Personal Narrative: Problems With Financial Aid

Returning to college, after graduating high school twenty-five years earlier, proved to be not only rewarding quite challenging as well. Viewing myself as a self-starter with extensive investigative skills I truly believed college path mapped out correctly, so I never met with an advisor, what a colossal mistake! I had self-scheduled all my courses and although I faced a few obstacles I was finally at the end. After completion of all my pre-requisites I applied to the LPN-RN Fast Track Program, little did I know my past would stop me dead in my tracks.

It was normal day like any another when I received my financial aid package from college. I remember the excitement that came with being one step further on the path to my life. And just as clearly, I can remember the sinking feeling I got in my stomach when I looked at my financial aid package. This was the first time in my life I had thought I might not go to college. After thought about education, experience, and money, I came to that college is worth the debt that may be incurred.

I started to work as a waitress at very young age. I stopped receiving education because my grades at school were not good and studying seemed to be boring. Working in my twenties appeared to be more adventurous and full of promises. As the time passed by, my routine at work turned out to be a nuisance. I was feeling empty inside without knowing the reason. As my level of expertise in the catering business was growing, the idea of starting up a restaurant on my own was beginning to take shape. I believed to know how to handle a business but I was missing all the technicalities. Getting back to school was a good alternative though I did not feel ready.

1. What experience do you like talking about the most? What has been the most interesting, intriguing, and exciting part of your life- why, and what did you learn from it?

The general culture of this company is very, very lax. At least, that’s what I got. I’m sure higher up is more professional. They attire that Anna wore made me feel like I could wear anything and get away with it. I started out very professional and turned into just look nice (ish). Its collaborative within departments, but there some communication problems. Apparently someone took Kailin and Anna’s ideas a couple of times. I’m not sure about that but I smile and nod. Really that’s how I get by smile and nod.

My community college experience has been rigorous but highly rewarding. As an international student, it was like stepping from a hill to a mountain looking out at the horizon. The sheer breadth and depth of the world are mesmerizing. I have entered into a leadership role like Phi Theta Kappa and Student Government Association (SGA), that has helped me grow as a person.

I chose to come to community college because I felt it would better benefit me. Most four year universities have difficult obstacles to overcome. Distractions like parties, and other social things can be hard to ignore. For better focus and judgment I chose to come to Faulkner state. Also, I heard good things about the college on how they didn’t tolerate parties and the use of alcohol or drugs and the instructors have good relationships with their students, and to this day I find that very true. Another thing is when I was in the industrial contracting industry I knew going back to school was going to make me happy and make me feel like I had a purpose for my calling in the medical field of radiology. I knew I would feel fulfilled and it would

It’s never too late. These are words I whole heartedly believe. A year and a half ago I decided to go back school to study nursing. Coincidentally, a week after I enrolled in classes I found out I was ten weeks pregnant. As any woman would I had my doubts about whether I could handle going to school and now being pregnant. But then I thought, I now had even more of a reason to go back. I would soon have a child who would be looking up to me. I wanted to be able to set a good example for them. I started attending classes in the fall as a part time student. Considering I had not been in school for over ten years the transition was a lot easier than I had thought it would be. My teachers were nice as well as my classmates. I finished a semester

When I was a junior in high school I wanted to go to a four year college, however I changed my mind and I decided to go to a community college because of reasons. The first was when I came from Ethiopia I felt like I got a second chance on my life. I wasn’t a bad student back there but I wasn’t a very successful student either. I was always in the middle. Because I got second chance I wanted to use it very well. I want to do big things in my life.

I lost my financial aid because my grades did not meet up to the Satisfactory Academic Progress that the school requires. What happened was, there were only two available options for the MATH 152 class during the Summer Quarter of 2015. I chose the night class because the morning class was taught by a teacher I didn't prefer. However, the night class was only two days a week for 3 hours straight. Because of my naivety, I assumed that I wouldn't have any problems with the set up. Around this time, however, was Ramadan, which suspended me from concentration within the class, heavily effecting my scores on tests. Besides this, my grandfather, whom I loved and cherished, had just passed away the month before, on May 17, 2015, requiring 40 days

I have come to the understanding that, as we progress in age, summer is no longer viewed in terms of vacation, but rather a chance for young adults to glimpse into the ‘real world’ of constant work and exhaustion. The cost of college education has made it difficult to enjoy the beauty of summer, and instead forces us to focus on the pressure of student loans. It is because of this that I have spent my past few summers indoors beneath the florescent lights of Younkers in the wonderful world of retail. However, as the past semester came to an end, I decided that this summer would be different.

“I want to be a firefighter, construction worker, and professional race car driver when I grow up.” This was my proud childhood statement I would use when asked the question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” This question in particular is one that will be asked awfully early in one’s childhood, as well as very late in a young adults final years before venturing out into the “real world”. Like many other young children, I grew up with the mindset of having a exciting, heroic, and lively job for when I got older. I dreamt of operating heavy construction machinery, saving families while extinguishing fires of a decaying building, and speeding past vibrant and heavily decalled race cars. However, as I grew older and gained more realistic

I am a manager at a finance company. Working with finances is what I do day in and day out. I feel this is a gift that God has given me. The financial world can be mentally draining. When I get home that is the last thing I want to attack is household finances. I have a financial plan in place for our home. Becoming more effective with a household financial plan is always on the “to do list”. Cutting cost, managing investments, paying bills, and making adjustments in your budget is what I do best. Unfortunately, I regret not putting a financial plan in place for my college. I am working on becoming debt free from student loans. Student loans have a low interest rate. These loans are an excellent resource to have when needed. It

Going to a private school with my brother, I wasn't prepared for the financial difficulties that would arise for my family and I. After getting accustomed to the my classes, professors, and curriculum my freshman year; I fell in love with Baylor. I didn't think my family would struggle to make ends meet. By my sophomore year, my parents got into an accident and hospital expenses would force both my brother and I to a community college. Due to the uniqueness of my major in Texas and my goal to graduate in four years, I was determined to finish at Baylor. I began working as much as I could to help relief some of the finances off of my parents. My summers went to balancing classes and working full-time to raise money for the upcoming school year.

​When I realized that my financial aid had not gone through and that I would not be allowed to return to Texas Tech, I was mortified. Quite awhile I spent alone in my room, depressed from my situation. I was victimized and my life was slipping away quickly. I tried everything! I pleaded my parents to sign the forms I needed but they refused. I reluctantly tried to sign loans but with no credit and no one willing to cosign, no bank would trust me. It was hopeless.