Page 10 - HIWT Spring 2015 World of Welding

The World of Welding

Educating Yourself Is The First Step In Completing Financial Aid

By: Sally Church

Understanding financial aid terminology and concepts is often www.youtube.com – Federal Student Aid provides a comprehensive
viewed as a challenge when attending higher education. Many YouTube Channel. This channel will familiarize you with many
people are not familiar with financial aid practices. Often financial terms and concepts but doesn’t make you do all the reading. Be
aid practices use terms and/or concepts that are not common in sure when you are using this resource that you have the Federal
everyday conversations. For many individuals, the first time you Student Aid Channel.
hear most of financial aid terminology is when you speak to a
Financial Aid Advisor. These foreign concepts and terms can make www.welding.org – Hobart Institute of Welding Technology website
a student or parent feel inadequate or at a disadvantage. provides a financial aid section for our students and potential
students. Click on Learn More under the Pay for School icon and
There are resources available to help students and families you will be directed to the Financial Aid section of the website.
familiarize themselves with financial aid prior to contacting the
Financial Aid Office. By educating yourself, you are helping yourself The challenge in using online resources is making sure you are
feel empowered and prepared for the financial aid process. Luckily, using valid websites that are sponsored by reputable sources. Use
in a digital world, there is a wealth of information available for the buyer beware concept, buyer must perform their due diligence
a student and family to reference. Many of these resources are when purchasing an item or service. Simply put, don’t pay for
utilized by the Financial Aid Office you are contacting to help you. help to find money for college. If a website wants payment for
Over the years, here are a few resources I have found useful. information or services they are more than likely offering you
information that is free elsewhere on the web. When in doubt
www.studentaid.ed.gov – Federal website that summarizes and contact the Financial Aid Office.
explains all aspects of financial aid. This website is a favorite
because it follows the education life cycle from conception to
completion. This website is used often by Financial Aid Advisors.

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