Hey college students!Follow

Nexa would you mind if I asked what you did for a living?

Too bad you don't live around here, I could use a service like that right now.

I keep thinking I should go to college instead of just sitting in this particular office, but I'm lazy and don't like change much.

So just take one class. See if your employer would pick up the tab and/or give you time off to attend. You'd get a chance to meet new people and learn something.

Someday down the road, if you decide you really want to give it a go, you'll have accumulated some credits from taking a class here and there and you won't have to go for as long!

Nexa

Well, depending on what you want to do for schooling, that shouldn't be a problem. If you want to go for a four year degree, many of the courses you will need to take are what are called "general education requirements" at most schools. Meaning, besides the classes for your major, you'll have a ton of general classes to take like English, Algebra, a lab science, etc. These are easy to pick away at since all students have to take them, they offer them at several different times and many are often offered online. Again, if you're not sure what you want to major in, most universities allow students to go undeclared for at least their first year and just work on their general classes.

As far as financial aid goes, applying is free and obligates you to absolutely nothing. It just makes sure it is there if you decide to use it. If there is any chance you might want to go to school in the 06-07 school year, complete the FAFSA. Then it will be there if you want it.

Short explanation of the FAFSA:
1. You fill it out (for free).
2. The Federal gov. analyzes your income and some other factors to come up with your "Expected Family Contribution" or EFC. This is a number that signifies what the feds calculate that *you* should be able to contribute financialy to your own education. Let's just say yours is $200.
3. They send this number to all of the schools you listed on your fafsa (you can add more later if you change your mind).
4. The schools look at the cost of attendance at their school (Tuition+Room and Board if applicable+Fees+Books+some misc. expenses). Then, they see what your EFC is. The goal of the financial aid office is then to do their best to make up the difference with grants, scholarships, and loans (very low interest student loans, some that are even subsidized by the goverment so that they don't accrue interest until 6 months after you graduate). This is why the cost of the school matters little if they have enough financial aid to give out. If you want to go to a school that costs $2k, they'll try to come up with $1,800 for you. If you want to go to a school that costs $10k a year, and your EFC is $200, they'll try to come up with $9,800 in aid for you. Of course, this all rests on what you qualify for.
5. They send you an award letter with their proposed aid package and you can accept it or not.

Now, you will generally find that if you want to get financial aid, you'll need to be going at least half-time (2 classes per semester) but that varies from place to place, so ask your universities.

Nexa



Edited, Wed Feb 1 10:42:08 2006 by Nexa

I wish it got mine. There's good money in it.

During High School, I always thought that my Reading/Language Arts skills was above my math skills, but I would always remain baffled when I would see my test scores on either the FCAT (stupid Floridian test, don't bother asking), SATs, ect. and my Math was MUCH greater than my reading.

On top of that, I'm good with handling money (cept for my own, of course. .) I've been asked to balance checkbooks, figure tax equations out, and such on numerous occations. So, I guess Accounting would be best suited for me.

I'm just such a little ***** when it comes to change for some reason. It gets on my nerves, but I just can't help it at times.

Fixed (URL).

Bookmarked the link.

I'm a bit busy at the moment with work, but it's something I definitly have to sit down and read. Thanks, Nexa.