Connect with us

Student Loans

Coalition Application Allows You to Explain Your COVID-19 Hardships

Published

on

Do you know about the Coalition for College? Its mission is to help students, especially those traditionally underserved in higher education, learn about, prepare for and apply to college. All 150+ Coalition member schools support lower-income, under-resourced, and/or first-generation students and provide responsible financial aid to support their success in college and beyond. For more background, check my previous Coalition comments.


High school students who will be applying to any of the Coalition schools will have the opportunity to detail any COVID-19-related circumstances that have made their lives difficult during the ongoing pandemic. This summer, the Coalition will add a question to its application that enables students and counselors to describe how the pandemic has impacted education at their schools, as well as life at home. Here’s how that will work:

For students, both first-year and transfer, an optional checkbox-style question will allow them to choose the statements (shown below) that describe how COVID-19 has affected their ability to engage in schoolwork. Statements cover a range of impacts, allowing students to indicate whether they’ve dealt with unreliable access to the internet or a home computer, for example, or if they or a parent/guardian have suffered job losses or have been designated as essential workers. An optional text field will be available for students who choose to add more detail.

On their portion of the application, counselors will also have a checkbox-style question to describe the changes in educational delivery and assessment at their school, with an optional text field to share more information, if desired. Counselors can complete this question once for all students at their school.

Transfer students will also be provided with checkboxes that allow them to describe any changes to the grading policy reflected on their college transcripts, indicating whether their schools changed the grading policy for all students, provided students with a choice in how their grades would be assigned, or made no changes.

Consider the Guiding Principles of This Change

To arrive at this approach, the Coalition worked with advisors from community-based organizations, school counselors and member colleges and universities in order to create questions that align with three guiding principles:

  • Limit the burden on students as much as possible,
  • Be efficient for counselors as they complete recommendations for all of their students, and
  • Provide data that is meaningful for college admissions offices.

While the pandemic and the broad societal changes it caused made the need for such an update to the application clear, the Coalition’s question may also be used to address how other events, like natural disasters, have disrupted a student’s education.

Here is that optional student question mentioned above:

Natural disasters and emergency situations like the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the lives of many students and their families. While entirely optional, you may share information here regarding how any of these events have affected you or your family circumstances.

Check all of the following that apply to you:

I had inconsistent or unreliable access to home internet and/or a computer, laptop or tablet.

At least one parent/guardian lost their job or was unable to work.

I lost my job or was no longer able to work.

At least one parent, guardian or caretaker was considered an essential worker (e.g. healthcare worker, grocery store employee, public transportation driver, first responder, sanitation worker) and was required to work.

I was considered an essential worker and required to work.

My community had a curfew affecting the hours I could travel, use electricity, or access the internet.

My home responsibilities (i.e. childcare, elder care, etc.) substantially increased or changed.

My health was affected.

A member of my household’s health was affected.

None of these apply to me.

I would like to provide additional information. (Text box appears providing for 300 words max)

For counselors:

Counselors will be provided this question, with the ability to complete it once for all students at their school:

In light of natural disasters and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, many schools have made significant adjustments to their academic schedule, course offerings, method of instruction and grading and testing policies. If you wish, you may share information here regarding how your school or organization has responded to these events.

Check all of the following that apply to you:

There were no significant changes.

We ended the school year early.

The school year was extended.

Instruction was conducted online/virtually.

Due to access and equity issues, our school/district was not able to provide an online/virtual learning experience

Students picked up or were mailed hardcopy homework packets.

All students were required to take their courses pass/fail.

Students were given the choice to take their courses pass/fail, receive a grade, or receive an altered assessment method.

Students received grades from Spring 2020 but they are not included in GPA and/or class rank calculation.

Our school discontinued or modified operations as a standardized testing center.

I would like to provide additional information. (Text box appears providing 200 words max)

Regarding transfer students:

Because transfer students may also need to relay academic changes at their schools, they will have the opportunity, via a checkbox question and optional additional text, to share whether and how grading policy changed for them, via the following options:

My school changed its grading policy for all students.

My school allowed students to choose how their grades would be assigned (e.g. pass/fail, credit/no credit, letter grades).

My school did not change its grading policy.

I would like to provide additional information. (Text box appears providing 300 words max)

I think this addition will offer a significant boost to students’ efforts as they apply to college. Many have had to deal (and are dealing) with difficult circumstances caused by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Having the opportunity to articulate those challenges will make for an even more transparent and, hopefully, successful college process.

——————

By: Dave Berry
Title: Coalition Application Allows You to Explain Your COVID-19 Hardships
Sourced From: insights.collegeconfidential.com/covid-19-hardships
Published Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2020 13:26:47 +0000

Did you miss our previous article…
https://getinvestmentadvise.com/student-loans/top-5-bank-stocks-to-watch-q2-analysis-2020-dividend-growth-investing/

Continue Reading
Advertisement Attention Stock Investors

Student Loans

I SOLD A.I. ART ON ETSY FOR 30 DAYS! – A.I SIDE HUSTLE RESULTS

Published

on

Continue Reading

Student Loans

Apply Online For Student Loans

Published

on

Apply Online For Student Loans

Applying online for student loans is a convenient and efficient way to secure funding for your education. Whether you are facing financial difficulties or simply want to keep your debts to a minimum, student loans can help alleviate the financial burden while you focus on your studies.

One of the main advantages of student loans is that they typically offer lower interest rates compared to other types of loans. Additionally, repayment is often deferred until after you graduate, giving you time to establish your career and increase your income potential.

By applying online, you have access to a wider range of lenders, allowing you to compare different loan offers and choose the one that best suits your needs. Look for lenders offering competitive interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and any additional incentives that may be available.

Student loans can be used to cover various expenses related to your education, including tuition fees, housing, course materials, and living expenses. While your personal bank may be willing to provide a student loan, applying online gives you more options and potentially better terms.

However, it’s important to remember that student loans are still loans, and you should borrow responsibly. It’s advisable to budget regularly and avoid unnecessary purchases or luxuries to ensure you can manage your loan repayments in the future.

Before applying for student loans, explore other options such as scholarships, grants, or parental funding. These resources can help reduce the amount you need to borrow and minimize your financial obligations.

Lastly, it’s crucial to have confidence in your ability to secure a salary that will enable you to meet your loan repayments after graduation. Work hard to achieve the grades and qualifications necessary for your desired career, as this will increase your chances of finding a well-paying job.

In conclusion, applying online for student loans can provide you with the financial support needed to pursue your education. However, it’s important to borrow responsibly, explore other funding options, and plan for a successful career to ensure you can manage your loan repayments effectively.

Continue Reading

Student Loans

Webinar Recap: How COVID-19 is Affecting Financial Aid

Published

on

Many families are facing new financial challenges in light of the coronavirus emergency, and College Confidential has fielded dozens of questions on this topic recently. To address those queries, we hosted a webinar on April 9 entitled “Paying for College Amid Changes Due to the Impact of COVID-19.”


During the event, moderated by Aaron Murphy, manager of learning and development with Inside Track, the following panelists offered their perspectives on the issue:

  • Denise Trusty, director of financial aid with Morehead State University
  • Laura Reisert Kalinkewicz, associate vice president of college partnerships with RaiseMe
  • Amy Nelson, director of sales at International Scholarship and Tuition Services
  • Charlie Javice, founder and CEO of Frank.

Check out the following topics that the panelists discussed, along with their views of how things may unfold amid the financial challenges brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.

Family Finances Changed? Contact Your Schools

If you plan to start college in the fall as a freshman — or return to school as an existing student — and your financial situation has changed since you applied for financial aid, you should contact the colleges on your list immediately. Financial aid departments can consider appeals for more money, but must base these decisions on each individual student’s situation, Trusty said.

“I know with Morehead State, where I work, we will be doing professional judgement calls on all students who say they’ve been affected,” she noted. “We will reach out to those students to see what we can do to help them maybe obtain additional funding, additional grants, scholarships, whatever they would be eligible for. We do professional judgment all the time for our students, because things happen all the time. This year will be an especially large amount of those, I’m sure, but those are up to individual schools to make that call for their students.”

In addition, she added, the Department of Education has set aside over $6 billion for additional grants and scholarships that the universities will be able to use. “Currently, I don’t know how that’s all going to play into this,” Trusty said. “So that will be up to each individual university on how they lay those out. I know it will be beneficial, I just don’t know how available that will be to each student.”

Keep in mind that schools are accustomed to reviewing financial aid appeals, and they all have processes in place for to do so. “It is really, really important to know that schools typically leave a budget from 10 percent to 20 percent or so of their financial aid dollars for what would be called a professional judgment bucket,”Javice said. “Therefore, there is additional money to be had, and it’s up to you to request it. You should approach your school as soon as you know you might need more money, and be prepared to show supporting documentation demonstrating how your finances are different from when you filed your FAFSA initially. This might require proof of a job loss, medical bills, a cut in pay or another such issue, Javice said.

In addition, if another school gave you a better financial offer, you can petition the school that gave you the lower offer for more money, Javice noted. “This typically works better for private institutions versus public state schools, given the fact that they have a little bit more discrepancy and more dollars to put to work in terms of a tuition discount,” she added. “This is solely up to the school on a case by case basis.” In some cases, the money is distributed on a first come, first serve timeline, so don’t wait if you know you need more aid.

Although financial aid can be a stressful topic, try not to be emotional when you request more money, Javice added. You’ll get a lot further by having organized documentation to present than you would by getting angry or upset, she noted.

Consider Outside Scholarships

The coronavirus situation has changed plans not only for incoming freshmen, but also for current college students, Nelson said. “Organizations are stepping up and trying to find ways to provide additional scholarship opportunities this year,” she noted. Students should be proactive in seeking those options.

Raise Me is offering new micro-scholarships for students who are seeking additional funding sources, Kalinkewicz said. In addition, she encourages students to ask colleges for more time to make decisions, even if the school hasn’t extended its deposit process. You can always try and request additional time to get your financial aid package right, she noted.

Finding more money is not relegated to younger students, Javice added. “Adult learners comprise the biggest group of people actually going to college today,” she noted. It’s very common for people to be seeking new types of skills and going back to college to gain additional degrees. Financial aid is available to adult learners, and they may even get aid to pay such costs as rent, she added. In addition, they can seek outside scholarships or employer-matching funds to pay for their educations.

Not Necessarily Too Late to File FAFSA

Students who didn’t file a FAFSA already should do that as soon as possible so you can get access to financial aid funds, Javice said. Federal FAFSA deadlines are usually in June, but states make their own deadlines for state aid. Some states, such as New Jersey, have moved their deadlines back for this year, so check to make sure you stay on top of your deadlines.

And if you file for financial aid and you decide you don’t want it, you can always decline the financial offer or portions of that offer, Nelson said. Your best bet is to apply so you can take what you need and decline any amounts you don’t need. Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, you should apply anyway because you could be surprised at what you’re offered. “You really need to complete that [FAFSA] process every year,” Nelson said. “The process is very easy, and jobs can come and go. It’s your safety net and you want to make sure you’ve completed it. It makes it a whole lot easier when situations like this arise.”

Some colleges also have supplemental applications to fill out for particular types of aid, so always reach out to your financial aid office for information on which documentation you should be completing, Kalinkewicz said.

Could Families — Not Schools — Be in the Driver’s Seat?

Because many merit scholarships are based on test scores and GPAs, some high school juniors are concerned that they won’t have access to those in the coming year. With test dates being canceled and grades moving to pass/fail, they fear they won’t meet the criteria to earn such scholarships.

“It’s clear to me that colleges and universities know the extraordinary circumstances we’re under,” Nelson said. “All schools are leaning forward and considering all options as the situation develops. I would continue to encourage juniors to stay engaged and stay informed.” You should also watch to see what happens with test dates, she said. The ACT and SAT dates could change, and some schools may forego the need for a test score altogether, she added.

In addition, some merit scholarships that have traditionally been based on test scores may become test optional, Kalinkewicz noted.

Keep in mind that in many cases, families are in the driver’s seat rather than having the colleges be in charge, Javice said. Some schools have lost revenue and are very eager for students right now, “so if you are scared because you thought you could never get into a specific school from an admission criteria standpoint, this is your year to stretch, this is your year to think about the schools that are your reach category and go for it, because schools need the money and need the students. So the power that used to be in an admissions office is in you, the student or the family’s hands,” she said.

She also advises juniors to request application waivers from schools to save the $50 to $100 or so per application that they would normally pay. The schools may say no, but it won’t hurt to ask, she advised. “Persistence is key when dealing with schools,” Javice noted.

Federal Student Loans Payment Suspended

As many families are aware, payments on federal student loans are automatically suspended from March 13 through September 30, 2020 thanks to the government’s CARES Act. This is essential to keep in mind, particularly for families that have multiple children in various stages of the college process.

“You will stop paying your loans and you will have zero interest from now until September 30, and that’s important for parents to know,” Nelson said regarding existing federal student loans. “If you had an auto draft, the auto draft has been shut off and will not continue. You can, however, continue to make those payments if you’d like, and any interest you had before March 13, once that interest is paid up, all your payments will go directly toward your principal.” She advises families with federally-backed loans to check with their loan servicing agents, because they have a lot of information for both parent and student borrowers on how the CARES Act will impact payments for the next six months.

Student Job Gone? Colleges Might Help

For students who expect to earn money via part-time or full-time work to pay for college, but can’t do so due to the coronavirus, colleges may have resources to help. “There are many colleges and universities that have put together emergency grants for students to cover expenses that they were maybe not expecting because of COVID-19,” Nelson said. “They are making accommodations to try and make up for that lost income for students.”

Trusty said Morehead State is continuing to pay students who were on federal work-study. “If they had a job, we are still paying them right now as if they were working, although they are not. In the summer, those funds will be flipped over to emergency grant funds. So we will make sure that our students are covered and can live as if they were employed with the work-study position.”

Some colleges have even made remote work available to students, Kalinkewicz added. Therefore, contact your financial aid office to determine if any accommodations are available to make up for lost student income whenever possible.

Consider Other Options to Save

If you are seeking ways to save money on college, you should also consider other resources, whether that means less expensive colleges, in-state options or potentially transferring down the road, Janice said. You can also save money by taking classes at a community college to pay a lower cost for your credits that can be transferred to a four-year college later.

“If you have that target institution in mind — maybe you’ve already been admitted there but your family has determined a year of community college will really help stretch things further — work on articulation agreements or a plan so you are taking the right classes that actually have the ability to transfer toward the degree you want at your target institution, not necessarily just as credit,” Kalinkewicz said.

In addition, many colleges offer merit aid for transfer students, she added. So always look for every potential financial aid and scholarship resource to best maximize your package and allow your dollars to stretch as far as possible.

Resource: To review the entire hour-long webinar, you can watch the replay here.

Share Your Thoughts

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Check out our forum to contribute to the conversation!

By: Torrey Kim
Title: Webinar Recap: How COVID-19 is Affecting Financial Aid
Sourced From: insights.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-amid-covid-19
Published Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2020 15:22:20 +0000

Did you miss our previous article…
https://getinvestmentadvise.com/student-loans/former-georgetown-ao-demystifies-elite-admissions-in-new-book/

Continue Reading

Trending