The College Years

Is The FAFSA Really Necessary?

Posted on May 29th, 2008 by jenna.renniks. edit.
Categories: Paying for College.

If you need financial aid of any kind, then YES! 

While the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a government document, most colleges and universities use the information to process in-house financial aid, as well.   The FAFSA is your ticket to federal loans and grants (based on eligibility) and is a tool used by most colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for scholarships, private loans, or grant funding.  By the time you’ve gathered all the information and filled out the proper forms, the FAFSA can take you anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half to complete…time well spent to get you MONEY!  Make sure you know your college’s financial aid DEADLINE—most are in March or early April, though many schools will process aid applications year-round.  The sooner you file, the more likely you are to receive more financial aid! 

The FAFSA can be filled out both in traditional paper or electronic format.  I strongly recommend using the electronic format—processing time is much faster, and it’s easier to re-file in future years.  Visit the FAFSA website for more information.

Before filling out your FAFSA, you will need

Name and Social Security Number—Make sure you use your name as it reads on your Social Security card.  Nicknames just won’t cut it.

Your Tax Documents (W2s, IRS form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, etc) from the previous year.  You need to report taxes PAID, not taxes withheld.

Your Parents Tax Documents –if you have dependent status.  To determine your status, fill out a short form available at FAFSA.ed.gov. 

Your School Code.  Have these ready for any school you are thinking about attending.  Codes can be found at the FAFSA website.

Complete the FAFSA Worksheet.  This will make filling out the actual FAFSA ten times easier! 

Make sure you answer EVERY question on the FAFSA.

You will need to apply for a PIN from the Federal Government.  Visit this site for you PIN.   KEEP YOUR PIN!!  You will need it each and every time you check your FAFSA, file a new FAFSA, or if you’ve taken out a loan from the Federal Government (Direct Loan, Stafford, Stafford Plus, etc), you will need your PIN to pay!

Visit the FAFSA website to get your PIN, file your FAFSA, and for more information! 

Don’t forget to check with your current college’s Financial Aid office to see what other forms or documents they need—a little paperwork (okay, a LOT of paperwork) is necessary to get the financial aid you deserve!

Any questions about the FAFSA or Financial Aid in general?  Post them here!

Check out the “Five Minute FAFSA” YouTube Video from FastWeb!

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Summer Classes Made Easy

Posted on May 24th, 2008 by jenna.renniks. edit.
Categories: Summer Session.

Okay, so it won’t necessarily be a cake-walk, but with a few tips, you can have a pretty successful summer semester without too much hassle.  Summer semester college classes can be great for students that need to boost your GPA, finish a few credits prior to graduation, or take advantage of a faster paced learning environment.   If you’ve never taken a summer class then there are a few things you need to be aware of to make it a successful summer semester!  If you have never taken a regular semester college class, then I wouldn’t recommend taking a summer class to start.   For those that have taken a regular semester class, then I hope you’ll find the summer semester classes just as refreshing and challenging as I have.

Summer semester classes are often much faster paced than regular-length semesters.  I’ve found you don’t really have time to procrastinate—if you wait to complete the coursework, you won’t get it done.  For me, it was a push to get my work done on time.   The faster paced, shorter classes also made it very difficult to get burned out!  In many classes, the homework is also somewhat less lengthy—but this doesn’t mean you don’t have to work to get it done. 

·         Make sure you attend class.  This is always important, but is absolutely ESSENTIAL during the summer semester.   If you are planning a vacation, then summer classes are not for you.  You cannot afford to miss class.  If you’re sick, show up anyway—you cover so much information in a short period of time.

·         Do your homework IMMEDIATELY following class.  You won’t have time to do it later, and this is the best way to get it done while the class lecture is fresh in your mind.

·         Take advantage of the library and other campus resources.  Check your institution to see if they offer summer tutoring services. 

·         Don’t be afraid to approach your classmates for a study group!  They can be a great resource and will fully understand what you’re going through!

·         Make sure you know what you’re getting in to!  Some summer classes are only an hour long for a few nights a week, where others are five days a week for several hours!  Make sure you have the time to devote to your class! 

·         It is absolutely possible to work and take summer classes.  Keep in mind you might have to work reduced hours at your job during your summer class.  You won’t have time to make up class time or homework later!

·         The faculty or instructors are sometimes less accessible during summer months than a regular semester.  Email contact or class-time are often the best means to seek help from the instructor.  They do have limited office hours during the summer, and I emphasize limited hours.  Most often, the instructors will be working other jobs or completing research projects or just trying to enjoy the summer months. 

Try not to stress and enjoy taking classes during the summer!  I absolutely prefer summer classes to the fall and spring semesters!  If you stay on top of things, your class will be over in no time and you will have completed the class successfully.  

Any concerns about summer semester classes, share them here!  What are some other tips for doing well in summer classes? 

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Find The Right College or University For YOU!

Posted on May 18th, 2008 by jenna.renniks. edit.
Categories: Getting In To College.

Finding the right college or university for you can seem like a daunting task. You’re planning on spending a lot of time and money at this school—understandably you want to make the right choice!

1. Location of College or University? Where the college is physically located can have an impact on your overall college experience. Do you like the city life? Or are you more of a rural/outdoorsy person? Do you like more rain or snow? Will you be close to family or trying it solo? Give location some consideration before you decide on a school.
2. Major/Course of Study? Make sure the college you’re thinking about actually has a decent program—or your program at all! If you are planning on starting with generals, make a list of majors you MIGHT like to study—then check those with the school you are looking at! It can save you extra transfer headaches or lost credit hours later!
3. Public College or Private College? This will have an effect on not only the general “feel” of the campus, but also the amount of money! Yes, private institutions are more expensive, but as a result they have higher department and activities budgets—not only will you see your money in the classroom, but in all the programs and activities offered to you! Public institutions often offer the same quality of instruction in the classroom, and you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from, they just won’t be as snazzy. In general, students at public colleges tend to be more “down-to-earth” than students at private colleges. My theory is this is because the students themselves, rather than parents, are paying for more of their education compared to private school students.
4. 2-year College or 4-year College? The answer here may depend on how you answered the above questions. A 2-year college is great for students who aren’t yet sure what they are going to study, who are looking to save money, who are looking to stay close to home at first, and so on. 2-year colleges (or community colleges) are especially suited for students that prefer smaller class-sizes and would like a less massive transition from high school to college. A 4-year college or university is great for students who have a better idea what they want to study and don’t want to mess with transferring to another school. 4-year schools also tend to have access to more resources and money than a 2-year school. You will have to adjust to larger class sizes and oftentimes more students, but that can be a good thing for some students.
5. How does it feel? You’re planning on spending a lot of time and money at this college, make sure it feels like home! I’m a big believer in finding the right “fit.” Check this out by doing a campus tour and talking to current students and staff. If you aren’t able to physically go to the campus, make sure you do an online virtual tour and definitely talk to someone on the phone!

What are you looking for in a college? If you’ve got any great college search stories, please share them!

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