By: Emily Delomo and Maria Rodriguez Juliet Rodriguez-Perez
Incoming seniors get ready for the long road ahead! Although you have 1 year left in high school, college application season is right around the corner. There comes a time in every high school student’s life where they’re required to grow up. From one day to the next you will be expected to know how to write checks, file taxes, and provide for yourself. What’s more adult-like than college debt and finance? Most students in the United States are left with debt after they’ve earned their degrees and it all comes from bittersweet student loans. Generally, many students have no choice but to face them, but do our bushy eyed incoming high school seniors really know what student loans are? A student loan is a sum of money given to students, so they can pay for college-related expenses such as tuition, books, housing, and food. The most frequently talked about subject during the application process is F.A.F.S.A. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.) is filled out to help determine if you are eligible for state and federal financial aid. To both students and parents, the application process to F.A.F.S.A. is lengthy and aggravating. We put a few, incoming seniors, post-college to the test to see how prepared they are for the college financial aid application process. Few knew the actual difference between a grant and a loan. Now, what is the difference? Which is better? Is the difference extreme? The only major difference between the two is repayment. Grants are awarded to an individual by the government, trusts, and nonprofits; whereas loans are borrowed, and you must pay back the money lent to you. Student loans do have their pros, such as having low-interest rates and make getting a higher education easier for people that do not have the funds. At the same time, student loans have obvious disadvantages that everyone knows and raves about like the burden of being in debt, increased financial hardship
The most frequently talked about subject during the application process is F.A.F.S.A. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.) is filled out to help determine if you are eligible for state and federal financial aid. To both students and parents, the application process to F.A.F.S.A. is lengthy and aggravating. We put a few, incoming seniors, post-college to the test to see how prepared they are for the college financial aid application process. Few knew the actual difference between a grant and a loan. Now, what is the difference? Which is better? Is the difference extreme? The only major difference between the two is repayment. Grants are awarded to an individual by the government, trusts, and nonprofits; whereas loans are borrowed, and you must pay back the money lent to you. Student loans do have their pros, such as having low-interest rates and make getting a higher education easier for people that do not have the funds. At the same time, student loans have obvious disadvantages that everyone knows and raves about like the burden of being in debt, increased financial hardship
Few knew the actual difference between a grant and a loan. Now, what is the difference? Which is better? Is the difference extreme? The only major difference between the two is repayment. Grants are awarded to an individual by the government trusts and nonprofits; whereas loans are borrowed, and you must pay back the money lent to you. Student loans do have their pros, such as having low-interest rates and make getting a higher education easier for people that do not have the funds. At the same time, student loans have obvious disadvantages that everyone knows and raves about like the burden of being in debt, increased financial hardship
The most frequently talked about subject during the application process is F.A.F.S.A. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.) is filled out to help determine if you are eligible for state and federal financial aid. To both students and parents, the application process to F.A.F.S.A. is lengthy and aggravating. We put a few incoming seniors to the test to see how prepared they are for the college financial aid application process. Few knew the actual difference between a grant and a loan. Now, what is the difference? Which is better? Is the difference extreme? The only major difference between the two is repayment. Grants are awarded to an individual by the government, trusts, and nonprofits; whereas loans are borrowed, and you must pay back the money lent to you. Student loans do have their pros, such as having low-interest rates and make getting a higher education easier for people that do not have the funds.
At the same time, student loans have obvious disadvantages that everyone knows and raves about like the burden of being in debt, increased financipost-college, and the penalties when it comes to not paying your dues on time. There is one thing that gives college kids a run for their money…literally, money. Financial balance can be so stressful college students may find themselves pinching pennies. So, how do you approach this? We asked Junior Angelica Chavarro, if she was worried about how she and her parents were going to pay for college. She stated, “not really, I haven’t really thought about it.” Granted, not all of us have our future set in stone. Many students haven’t put much thought into what college they want to go to, let alone what to study. However, this may not be the case for all our bulldogs.
Financial balance can be so stressful college students may find themselves pinching pennies. So, how do you approach this? We asked Junior Angelica Chavarro if she was worried about how she and her parents were going to pay for college. She stated, “not really, I haven’t really thought about it.” Granted, not all of us have our future set in stone. Many students haven’t put much thought into what college they want to go to, let alone what to study. However, this may not be the case for all our bulldogs.
One of the most relevant matters is, how to pay for college and not have to live from paycheck to paycheck. It is only a matter of saving your cash. Many college students resort to getting a job and start saving from there, but if you are an impulsive spender, you should try to sit with a parent and try to figure out a financial plan. If you have a bank account, try creating a savings account where you set aside money every week without having splurged all your earnings. Every high school student talks about graduation and their plans after which most likely involve, moving out or going to a college away from home. But is that really the best move for some of them?
Moving out right away can feel empowering but can also be very intimidating. There is something to be said about taking a new leap of independence, but it can come with a certain level of loneliness. Your parents are no longer there to be your security blanket when you are feeling anxious about school, paying bills, and you are left to fend for yourself.
Being away from family, friends, and basically, your whole life can lead to higher stress and anxiety levels. This is where self-care plays a role. Obviously, “adulting” is tasking but once your F.A.S.A is filled out and you are finally on your own, don’t forget to take a step back and smell the roses. When you do make the time, spend it doing things that help you relax and help motivate you to remain positive.
It’s important to get 7-8 hours of sleep and exercise. Without a doubt applying to and starting college is a trying time, but if you’re ever feeling too on edge it is absolutely alright for you to seek help from anyone in your life whether it is a partner, parent, friend, or someone that you feel comfortable talking to. When it comes down to college loans it’s important to keep a level head . In the end, college is all about experiencing different things and finding a sense of self. Hardship is to come, but stay true to yourself, and lastly, start saving those pennies!
The Watchdog 