Things You Should Know When Applying for Financial Aid

How early should I apply for Financial Aid?

When should I apply for Financial Aid; the earlier the better award monies are determined on the 1^st come, 1^st serve bases. Students who wait and apply after deadlines are less likely to qualify for any additional grant monies that could be potentially awarded. Students and families should know that if the prospective student is under the age of 25 they will be required to provide parental financial information in order to apply for aid. This information is required whether or not the student still resides in the home. However, there are mitigating circumstances that would allow for a student to have this information excluded from the FAFSA. In addition, grandparents who have 529’s and E.S.A.’s for their grandchildren should not have those monies calculated on the students FAFSA; unless the parents are the primary account holders.  These are factors not many institutions will share with the prospective student. Keep in mind when applying for Federal Student Aid the students must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen; males would need to register for Selective Service between the ages of 18-25. If they apply after the age of 25 they would have to show cause to Selective Service as to why they had not applied in a timely fashion. Also, the student must show they are qualified to obtain a college or career school education. For more information contact my office at 267-428-1202 or visit website www.aspirefinancialaid.com . Follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aspirefinancialaid and sign up to receive news and tips with respect to Financial Aid.

written by Celina Canada-Johnson

President of Aspire Financial Aid

The Pain of Not Using A FAFSA Preparer

Too Poor for College too Rich for Financial Aid

The reality for some people looking to make a career change or wanting to obtain a higher education can either be their too poor for college, but too rich for financial aid. Federal Financial Aid is a need based aid calculated by using the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) this number determines participant’s eligibility for federal student aid.  With the cost of tuition rising yearly and the complexity of understanding the FAFSA many families inadvertently undermine their chances of maximizing their aid by completing the task without professional assistance. Students and parents should be aware that the Federal Student Aid Program is a need based aid and if families cannot demonstrate a financial need for assistance they are less likely to get any assistance from the Federal government. Financial Aid can be a complicated subject having the assistance of FAFSA preparer who has in-depth knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations with respect to the Federal Student Aid program mistakes are likely to be made.  Let me help contact Aspire today at 267-428-1202 and sign up for my email list for news & information on with respect to Financial Aid http://bit.ly/1MnrHN5 . Also, follow me on FB https://www.facebook.com/aspirefinancialaid

written by: Celina Canada-Johnson

President of Aspire Financial Aid Services

Is your Education Valid?

According to StudentAid.gov Accreditation is the recognition that an institution maintains standards requisites for its graduates for admissions to other reputable institutions of higher learning; or to achieve credentials for a professional practice. Without accreditation, other schools and/or employers would have no way to tell if your degree or certificate is legitimate. In fact, many colleges and/or universities won’t accept transfer credits without the credits coming from a recognized accredited school. 

 The Goal of Accreditation is to ensure that the education provided by the institution of higher learning meets acceptable levels of quality. Furthermore, just because a school participates in the Federal Student Aid Program, commonly known as Financial Aid does not mean that the Department of Education endorses the quality of education the school offers. Consumers should be advised that the Department of Education does not approve a schools curriculum, policies and/or administrative practices; however they do approve the administration of the Federal Student Aid Program.

Consumers are encouraged to aggressively vet Admissions Counselors who are in all actuality Sales Representatives at for-profit schools before making the decision to enroll.  You want to ensure that if you plan to further your education sometime in the future the credits you’ve earned are transferable. Many colleges won’t accept transfer credits without a recognized accreditation.  Although accreditation does not guarantee the quality of your education; it does provide that there is oversight. 

There are 2 basic types of Educational Accreditation:

1. Institutional – Each of the institutions parts is contributing to the achievement of the institutions objectives which are all at the same level of quality.
2. Specialized – Applies to the evaluation of programs, departments or schools which are usually interconnected parts of a total collegiate or other post-secondary institution.  In addition, unit accredited programs may be as large as a college or school within a university; or a small discipline within a curriculum.

Unaccredited institutions are considered diploma mills and not recognized by the Department of Education (DOE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); many diploma/degree mills receive their accreditation from unrecognized agencies. To ensure you’re not being taken for a ride check for accreditation with CHEA and/or the DOE. It’s the way the higher education industry determines whether an education is valid. 

Written by Celina Canada-Johnson

#BloggingBrilliantly

Can't Find a Job After High School

I went to trade school in order to learn a skill, and get a job that would help me take care of my family financially. What I didn’t know was the diploma I was getting wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on. I searched high and low for employment but employer after employer asked what accredited college credits I had in order to get the job. Essentially my heart was broken I felt like I had been lied too most of all I was angry time had been wasted because I still needed to get a college education.  When you want a better life for yourself but you don’t want to spend years in school for the education you fall for the Admissions tale hook line and sinker. That is how low-income students without high school diploma are being baited into borrowing thousands of dollars for school and are unable to get a decent job in order to pay back their loans. The reinstitution of the ATB test  is what I consider another form of deceit used to admit students without a high school diploma knowing many will not make the cut and/or will only get a job paying no more than their currently making.

 In my opinion, the ATB tests aren’t benefiting anyone other than the for-profit institutions that administer them.  They have low-income students take the ATB test in order to be admitted to their school in hopes of a better life. And, when the student is finally employed the likelihood the loans are repaid is slim to none because the job they have doesn’t pay enough to take care of the

family and pay off the student loans.  What admissions reps fail to say to potential student is that many employers are likely to select a candidate with a high school diploma as oppose to one who does not have a high school diploma.  Why throw a person with already so little means into thousands of dollars of debt?  To me, for-profit schools are exactly what they say they are for-profit at the cost of who and whatever.

So if for-profit schools continue to admit student without a high school diploma the one thing employers look for at the start of the hiring process what chance do person have to really get ahead?  I understand certain circumstances may arise in the lives of people; but what I don’t understand is why the Department of Education would reinstitute the approval of the ATB test for those who have not received a high school diploma or GED. I’m not saying that people should not be given a chance in life but what I am saying is what are the chances the student without the  high school diploma  gets the job over the student with the high school diploma? 

Written by Celina Canada-Johnson

#BloggingBrilliantly