Need help for niece ASAP

Parents Forum
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<p>I have a niece visiting from OOS in two days. She is currently a freshman at a cc in Nevada. From what I know, she has a gpa of 3.6 at CC, is low income, with a disabled mom (my sister). They would like to find her a four year institution within the Georgia/ SC/NC/VA/KY/TN area. My niece is interested in elementary education. My sister says she is willing to relocate to establish residency for a year for an instate tuition. My sister has heard of a program that will help with college costs if the student will commit to work in the education field in a low income area. </p>

<p>They will be here in two days, so any quick advice/sugggestions would be appreciated.</p>

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<p>Teach for America?</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.teachforamerica.org/admissions/faqs/faq_finances.htm[/url]”>http://www.teachforamerica.org/admissions/faqs/faq_finances.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Given that she is looking to major in education, I presume public colleges are the way she wants to go.</p>

<p>I know it isn’t on your list but the University of Alabama has been showing a lot of love to high performing out of state students. 3.6 transfer probably fits that category.</p>

<p>I think both UA and USC might waive out of state tuition if she interested. They both seem to have lower costs of living than say UGA or GA State. </p>

<p>I have a friend whose child wants to be a Kindergarten teacher. They live in N. Fulton and her principal says that Kennesaw State (which may be to commutery for your niece) has a good education program. My friend’s child also liked Auburn.</p>

<p>If she wants a small town, I keep hearing that Georgia College and University in Milledgeville is a gem of a school (a real hidden secret.)</p>

<p>There are programs out there that will help with student loan payments, I think, if you agree to work in high needs districts. You might contact the GA Professional Services Commission and ask them. You can also contact the equivalent offices in each state she is interested in. (Well, not necessarily you-- but your sister and niece of course.)</p>

<p>[Georgia</a> Professional Standards Commission - Contact Us](<a href=“GaPSC - Page Not Found”>GaPSC - Page Not Found)</p>

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<p>Take a look at Appalachian State.</p>

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<p>If she wants to be a teacher, she should remember that it is easiest to teach in the state and area where you do your undergraduate degree. It’s not impossible to change states, but it is challenging, and it can make it a lot harder to find that first job. So my advice: IF there’s a place she loves and plans to settle in, she should go find the four-year public college closest to that place that provides teaching certification, and go there.</p>

<p>If however, circumstances require that she get her degree from a college that is NOT where she plans to settle, she should go to the biggest state university, because name-recognition will matter when she relocates.</p>

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<p>Consider looking at East Carolina University.</p>

<p>[East</a> Carolina University](<a href=“http://www.ecu.edu/]East”>http://www.ecu.edu/)</p>

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<p>UNC Wilmington also.</p>

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<p>If your sister is willing to move to SC, the SC student loan corporation has a teacher loan program that looks promising: [SC</a> Teachers Loan Programs :: South Carolina Student Loan](<a href=“http://www.scstudentloan.org/students/loanprograms/scteachersloanprograms.aspx]SC”>http://www.scstudentloan.org/students/loanprograms/scteachersloanprograms.aspx) . Several of our kids friends at Furman receive funds from this, plus the Palmetto fellows program and other “Hope” type scholarships actually pay more money than Georgia Hope. This program is for public and private colleges in SC.</p>

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<p>Because of state license requirements, if at all possible, her future career will be easier if she goes to college and does her student teaching in the state where she plans to live after she graduates.</p>