Early bird students get worm at recent financial aid event
Stewart N. Thorpe
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: News
On Monday, Oct. 2, South City campus students had an open opportunity with a financial aid panel for advice on acquiring financial aid and scholarships; vital information for students who lacks funds.
Pam Brooks, assistant financial director for the South City campus, advised students to not simply fill out the financial aid application early, but to also complete the process earlier too. While the Pell Grant is a set amount available for qualified students, there are also limited state grants, and the earlier financial aid process is completed, the more those will be awarded to the student before they dry up, said Brooks. In other words, a student may be awarded these extra grants in May, but if they wait until June or July, the chances are unlikely for them. Another little known fact is that financial aid, despite common belief, has more restrictions than just financial need.
If a student's GPA falls below 2.0 and the student is not completing 70 percent of their classes, they are put under financial aid probation, said Brooks. Also, after 96 credits (depending on the major's program), students should have any and all requirements their program needs to move on to another educational institution. The student won't be barred from taking classes, but they won't be eligible for further financial aid.
Financial aid's purpose is to help a student earn their degree. Normally after 96 credits, students have all the help they need at SLCC to do just that. According to Brooks, there are many students who have more than 96 credits. One student she knows had as many as 200 credits at SLCC.
"It's worth taking the time to see what is out there. If you take the time to apply, you at least have the potential to receive them," said Ruth Henneman, scholarship specialist at the Redwood Campus. Henneman suggests perusing fastweb.com for scholarships, as well as checking SLCC's Financial Aid webpage (slcc.edu/financialaid). The webpage is updated with new scholarships periodically.
Paying for school is a common struggle for students. And it is getting harder. Over the past few years, Brooks noted that "students are struggling a little bit harder for financial aid." Funds are not unlimited.
There is competition for scholarships. The best way to get an edge is to complete financial aid applications early and to research and apply for scholarships, said Brooks. Not only does the early bird get the worm, in this case, but that early bird is more likely to gobble up the juiciest pickings.
Pam Brooks, assistant financial director for the South City campus, advised students to not simply fill out the financial aid application early, but to also complete the process earlier too. While the Pell Grant is a set amount available for qualified students, there are also limited state grants, and the earlier financial aid process is completed, the more those will be awarded to the student before they dry up, said Brooks. In other words, a student may be awarded these extra grants in May, but if they wait until June or July, the chances are unlikely for them. Another little known fact is that financial aid, despite common belief, has more restrictions than just financial need.
If a student's GPA falls below 2.0 and the student is not completing 70 percent of their classes, they are put under financial aid probation, said Brooks. Also, after 96 credits (depending on the major's program), students should have any and all requirements their program needs to move on to another educational institution. The student won't be barred from taking classes, but they won't be eligible for further financial aid.
Financial aid's purpose is to help a student earn their degree. Normally after 96 credits, students have all the help they need at SLCC to do just that. According to Brooks, there are many students who have more than 96 credits. One student she knows had as many as 200 credits at SLCC.
"It's worth taking the time to see what is out there. If you take the time to apply, you at least have the potential to receive them," said Ruth Henneman, scholarship specialist at the Redwood Campus. Henneman suggests perusing fastweb.com for scholarships, as well as checking SLCC's Financial Aid webpage (slcc.edu/financialaid). The webpage is updated with new scholarships periodically.
Paying for school is a common struggle for students. And it is getting harder. Over the past few years, Brooks noted that "students are struggling a little bit harder for financial aid." Funds are not unlimited.
There is competition for scholarships. The best way to get an edge is to complete financial aid applications early and to research and apply for scholarships, said Brooks. Not only does the early bird get the worm, in this case, but that early bird is more likely to gobble up the juiciest pickings.
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