Find the path that fits where you are now.
I want to earn a degree.
Explore associate degrees, transfer pathways, and career-focused programs.
I want job-ready training.
Build skills through workforce development, microcredentials (short training programs focused on specific job skills), and short-term training options.
I need my GED/HSE first.
Start with GED preparation, ATTAIN Lab support, or the 24-credit HSE pathway.
I started college before.
Learn whether transfer credits, prior learning, or work experience may help you finish faster.
I’m 25–55 and don’t have a degree.
Learn about SUNY Reconnect and eligible high-demand programs.
I’m not sure where to start.
Connect with someone who can help you understand your options.
Pathways at a Glance
| Pathway | Best For | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce Training | Fast entry into a career or skill upgrade | Weeks to months |
| Microcredentials | Focused industry skills for career advancement | Weeks to 6 months |
| Associate Degree | Career advancement, transfer to bachelor's degree, foundational knowledge | About 2 years full-time (1–3 years part-time) |
| GED/HSE + Degree | High school equivalency + college pathway | 6 months–2 years (depends on GED pace) |
You are not the only one figuring this out.
Starting college as an adult is not uncommon -- and you do not need to have every answer before you begin.
Adult learners come to SUNY Sullivan with jobs, families, military experience, previous college credits, career goals, and real-life responsibilities. Some are starting fresh. Some are coming back after years away. Some need a high school equivalency first. Some want a faster path to better work.
Many adult learners worry they have been away from school too long. Others worry about balancing college with work or family responsibilities. You are not expected to figure everything out on your own.
Wherever you are starting, SUNY Sullivan can help you understand your options and build a path that makes sense for your life.
20% of SUNY Sullivan students are adult learners.
For many adult learners, the path may be more affordable than they think.
SUNY Sullivan offers several ways to make college more affordable, including scholarships, financial aid programs, and initiatives that may cover tuition and other costs for eligible students.
| Funding Option | Best For | Details |
|---|---|---|
| SUNY Reconnect | New York residents ages 25–55 without a college degree | May cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies for eligible high-demand programs (career fields where employers need trained workers) after other financial aid is applied |
| Sullivan Promise Scholarship | Sullivan County residents who earn their GED/HSE | May provide a direct path from high school equivalency to free college tuition and fees |
| FAFSA/TAP | Degree-seeking students | Need-based grants through the FAFSA (the federal financial aid application) and TAP (New York State tuition assistance) |
| Workforce Training Funding | Short-term training and microcredential (short training programs focused on specific job skills) students | Specific grant programs for CDL, EMT, CNA, and other industry certifications |
A tuition-free path for eligible adults ages 25–55
If you are a New York State resident between the ages of 25 and 55 and have not earned a college degree, SUNY Reconnect may cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies for eligible high-demand programs. SUNY Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship (meaning it covers remaining eligible costs after other aid is applied). No loans. Nothing to repay.
Eligibility Checklist
You may qualify if you:
- Are a New York State resident.
- Are between ages 25 and 55 as of January 1 of your enrollment year.
- Have not previously earned a college degree.
- Enroll in at least 6 credits per semester.
- Complete the FAFSA and TAP application.
- Choose an eligible program.
Eligible degree programs
AAS / AA: Types of Associate degree (Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts)
No high school diploma? You still have options.
If you do not have a high school diploma or equivalency, SUNY Sullivan can help you build the skills, confidence, and pathway to move forward.
| Path | What It Means |
|---|---|
| GED/HSE Prep through ATTAIN Lab | Free, self-paced support for building academic and digital skills. |
| 24-Credit HSE Program | Enroll in a degree program AND earn a high school equivalency diploma simultaneously. |
| GED/HSE to College Pathway | After earning your equivalency, you may be eligible for Sullivan County Promise or other financial aid options. |
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Starting or returning to college can feel complicated. SUNY Sullivan’s Admissions staff can help you understand your options, compare programs, review financial aid pathways, build a realistic schedule, connect with support services, and take the next step.
One Stop Location, Building E
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Fridays mid-May through July)
admissions@sunysullivan.edu
845-434-5750 x4287
Our Admission staff can help you:
- Explore programs that match your goals.
- Understand financial aid, SUNY Reconnect, and Sullivan Promise.
Our Adult Navigator can help you:
- Build a schedule that fits your life.
- Connect with tutoring, counseling, career support, and other resources.
- Ask whether prior credits, certifications, military training, or work experience may count.
Built for work, family, and real life.
Adult learners often need options that fit around work schedules, family responsibilities, transportation, and life outside the classroom. Depending on your program, SUNY Sullivan may offer online, on-campus, hybrid (mix of online and in-person), part-time, and full-time pathways. Your Academic Advisor can help you build a schedule that works for your life.
| Need | SUNY Sullivan's Response |
|---|---|
| I need schedule flexibility. | Ask about online, hybrid (mix of online and in-person), part-time, and full-time options for your program. |
| I want a degree. | Explore associate degree and transfer pathways designed for working students. |
| I need faster training. | Explore workforce, non-credit, and microcredential (short training programs focused on specific job skills) options that get you job-ready in weeks or months. |
| I need help choosing. | Connect with Admissions to build a custom schedule. |
Your Experience May Move You Closer to a Degree
If you have prior college credits, military training, professional certifications, or significant work experience, SUNY Sullivan may be able to help you evaluate whether that learning can count toward your program.
Your Prior Learning may include:
- Previous college coursework from other institutions
- Military training and service-related learning (such as military occupational specialties, veteran training programs)
- Professional certifications and industry credentials (such as EMT, healthcare certifications, IT credentials, workplace safety training)
- Significant job experience in your field (such as management experience, supervisor training, specialized work roles)
- Approved exams or assessments (AP, CLEP, DANTES, IB, others)
Institutional challenge exams
Why This Matters: Many of our adult learners bring real job experience—they've worked, led teams, solved problems, earned certifications. That experience has value. You may not have to start from zero academically.
How It Works: SUNY Sullivan's Registrar evaluates your background to see what can be applied directly to your program requirements.
Many adults can shave 6–12 months off their degree by getting Credit for Prior Learning credit.
Support for the parts of college that happen outside the classroom.
Returning to school is not just about choosing classes. SUNY Sullivan connects students with academic, personal, career, and technology support to help them keep moving.
| Cost-Free Support | Why It Matters for Adult Learners |
|---|---|
| Tutoring | Academic help after time away from school |
| Career Development | Resume support, interview prep, job search guidance |
| Adult Navigator | Provides personalized coaching, helps set career goals, and coordinate the resources needed to successfully complete your program |
| Personal Counseling | Support during stressful transitions |
| Veteran Services | Help navigating benefits and transition support |
| Accessibility Services | Accommodations and learning access |
| ATTAIN Lab | Digital skills and technology support |
| Adult Learners Club | Peer connection and belonging |
| ASAP | Additional support for eligible students |
| EOP |
Adult Learner FAQs
Eligibility & Belonging
Programs & Pathways
GED / High School Equivalency
Paying for College & Financial Aid
Getting Started & Applying
Schedule & Flexibility
Prior Credits, Work Experience & Military
Support Services & Who to Contact
Ready to take the next step?
You do not have to know every answer before you start. SUNY Sullivan can help you understand your options, compare programs, explore financial aid, and choose the path that fits your life.