DAHLONEGA - Making college affordable isn't a new topic, but the discussion seems to have taken on greater urgency for families, universities, lawmakers, and businesses - and the White House is now addressing the issue.
Monday in Atlanta, President Barack Obama announced a "Student Aid Bill of Rights" that would make the process of repaying student loans easier to manage and understand. The White House said 40 million Americans have student loans and more than 70 percent of U.S. students who graduate with a bachelor's degree leave with debt, which averages $28,400. (See separate story. Link below.)
Debt load isn't a problem for most University of North Georgia (UNG) students, as the average debt at graduation is less than $12,000, but Jill Rayner, UNG's director of financial aid, suggests three questions students should ask before taking out a student loan:
1. Have I tried every alternative before going into debt?
There are a multitude of ways to pay for college, and UNG's Financial Aid Office can help you find them. March 17 is the deadline to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is required for applying for financial aid at UNG and most colleges and universities.
Also, check into federal work study opportunities on campus or find out if your current employer has a tuition reimbursement or scholarship program for its employees.
High school students can lower the overall cost of getting a degree by taking advantage of UNG's dual enrollment programs and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests to get a head-start on college credits. Students currently enrolled in college also can lower the cost of their degree by registering for 15 credit hours every semester
Sunday
May 5th, 2024
12:18AM
