Never too late to learn

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- When back to school season starts, it won't be just kids who are getting ready - adults in their 30s and 40s are gearing up for the academic year. If you've thought about going back to college, we'll give you the 101.

As an older student looking to make a career change, you really need to map out your academic goals. Get info on what careers are hot and what kind of training they require.

Go to CareerVoyages.gov. You can get insight on industries that are in demand. You'll also get a breakdown of hourly wages by state. Plus, you'll be able to see charts that track projected growth. For example, demand for home health aid is expected to grow 36 percent through 2014.

If you're looking for flexibility, distance learning may be just your thing. There are about 1500 online degree programs according to Vicky Phillips of GetEducated.com, an online degree clearinghouse. In fact, about 90 percent of colleges have some kind of online presence. Costs vary widely.

For an MBA, you can pay from $6,000 to $120,000. To get the best bang for your buck look for public, non-profit schools. Check out geteducated.com or go to learning.monster.com to see what programs are available in your area.

Be wary of diploma mills, those bogus online sites that will leave you holding a fake degree. It's a red flag if all you have to do to be admitted is to have a valid Visa or MasterCard. If you are promised a degree in exchange for a lump sum - typically $2,000 for an undergraduate degree, or $3,000 for a graduate degree - it's a scam.

Real programs charge per credit or course. It's for sure a bogus operation if you have to pay a special price to "graduate with honors." You want to make sure the school is accredited by a legitimate organization. Go to the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Or you can go to GetEducated.com and ask the "Diploma Mill Police."

Financial aid is financial aid regardless of how old you are. And as a non-traditional student, you'll have just as easy a time getting aid as someone out of high school says Mark Kantrowitz of Finaid.org, an online student loan site.

Don't forget about the scholarships. There are over 250 awards created especially for students who are over 25 years old, and over 1800 scholarships that are available to someone of any age. Check out finaid.org for more information.