The Devil In The Details

Phrases become cliches in popular usage because they express some essential fact or situation concisely. "The devil is in the details" is a popular term which may be another way to say, "Always read the fine print."

When Josh, a film major, returned to campus this term he was surprised to learn he had a balance due, which meant he owed money, on his campus account. Early last spring Josh had completed his financial aid application as well as his registration for Fall and thought no more about it. One of the courses Josh enrolled in was an on-line course. It was offered through the department in which Josh was majoring and would be three upper division units. Josh figured with everything on line he could complete the course work on his own schedule. This could leave more time for other things like work, friends, well, other things.

Thoroughly confused and more than a little annoyed, Josh went to the Student Accounts office where he learned a large portion of his financial aid had been cancelled. After a fit of frenzied diligence Josh learned the on-line course he had enrolled in was not eligible for financial aid. Because this was an ineligible course Josh's financial aid dropped below the minimum units for full time aid.

What were Josh's choices right now? More important what would yours be. Get more time at work to start paying on the balance due? Do a late add on an eligible course? Call the Bank of Mom and Dad for another emergency loan?

The wisdom of hindsight points out that this situation could have been avoided had Josh read the fine print in his school's annual catalogue. Somewhere in there in fine print it says "Not all on-line courses" are eligible for financial aid. The on-line course Josh had signed up for was one of those ineligible courses.

If you, like Josh, did not or do not read or don't even know your school has a course catalogue then here is today's Planet College Headline. Your school does have a course catalogue. The catalogue contains the guidelines, requirements and essential information you need to know about courses, registration, eligibility and graduation. There is a lot of fine print and it reads like a legal document because it is a legal document. There are probably still some paper ones around the admin building but if you ask the librarian she can help you find it on line. It is there. It contains the rules and at some point you will need to know them. Not knowing can cost you. The cliche is a cliche because it is accurate. Don't be 'deviled' by the details.

Oh and Josh? He found a Professor he knows in his department who signed him up for three units of Special Studies and his financial aid was restored.

Welcome back, and good luck this term from Planet College.

Fafsa time

It is Spring and it is time to update your fafsa. If you are a veteran on Planet College you probably know what a fafsa is and have probably had one for some time. This is just a basic reminder that it is a good time now to update your fafsa. You'll need the information for the 2009-2010 school year. If you don't have a fafsa it is time to get one. If you don't know what a fafsa is it is time to go to your student aid office and have this basic term explained to you. Fafsa. Even if borrowing is not a part of your college financing plan it is quite likely you need a fafsa. It's spring. It is time to update your fafsa. Do it now.

Planet College added note. If you are currently attending a post-secondary school, that is a college, community college, private college, for profit college, or trade school of any kind and you do not know what a fafsa is it is timed you found out.  Occasionally students, often if their college cost are being paid by some one else, do not know about or realize the value of a fafsa. Or if you just don't know what a fafsa is use the search up on your left. Enter 'fafsa'. The responses from this site will supply enough information to get you at least oriented to the subject.  If there is a finance office, financial aid office or student finance office on your school site a visit there can help clarify fafsa further.  Planet College emphasizes obtaining good information about every aspect of student life. A fafsa is something you should not about. Even if you think you don't.

What the (bleep) is an emancipated minor.

This is not a site devoted to legal advice. For all questions regarding legal terms you should contact a qualified attorney. Yet, Planet College recognizes that many terms are bandied about with some quasi-legal opinions attached to them. One of the most persistent of these is "emancipated minor." This term was originally developed to identify and legitimatize individuals who, though not yet legal age, were responsible for themselves. You may use your favorite search engine to find definitions and interpretations of this term. But before you do Planet College advises you to read on.

Students on Planet College having a general idea of the implications of this term attempt to apply it to themselves. The argument usually is, " Well I've been responsible for myself since I graduated from high school, so . . . ." This argument is always presented in reference to the student's financial status. Essentially it is seen as a means to get more money for school. It is often presented by students of whatever age who are getting or have gotten no financial help from either parent.

The thing you need to know is that the United States Department of Education does not recognize the term " emancipated minor". It has no meaning, no validity for that Department. Since that is the Federal Department which oversees Financial Aid in the United States, seeking to be designated an emancipated minor will do nothing for your Financial Aid status.

However, if, in fact, you are recieveing no outside support for your education a visit to your school's Financial Aid office might be beneficial. Tell the worker that you would like more help. Tell her why.

Couldn't hurt.

Sure, It Sounds OK.

But how am I supposed to pay for it? As you well know by now nothing about Planet College is free. So even if you are now thinking,"Hey, I'd like to try that." You realize it will cost you. But maybe not as much as you think. If you take the time to do a little calculating about your school costs per term you may learn that studying overseas isn't really much more costly than studying in the U. S. Still most students welcome any additional financial help. This site has details about programs available for college students who wish to study abroad: http://www.iie.org/programs/gilman/overview/overview.html. You will notice that to be eligible for this program you need to be receiving a Pell Grant. If you don't know what a Pell Grant is you need to visit your school's financial aid office and have this term explained to you. If you don't know if you are receiving a Pell Grant you, too, need to pay a visit to the financial aid office.

As emphasized in the post below you actually don't often need to be any more than average, a C student, to study abroad. Give it a try.

Planet College additional reminder. Internet searches. Yes, Planet College understands that you can Google "Pell Grant" and get dozens of definitions of its meaning. By now you probably understand that this type of information is limited. What students really benefit from is experience. This is why Planet College urges you to visit your school's financial aid office for a complete explanation of "Pell Grant" and how it applies to your financial aid.

What About Next Year?

NO. Not, next term. Next school year. You have your schedule for this up coming term, right. But, Unless you're graduating you still have to think about Fall 'O8 soon. This is important. A great deal can be gained on Planet College by planning at least somewhat ahead. Think about next school year.
For example, on out campus priority consideration for financial aid is given to students who file their fafsa before March 2. Take this opportunity now to file your new fafsa. They start taking new fafsas on the first business day of the new year. This year that day is Wednesday, Janurary 2. Filing your next fafsa is something you can do for yourself for your next school year. Go do it. Planet College note. If you don't know what a fafsa is go to your school's financial aid office and ask. While there ask for help.

Do I have to have a FAFSA?

Hopefully by now you are familiar with the FAFSA. If you aren’t the government has help on line here http://www.fafsa.edu/ for filling out this essential document. This document is so essential that even if you were not a financial aid student I would recommend filling out and submitting a FAFSA on an annual basis while you are in college. Check your school’s financial aid office for filing deadlines. Realize however that even if you are past the dead line for your schools financial aid you still may benefit from other sources. These sources will no doubt require a fafsa. So, first thing, right now, if you haven’t already done so, go fill out and submit a fafsa.