Planning and Paying for Post-Secondary Education

As a School Counselor, I always know when summer is near by the number of seniors requesting guidance in preparation for the next stage of their lives. Whether it is reviewing transcripts, offering resources to research financial aid options, or discussing opportunities for college or technical schools, we delight in helping students transition into early adulthood!   Recently, there has been a noticeable spotlight shined on the rising cost of post-secondary tuition and the rapid accumulation of student loan debt.

As educators, we pride ourselves on enriching a student’s ability to think critically. The same level of care must also apply to encouraging financial literacy for our students as an important topic of conversation. As of July 1, 2012, there were many changes to the federal student aid process that increases transparency and how financial aid is awarded to recipients.  In addition, there are now innovative tools to assist families in making more informed decisions when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The FAFSA website hosts brief videos families can access online that address topics such as an overview of the financial aid process and how to fill out the FAFSA.

Summer is a really exciting time of year when we consider the boundless opportunities and memorable experiences that await seniors. I believe we all should work collectively to ensure families understand how to balance expectations with the realities of financial responsibility.

For more information and financial aid resources, please visit the College Financial Aid section of the Advisement Center on myFLVS.net.

Post by: Aleke Sharpe, M.S., FLVS School Counselor (Guest Blogger)