Welcome Back. Here's The Deal.

Returning to campus is now a familiar exercise for you and most other students you know on Planet College. By now you are familiar with all the 'deals' available to students on or around your campus. Special deals, real deals, pizza deals the list is long. And by now you are totally familiar with what 'deals' actually mean to you, an average student on Planet College.

 If you are not familiar or have lost track here is what a deal means. Some business, some organization, or some individual wants your money. They do. So they offer a 'deal'. A deal is simply an exchange. Pizza, books, a car, a phone, a fitness membership in exchange for your money.  Overall this tradition, offering 'deals' to college students is fair and equitable. You're hungry. They have pizza. Take the deal. You get pizza, they get your money. Simple and expedient. That is a basic deal.

Now that you've been around Planet College you have probably learned some deals are better than others. The basic measurement of any deal, your satisfaction with the exchange, has told you whether the 'deal' really was a good deal for you. And the key is 'for you'.  With precious little time to stop and reflect if every deal is worth it it is common practice among students to just keep steppin', go with the flow, miss a few, make a few and life goes on.

Here is a Planet College suggestion. This term take a look at one 'deal', just one, you are involved in. Just one. Your fitness membership, phone plan, roommate deal pick one. Stop and reflect. Pause for just a few minutes and consider the question, "Is this the best deal for me." Just that. Ask your self that. Your reply if honestly considered, will tell you a few things about you, how you feel and how you may have changed. Changed, since this 'deal' seemed like a good idea.

If your answer is dissatisfaction you have probably grown, not only as a student but also as a person. Planet College offers many, many opportunities for experiences to stimulate your growth not only as a student but also as a person.  With the term approaching the typical full roar of activities, interests and involvements it is quite possibly too late to change any deal you may have signed up for. If you have found some 'deal' in your school life which no longer works your wisest course for this term is probably to go along. Time moves fast on Planet College. Note to yourself, " Next term, I'm making a change."  And next term, do it.

When Things Change Go Check Your fafsa.

 Planet College has frequently emphasized keeping your fafsa up to date. Those posts can be seen here.  This is another fafsa reminder.

The start of a school year brings many pressing subjects to the mind of students on Planet College.  Housing, work and class schedule are pre-eminent among the things which need to be attended to as classes start.  One thing which may have a direct bearing on each of these factors is your financial aid award. If you received your award letter  agreed signed and returned it to your school then the financial aid it represent is probably in place.

But what if things have changed for you financially?  Specifically, what if some help you were counting on has not come through.  Have changes in your personal financial aid picture left you unnecessarily stretched.  Planet College has always emphasized the importance of asking for help when you need it. And if your are short of funds then you need help.  Help almost always starts with you. What are you doing to help  yourself?

First thing is make an appointment to discuss your situation with a counselor in your schools financial aid office.  Then go on line and change your fafsa to more accurately reflect your current situation. Your fafsa, the document which provides the basic information upon which your school determines your need was no doubt filed much earlier this year. During the intervening months much could have happened to affect your financial status.  Many students depend on family for support but what if changes have reduced or eliminated that support? Changing the facts as you can see them is the first step to getting the help you need to complete this coming school year successfully.

While students often don't realize that they can amend their fafsa to more accurately reflect their actual financial picture now you know.  So, when you need help ask. But first help the helpers help you. If it is appropriate change your fafsa now.