Taman Siswa

It is in the government’s best interest that its citizens be well educated. For that reason, there is a system to provide college monies for those who can demonstrate need.

To qualify for financial aid, a student must complete the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) either on paper or online. Using the information from the FAFSA, the government determines what parents can reasonably be expected to contribute to the education of their child. That is subtracted from the cost of the college of choice. What remains is the financial aid need.

That need will be met through grants, work-study programs, scholarships and loans.

If a family’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is somewhat high, the aid may come only as a loan. If a college tells you that financial aid will cover everything, ask how much will come from grants and scholarships and how much from loans. If the loan is going to be a large amount, you may want your student to choose a less expensive school. The quality of a college is not determined by the cost.

Check the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation (www.window.state.tx.us/scholars/schools) for extensive information about Texas private and public schools. This resource provides the “resident” and the “commuter” budget for each school. The amount includes tuition, fees, books and living expenses either in a dorm or off campus. With that information, parents are able to compare the cost of different colleges. The website also lists admission requirements and types of financial aid available at each college.

Education beyond high school is important in today’s competitive job market. College is expensive, but the return on the investment is great.

I once had a student who came to my office daily to type scholarship applications because she had no computer at home. She completed her FAFSA at the earliest possible time. She put in many hours, but the payoff was big.

It can be done, and for seniors, it needs to be done soon.

Carole A. Bell

(Carole A. Bell is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a retired public school educator and counselor.)

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