Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Staff reports
The Financial Aid Office at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College has developed a list of tips and information useful for students aiming at higher education.
Anyone interested in continuing with higher education in today’s economy faces the difficulty of figuring out how to pay for it. Though a community college education is a great deal, the cost can still be daunting. That’s why the Financial Aid Office is there to help.
Financial Aid
Saving is the safest way to ensure you can pay for college, though few people have saved as much as they need. But it is still possible to finance an education through financial aid, which is awarded based on a number of factors.
The first step in securing financial aid is to complete a Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA will determine
your eligibility for federal, state, or institutional aid, and can be
completed online at fafsa.gov.
The earlier you apply, the better your chances are of getting the most
financial aid – and getting it in time to pay for your classes by the
time they begin. You must reapply for financial aid every year. If an
A-B Tech student needs help filling out the FAFSA, the Financial Aid
Office is offering the following workshops:
• Thursday, December 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Thursday, January 27, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
• Wednesday, February 9 from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Thursday, February 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
• Tuesday, March 8 from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Thursday, March 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Workshops will take place in the Rhododendron Building, Room 117.
Scholarships and Grants
Scholarships and grants come from a variety of sources and require
individual applications. According to College Foundation of North
Carolina, the state has more than $600 million a year available for
students; in addition, there is federal and college assistance
available.
Work-Study
Many colleges, including A-B Tech, offer work-study opportunities. Check
with the Financial Aid Office to learn more. You may also consider an
internship related to your course of study. (If the internship is paid,
you will also be earning money to put toward college while gaining
valuable, hands-on experience.) Check with your department to see what
internships are available. You can also plan internships with individual
employers in your field.
Loans
Take advantage of federal loans, which have lower interest rates than
private loans and accommodating repayment schedules. Be cautious about
borrowing from private lenders who usually offer easier access, but have
higher interest rates that make it much more difficult to pay back. It
is also important to not borrow more than you need.
Tuition Payment Plan
A-B Tech offers a payment plan for tuition and fees if you have repaid
all prior payment plans on time. The plan breaks the payment down into
three equal payments and is available online at abtech.edu.
Scholarship Tips
Though the majority of student aid comes in the form of federal loans
and grants, scholarships are a great option in paying for college. Money
for your education, ranging from a few hundred dollars to full tuition,
is given to you and you do not have to pay it back. Scholarships can be
based on any number of factors, including merit, athletics, need, and
group affiliation.
They do require time and effort to find and apply for, but they are well
worth it if you get the money. Here are some tips to help you maximize
your scholarship-seeking efforts.
Let the Search Begin
• Start your search for scholarships early. Do a personal inventory
to determine what types of groups might offer scholarships that are
applicable to you. Keep in mind what your plans are during and after
college, including academic, extracurricular, and career plans.
• Online scholarship searches have information on many awards and
match your profile with possible fits. Review these options carefully.
You should not have to pay to search.
• Know what scholarships are available to you locally. The number of
applicants will be lower than national scholarships so your chances are
increased.
• Visit the Financial Aid Office for the latest information for A-B
Tech students. Did you know that colleges disburse the majority of all
scholarships?
• Check with your employer, your parents’ employer, and membership
organizations. Job-related scholarships or assistance may be available.
Also, check with your high school guidance department if you are still
in high school for scholarship information and applications.
• Research your state’s scholarship program by contacting your state
Department of Higher Education. For North Carolina residents, the
website is www.ncgov.com/ToLearn.aspx.
Apply Yourself
• Apply a lot. Know the deadlines and requirements. Apply in order of
deadline. Consider making a folder for each scholarship and filing them
by their deadline so that none will slip through the cracks.
• Use your experiences, achievements, essays, recommendations, and
interviews to win the money you’re after. Keep in mind that the reader
will be asking him/herself, “Why should I give the money to this
person?” Be sure to answer that question in your essay. Do not
exaggerate any part of your history. Do, however, make a compelling case
as to why you should receive the money.
• Make sure your application is complete and correct. Before you send
it, have a parent, teacher, or friend read your application and essay
for grammatical errors as well as areas in which you can improve. Follow
directions carefully. For example, do not go over the word limit on the
essay.
• Make copies of everything you send. If anything is lost, you will
be able to replace it easily. File these copies in the corresponding
file folder for that scholarship.
• Be aware that scholarships may affect your financial aid package.
Talk to the Financial Aid Office to see how this might affect you.
A-B Tech Foundation Scholarships
Attend college affordably with help from the A-B Tech Foundation.
Scholarships of up to $1,000 are available for A-B Tech students. The
application process for Fall 2011 will begin after the first of the
year. You may apply online January 11 – March 31, 2011 at
abtech.edu/foundation/scholarships.
