College? Me? But How Do I Pay For It?
Nov 20 '00
I was a non-traditional student. I did not fit the role of the "usual" college student. I quit high school at 17, got my GED at 18, had a baby at 18, and here I was at 19 thinking that I should probably go back to school and get a few skills to do something to support myself and my child. My choice was to go to the local community college. It wasn't that far from home and plus, it was less expensive. But it still cost money to go and money was one thing that I did not have much of.
So off I went to the school's financial aid office. They handed me 2 forms--the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) and a state grant form. The pages seemed endless, my tax information, my dependents information, you know what I mean. I didn't think that it would make much difference if I filled them out or not, but I went ahead with the procedure. I turned them back in and waited. And waited. And waited for the state to accept or decline me. Then someone that knew my family told me about a program called JTPA that would pay for my tuition, books, childcare while I was in school, and travel. I thought, "Great! Might as well give it a try." I went down to my local office, which happened to be in the next county, and applied. I took a test and they approved me.
All I had to do was keep my GPA above a 2.0 and I was good to go.
It was so much easier to not have to constantly worry if I had the money to attend, for childcare, or for the gas getting there. I could concentrate on my studies more without having to worry.
However, this program is NOT for everyone. They go by your financial need, so if you come from a well-to-do family, and you are not on your own, you will most likely be turned down for assistance. They like promoting the education of single parents, so if you have a child, you might be more likely to gain assistance than you would without having a child. And finally, it is a one-time deal. If you screw it up by not going to class, or letting your grades slip and they drop you from the program, you cannot go to them again for assistance.
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Epinions.com ID:
barbwire22
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Member: Barbra Wolfe
Location: Morganfield, KY
Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
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