Adult Financial Aid

Bending the Cost Curve

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 by Todd Leach

The "Public Good" of higher education can only truly be achieved when it is accessible to the masses. As tuition increases across the country continue to outpace inflation and public funding (including financial aid) decreases, higher education begins to become unobtainable for more and more Americans. In fact, the U.S. has slipped dramatically relative to higher education trends around the globe and it is only logical that this will ultimately translate into a loss in comparative advantage and competitiveness. However, non-traditional pathways do exist that strive to keep tuition affordable and access to a quality education achievable for students who are able to find them. As a public institution with the University System of New Hampshire, it is important that Granite State College provide affordable access to the residents of New Hampshire and the region.

Granite State College was recently identified as a "Best Buy" through GetEducated.com for having the lowest bachelor tuition rate in New Hampshire and one of the twenty lowest accredited bachelor tuition rates in the nation. Granite State accomplishes this efficiency by focusing on teaching and learning rather than research or a residential experience. Our classes are taught largely by practicing professionals who can put theory to practice, and more than half our students attend classes online for adults. By offering every program online, including our graduate program, we minimize infrastructure costs and reach more students.

Granite State also maximizes affordability by being transfer friendly and by having a sophisticated system of prior learning assessment. In addition, accessing what financial aid is available is paramount to the ability of many students to attend. Granite State College is unique in our scheduling and calendar in that it is possible for a student to take one course at a time (using our 6-week hybrid model) and be eligible for full-time financial aid! Students may also be eligible for full-time financial aid in any one of our Fast Track programs.

So while the cost of higher education continues to outpace the ability of many students to pay, it is important that colleges such as Granite State College, remain committed to access to quality higher education through diligent cost containment; delivery and schedule innovation; online technology; and by focusing on our core mission of teaching and learning.

Computer Issues

Monday, March 28, 2011 by Maria Bauer

There's nothing more frustrating and nerve-wracking then your computer Internet connections giving you problems when you are trying to make a deadline for your online adult education classes. It can never be the days when you know you have a few days to submit an assignment: no, no... it's always on Sunday starting at 6pm, and it's the end of the module (which means nothing can be submitted after Sunday midnight), and you can spend HOURS trying to get your computer working and when it does, it is now Monday morning.

So what can you do about this? Fortunately, everyone in the Granite State College system are very understanding, and will help you in any way they can. Whether that means going to the college and using their computers, or working with your teacher(s) explaining the situation. My experience has shown me time and time again that the teachers don't want to see you fail: they genuinely want you to do your best and pass the class. And for those who participate and put in the effort, they will help you in any way they can.

In some respect, high school was harder than college.

I recently had some *very* annoying Internet issues, and I was very touched at how the faculty helped me. Which got me thinking about other technical issues I have had in the past. Any time I had a question about a form that adult Financial Aid sent me, or any letter about my schooling, I can call them up, or stop over at my home base (the Concord NH college campus), and they will take the time to answer any questions that I have. They are there to help make this process easier for us; including helping us with forms and/or submitting grant requests, etc. It's a true example of adult education services.

Everyone needs help at one time or another, and I will never forget all of the hands that have been and are reaching out to help. As corny as it sounds: Granite State College is a family. No one is excluded. Everyone knows your name, and it has that true feeling of "home" away from home.

Goals

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 by Maria Bauer

AH SPRING IS HERE! Although, those snowflakes the size of golf balls was weird way of welcoming us to spring.

The beginning of spring is my favorite time, especially after a long winter like this one! There's that feeling (spring fever?) that you feel when spring is on its way. There's this sense of relief and feeling like you are waiting to bust out and grab life by the horns. Storm windows are taken down, windows are opening, people are outside a lot more... It's like a cleansing, figuratively and literally from the dark and dreary winter.

Spring cleaning is here, and even though my house is a MESS from pulling out dusty boxes from the storage areas and going through them, I feel myself releasing all this negative energy from my body and home. Spring is *my* new years. It's the time where I reset my goals that I want to see accomplished; it's my starting over point.

The beginning of 2011 was not the best. I've been going through some nerve-wracking, serious stuff, and I am ready to put all that behind me. I have this really comfortable chair that I put outside in my little patio and do homework on, (or play on the computer) and I can feel how the rest of the year is going to be for me. I'm ready to reinvent myself. And one of the things that I really loved about all of these revelations, is that my adult accelerated degree program was my #1 priority. I always knew somewhere that I had a lot of pride in my schooling efforts, but this was such a great reminder.

All of you that are either going through, or are considering going through any type of adult education service should take a second and pat yourself on the back for taking control of your life. School is not easy! It's not just something that you can "do" you have to work at it! YOU are the one that is in charge of your adult financial aid, YOU are the one who goes to the adult education courses, YOU are the one that does the work, YOU are the one that gets the adult education certificate. No one else does that, but you!

So to all of you: welcome to spring! Really take the time to embrace it! Restate your goals for the year. Spring and summer are the times (for me at least) that I am more inclined to go out and do whatever it is I am focused on. Whether it's weight loss related, school related, or honestly whatever category(ies) your goals may fit in: make this spring *your* chance for a do-over. Spring clean your house, and put your best foot forward.

Hope to see you in class :)

The Future of Financial Aid

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 by Cortney Henry

As many of you may know, Adult Financial Aid has been a hot topic in recent federal and state budget debates. These debates have left many of us wondering, “What is financial aid going to look like in the future?” I can’t speak for other schools, and I certainly do not profess to know exactly what is going to happen, but here are my thoughts and opinions on how Granite State College students may be affected.

With regard to State Financial aid, I believe we will see a cut to many of the grant and scholarship programs for New Hampshire. Governor Lynch proposed the elimination of the Post-Secondary Education Commission as a stand-alone agency. They are currently the ones administering the NH Incentive Grant. With the proposed elimination, it is unclear who, if anyone will be administering this program. There have been mentions of each state school receiving an allotment of funding to be used at the school level, but we have not received any official word as of yet.

We have been notified; however, that we will no longer have funding for the Unique Allocation Scholarship or the Unique Endowment fund. These funds will be re-directed to support public institutions of higher learning in New Hampshire.

In addition, Congress is still debating the proposed cuts to its budget as well. There have been talks of decreasing the annual Pell Grant allotment from $5550 (maximum annual award) to $4705 (maximum annual award). Senate is planning to vote on these proposed cuts this week, and if they are not passed, they will return to the drawing board until they can come to an agreement.

That being said, Granite State College is still able to fund the majority of our students using the Federal Aid Programs available to us. Because we are mainly an Adult and Continuing Education college and do not have the high costs of residential campuses, we will not be as heavily affected by these proposed cuts as some of the more traditional colleges in the area. We are confident that no matter what happens, we will have proper funding to assist our students.

There are, however, things students can do on their own to help supplement their educational expenses. Because we may have to use more Stafford loan money to cover the portion of charges typically covered by the State Grant Programs, Students should take a good, hard look at what they are borrowing. Students should keep a close eye on their outstanding loan debt by checking the National Student Loan Data System on a regular basis. This will allow them to track how much they have already borrowed and reconsider their borrowing habits. Another good tool to use is the financial aid loan payment calculator. This will give them an idea of what their monthly payment will look like once they have finished their program. These tools allow students to make informed choices as to how they want to spend their money and more importantly, what they can really afford.

Another option students should be aggressively pursuing is scholarships. It takes a little more leg work since most have an application and essay requirement, but with the cuts to many grant programs, this is another very feasible way to get free money for education.

Students can create a profile on a scholarship search engine which will then send them different scholarships that may be applicable to them. Another excellent scholarship resource for New Hampshire residents is the New Hampshire Charitable Fund. Specifically, the adult student aid program is designed for adults returning to school to upgrade skills for employment or career advancement. In addition, the statewide student aid program is designed for the traditional student in a four year baccalaureate program.

Keep in mind that not all scholarship opportunities are legit. Take a look at these Scholarship Tips to avoid being caught in the middle of a scam.

So as we move forward into the 2011-2012 financial aid award year, things are still very uncertain. Rest assured though, Granite State College will have aid to cover our students regardless of what happens with both the State and Federal governments.

FAFSA Filing Tips

Friday, January 28, 2011 by Cortney Henry

It’s that time of year again! It’s time to start thinking about filing the 2011-2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For many, this can be an overwhelming process, so here are a few tips to help make your FAFSA filing experience less stressful.

Many traditional schools require the FAFSA to be filed no later than March 1^st. Granite State College, however, does not have a filing deadline since our institution provides Adult and Continuing Education classes with rolling admissions. This means that our students can apply for Financial Aid at any point during the year. We do strongly encourage our students to apply by May 1^st if possible so they will be considered for any State Grants available. However, if students file after the priority filing date, they will still be considered for the federal aid programs including the Federal Pell Grant and the Stafford Loan Programs.
Students must be enrolled at least Part Time to be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Each school determines what they consider to be Part Time Classes and for Granite State College, students are required to take at least four credits to be eligible for aid. This means that our students who want to Take College Classes Online or in one of our centers, but can only do one class per term are still eligible to receive Federal Financial Aid.
For those students who recently got married, please be very careful when filing your new FAFSA. If you have not received confirmation from Social Security that your name has been updated in their system, you do not want to file your FAFSA using your married name. This will cause the FAFSA to reject. Always file your FAFSA using your legal name; this means the name that is listed on your Social Security card. Do not use abbreviations or nicknames either as this will cause the FAFSA to reject as well.
If at the time you filed your previous year’s tax return you were married, but you are now separated or divorced, still use the joint income listed on the tax return when filing your FAFSA. The Office of Financial Aid can separate out your income to reflect a more accurate financial picture, but will need additional documentation to do so. You will be required to complete a Special Circumstance form. Once your documents are received, the Office of Financial Aid will review them and make any adjustments possible to the information listed on the FAFSA. It is required that the Office of Financial Aid makes these adjustments since any change to a student’s income must be fully documented for audit purposes.
To be considered a veteran, you must have served on Active duty and must have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. If your service was only for training purposes such as the National Guard or Reserves, you are not considered a veteran for federal financial aid purposes.
The number one mistake students make is leaving a field blank. All income questions must be completed. If the answer is zero or the questions do not apply to you, write in a zero. Do not use dashes or leave the question blank.
If you have an unborn child who will be born before or during the award year (July 1 through June 30^th) and that child will receive more than half of his or her support from you, you can count that child as a member of your household when answering the household and dependents questions on the FAFSA.
Always remember to electronically sing your FAFSA with your PIN. The FAFSA will not be considered valid until your signature is applied.

For more tips and instructions, check out this FAFSA Video.

As always, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at Granite State College at 603-513-1392 with any questions or concerns. Happy Filing!

What do I want to be When I grow up?

Thursday, January 13, 2011 by Marta Smith

Remember when you could pick a job and stay with it until retirement? When I graduated from high school there were two kinds of graduates - the college-bound and the factory-bound - or at least that's how I thought of it.

Well, there was also the house-bound, but many women were choosing to forgo marriage and babies for awhile - I graduated in the 70s and women were exploring their options more since the 60s revolution that took women out of the home and into the workforce, but I digress! Many of the students I graduated with had parents in local factories and they were quite content to follow the same path into a nice secure union job. Sure it was hard monotonous work, but it was steady and paid well - the only thing better was a government job, the benefits were great! Sure many graduates changed jobs a time or two until they found the right niche, but then it was punching the same time clock until retirement. Not so anymore.

Times have changed since then and factories are few and far between, and even the students who went of to college back then may be out looking for a job at a time in their lives when they should be thinking of retirement. Nothing is certain anymore when it comes to jobs and even government jobs can be risky and without all the benefits they used to offer.

In the past the average worker would possibly go through one career change in his lifetime - if that. Today, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average worker can expect to go through between 3 and 5 career changes in his lifetime. One of the best ways to be prepared for this, in my opinion is to take as many classes in your field of expertise as possible and one of the best places to do that is at Granite State College. You will have flexible hours and hundreds of different classes to choose from all over the state and even online. You can take a few classes to round out your degree, or start a whole new career by getting a degree in an entirely different field. Granite State College has many people available to help you decide the best option for your needs and even to show you how to manage the financial aid.
Stop by your local office or go online and look at the classes offered. Even people who have retired from one career can benefit from the classes offered at Granite State-either for enrichment programs or maybe to start a whole new career or possibly a small business. Learning doesn't stop at 65! The more you use your brain the younger it stays!

One Year Ago...

Monday, January 10, 2011 by Maria Bauer

Online Classes: It's that time again. Instead of being stressed out about it, I'm actually very relieved. The holidays are over, and now it's time to settle down into a routine, and taking either the accelerated college classes and/or regular 12 week online classes, you have the peace of mind that you are working towards that well deserved degree.

Each first day of a new term is always a day I look forward to: It's a first day of school for adults. Granted, I have a lot of first days, but that spills over into the other parts of my life. It reminds me that I won't always have the same job forever, and that there really are a lot of "tomorrows." However, this specific day was even more symbolic. It was not only the first day of school, but it was the first day of class in the New Year.

Last week I was taking a look at where I was at this point last year. I wasn't even enrolled in school last year. I was living in Texas recovering from an severe illness. Now, because of my hard work, I am now working part time and taking 3-4 classes a semester and now a sophomore ... In less than a year. It's always amazing to see how far one person can go in the "short" amount of time of one year.

I challenge you, whoever may be reading this blog right now, to look into taking a class (or 2) and see where it takes you. Either online classes, weekend intensive classes, adult education certificate classes, etc.. Take a look at where you are right now, and then think about where you can you be in a year from now. If there is one thing that I can be brutally honest about, it's that I never thought I would have come this far this fast. You won't know where you will be a year from now unless you bite the bullet and sign up for classes and do it. Don't give yourself any excuses either - there is financial aid available. No more excuses! It might be the scariest thing you do, but you will NOT regret it!

See you next time! :)

Franklin, NH Partnership with Granite State College

Thursday, January 6, 2011 by Betsy Gemmecke

I am really excited about the expanding partnership that the City of Franklin has with Granite State College. A very energetic committee of Franklin agencies and citizens have partnered with us to increase the visibility and access of our college to its residents.

The second Tuesday of the every month I will be at the second floor of the Franklin Public Library to encourage people to consider further education and career advancement. Many people do not realize that affordable college study is within their reach. Students can take college evening classes in Concord and elsewhere in the state; and also can benefit from online adult degrees.

On Tuesday January 11, I will be running a free workshop for anyone unsure of their future direction. We will discuss non-traditional paths of learning and strategies to move ahead. Many people I have met don't believe they have the skills to go to college and feel "rusty" since they have been out of school for a while. Actually they will find the process is easier than they think and there is extensive adult financial aid available for people returning to school. The first step is really to take a risk and meet with someone to begin to explore future options. I will be in Franklin once a month and I hope people will feel comfortable to meet me at the Library for an informal chat when I am there, perhaps over coffee.

"Make life happen for you instead of letting it happen to you!"

Reflections and Registration

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 by Joe Grabowski

Less than two weeks remaining of the Fall term at Granite State College!

I can honestly say that this term has gone by the fastest for me of the seven terms I've attended to date. At the risk of sounding like a walking cliché, it feels like just yesterday that I was registering for my current classes. In all actuality, I cannot believe that it's already been over two years since I first registered with GSC.

I'd flirted with the idea for years, but never found the courage to actually take that step until after I'd turned 40 in April of 2008. Even then, I procrastinated for as long as I could as I took a small baby step forward by making an initial appointment with an advisor. I didn't know where to start, and was overwhelmed by what I'd imagined the process to entail.

I can assure you that it was much less daunting than my mind had painted it out to be.

If you are currently considering pursuing an affordable bachelor degree, or any other adult college degree, I encourage you to look no farther than Granite State College. Located in New Hampshire, GSC is small enough to retain a sense of community, even to those of us who attend almost entirely online, yet big enough to offer a broad range of online classes for adults and evening college classes located throughout the state. Financial aid is available even if you don't have time for anything more than part time classes.

There's plenty of information about how to get started, or to request more information, to be found at the Granite State College website. Here are a few pieces of information that I wish that I'd had when I first started weighing the idea of returning to college:

You can apply for financial aid online. The FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) doesn't take nearly as long to complete as you might imagine, and you may even discover, as I did, that you are eligible for grants and/or scholarships. Though there is an annual deadline to apply, I completed mine in mid-August, and began my classes on time in September. For more information, check out GSC's Financial Aid page.
If you fill out the FAFSA, you'll need a PIN. This isn't a big deal at all, but serves as your electronic signature. A link to the Federal Student Aid web site is provided on the FAFSA web site. Creating a PIN only takes a moment, and is very easy.
You can meet with an advisor, even if you haven't formally decided to enroll. I first met with an advisor from GSC a couple of years before I actually enrolled. He answered all of my questions, and never once made me feel as though I was wasting his time. Though I didn't actively enroll at that time, that meeting prepared me for the later step.
Download and view the Winter 2011 catalog, or prior catalogs going back several years. Once you start reading about the courses offered by Granite State College, you'll soon find yourself wanting to take many of them!
Register online! According to GSC's web site, you can even register for a class now and apply later. Registration for the Winter 2011 term is now open through December 29th, 2010, and classes begin January 8th, 2011.

I am living proof that it is never too late to pursue a college degree. As one of the student bloggers at Granite State College, my goal is to help encourage you to take that first step to embark on an exciting journey. I've been there, and I'm well on my way.

If I can do it, so can you!

Those Long, Cold Days of Winter

Monday, November 29, 2010 by Erin Todd

If you're wondering what to do with yourself during the long, cold days of winter ... I have an idea ... take a course at Granite State College! Registration for Winter Term is in full swing.

Take a look at some of the courses running at GSC's Claremont NH College:

Modern America & the Movies
Readings in World Literature
American Sign Language I
Managing Conflict
Introduction to Anthropology

And here's a thumbnail sketch of GSC's Lebanon NH College course offerings:

Career Development and Life Planning
Survey of World Architecture
Autobiography as Literature
Comparative Religions
Observational Astronomy

If you'd prefer to take online classes for college, check out these highlights from GSC's online courses this Winter:

International Economics
Shakespeare
Principles of Marketing
Regions of the World: History & Current Issues, East Asia
Introduction to Philosophy
Investment Principles
The Media & It's Messages
Managing Diversity
Issues in Women's Health
Financial Management

At only $1,040 per four-credit course, Granite State College offers the lowest tuition in the University of New Hampshire System, and financial aid is available to eligible degree students - even if taking just one class a term!

Mixed Blessings

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 by Erin Todd

As a full-time Granite State College employee, a part-time GSC student, and a parent of two teenage daughters ... my life has been a blur these last twelve weeks. I can honestly say that I live up to my image on the billboard GSC put up in Newport, NH, in that I could be the poster child for adult and continuing education. As proof, here is a partial list of the parental responsibilities that have occupied my time & energy over the past several months:

Packing up and delivering my daughter, Jess, to college. It was one of those 98 degree days, she had a car FULL of stuff, and she's on the third floor of her dorm (no elevator). Whew!

Assuring, and reassuring, Jess that her financial aid situation WILL work out. Even if her FA package changes a dozen times before the semester is half over! It will all be ok. (and it is!)

Talking Jess through her 'first-year' anxieties ... will she make any friends, will she and her roommate get along, will she be able to keep up with the other students??? (Yes, yes & yes!)

Bringing Jess home for an extended break when she got Mono. Mm-hmm ... Mono. Washing three weeks worth of her laundry & germ-ridden bedding. Nursing her back to health. Returning her to school with a month's supply of provisions - because "the food at school is terrible!"

Cheering Jess on with all the positive encouragement I can muster (You can too write that Psych paper by tomorrow noon! Honey, 'B' is a GOOD grade, not something to lament about! I'm sorry you're tired and your head hurts ... take a nap, drink gallons of water, take an ibuprofen if you need to ... and then study for your Italian exam.)

***

Cell phones & computers have made it possible to stay in CONSTANT communication with each other. Texting, Calling, Emailing, Facebook messaging ... there's no escape! I've barely had a chance to start missing my kid. But I do. Of course I do. There are certain things that cannot be conveyed in a text message.

There's nothing like the spontaneous discussions that spring forth when Jess bounds into my bedroom at midnight to enlighten me of her latest philosophical revelation. I miss my daughter's energy, her joi de vivre, the excitement that emanates from her very pores, when she is following the thread of an idea. I miss her pensive, deep-in-thought facial expression when she's reading a book or writing a paper. I miss Jess' light-up-a-room smile.

Fortunately, my daughter will be home over (aptly enough) Thanksgiving break, and I look forward to spending some face-to-face time with her. I think this is what people mean when they say they are enjoying the rewards of the hard work of parenting. Here's wishing all my classmates and colleagues at GSC's Claremont NH College a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you each get to take a break from the hectic pace of work and school to count your blessings - mixed though they may be.

Unemployed

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 by Mary Clouter

Ok. There. I said it. Unemployed. But this isn't about the who, what, where, why, or how of this topic. A little over three years ago, I was let go from my job, though I have to admit, I was very ready to move on to something new. I am so happy that when I left that job, I made the decision to go back to college. At 47, I received an associates degree in Paralegal Studies. I had always wanted my degree. I knew I could do more and I really wanted to prove that to myself. I'm now continuing on for my bachelor's in Behavioral Science.

Initially, I was able to pay for college out of my own pocket, but as time went on and the job market became tougher and tougher, I applied for financial aid to help me with the costs of going to school. I have student loans now, but I won't need to start paying them until after I graduate. Other students are able to qualify and receive Pell Grants and other types of grants. These grants are for education and never need to be paid back.

What I am trying to say is that being unemployed is a tough spot to be in, but it doesn't mean that I can't continue my education. With Granite State College's flexible schedules of evening, weekend, and online classes, I can look for a job during the day and accept a job when one comes up, without affecting my continuing education or possible employment. Granite State College also has a Financial Aid office that has helped me with applying for financial aid and any questions that I've had along the way.

Going back to school was the best thing I ever did and being unemployed didn't need to interfere with my ambitions. Perhaps there's an opportunity for you as well. Speaking with someone in financial aid about more information to continue your studies at Granite State College may end up being one of the best decisions you've ever made. You won't know unless you try! I'm so glad I did.

Halfway There!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 by Joe Grabowski

"Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know." ~ Daniel J. Boorstin

I recently began my new fall courses at Granite State College, two years after making the decision to return to college and taking those tentative first steps in seeking out adult financial aid. Now, with six terms of Behavioral Science classes behind me, I'm more than halfway through my journey toward earning my Bachelors Degree.

I applied to participate in the GSC student blogger program with two intentions in mind:

To encourage those adults who are currently contemplating returning to, or even beginning, college. For years, I had given much thought to finishing what I had started all those years ago, but was held back by fear. When I finally took those steps at 40 years old, I was encouraged by a couple of blogs I'd discovered written by other non-traditional students. Had Granite State College offered this blogging program earlier, I may have decided to take those steps even sooner. Over the past several months, I've enjoyed reading the various blogs written by faculty and students, and consequently have felt more personally connected to the college, even though I live in a remote location.
To share some of my experiences over the past couple of years with others who have found themselves in a similar life situation. When I first started, I wasn't entirely sure if I would prefer taking evening college classes, where I would have face-to-face interaction with my professor and classmates, or online classes for college, in a format that would afford me a much broader range of educational choices and greater flexibility with my already busy life schedule. I'll be writing more about those experiences in coming days.

Is there anything that you have been wondering about that I may be able to answer for you? Are you longing to pursue education and career advancement, but find yourself wrestling with self-doubt? Are you wondering if there is such a thing in this economy as an affordable Bachelors degree? Are you daunted by the prospect of applying for adult financial aid?

Or, have you also made the leap, and are currently trying to juggle family, career, and school? Are you challenged with the task of optimally managing your time? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by coursework and second-guess the wisdom of your decision to take on these extra responsibilities?

I've been there. Not only that, but I am still working my way through all the dynamics of this chapter in my life. You're not alone, and I'd love to hear from you!

Pondering Perfectionism

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 by Jan Hodges

I recently had a meeting with a distraught student named Alison, who attends classes here at Granite State College in Conway, NH. She received her first C in a course and was feeling like a failure. As we spoke she began to reveal that her child had been very ill, necessitating many trips to a specialist on the other side of the state, her husband had lost his job and she had increased her hours at work in an attempt to make ends meet. Under these challenging circumstances she still managed to keep doing her school work, and successfully complete the class. It saddened me that she saw her C as a failure.

After this meeting and a number of similar ones, I have been thinking about the role perfectionism plays in achieving an adult education diploma. As a somewhat reformed perfectionist, I remember the fervor with which I pursued the holy grail of the perfect 4.0.   While this is clearly a laudable goal, life seems to delight in throwing unexpected curve balls at adult learners, making perfection nearly impossible.

When life turns up the heat, adding new responsibilities to the daily load - a sick parent or child, an extra shift at work, etc. - students have a choice to make. Some students are able to adjust their expectations of themselves, admit that they have less time and energy to devote to a particular course, and keep plugging away at it. Others, in pursuit of the 4.0, would rather withdraw than risk a bad grade.

Let's think about this for a moment. A C is a perfectly acceptable grade. It satisfies core requirements, as well as courses in the major.  Classes with a C or better are fully transferable. The occasional C does not drastically harm your GPA, or scream to the world that you are a bad student.   Withdrawing, however, can have many adverse ramifications. Depending on when the course is dropped, you could lose registration fees, tuition, get a W on your transcript, or even worse - an AF if withdrawal is not done properly. It can impact your financial aid. Even if a courses is dropped by the deadline,  a semester's worth of progress is lost, making the path to completion longer.

Sometimes it is better to be able to accept life on life's terms and learn to embrace the concept of "good enough." I am not advocating the pursuit of mediocrity here. I believe in giving your best and in giving 100%.  I am suggesting that we need to recognize that our "best" varies from semester to semester and sometimes giving your best means staying the course even though there are many obstacles to doing so.  In Alison's case, I would consider her C a victory.

Suggestions for success at Granite State College

Sunday, September 12, 2010 by Wayne Churchill

Use your academic advisor for EVERYTHING - this person is your lifeline to Granite State College. They can tell you where to get adult financial aid information, which classes to take and how to enroll. Never let confusion or questions interrupt you mission to success!

Plan your degree - GSC has all of the classes they will offer through the spring of 2012 posted at this link: http://rockon.granite.edu:8080/courseofferings/index.html

Plan each week - Each Sunday evening I take my calendar out and write down each commitment I have for that week, from work schedule to my child's schedule to individual homework assignments. Each morning I look at it so I know what I have to get completed on that day. Become good friends with that calendar.

Take an online class - The world is relying more and more on technological advances; don't be left in the dust! You need to be familiar, if not comfortable, with completing tasks in a virtual environment in order to be successful.

Take a summer class - They are only 8 weeks long instead of the normal 12, and you will earn your degree that much quicker.

Participate - There are opportunities to get involved with the college to build a community. The Granite State College Council is one way. And it is a great way to give back.

Recognize your successes - Adult college courses are time consuming, but what better investment can you make in your and your family's future by strengthening your odds of success in your career? Take your family out to dinner after the term ends. Tell the kids when you earned an A on a project.

Have a sense of humor - Whether you want to or not, you will build relationships as a student. Recently in a class my group was struggling with an assignment. As we commiserated, we began to laugh about the comedy of errors we had made. It was a big help to get us back on track. And keep in mind on the toughest days that there is a 5 week break in between the Fall and Winter terms. ;)

Career Plans

Saturday, September 4, 2010 by Beth McKenna

Do you have career plans? Do your plans include college education courses? Have you thought about obtaining an Associate's Degree or a Bachelor's Degree or maybe an Adult Education Certificate or an Adult Education Diploma?

Granite State College may be just what you are looking for. Did you see the September 2010 issue of "U.S. News and World Report?" It compared the best colleges in the country. One of the criteria was class size. Another was availability of the faculty. Affordability and the availability of grants and loans was another criteria. Granite State College has a low student to faculty ratio. Many courses only have 10 to 15 students in them. This allows you to really get to know your professors. The professors have a chance to get to know you as well. And, what you may not know, most Granite State professors are working in the field that they teach in. This means that what you are learning is current and what you need for your career. Granite State also has a wide range of available student financial aid.
As you consider your career plans, whether you are right out of high school, or an adult interested in adult education programs, consider Granite State College.

Financial Aid is here for you!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 by Danielle Dodd

Thinking that you can't accomplish your dreams in this economy? Think again!

I didn't know much about financial aid when I first started at Granite State College, and thought that I had to pay right out of pocket. I was really nervous and didn't understand all the steps associated with getting the aid I needed. That was until I spoke with one of the lovely people up in the financial aid office. There is absolutely no other college that you can attend that is going to give you so much personal attention and give you so much of their time to help you feel comfortable and confident enough to get yourself acclimated for your upcoming school enrollment. If you are qualified, you can get grant money. That is money that you do NOT have to pay back! How great is that? The people up in the financial aid office can even help you find scholarships that you may be eligible for. You can also check out a website that will list out scholarships that are out there specifically for you and your situation. It is called www.fastweb.com. It is a pretty cool site where they ask you some questions and list out scholarships that you could be eligible for, with no work at all for you! You really have nothing to loose with everything that there is out there for you! So go ahead, give it a shot!

There's No Way I Can Go to College

Thursday, August 19, 2010 by Heather Carter

There are too many reasons it won't work in my life. There too many obstacles preventing me from going to college. It's impossible.

-It's embarrassing to be an adult on a college campus. It's embarrassing to sit in a classroom surrounded by "college-aged" kids. I'll feel like a freak.

-I don't know how to relate to fresh-out-of-high-school students now that I've been out in the world and on my own for several years.

-I have a full-time job. I have a child. I don't have time to take classes.

-I can't take days off from work to spend my days in school.

-College is expensive. How will I possibly be able to afford it?

-Even if I apply for financial aid, I won't qualify unless I'm a full-time student taking multiple courses a semester, and I know I can't fit that workload into my already full life.

-Being a divorced, single parent of a small child, I don't want to spend more time away from my daughter than I already have to.

These were the messages running through my head as a random stranger was telling me about Granite State College, actually suggesting that it was possible for me after all.

"No, no, no," I said, shaking my head. I was convinced that this woman had no idea what I was really up against.

Then she explained that Granite State College is a non-traditional school that specializes in education for adults. "You'll be with many other adults in similar situations to your own. There are a lot of people now who don't go to college directly out of high school, people who take time off and then decide to return to school years later. People like you go to Granite State College. Not only will you be able to relate to your fellow students, the experience of learning with people of all ages is incredible. You get to learn about so many other perspectives. It's great."

I said, "I don't know how I could possibly fit it into my life. I don't have enough time to go to college."

So she started telling me about all of the course options that Granite State College offers. "They have a lot of evening college classes that only meet once a week." I thought about it. I could afford to spend one night a week away from home. And it wouldn't interfere with my job.

She told me that they offer a ton of online classes for adults. I realized that if I could take college classes online, I'd be able to work on the courses after my daughter went to bed for the night-- no childcare necessary, I'd have the flexibility to fit it into my hectic schedule, and I could even "go to school" in my pajamas!

She explained that Granite State College even offers weekend college classes and concentrated courses called "weekend intensives." I could earn credits toward a degree over the course of one weekend!

"Still," I persisted. "I'd need financial aid and I just can't handle a full-time college work load."

Then she told me a key piece of information that dramatically shifted my doubts about my college possibilities. At Granite State College, one 4-credit course a semester is all I'd need to take in order to qualify for financial aid.

After that conversation, there was a new statement that ran through my head:

Maybe, just maybe, there is a way that I can actually go to college.

How to obtain your degree with limited financial resources...

Sunday, August 15, 2010 by Deidre Romeo

As an adult college degree recipient, I can tell you firsthand how it is possible to go back to school without the financial resources to do so. I did it, and so can you. My first mistake was to think I was not eligible for financial aid because I had a good job, was able to support myself and my one daughter who was still considered a dependent on my income tax return. Do not make this same mistake. The very first step you need to take in financing your adult education degree is to submit a FAFSA application online. It is not at all intimidating as I believed it to be. Not only did I qualify for more than $1,000 in federal and state grants during my freshman year but by completing the FAFSA I qualified for deferred interest loans and numerous adult scholarships as well. Grants are a gift, they do not need to be repaid. The Subsidized Stafford loans are educational loans which do not start accumulating interest until 6 months after you graduate or stop taking classes. Currently the deferred rate of these loans is only 4.5%. I challenge you to find a loan without collateral at a comparable rate!

Now, how to find adult education scholarships…

Use the internet and search every possible avenue. Here in the State of New Hampshire I found many scholarships I qualified for and applied for every single one of them. Yes, it does take some time and effort but it is certainly worth it. GSC offers the “Osher Re-Entry Scholarship,” as well as the ALA Merit Scholarship. Next I found the Adult Student Aid Program Scholarship available through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Through my continued Internet searches I found available scholarships through the numerous NH chapters of the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, the “Take it to the Bank” scholarship offered by NHHEAF and many small local scholarship programs specifically offered to residents of individual counties and communities. Aside from these scholarships available to NH residents there are countless national scholarships also available to the adult college degree student. Many banks, retail stores and businesses offer student scholarship contests. Take the time and put in the effort to apply for and attain the required finances you need to obtain your degree. I did it, so can you. Every scholarship I was awarded was again offered to me for a second and third time in my subsequent years of study.

In my next post I will give you other tips and tricks on obtaining your adult college degree with limited finances. Most scholarships have deadlines so do not procrastinate and get started right away on your scholarship search. Once you have completed this you will be ready for the next phase of financing your education....

Celestial Alignment

Monday, August 9, 2010 by Tom Oetinger

By spending the majority of my time around prospective students and having been an adult learner myself, I’ve developed a pretty good idea about the often tortuous decision-making process involved in returning to college. There always seem to be so many things to consider, so many factors involved in the decision. Let’s face it: our lives are complicated; when balancing work and family obligations, it’s hard to imagine fitting college into the picture. Many prospective students postpone making the choice, waiting for what I like to call ‘celestial alignment’: having one’s personal stars, moons and planets reach a perfect state in which returning to school becomes as simple as going for Chinese take-out. These individuals wait, and wait, and wait, hoping that one day everything will sort itself out and the decision will be easy. Sadly for most of us, celestial alignment rarely just happens. Fitting college into a working adult’s busy life take intentionality and some effort, but it is do-able and not nearly as hard as one would imagine.

At Granite State College we have become experts at helping our students overcome the obstacles that non-traditional learners face when starting their adult college program. Our Academic Advisors really listen, and help develop manageable plans of study that are based on the student’s needs and life schedule. Our Financial Aid counselors assist students in navigating the Federal Financial Aid process and figuring out the big question: How am I going to pay for this? And our faculty understands our student body and is flexible in helping students meet course requirements when ‘life happens’.

I often tell prospective students that the hardest part about returning to school at Granite State College is ‘pulling the trigger’; making the decision to go forward and take their first adult college course. Over the last three years I’ve lost count of the number of students and graduates that I’ve run into who have told me that I was right!