College Financial Aid Time is NOW

[daveshoe]

For those of you that are trying to find out the actual cost of college aid,the thing that seems to be hardest to figure out is what the true cost of college is vs. the sticker price of college. I went through the process last year,and after becoming bruised and bloodied by the experience,I can say that it is among the worst,and also the best thing I ever went through. I am willing to answer any question that you may have,and want to make clear that this is not a business, just free advice.

For example,your high school quidance counselor will tell you to fill out your FASFA form to find out what programs you may qualify for. WRONG--you need to fill it out soon,but not before you locate a FASFA calculator to predict what will happen when you fill out the form ''for real'',and situate your finances to get the most favorable outcome. I can show you where to go to find this information,who your friends will be in the process,and what to avoid.

Our experience involved sports scholarships,academic scholarships,and discovering the best way to situate our finances prior to the filing for FASFA[Free Application For Federal Student Aid] that should be completed by Feb 30th. Some schools want it filed by the 15th. I would also strongly recommend that you get your income tax filed before FASFA is filed.

Even if the process results in you having to say ''no'' to your kid's first choice college,I believe that making them part of the process is a heck of a good way to show them how the world works,and the importance of a manageable college debt as a cornerstone of future financial health.

 

[Rman]

So how's Katie doing Dave?

 

[daveshoe]

Doing great! She just got her first semester credits and maintained her scholarship with a little breathing room. She will run her first track meet Saturday. More importantly,she is convinced that her prayers were answered,and that this college is the better choice than her first pick.

I really hope that I can have the opportunity to help a fellow TDR member out who is trying to sort out the sea of information that must be waded through before all the papers are signed. I will not soon forget the support I got from you guys when things took a bad turn last year.

 

[FOXY005]

OK ... ... ... You seem like you have some knoweledge in this field and any help would be appreciated.



My Question, my daughter will graduate with a BA in May of 2006

she is applying to several (5) schools for Grad School to obtain a Masters.



She plans to teach at the College level.



We have filed a FAFSA for all 4 years of her college tenure and got some financial aid.



We are unsure if filing a FAFSA for Grad School would get her any additional aid.



We have heard opinions both ways, but mostly that aid is not available for Grad School, I don't know one way or the other.



She is not into sports.



Probably dosen't matter but her GPA is 3. 99

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Of course this reminds me of a story.



When I was a pup I was talking about going out for cross-country. So my Dad asked "Are you thinking about going to college?" Well, I kind of stammered and mumbled a "Yeah, I've thought about it. " To which he replied "Well, you better think about getting a better paying job then. " :-laf



Sos, I rolled up my shirt sleeves, worked in a printing shop, washed dishes, mopped floors, cleaned toilets, joined the Army Reserves, and later taught classes and ran experimental studies, scored some scholarships and awards (God's doings not mine )



And when the dust settled I had three degrees and only $1500 in college loan debt. All that so I could smack a mule in the butt.



And just think I still don't know about lighting diesel fuel. :-laf

 

[daveshoe]

Foxy2005-- I am no expert on grad school financing,but I found some stuff on finaid.org that seems to pertain to it. You should be proud of your daughter's achievements with that GPA. Probably the best place to get good information on what is available is the financial aid department of her present college or the colleges that she has applied to for her graduate studies. They should have time to speak with you this month,before all the applications hit in Feb and March. The things that can increase her chances of getting a fellowship are the reputation [difficulty]of her present college,and perhaps if she wanted to pursue a traditionally male occupation like engineering.

I will poke around a little more and see what else I can find out

 

[FOXY005]

Daveshoe, Thanks



Yes we will be taking tours of several Universities in the near future and talking $$$ with them regarding Grants & Student Teaching Positions etc. , I just thought since it is "FAFSA Time" you could give me a heads up on if it is applicable to Grad School.



She is still on winter break this week, got all her applications, transcripts and letters of reccomendation mailed out to the 5 schools last week.



She will check with the University next week to see if the FAFSA applies to grad school, but I guess the only thing lost if we file and it is not applicable is the time spent doing the paperwork.



BTW OTD... ... ... She is working two jobs while attending school, so your not that special.

 

[Rman]

With a GPA like that grad school scholarships should be coming at you! I guess it's not in my field, but if I had a GPA like that and professor recommendations I sure know I wouldn't be paying to attend grad school.



I had the GI Bill and some various other grants pay for my schooling. It was time well served and I got rewarded for it, it's a program I sure hope the government continues.



Dave I'm glad to see your daughter succeeding, you did the right thing going to bat for her and I think you made the right choice! Wish her luck, I hope it's an indoor track meet, isn't it cold? haha

 

[Digger-Bear]

Foxy005



Finally, an area I can be useful (Lord knows I am no help when it comes to Cummins)… Prior to coming to Ky to chair the department, I ran the graduate art program at Louisiana State University.



I assume her goal is a PhD. If she is planning on teaching at a university level, she MUST have a terminal degree (PhD or MFA). Many of the hard sciences will allow you to bypass the MA ad work straight on the PhD. Some academic areas are pretty hard to find teaching gigs in. One way to make her more competitive is to interview colleges and see what type of assistantship they will offer her. If she is sitting in a library for her full time at school she will not be too attractive in the marketplace later on. If she gets a teaching assistantship she will be able to look for a university job with teaching under her belt. Way ahead of the game.



When I went through grad school, I taught from day one, worked horrible odd jobs, had no car (I did have a motorcycle), kissed miles of faculty tail, and lived in the worst slum in the city. I came through only 4 grand in debt and was hired three months before graduating.



More important than the money is to interview who her major professors will be. If they are jerks or sloth’s, even with a great assistantship, look elsewhere - her mental health counts for a lot…

 

[Rman]

Another tip for Foxy... If she' really committed, get the Phd. now... I have since graduated and worked, and well the returning to school sure isn't appealing right now. I wish I would have just gone through with it all at once, and then lived my life. Having a job and a family sure doesn't leave room for schooling. Just some food for thought, sacrafice a little while your young and it'll payoff greatly later. JMHO, I do miss college though.

 

[FOXY005]

Thanks for all the replies



Digger-Bear ... I will be sure to show her your post,

especially the last paragraph.



I think she has all your stated points covered,

your even in the chosen field.



She is going for a MFA



Thanks Again

 

[Digger-Bear]

No prob - Since I have hired, taught, and managed countless MFA's (plus authored LSU's grad Graphic Design program), you are welcome to contact me off list for advice. I am full of it - at least thats what my wife says - I assume she was talking about being full of advice...



;-)

 

[FOXY005]

LOL



Yeah, I think they all learn that "Full of It Line" in "Wifey 101" :-laf

 

[FOXY005]

Digger-Bear



Checked with my daughter (and let her read the posts) she has a good rapport with her Dept. Head who has been advising her and she has no questions right now.



But I will take a rain-check on your offer of advise for a later date if she comes up with anything It's always good to have a second expert opinion.



Thanks Again