Erica Doerr is completing her first year as a Paralegal Assistant at Hoggatt Law Firm in Fort Collins, Colo. Erica attended Mesa State College during the 2008-2009 school year, but due to high tuition costs and living expenses she was forced to put her education on hold while she saved enough to earn her degree. In the next year she moved to Fort Collins to be closer to home and her friends. Living in a college town, Erica has enjoyed the college lifestyle without the homework blues. “I’ve loved living with my friends. We all have stresses in our lives, they mostly worry about grades or exams while sometimes I stress about work,” Erica said, “It may seem like I’m behind, but in fact I’m learning good work ethic and dedication, things that matter in both the work place and in school.”
The expense of a college education can create many restrictions and hardships for students and their families. However, there is a solution. For students paying for college on their own, like Erica, or families seeking assistance in payments, most secondary institutions offer financial aid.
Colorado State University offers four different types of financial aid; grants, scholarships, loans and work study positions. Both grants and scholarships are forms of financial aid that do not need to be paid back. Work study positions can be found through the CSU Student Employment Services. “Work study positions provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience as well as a practical means to contribute to the costs of their education.” (http://ses.colostate.edu/) However, loans are a form of financial aid that does need to be returned and in order to receive a loan from an institution the student must be eligible and request the funds by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid options give hope to people concerned about funding their way to a degree.
“I’m excited to return to school next fall, I know I will work hard and appreciate every ounce of my education because I’ve spent three long years saving,” Erica said. Working while earning your degree teaches time management and responsibility, but some may argue working to earn your degree is a much bigger feat. “The pride I will feel when I successfully earn my degree on my own dime will be incredible.”
For more information about CSU Financial Aid refer to http://sfs.colostate.edu/ and for CSU Student Employment Services refer to http://ses.colostate.edu/
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