This is an issue that is important to many college students today, as well as their parents, who, combined make up a large portion of the population. It's especially important to me right now, perhaps more so than many others. I just heard back from one of the schools that I want to go to in the fall. They told me that, in essence, "We aren't giving you any scholarships, but here's some loans that you can take out."
I'm a little ticked off. I understand why it happened, though. I have a 4.0 GPA, 94 hours completed, and, among other things, 1 second place and 5 first place awards in the ACC math competition. I am a multiple time gold member of the honor society. I have, in essence, an almost perfect student record, and it shows that I work hard and apply myself.
But my parents earn too much money. They aren't paying for my schooling, but, because I'm still living at home, saving money, and doing school the smart way, I am counted as a dependent. I filled out the FAFSA, and my expected parental contribution was more than the cost of tuition plus room and board. The thing is, I'm not going to be getting any of that money.
I'm also a transfer student. I was advised multiple times to apply as a freshman and retake my classes - there's more money for new students, and I'm not the only person who has received this advice. This make absolutely no sense to me; I am a transfer student because I took as many of my classes as cheaply as I could. Being a transfer student also means that I have a proven track record - with the qualities listed above, I'm much less of a "gamble" than the majority of incoming freshman would be. I made the decision that I am not going to spend another two years retaking classes - there's no way that could be worth it to me, even with the extra scholarship money.
I think that the way we fund education should be changed. I understand how incredibly important it is to help the poor, to work with them to elevate them in life and education, as studies have shown how beneficial it can be for them.
But I disagree that they should get a free ride, while I am encouraged to take out loans. I understand the value of a good education, and will not stop until I have one. I work hard. I have never failed a class, and I think that nobody who truly values their education will.
There are plenty of resources in place that I think are very helpful. My government class this semester has regular SI sessions, and I have attended every one. According to the session leader, those who attend the sessions regularly typically get at least a letter grade higher on their final grade.
ACC also has a free tutoring center, where students can go and get tutoring and help in almost any class. I have not personally used it very much, but the times I have, it has been incredibly helpful.
They have counselors and advisors, so you always have someone to ask for advice, about what classes you should take, or what degree plan you should follow.
I think that, because all of these services are available as part of the tuition, that scholarships should not be based so heavily on perceived financial need, but on how well you are doing in school. I understand that people will have a hard time with paying for school, if they don't have money already. But I also think that all of the resources that they need are already there, and are free, to help them excel in their classes. Thus, I think that we should award more scholarships to the people who do well in school, regardless of their financial status.
The government plays a large role in this; but their money is spent in large on "financially-needy students." I really believe that more of the money should be spent on the top students, those who have shown, time and time again, that they can excel, and truly deserve the money and the education.
I completely agree with your position on this subject. I think top students should be the first so be rewarded with scholarships regardless of students’ financial situations unless their parents are millionaires or something. The money is put to better use when scholarships are given to the students who are taking school serious and trying to achieve something great rather than just skating by and doing the minimum, yet still receiving free education. I also think it is smarter to take those entry level classes at a community college where it’s cheaper and you seem to have more resources and options available to help you succeed in the beginning, where if you go straight into a university from high school, you can’t get that one on one help in class and the tuition is much higher. University’s should look into that and give those students like you more credit and more consideration for scholarships because those are going to be the students that make them look good and they will be the ones to succeed.
ReplyDeleteI can really see your disagreement on the way school funding is distributed. I am not so clear though if you believe that the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should change their policies or whether individual colleges and universities should provide more scholarship opportunities for honor students. I think that the governments FAFSA funding may not be distributed in the greatest manner, but I do think it’s reaching out to many students who truly want an education though cannot afford one.
ReplyDeleteGovernment should work on academically raising the bar higher for those wanting to receive financial aid. Currently they have a required minimum of a 2.0 GPA (which is extremely low). There is also a minimum of hours that the student must be enrolled and they have a maximum time frame pointing out a time in which the student should finish his or her degree. Raising the bar may reduce the amount of money distributed to students who honestly do just take advantage of the system. Government should also expand their funding to reach middle class students who much like yourself and I seem to have “too much money” when in reality we do not and truly do need financial aid.
Like I said, our Government may not have the greatest system to distribute financial aid, but they do reach many who use the money wisely for their education. I agree with you as you state that those who have shown, time and time again, that they can excel, truly deserve the money. My personal opinion is that there should be more scholarship opportunities available with much higher standards than those that government aid sets. This will allow honor students to receive financial aid based upon their excellence level in school. We all deserve education regardless of how well we do in school, but it would be great if more financial rewards were available for those who move above and beyond standard expectations.