After spending his working life watching the clock, punching in and out and living paycheck to paycheck, Paul Swanson is back in school.

“I’m 62 years old, a disabled veteran," Swanson, of Coeur d'Alene, said Wednesday morning. "I get $1,400 a month. I was hurt in the Navy."

He is just now beginning to collect Social Security while simultaneously brushing up on algebra so he can earn an associate degree.

"I’m old and going to school," he said. "I’m a musician, so I’ll end up getting the North Idaho College music theory degree. It’s a really good one."

He removed and replaced his glasses between his black beanie and long gray beard as he studied a laptop screen in the Adult Education Center, where he also works on his computer skills.

“I come here every day,” he said. “I always worked construction, now I’m getting a little too old. I can do accounting and stuff, but I need to get a general associate degree so I can be more computer literate.”

The Adult Education Center is a resource for those 16 and older who wish to earn a General Education Development (GED) diploma, refresh their knowledge as they transition into college, or prepare for new roles in the workforce.

Adult education classes are funded as a federal public benefit. This resource narrowly received funding approval earlier this month when the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by a vote of 217 to 214, followed by President Donald Trump's approval. This bill provides $194.9 billion in discretionary funding, of which $729 million is for adult education.

The estimated adult education Idaho state award amount for fiscal year 2025, announced July 30, 2025, was $3,301,257. Congress establishes the amount each state receives. 

Adult Education Center Director Dilnoza Khasilova reported the total subaward funding for the local center, with the state and federal funding components, is $443,749, with 70% federal funding and the state funding a net of $167,030, with a 3% recission of $5,010.90 holdback and an additional 3% (up to 6% total) of $5,010.90. July 1 is the date the estimated amount for the next program year is released.

"This is especially important to us because we are funded by the federal government, which allows us to provide our services at no cost to students," Khasilova said. "That funding is what makes the Adult Education Center accessible to so many individuals in our community."

While instructional services are free, GED tests and official practice tests are not. The center partners with a separate testing provider, so students are responsible for the testing fees.

"Our goal is to ensure that every adult who can benefit from our program is aware of the Adult Education Center here in Coeur d'Alene and able to access the services. Such services exist in every state across the country," Khasilova said. "We provide a supplemental/noncredit educational setting that fills gaps in learning for adults of all ages — from 16 to over 80-plus."

Zachary Larsen of Post Falls, 27, is studying to obtain his GED and someday work as a park ranger. His schedule and transportation are limited as he works graveyard at a big box retailer and depends on others to drive him because he has epilepsy.

"I’m wanting to get into education now," Larsen said. "After this, I plan on looking for another college that specializes in wilderness."

He said he appreciates the center's accessibility and the instructors' helpfulness.

“The teacher helps a lot,” he said. “There are some things that are confusing as heck.” 

Khasilova said that as life happens, education can often be interrupted by circumstances beyond a person’s control.

"That is never something to be discouraged by," she said. "Our free-of-charge program — thanks to the state and federal funding — exists to demonstrate that it is never too late to return to school and pursue your goals."

From 2022-2025, the center served 1,185 students working to strengthen their math, science, social studies and English language arts abilities. The Adult Education Center also has sites in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry. 

Students enroll in the program to strengthen their skills in math, science, social studies and English Language Arts. Classes are held from 8 a.m. to noon, and 2-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at the main campus. Visit aec.nic/aec for specific schedules and class times at the Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry sites.

"I am incredibly proud of every student who walks through our doors with the courage and determination to continue their education and invest in their future, whether that means preparing for college, building a career or strengthening their skills,"  Khasilova said. "Adult education transforms lives, empowers families and strengthens entire communities."

Info: nic.edu/aec

    Paul Swanson works on a laptop Wednesday morning in the Adult Education Center at North Idaho College, where he is brushing up on algebra and computer literacy.
  

    Zachary Larsen of Post Falls works on transitional math as he studies to earn his GED diploma on Wednesday in the Adult Education Center in Coeur d'Alene.
  

nic.edu/aec