(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - June 28, 2016) - - - Many adults consider returning to college or attending for the first time in order to complete a degree or improve their employment opportunities. For those who are unsure where to start, Columbia State Community College's evening services department is hosting a "First Steps" information session July 12 at 5:30 p.m.

This information session is also for anyone who wants to find out more about a program or has a career goal but is unsure of the steps necessary to reach that goal. The session will cover topics such as general starter information, financial aid options, how to complete an online application, prior learning assessment, transfer credit, program length, career outlook, and the likelihood of getting a job in a particular field.

"A common trend for what frequently holds adults back from returning and completing a degree is those first few steps," said Audrey Ramsey, Columbia State adult success coach and director of evening services and cohort programs. "The logistics of applying for college, applying for financial aid, deciding on a schedule and what courses to take can seem overwhelming, so we wanted to offer this opportunity to assist working adults with figuring out a pathway and a plan that will work with their lives and their goals."

This First Steps Session is for anyone who has an interest in returning to college or in finding out more about a program. This session is also for anyone who may have a career goal but is unsure what the necessary steps are to reach that goal.

According to Ramsey, the prospective student is provided with one-on-one guidance that will help them navigate through the maze of determining which courses they should take, locating registration forms and filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The event will take place in Room 103 of the J.H. Warf Building, located on the Columbia Campus at 1665 Hampshire Pike. For questions about the information session contact Office of Evening Services at 931.540.2862 or aramsey1@ColumbiaState.edu. The event is free and open to the public.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.