FA Tips from CBS News

garland
Sun, 26 Aug 2007 22:28:06 +0000

FWIW–federal financial aid (Pell grants, subsidized STAffords, etc) cover six years (12 semesters). State grants vary. I believe that NJ TAG grants, for instance, cover 9 semesters. School grants also vary.

At the school I work at, most students take 5/6 years to graduate, and most do get at least some aid for the sixth year, and decent aid for the fifth.

If most students were taking 5 years to graduate, and no one was offering aid for the fifth year, no one would be graduating. Check into school and state regulations to find out what’s available.

But, if at all possible, plan to graduate in 4 years. The students who don’t either tested into remedial classes or failed classes along the way. Some also opt out for full time classes because they need to work full time, they have family obligations (like kids) or medical reasons. Few actually take longer because of class availability. Most CC kids are not the ones on the five year plan–very few of their parents are hanging out here. CC students are usually the lucky exceptions (mine included.)