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Financial Aid Deadline Approaching
Area residents are often faced with the uphill struggle of finding financial
resources to pursue a college education. For Owens Community College student
Kelly Hutton such an obstacle would not deter her from the dream of someday
becoming an office manager.
The 35-year-old mother of two is among more than 12,900 students who are
making their academic aspirations a reality as a result of the various
financial aid programs available at Owens.
“Receiving financial aid was a tremendous help to my family,”
said Hutton, who received a $500 Private Industry Collaborative Scholarship
from the College’s Foundation Scholarship Program, as well as several
grants and loans. “Without the assistance I wouldn’t be able
to attend Owens. Pursuing a college education is possible for any individual
because of the available financial aid opportunities.”
The Vanlue resident added that the representatives in Owens‚ Financial
Aid Office were extremely helpful and made the application experience
very easy.
Owens currently participates in several need-based federal and state funded
grant programs, work study opportunities, and loans, which all require
applicants to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
form to determine financial need. Additionally, numerous scholarships
are available to Owens students through the Board of Trustees Academic
Excellence Scholarship Program, the College’s Foundation Scholarship
Program and from outside contributors.
Specific programs accessible to students include the Federal Pell Grant,
the Ohio Instructional Grant, the Part-time Ohio Instructional Grant,
the Access Grant, the Federal Stafford Loan, the Federal PLUS Loan and
the Federal Work Study, among others.
“Owens Community College is committed to offering the maximum amount
of educational resources for students to fund their college education,”
said Betsy Johnson, Owens Director of Financial Aid. “Applications
are now available for the 2005-06 academic year and I encourage prospective
students to submit the form as soon as possible.”
She added, “Students who apply now will have the advantage of being
eligible for considerably more financial aid than those who wait until
late spring.”
Owens students must submit a new financial aid application for each academic
year. Forms are available in the College’s Financial Aid Office,
and most can be completed online or downloaded by accessing the Owens
website at www.owens.edu. One of the first application deadlines is for
2005-06 Owens Foundation Scholarships on February 15.
Additionally, individuals interested in acquiring information about financial
aid are invited to attend the College Goal Sunday host by Owens on February
13. The state-sponsored event will focus on helping students complete
their FAFSA applications needed to obtain financial aid. College Goal
Sunday will begin at 2 p.m. in the College’s Audio/Visual Classroom
Center.
Owens Community College this past year provided more than $41.9 million
in grants, scholarships, loans and federal work study to support the educational
needs of students. Recently, the Owens Community College Foundation awarded
scholarships in the amount of $53,000 to students exemplifying academic
excellence and leadership. The College’s Board of Trustees also
provides more than $92,000 in scholarships to 92 students through its
Academic Excellence Program.