By Paolo Zialcita
CPR News
Twenty years after obtaining her high school diploma, Katie Rodriguez is about to graduate from community college with an associate degree in early childhood education.
After working as a veterinary technician for more than a decade and starting a family, she decided to pursue a career in teaching. When her employer told her she needed to get a teaching degree, she enrolled at Front Range Community College.
She said she chose a community college over a four-year institution because it saved her money.
“Financial aid is a lot more helpful when they're like, ‘Oh, look at her advanced age, let's give this woman some money for school and help her out,’” Rodriguez said.