendly language instruction tool.

Universal Class
Continuing education service designed specifically for use by public library patrons. Courses in GED, fitness, entrepreneurship, arts and music, home and garden care, cooking, computers and technology, health, homeschooling, job assistance, law, ESL, parenting, pet care plus 100’s more.

Online Resources for Life-Long Learning

These free online courses, often referred to as massive open online courses (MOOCs), won't require a library card number, but they may require that you create a log in or profile. Many are publications of actual university courses. They are not credit-bearing or degree-granting, but they can help you overcome the barriers of time, money, or location. Expand your knowledge and explore the possiblities of a world-class education.

Udacity
Learn by solving challenging problems and pursuing udacious projects with world-renowned university instructors. Classes are free, and Udacity offers a range of certification options (for a fee) that are recognized by major technology companies.

ESL & U.S. Citizenship

Live Online Help for Adults

Brainfuse

Live Tutoring online to help answer any questions you might have as you prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test.
Available 2-11 p.m., 7 days a week.

Study Materials to help you get ready for the test.

Test Prep Center provides 24/7 access practice tests for U.S. Citizenship.

Library Databases for ESL and Citizenship

Use these resources to improve your English as a Second Language (ESL) skills and to prepare for the U.S. Citizenship test.  You'll need your library card number to access these when not in a library.

Adult Learning Center
Use our live one-on-one tutoring, the practice test center, and online resources to help you prepare for the the U.S. Citizenship Test. Live coaching available 2-11 p.m., 7 days a week. Other aspects available 24/7.