<p>After months of research and lots of hard decisions, I have decided to return to college. I went the first time right out of high school for an AAS in Television Production. It was an 18 month course at a private tech college. I really didn't know anything about the process of FA or scholarships, and because I was a dependent I didn't think much of it. </p>
<p>I still have a bit left to pay on that education, but my job outlook in TV/film is really not good. Long story short, I also have always loved technical things, and computers. So I made the decision to go back to a community/tech college for Web Programming. </p>
<p>I filled out my FAFSA, and according to that because I am now independent (no EFC), and made so very little income last year, that the Pell would be giving me quite a heafty chunk. Does that sound right? I know there's a State Grant I may get too, I haven't heard back yet. </p>
<p>What I am curious about is things I may have forgotten, or not even known about to try to dig into to help gather funds. What other grants, scholarships, or aid could I look into being a 25 year old female returning to school? What should I be cautious about (besides everything, haha)?</p>
<p>If you have zero EFC, you should get maximum Pell. </p>
<p>Realistically speaking, the only other aid you might be eligible for is federal student loans and work-study. For loans - all will depend whether or not you maxed out your student loan eligibility the first time you went to college. The work-study will depend whether or not your college has any work-study funds available at this time - it is kind of late in a game.</p>
<p>If I were you, I would be cautios about taking out any more loans, since you already have loans for previous education. I assume that you in Minnesota. If this is the case, Pell and state grant should be more than enough to pay tuition, fees and books with some money left over. The left over money will not be enough to cover living expenses, but you can cover them through a job and/or work-study.</p>
<p>I would also suggest that you go for computer science associates program at CC that has articulation agreement with UofM. Even if you decide not to continue with your education after getting associates, this option will still be there for you in the future. Also, your job prospects will not be very good after only certificate program. They would be much better with associates deegre (although probably not spectacular in your choosen field).</p>
<p>Why do you say late in the game for work study? Is that something that people generally sign up for in spring for the fall semesters? </p>
<p>And work study- is that more like a job the school has you do and pays you like a regular job would? Or is it a job the school has you do and pays toward your tuition/costs? Or both?</p>
<p>Yes, I’m going for an Associates, I know certificates wouldn’t get me all that much and probably would get more outdated quickly. Also going the community college route since it’s cheaper. It does boast that it transfers right into the UofM like you mentioed, not sure I really want to do that at this point, but we’ll see what happens.</p>
<p>usually work-study funds are limited, so those who applied for financial aid early, would get it. Then, when the funds are gone, they are gone. If you get work-study, you still have to apply for a work-study job at your college, like you would normally do (and compete with other work-study students). The advantages of work-study is preferential tax treatment - you don’t pay FICA taxes under certain conditions. Also, for next year aid, the work-study income is excluded from your income calculations (thus lowering your EFC).</p>
<p>Just in case, when you enroll go talk to an adviser and figure out what courses you need to take if you decide to transfer to UofM and also sign articulation agreement. If you follow the rules, you get guaranteed transfer to UofM after you get your associates - you never know, you might change your mind, your situation might change, etc…</p>
<p>Work study awards often are handed out on a first-come-first-served basis, so that applying later in the year may mean that there just aren’t any left. A work study award doesn’t guarantee you a job. It gives you permission to apply for certain jobs on campus that are paid for with federal money. If you find one of those jobs, it is up to you to figure out how to work enough hours so that you can actually earn the amount of money you have been awarded in work study. Often students can’t earn their full amount because they have difficulty finding a work study job that fits their schedule, and then have difficulty squeezing in enough hours of work. Many students make as much money (or more) with non-work study jobs on campus, or with off-campus jobs. Given that you already have an AAS and some work experience, I expect that you would be able to do that.</p>