Preparing for college requires quite a bit of homework. First, you need to find a field of study that you’re interested in. Then, you have to determine if that field of study can provide you with the life you want to lead once you have completed college and start into the workforce. Once you have narrowed your programs, then you have to find the right post-secondary options that can provide you with the education necessary to work in that field. After that, you should visit them all, and further narrow your choices. As you and your family parse through this entire process, one thing weighs in the back of your mind. Can I afford it?
Sure, your neighbor went off to college last year and received a scholarship to attend. Yes, your cousin is in college and never seemed to worry about how they were going to afford it. Your Mom says there is this thing called financial aid. A guidance counselor at your school suggested that you should look into a grant. Even with all of that information, this question continues to weigh on you. You ask yourself… What if I cannot get a scholarship or a grant? What does financial aid even mean!?!
It is these questions (and others like them) that make some potential students put-off (or not start at all) their post-secondary education in hopes that the answers will become more clear in time…or maybe next year will be better…or maybe they just decide it’s not worth the effort. In all of the uncertainly, lack of information, confusion, or just because some are scared of what they do not know, a potential students future is put into question. THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE YOU!
Financial Aid is not as scary as it may seem. As a matter of fact, it is a pretty straight forward process. Further, while many colleges encourage you to complete all the financial aid steps on your own, WVJC does the exact opposite. Once you have determined that an allied health career, Legal Career, Business career, or IT field career is for you, WVJC will actually walk you and your family through every step of the financial aid process.
Not only do our financial aid professionals assist you with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but they then walk you through your entire program from a financial aid standpoint, showing you what you may qualify for in scholarships, grants, and loans. They even will help you set personal payments to reduce the amount of money you may need to borrow in federal student loans. They walk you through your financial life as a college student with the goal of keeping you in the best personal situation possible to fulfill your needs and obligations. What does all this mean for you? NO GUESSING!
So, as you navigate your college search process, remember that financial aid does not have to be scary. Use the help that exists, ask questions when you don’t understand, and work toward the answers that you need to make the best and informed decision that you can!