See inspiring stories of people going back to school as adults and learn how adult student scholarships can help you earn your degree later in life.
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Discover how returning adult students like Leslie Wright balance work, family, and college. Learn about financial aid, campus support, and finding your passion.
Discover the inspiring journeys of UW–Madison’s 2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award winners, Leslie Wright and Michael Rozier.
Find advice for college graduates who are job searching in a challenging economy. Plus, creative ways to gain professional experience and boost skills.
Precollege programs help teens explore academics, build confidence and prepare for college, with options across Wisconsin and scholarships available.
Discover why authenticity, purpose, and connection are your best assets in an AI world. Learn how to leverage human skills to stand out in class and your career.
It’s time to see how much you learned in 2025 about continuing education opportunities. I bet you know more than you think.
Nontraditional students are a growing majority in higher education. See how flexible degree programs help adult learners earn a degree on their terms.
Badger Ready helped Alex Smith finish his UW-Madison degree, continuing the lifelong learning vision of his grandfather, Howard Martin.
Bridge programs like UW–Madison’s Badger Ready help adults with college credit but no degree return to school and complete their education.
Marge Engelman (98): Lifelong learner, barrier-breaking administrator, & fiber artist defied expectations to champion nontraditional students.
Whether you’re just starting college, returning after some time away or continuing your education as an adult learner, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – known widely as the FAFSA form – is your main gateway to grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans.
Embracing an attitude of lifelong learning can help seniors combat the effects of aging and find meaning in every day. In a study by Scientific American, seniors who regularly engaged in learning over three months performed similarly to adults 30 years younger on cognitive tests.
A UW–Madison college advisor offers tips to help students from small-town backgrounds find support and access resources to succeed in higher education.
From a childhood gift igniting a lifelong passion for science to witnessing the heroism of healthcare workers during a global pandemic, the journeys of Dora Aranda, Jennifer Halvorson, and Norman Canestorp are as diverse as they are inspiring.
Lifelong learner: Tips for first-generation adult college students.
In 1981, the first Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award (OURASA) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison was presented to just one recipient, Sally Peterson, a civil water engineer and single mother of three children. Forty-five years later, UW–Madison continues to celebrate its returning adult students.
Anne Niendorf tells us her advice to secure a UW-Madison scholarship as an adult student.
This year’s Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award winners, Chikara Crooks and Ivanna Ceballos, share a powerful common thread: each is working to become the kind of support and inspiration they once needed themselves.
UW–Madison learners and alumni already stand out in job interviews. But what if, with a single click, they could show employers exactly what they know and can do? With digital badging, they can!
Microcredentials help fulfill the specialized learning needs of our changing workforce, empowering individuals to take control of their education and career paths. They are offered by colleges, universities, companies, professional organizations and online education platforms like Coursera and edX.
Researching in-demand careers and job trends can help you focus on an industry with future growth potential.
Artificial intelligence (AI) enables machines to perform complex tasks that typically require human intelligence. While AI cannot replace human experience, it can serve as a powerful assistant in your educational journey. However, it’s crucial to critically evaluate AI-generated information by cross-checking sources and ensuring accuracy.
With the growing popularity of podcasts in recent years, there has never been a better — or more convenient — time to be a lifelong learner.