It's official. Our mobile classroom is up and we're ready to enroll students at our new co-location at Nashua Community College for the Fall term!
On Thursday, July 26th, we co-hosted a celebration with NCC to announce our new partnership. The highlight of the event was the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Here's an "action shot" of NCC President Lucille Jordan, Governor John Lynch, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, and GSC President Todd Leach cutting the ribbon!
The courses offered on NCC's campus are designed so those with an associate degree can easily leverage this experience into an affordable bachelor degree program. We will be featuring classes for the B.S. in Business Management, B.S. in Psycholgoy, B.S. in Applied Studies (Management Option), the B.A. in Individualized Studies, Teacher Certification Courses, and classes in the Masters Degree in Project Management and M.S. in Leadership programs.
Click here to learn more!
I have a tendency to complain. There's something comforting about it, especially when I can get others to commiserate with me. Then it's like I have permission to get all righteous about whatever I've decided is responsible for my discontent and that makes me feel better somehow. But I really do know that all of that is pointless and futile.
It takes me a while sometimes, but it's very refreshing when I remember that it's all a choice. Everything I do, except for involuntary actions like blinking and breathing of course, is my choice. There are no "have to's."
I don't "have to" wake up in the morning to go to work. I prefer living in a home and eating regularly because I want to be comfortable and live, so I choose to go to work. I don't "have to" suffer through traffic. I prefer to drive any long distances rather than walk or bike. I choose my routes because I want to get to my destination faster. I don't "have to" eat celery instead of that frosted doughnut. I choose to because I want to feel healthy. And I don't really "have to" write this post.
I am not a plastic bag buffeted about in the wind at the mercy of outside forces. I am the architect of my life. Of course there are the limitations of circumstances and opportunites that we all work with, but there is still always a choice. And I love when I remember that, because there's empowerment in knowing how much control I actually do have over the construction of my life.
Before enrolling at Granite State College, I complained quite a bit about how little money I made and about how unattainable certain opportunities were due to my lack of higher education. When someone suggested I go to college, I'd complain about how hard it would be, how expensive it would be, how I couldn't go to school because of my work hours, that it would be too big a load to bear while supporting myself.
I was lucky that someone told me about the affordability of Granite State College and that it offered accelerated studies and the flexibility of online and weekend college classes. But luck wouldn't have been enough. After talking myself into how it was ultimately up to me to change my life and that it was useless to just wait for something to happen that might make my whole life better, I made a choice.
I chose to get a degree. I chose to change my life.
When I started taking classes with Granite State College (formerly CLL), the idea of online classes was just taking hold. The notion that online learning could be just as effective and fulfilling as face-to-face classes was up in the air. I remember there being a lot of controversy about it. Would online classes be more work? What would be missed by not having the dynamic of spontaneous classroom discussion? Would online student-to-teacher interaction limit learning?
Through all of the years at Granite State College, I've taken about ten classes online, and what I discovered was that there's no one way to answer those questions just like there's no way to answer them when you compare different classroom-based courses. Every class is different. Some online courses were much harder and others were easier. Some online courses offered little value in class discussion and some classes were surprisingly insightful.
The thing that I liked about Granite State College is that they offered such a big variety of both types of classes, in addition to weekend intensives and independent learning contracts, so I had plenty of options. Online classes afforded me more flexibility and the opportunity to study subjects I might not have been able to if the course was offered outside of my area.
One thing's for sure about taking online college classes-- "going to school" while wearing my pajamas was delightful!
Below is the story of one amazing Granite State College student that I came across when reviewing application essays for the
GSC ALA Scholarship this past spring. With a student such as Lori in your classroom, you not only learn with her, but from her.
"You may have seen the ad for Dyson vacuum cleaners. James Dyson tells how he tried some 5,000 times to get the vacuum cleaner design and function he wanted, but he didn’t give up, and it culminated in the popular Dyson Ball. I am drawn to stories of people determined to reach a goal probably because I feel I can relate especially in my quest for education beyond high school.
I loved growing up on a farm in the Midwest, but the path of least resistance would have been to live and work for the rest of my life in the small town six miles down the road. I came from hard-working parents who believed higher education was good for those who knew exactly what they wanted to do and had the money to do it. At age 18, I knew this left me out on both counts, but somehow I was going to navigate my way in an unfamiliar world by myself.
I believe a curiosity about so many things and a love of learning has been wonderful, but for the last 30 years it’s also made finding my place in the working world a challenge. I have always enjoyed creating/designing, organizing spaces, history, and what makes people do what they do to name a few. If an entry level job, which has been what I’ve been qualified for, didn’t have any of the above attributes nor the potential for advancement, it didn’t hold my interest over the long term. I always felt that going back to school to tqake adult college courses could increase my options for a better job so I took courses here and there, but I allowed myself only a certificate program time commitment which proved to be too narrow in scope.
Over the years, my quest for an adult education diploma had become a common theme of hope for the future. I was accepted into an adult college program, but got married and we had to move too far away for me to attend. However, for the next eight years I pursued and finished an Associate’s Degree while working part-time and raising a family. Later, during my divorce when my kids were in middle school, survival and stability became the priorities. After a few years, I was accepted into another adult college program at a local university. As I was making plans to go to college fulltime, diagnosis of a serious illness turned my world upside down. Surgery, treatment and keeping life positive at home for my kids put education on the back burner once again.
Nearly two years ago with my kids out on their own, I made plans again to pursue a Bachelors degree. To make this work financially, I sold, donated and discarded most of my possessions. I started at Granite State College, but I needed some direction. Through introspection, good advising, and taking SDLR 550, I realized a self-design program in Gerontology was a good choice for me. At 54, accumulating educational debt when I ought to be planning for retirement seems counterintuitive, but I now have hope for my future. I want to flourish in life, not just survive it.
Gerontology, is the study of the process of aging, across the life span, whose multi-disciplinary aspects include physical, mental, social and spiritual changes in people as they age. Much of my interest comes from a deep affection and respect for the elderly which has developed over my lifetime. This has been supported by many influential experiences with elderly relatives. My dear grandmother wasn’t conventionally domestic, but we spent countless hours on a creek bank just talking and fishing. She was a young widow who didn’t drive and was dependent on people for transportation, but she was a lady with a very independent spirit.
Older persons inspire and fascinate me with their personal perspectives of historical events. I’ve enjoyed talking with people who lived through the Great Depression, served in wars, and some who survived the holocaust. The residents I’ve come to know while working at RiverWoods, a CCRC, have experienced the benefits and joys of family, higher education, and financial success. All gracefully persevere through the loss of family, friends, and health.
I can’t tell you exactly what I want for a position, but I feel that my determination toward this degree will afford me more employment options and opportunities hopefully helping the elderly flourish at whatever age they are. As independent as I tend to be, I realize the importance of interdependence and the reciprocal nature of giving and receiving. I appreciate the opportunity to apply for this scholarship as it will help me achieve my goal. I look forward to being in a position helping others achieve their goals and unlocking their own potential regardless of age."
Wouldn't it be nice to say, "I think I will be a teacher, or a scientist, or a writer," and then go out and get a job doing exactly what you want? The idea is nice, but the reality is often very different. You may know what you want to do but the jobs may not be there. Or, you are not sure what you want to do so you try a few things, but none of them seem just right. Unfortunately, with our economy the way it is, any job is difficult to obtain, and even more difficult without the proper education.
This is where Granite State College comes in. Did you realize you could take courses at Granite State while still earning money at that job that isn't quite right? Courses are offered at night, on weekends, or totally on line for you to do whenever your schedule permits. You could take courses in early childhood or elementary education, math, or behavioral sciences, to name a few. Granite State offers assistance in planning for your future job. They can help you figure out what that perfect job might be, and what training you would need to get there. Granite State College offers affordable college study without giving up your present income.
The job market is tough right now so if you are thinking of starting or changing a career, get the adult education services you need to guide you in that direction. Check out the courses offered at Granite State and beat that tight job market.
Ok, winter is fun for awhile. Some nice white snow in December. Skiing in January, and maybe into February. Snow for school vacation week, but then, isn't that enough? I am beginning to think about spring.
Spring weather, spring flowers, spring break and what about Spring term at Granite State College?
Just think, with all that nice weather coming you can get out again. The nights aren't so cold that you need to hide under a blanket and shiver, so what about registering for an adult education program?
Granite State College offers affordable college study at night. Earn an Adult Education certificate, or just take a course.
Winter will end soon and it is time to believe that the nights will stay above freezing and on those warm spring nights you could be moving your career in a direction as refreshing as that spring breeze. Come on, be brave. I am excited to be teaching a spring course on special needs children and I am also excited that by the time the term starts, it will be spring for real. Hooray!
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!"
I set up a table the last three weeks at the Lebanon Farmers Market, hoping to catch a few eyes and have a few conversations.
Granite State College is still a small player in the Lebanon community so I was there to have a ready answer for all those people who walked by and asked "Who are you?".
I was lucky enough to be placed between a fabulous food stand and a farm stand. One afternoon as I was setting up, my neighbor at the farm stand, an older woman, asked me THE question: "Who are you?"
As I was giving my standard answer (adult continuing education, career training programs, affordable college study, etc.) she came over and browsed through a fall course schedule.
"I started writing a book about education", she said.
"Really? Wow. That's great", I replied.
"Don't think I'll ever get it done."
"What's it about?"
She went on to tell me about research she had done for her book about the rise of higher education in the 40's and 50's. With the GI bill helping so many servicemen and women pay for college, college enrollment grew astronomically. She also made the point that so soon after the wars and the Great Depression, many people were looking for something that no one could take away from them. After losing so much, many people turned to higher education as security for the future.
I had never thought about my education in those terms: something that will never not be mine. I could lose everything I own in a fire tomorrow and be homeless and penniless, but I will still possess my greatest assets and investment, because I invested in myself. It's not a sheet of paper or books or papers written and published. It's the knowledge that I carry around all the time and use everyday in ways I could never have imagined. It's the confidence and the tenacity, the passion and the dedication. It dawned on me that my education has made me rich in ways I had never realized, and will always be there to hold me up.
I took a moment to breathe deeply and congratulate myself on not letting that dream of education get away from me. I finished setting up my table and sat down to talk to people, excited and energized by the comments of my world-savvy, produce-selling neighbor. And her cucumbers were tasty too!
After you have enrolled at
Granite State College to earn your adult college degree and submitted your FAFSA application and researched and applied for every scholarship you were able to find, your next step is to consider “
testing out” of classes you already have subject knowledge and/or experience with.
Taking a
CLEP or
DSST test is not as intimidating as it may seem. The cost is approximately $100.00 per test and you can earn as much as 8 credits for passing one test. 8 credits is the equivalent of taking two adult college classes at GSC at a cost of $2,000. The cost and time savings is clear.
I have to admit I did not test out of any of the 8 credit tests as those require an in depth knowledge of specified subjects. I did test out of 8 classes though. This saved me one year of adult college classes and the cost associated with it. I am an adult who has worked in the business world for many years so I found it easy to test out of many of the prerequisite classes required for my adult college degree in business. I tested out of; Principals of Management, Principals of Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management and Personal Finance. I then found the confidence to attempt other tests which I did not necessarily already have knowledge or experience with. I bought books or study materials online and also tested out of American Government, Introductory Sociology and Ethics in America.
Lastly, Granite State College offers the option to submit a
Portfolio Assessment to earn credit towards your adult college degree. This portfolio shows the knowledge and experience you have which directly matches with existing courses offered at GSC. I spent my time during the first winter break to put together a portfolio showing my knowledge of computer applications to match the required offered adult college course of “Software Tools.” If you have been working with the MS Office Suite and have a basic knowledge of how a computer works this is an easy portfolio to put together and earn the required credit for this core class.
Ok, now the excuse of not being able to afford to go back to school is gone, what is stopping you from going after your adult college degree and changing your life?
I did it, so can you!
The first step is the hardest -- but once it is done nothing seems as hard again. When my sister was 12 years old, the last thing she wanted was to have her little sister tagging along with her. So when she and her friends had made the plan to walk across the salt marsh down the street from our house, they thought I wouldn’t do it. Little did they know that I would go anywhere my big sister went. Not out of spite, but out of an adoration that only siblings know. She let me come along but admonished me to keep up.
The sun was low in the sky and the wind had picked up some. Her friends chided me when I was not able to leap over the inlets of water as easily as they had. Instead I fell in and got my new sneakers wet and muddy. My sister had to help me out of the mess. I began to feel like the whole idea was bad and that I would get in trouble now for sure. Her friends ran ahead. I began to cry; I just needed to go back to the other side. My sister told me to look up and see where we were, because the hardest part was behind us and all that was left were the tall grassy knolls. She laughed and said, “We are in the middle. If we go back we will have to do all the hard stuff again.” She took my hand and we both took off running through the tall grass to the other side where her friends were waiting.
Recently I have been thinking of this scenario as I am nearing completion of my degree program. The first step of the process was the hardest. Like crossing the salt marsh with my sister, making that decision to go back to college was a commitment I could not make on my own. I made it with my family and with the staff at Granite State College . It may sound silly but they need to know where I am in my process and when I need their help. Granite State College offers affordable college study, adult education courses and a helping hand when you need it. They really understand the complex needs of adult learners.
It's getting close to the end of another term and I still have six classes to go. It seems like I am still a long way out from graduating. But when I look back at what I have done here at GSC, those six classes don't look so far away anymore.
A prospective student finished her accuplacer assessment and was anxious to know the results. The scores were not easily interpretable. At a quick glance, however, I noticed that the placement recommendation was for Contemporary College Math -- which is one of the required courses for a degree at
Granite State College. I pointed this out to her and we both practically cheered because she was so pleased to discover that she knows more than she thought she knew!
This particular student, let's call her Miranda, works in a local elementary school. While she enjoys her role as a para-educator, she really wants to pursue Teacher Training Education. As a former high school dropout, Miranda didn't think she was equipped to go to college, but once she attained her G.E.D., she realized that she was thirsty for more. She decided to apply to GSC, the New Hampshire State College that offers Affordable College Study, and she's eager to start her Childhood Education Courses this fall.
Miranda wants to work with children that have special needs. At GSC, she will pursue a B.S. in
Individualized Studies: English Language Arts -- which will enable her to meet the federal Highly Qualified Teacher requirement, and the
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in General Special Education. The reason Miranda chose GSC, she told me, was because she could continue to work in her chosen field while taking Evening College Classes. I'm willing to bet that she will also find, as I have found, that taking classes with other adults of all ages provides a rich educational experience. GSC is the college in the University of New Hampshire System that specializes in Adult Higher Education.
The excitement Miranda expressed -- when she saw evidence that her abilities are indeed college-level -- is one of the reasons I love working at
Granite State College. It's such a great feeling to watch someone's face light up at the realization of their possibilities! Our students are so invested in their education, because many of them already have real-world experience, and they are incredibly motivated to do well in their studies. They want the most out of their education. And we at GSC are here to cheer them on!
Life happens. And as a young adult recently out of high school, life happened to me fast-- way faster than I expected.
I was an idealistic 18-year-old with grand schemes of living the traditional 4-year college experience, relishing the excitement of living in a dorm with my peers, inspired by the prospect of exploring fascinating subjects accessible only through higher education, and looking forward to a shiny new degree with a shiny new career that was sure to follow.
Well, "best laid plans," right? Life happened. I found myself thrown into the nose-to-the-grindstone working world, taking whatever job or two that I could get so that I could pay the rent on my tiny apartment and keep the electricity on. But I didn't completely tuck away those college schemes. The idea was to keep on keeping on, and "someday" I'd be able to bring the schemes out into the light, unroll them and lovingly lay them back across the drawing board, dust them off, and build the life I had envisioned. Someday.
Out of necessity, "someday" kept being put off. That plateau that would serve as a resting place in life where I could stop, breathe, think for a while, gather my resources, and put my schemes into action just never seemed to come. Months whirled by, then they blurred together and spun into years. Suddenly, I was 24 years old. No degree, no prospects, no direction, no ideas how to get unstuck. I was surviving, not living--and certainly not anywhere close to the life that I'd seen for myself years before.
I was working in retail at the time. One day, a woman who was temporarily working in the store for a few days, idly initiated a conversation with me. For some reason, the topic of college came up and I only happened to mention how much I wished I could go. This woman-- a random, complete stranger to me-- said I should consider the College for Lifelong Learning (the former name of Granite State College), and explained how it's a school that offers affordable college study and continuing education degree programs. My life has never been the same.
Read my new blog post to find out what happened next!
During my student recruiting travels for Granite State College I frequently hear stories of woe from parents of traditional age college students about how their child’s undergraduate experience took longer than the anticipated four years. “My son spent six years in college because he majored in fraternities during his first two years” said one parent. All too frequently, students who complete eight full-time semesters in a bachelor’s degree program have either insufficient credits or lack required courses for graduation. Changing majors, dropping courses, poor academic performance and course scheduling mistakes are common reasons for an extended college experience. These extra semesters equate to higher out of pocket costs for parents and students and bigger student loans.
Fortunately there are strategies that can assist the traditional-age college student to complete their bachelor’s degree on time and, in some cases, ahead of schedule. Taking one or two summer courses every year, along with proper academic planning can enable a student to complete their plan of study a full semester ahead of time. This strategy can reduce both tuition and room and board costs and enables the student to begin the career search five months earlier than their classmates.
Many students at our sister University System of NH schools take advantage of Granite State College’s five week online spring courses or eight week summer term to build credits, then transfer these course credits into the plan of study at their ‘home’ college. Our online, evening and weekend course options allow students to complete the coursework while still working summer jobs and having adequate ‘beach time’. Registering for a summer course at Granite State College is both affordable and easy. The NH Transfer.org website allows students to make sure that the selected courses will transfer and meet their plan of study needs. My son is a communications major at Keene State College and by taking a summer course every year at GSC is on track to complete his degree requirements in December of his senior year. My checkbook is really liking that!
If you are interested in learning more about this and other accelerated graduation strategies drop me an e-mail at tom.oetinger@granite.edu .
I didn't wake up one morning and shout "I want to be an insurance clerk!" Nor did I dress as a customer service rep for career day in elementary school. It was not my lifelong dream to become a property manager. Yet, I have held all of these jobs, among others. No, when I was 10 years old, my usual response to the question "what do you want to be when you grow up?" was "a writer," or sometimes, "a pilot." Ok, yeah....I had my time when I wanted to be a celebrity too.....
So what happened? How did I get here, and what happened to the dream? Well, life happened, bills needed to be paid, and somehow in my "younger years" I got distracted from the goal of finishing my degree. Of course, it hasn't been all drudgery...life can be as fulfilling as we choose to make it, but I found myself wondering just when I gave up on what I
wanted for a career.
I find it liberating to be able to still ask myself what I want to do for the next several years, and realize that it's not too late to achieve my goals---namely completing an affordable bachelor degree, and pursuing a career that incorporates writing. That desire to finish what had begun as an idea so many years ago, combined with practical considerations like......life won't "stop" while I am a student....are some of the things which brought me to Granite State College. I love that we are part of the University of New Hampshire System, and that I can enjoy the benefit of studying alongside other adults with complex lives as well. Here I am able to learn, and at the same time still keep up with my life as a mother, wife, and employee.
Not only am I looking forward to the choices that will open up to me once I have my degree in journalism/marketing, but I cannot
wait to fill out one of those annoying employment applications and be able to put something down in the degree section. I confess that each time I have to bypass that section on the form I wince. I am 42 years old, and I am really tired of wincing! (Plus, not great for the "crow's feet" lines around my eyes!)
So, that's the rest of my school story...my reasons for finishing. How about you? What do you want to be?
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 find it interesting that as I travel around southern New Hampshire, speaking with prospective students who have been out of school for a while, who are looking at NH colleges to ease back and take part time classes; a familiar theme repeatedly surfaces:
FEAR.
So many working adults that have considered going back to college for career advancement education are hesitant or procrastinate because they're not sure they're up for it. Either they've been away from the education process too long, they believe that they can't fit it into their schedule or that an adult college degree is simply not affordable. For these individuals I can honestly say; "been there, done that!"
I started college as a traditional-age student at a large urban university. After a year and a half "life got in the way" of my college aspirations. A career opportunity pulled me away from my full time studies in Criminal Justice and into policing. My plan was to get settled into my job and return to college to finish my degree part-time. As you can guess that's not how things worked out. I ended up taking a 15 year summer break. I considered going back a number of times over the years, but the thought of the time it would take and the cost caused me to repeatedly put this idea on the back burner. When I hit my mid-thirties I recognized how important that a degree would be for my continued career success. This reality finally overcame my reservations and I bit the bullet.
In researching colleges in NH I discovered that Granite State College was my most affordable option and GSC offered me significant credit in transfer and through validating professional training. I still was a bit anxious about returning to school after such a long period of time, but after I started attending classes I discovered that most of my fellow students were in circumstances similar to my own. I found that I actually enjoyed the coursework and my time in class. It was a great feeling being able to finally earn my degree and walking in the graduation commencement with my wife and son in the audience made all of the time and effort worthwhile. So for those of you considering returning to college as an adult I have two words for you:
NO FEAR!
Having evening college classes are the best option for adults returning to school, but it's not always easy to be away from home. Granite State College offers nine community-based academic centers. GSC is known for its small classes, affordable tuition, and supportive faculty. What they don't talk about are the folks who make up the student body. As I sit in the foyer of the
Portsmouth Campus, doing my work study, I notice there is a group of women chatting near the microwave. They're here for their Winter Session classes which had just begun. When folks come in they are bundled up tight against the weather. After they arrive, they quickly unbundle themselves and settle in. One of the women had come in early to work on an assignment that was due that evening and she was warming her dinner in the microwave. The others had just arrived. They were now trading recipes.
"Last night, I made a soup because I had class tonight and I knew I wouldn't have time to cook. It turned out to be pretty good. I started with a chicken broth, then added hot sausage, kale, and potatoes. I threw in about a cup of frozen corn, to make it look pretty. Easy as that," said the first woman.
"That sounds wicked good! My current fave is oatmeal. I take 1 whole green apple cored and diced, and add to a hot bowl of oatmeal, topped with a handful of sliced almonds. It's tasty, easy to make, high in fiber and low in calories, " says one women, counting off the benefits on her fingers.
"Ooh, that sounds yummy!" exclaims the next, as all three women walk into their classroom.
Now that classes have begun and and the foyer is quiet again, I start to wonder what I'll have for dinner tonight.
Have you always dreamed of being a teacher but worry that it's too late to for you to change careers? We hear that frequently. Harriet Richardson Ames is proof that there are no limits to lifelong learning. She realized her goal of earning a bachelor's degree at one of our sister institutions just three weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday.
Regardless of your age or educational attainment, the teacher training education programs at Granite State College offer the perfect pathway to a career in education from an entry-level para-educator through an advanced endorsement. Somewhere there's a blackboard waiting for you.
If you don't have a bachelor's degree, Granite State offers affordable college study at locations all around New Hampshire. Our adult online degrees make it possible to get a college education without leaving the comfort of your own home.
Isn't it time for you to pursue your dreams and goals? Our post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs will help you make a difference in the life of a child. The question is "what are you waiting for?" So call or write -- it's YOUR turn to realize your dreams.
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!
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