Adult Financial Aid

 

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!

So, here I am writing my first blog post. It's a little intimidating because I've never blogged before. But there's a first time for everything and I'm excited about this new endeavor. Of course the challenge will be finding the time, between working and classes and family responsibilities.

It helps that I am surrounded by other adult college students, many of whom can relate to my balancing act, because they are also working full-time while taking part time classes. In fact, many of my classmates are only able to afford their adult college classes because at GSC taking just one class a term means that they are eligible to apply for financial aid. Another huge incentive is that the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at GSC is only $15 per credit! Offering the lowest tuition of all four institutions in the University of New Hampshire System, GSC is a NH state college where my classmates and I can earn an affordable bachelor degree, associate degree or even teacher certification. 

I suppose I sound like I'm going for a hard-sell. But that's only because I have such a positive impression of Granite State College. One of the best aspects of my job at GSC is being a point-of-contact for prospective and new students because I want so much to help people see their potential become reality. If a student calls our Claremont NH College, needing to know how to post a comment to the discussion board in Blackboard for their online class, I can walk them through it over the phone, because I've been in their shoes.

When a potential student calls or walks into our center for the first time, they are often worried about how they'll handle taking adult college courses on top of their work and family responsibilities, and I can relate. But it really is doable! For me, taking online classes is one way I have been able to manage to keep all the balls in the air, so to speak. Sure, my first online class was a little scary in the beginning, but my classmates were incredibly helpful - explaining where to find resources and how to submit assignments. It was a great feeling to learn some new technology along with the actual course material. That's just one of the perks of taking online classes for college!

Because I really enjoy the occasional human interaction, I also take face-to-face evening college classes, as well as weekend intensive classes. I find that I can fit these into my hectic schedule quite nicely. Currently, I'm taking Managing Diversity as a weekend intensive, and The Emerging U.S. Health Care System online. It's a splendid combination of formats and learning!

Well, I better get back to the books, because I want to make sure I get my assignment in before the deadline tomorrow. 

As a mom of a newly-minted high school graduate, I now understand the difficulty parents experience when it comes to letting go of their college-age children.  As parents we dedicate so much time and energy to taking care of our children, guiding...helping.  It is hard to recognize when we cross the boundary into new territory where the most helpful thing we can do is to let our children help themselves and make their own decisions.

I have been comparing notes with friends whose children also just graduated and are on their way to various New Hampshire Colleges and Universities this fall.  Many have already attended orientations where the children are herded off to one session, the parents to another.  The parent orientations talk about financial aid, what we can expect from our children once they are in college - but the main focus seems to be on teaching us to let our children have their own academic experience, complete with poor decisions and the occasional failure - and for us to resist the urge to do everything for them.  Point taken.

Even though GSC is known for Adult Higher Education, we are seeing more and more traditional age students.  As an Academic Advisor at Granite State College in Conway, NH, I have been in the position to gently point out to parents who are emailing or calling me for course suggestions, that perhaps it might be better for the student to communicate with me directly.   Of course, there are also laws that prohibit advisors from sharing adult student's information.  

For parents of new Granite State College students, however,  it is a somewhat easier transition.  Because we are not a residential college, the student is still living at home.  Also, unlike many other colleges,  Granite State College employs full time academic advisors who are designated student advocates.  Parents can take comfort in knowing there is someone there to provide guidance and help when needed.

So, fellow parents, join me in learning how to let go so we can watch our children learn to soar. 

The most difficult part of starting college after being out of school for many years is not the admission process, not the financial aid paperwork, not the entrance exams, it is finding the confidence in oneself to believe you can learn and grow in the academic world.  It is so very difficult when you are doing relatively well in your life to put yourself into a position where you feel vulnerable to failure.  When I finally found the courage to pursue my adult college degree I did so by attending online classes for adults where I thought I would be protected and could hide my inadequacies from my fellow classmates.  After my first semester of adult college classes I found my confidence and was able to really put myself out there and start attending live evening college courses.  I have not stopped since I started three years ago.  I not only found my confidence, I found a true love of learning and applying this knowledge in everything I do.

My success, my enjoyment and my overall academic experience has now tweaked the confidence in those around me to also pursue their adult education diplomas.  My own 22 year old daughter is now talking about beginning classes to attain her degree.  As a mother, I could not be more thrilled.  Another person I have influenced is a friend from work.  She has accomplished so much more than I professionally but still doubts her ability to thrive in the classroom because she claims she did not do well in high school, some 35 years ago.  She is not the same person she was at the age of 17.  She is bright, ambitious and well grounded.  I was shocked to hear of the fear she felt in not believing she has what it takes to attain her adult college degree.  I have no doubt she will thrive and excel in this pursuit.

Where are you in your life?  Do you have the courage to go after your adult college degree?  All you need to do is find the courage it takes to visit Granite State College and the confidence in yourself will soon follow.
 

It's no secret that the cost of education is on the rise, and it can sometimes be hard to swallow the expense you may incur if you decide you want to attend college. Here at Granite State College, we offer affordable college study that is flexible and convenient. 

That being said, your education here at Granite State College is still an investment, so it is important to make sure you are ready to make the financial commitment associated with going to school.

Here are a few tips to help manage your expenses:

1. Think about the degree program you are interested in. How much does a career in that field usually pay? This is important to consider, because it will give you an idea of what you should realistically borrow if you need to use loans to pay for your education. By knowing roughly what you will make in your career field once you graduate, you can make sure to borrow responsibly so you do not end up having more loans than you are able to handle financially when the time comes to pay them back.  

2. Always have an idea of how much you have already borrowed. Some students graduate and have no idea that they have been using loan money to pay for their education. By having a handle on how much you have borrowed, you will be able to prepare for making payments when the time comes.  Want to get an idea of what you payments will look like? Use the FinAid Loan Calculator.

3. Try to avoid using your refund checks for living expenses, if possible. I know this is easier said than done with the economy the way it is, but this will make a huge difference when the time comes to start paying back your aid, since typically these checks are made up of Stafford Loan money. If you do not need the money, it is always wise to send it back to your school, or use it to pay your lender directly in order to keep your loan amounts down.

If you need to supplement your income while going to school, consider participating in the Federal Work Study Program. This program allows you to work part-time at the school, or participating companies, and earn a pay check while giving you the flexibility to set your schedule around your classes. The pay is typically pretty good too, which is always a bonus! For more information on the Federal Work Study program, visit our website.

There's not doubt that trying to pay for college can be stressful; however, with proper planning, it doesn't also have to be a burden. Let us help you budget your expenses today! Feel free to contact the Granite State College Office of Financial Aid with any questions or concerns.

 

I was just in the middle of my Monday morning reporting when my phone rang. I picked it up to hear the sounds of a baby crying and a very frazzled woman on the other end. I discovered that it was one of our current students who had recently had a run of bad luck causing her to possibly have to withdraw from her evening college classes. She was heartbroken at the thought of having to withdraw from Granite State College, especially since she had been taking childhood education classes for over a year now, in hopes of earning her undergraduate degree.

After talking with her for a few minutes, I discovered that she had recently lost her job and was concerned about being able to pay for her classes since her previous employer had contributed to a good portion of the cost. She had never used financial aid before, and was unaware of her options.

I explained to her that we had many adult financial aid options available and assured her that we could get this situation worked out. I advised her that the first step to apply would be to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as complete our Financial Aid Institutional Application.

I then explained that since the income she was going to report on the FAFSA would be based off the year previous, it would not show an accurate depiction of what her current financial situation is since she had recently lost her job. Because of the higher income being reported on the FAFSA, she may not be eligible for the Grant programs, which are the programs that provide students with money that does not need to be paid back.

Since she had recently had a drastic change to her income, it would be in her best interest to complete a Special Circumstance form. This form allows students to explain their current situation as well as provide documentation showing any changes so Granite State College can adjust their income listed on the FAFSA. This then allows the Department of  Education to have a more realistic picture of the student's financial situation which, in turn, can help the student receive additional financial aid.

The student was thrilled to hear that there were options available to her. She was going to start filling out the paperwork immediately and was happy to take my advice about filling out the Special Circumstance form. She mentioned that she originally chose Granite State College because of it's affordable college study, but now realized that we also provide support and guidance to students when they are confronted with the struggles of every day life, and she was truly thankful.

Hearing that made my job completely worthwhile. It always feels good when we are able to make a student's life a little bit easier!

 

It was a cold and blustery snow storm, the kind that makes you want to cuddle up in your fleece pajamas with cocoa and a good book--or with your nine-year-old son to watch Miracle for the hundredth time. Instead I was in the garage, cell-phone propped on my ear trying to follow my husband's instructions to start the snowblower. "Crank the choke, throttle the rabbit, prime the pump then tork the lever." Huh??

Ever feel this way? The person on the other end of the phone knows exactly what they're talking about and launches into a language that you can't even begin to understand. You're frustrated, cold, wet and feeling a little bit dumb that you can't even get past the first command, never mind actually make this machine come to life.

I know that this is how going back to college can feel for adults. I've had students in my classes tell me that this is their first time back in a classroom since high school. It's scary. And overwhelming and there are alot of acronyms. The good news is, they picked Granite State College. Because we're an adult college program, we try to avoid the acronyms and help our students navigate the maze of higher education clearly and with a road map. We have specific resources for adult students including advising, academic support and a virtual library. We also walk our students through the maze of adult financial aid. We'll help you distinquish between a FAFSA and a MPN (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and (Master Promissory Note).

So if you're feeling overwhelmed with choices, and information, give us a call. We'd love to help you start fulfilling your dream of achieving your degree. (And we'll help you start the snowblower if you need that too!)

"It’s a kind of magic...
One dream one soul, one prize
One goal...
One golden glance of what should be...
One shaft of light that shows the way...
The bell that rings inside your mind, challenging the doors of time."           
Queen - It's A Kind of Magic

What was the "bell" that went off in your mind that caused you to reflect on where you were in your life and where you wanted to be?

For me, it was the birth of my third child.  I loved my role of wife and mother.  I had always wanted and looked forward to raising a family.  But one day, as I sat feeding the youngest baby, I thought "Is this all there is?  Isn't there something more?" 

In high school, the St. Joseph nuns offered me a golden glance of what could be, encouraging me to consider college, but they were ahead of their time.  The thinking back then (the pre Ms Magazine era) ran something like this: sending a girl to college was a waste of money because she was only going to get married and have babies.  And, in my family, there was also the issue of money or rather the lack of it.  I'm sure there must have been financial aid back then, or at least something similar to it, but I knew nothing about such things.  In any case, it wouldn't have mattered - my paycheck was needed at home.  

So, graduating from high school, I worked on Wall Street for two years, eventually marrying and moving to New Hampshire.  Three children and seven years passed before the "bell rang inside my mind" as the dream of a college education reawakened.  And so, the door to my future was challenged, opening just a crack.  Researching adult college courses in New Hampshire, I found the School for Lifelong Learning, as Granite State College was known back then (by the time I graduated, the name had morphed into the College for Lifelong Learning). 

I met with an adviser at the Manchester NH college office who shed a shaft of light that pointed the way to achieving my goal.  She mapped out a plan for my Associates Degree (because, at the time, working towards a bachelor's degree seemed such a huge, insurmountable challenge) and I got to work - one part time class at a time.  Over the years, the magic continued. 

Meeting kindred souls, people in my adult college courses who were dealing with the same day-to-day issues as I and aspired to goals similar to mine; befriending faculty who nurtured the flame of inquisitiveness burning inside of me and who helped me to discover the wonderful world of adult learning - all of this, and more, caused a seismic shift in my perception of what the future could hold for me.