Education Tips
EDUCATION TIPS
- Make sure your financial aid package is ready before the start of the semester!
Check with the financial aid office to make sure you have been awarded your financial aid package. If not, it may be possible that your file is not complete and paperwork is missing.
You’ll also want to make sure you have enough money to cover any gaps between the cost of your school and financial aid you’ve been offered. Consult your financial aid office to inquire about solutions to cover the gap as well as your educational/vocational counselor. In some cases, there are special circumstances where your financial aid can be reevaluated due to an individual’s and/or family’s finances not being reflected accurately on the FAFSA.
- Consider what a reasonable course schedule is for you!
Before registering for classes, most students will meet with their academic advisor. Some advisors may strongly recommend taking a full course load to finish your degree sooner. Please beware and consider how many classes make sense for you! If you have never been to college or have been out of school for a while, consider taking a part-time course load so you can adjust to college life and the demands of your course requirements. Sometimes, slow and steady wins the race…remember the story of the tortoise and the hare?
- “I think I registered for too many classes, now what do I do?”
During the first week of school, review the syllabus carefully for each class to see what the requirements and assignments are. If you think it is too much, talk with your advisor and/or educational/vocational counselor, and consider dropping a class DURING THE ADD/DROP PERIOD which is typically the first week of school. If you drop classes during add/drop period, students will not be financially penalized, but your financial aid may be readjusted. Withdrawing after the add/drop period may possibly result in a balance owed to the school.
Please review the withdrawal policy before school starts and CONSULT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE PRIOR to dropping or adding classes as this could affect your financial aid status!
Remember: Careful planning will avoid any headaches down the road!
- Seek out Disability Services
If you think that you may need academic accommodations such as extra time for test taking, taking an exam in a distraction free room, copies of notes, tutoring, etc.…, please schedule an appointment with the disability office as soon as you can. Documentation from a licensed professional will be required to receive academic accommodations. Generally, information required is documentation of a disability, functional limitations and types of academic accommodations needed to succeed at school. Information is confidential-not shared with instructor!
Some students may feel that they do not need academic accommodations, but it may be good to have it in place just in case, as you cannot receive accommodations retroactively! Disability services can be a very valuable resource should you have any questions or concerns regarding school.
You can now complete the FAFSA earlier!
If your financial aid package was not ready before the start of school, what did you do?
How did you decide what a reasonable size courseload was for you?
What steps did you take in order to avoid withdrawing from a class?
Use the comments below to answer!