Financial Aid Applications Surge in 2008 As Employment Declines

In tough economic times, individuals often return to education and pursue financial aid opportunities. This year, slowdowns in the employment market and rising costs have created a record surge in such financial aid applications and some wonder if states and colleges have the money and resources to fund the continuing trend.

While businesses have been laying off workers or outsourcing jobs, they are still looking for more qualified job hunters to fill new positions created by advances in technology and shifts in marketing focus. Although customer service and some programming jobs are in decline, employers are seeking individuals with college educations in engineering, nursing, and some types of computer science. Many people who have been laid off see little choice but to return to school and advance toward a career in one of the fields with the biggest demand.

» Read more: Financial Aid Applications Surge in 2008 As Employment Declines

Related posts

Tags:

Financial Aid For Women and Minorities

Depending on where you live and where you will attend college, you may also be eligible to receive financial aid from the few billion dollars contributed by state governments. Again, many states operate their own programs for students in special circumstances.

To find out more, contact the career center or guidance counseling office at your high school, or the financial aid office at the colleges that interests you.

» Read more: Financial Aid For Women and Minorities

Related posts

Tags:

Student Financial Aid Award Letters

Once you receive an award letter you have moved up the financial aid ladder one rung. You have moved from financial aid applicant to financial aid recipient. The award letter, or letters if you have applied to more than one school, can and should be used as a critical tool in your decision about where to attend school. More and more students are waiting for their award letters before they make their intentions known by the national day of intent deadline of May 1. This strategy has not gone unnoticed by financial aid offices around the nation. We all strive to get our letters out, especially to incoming freshman prospects, as soon as possible.

Why this is a good strategy is evident when you look at more than one award letter. Awards among schools can vary by thousands of dollars even to the same student. And, as any one can attest, there is an intensely persuasive quality to waving money in front of someone’s face. For students who have the ability and resources to apply to more than one school, most financial aid advisors would strongly suggest you do. People in financial aid offices call this strategy “getting to yes.” Once the institution has accepted you and you have received an award offer, you hold all the cards. Now, with a stacked hand, you can decide what institution you wish to attend and you also have the ability to use your award letter from a competitor’s institution to ask whether your school of choice can sweeten the pot to keep you from “jumping ship.”

» Read more: Student Financial Aid Award Letters

Related posts

Tags: