Mary Greenwood, Director of Student Financial Aid Services
College is an important decision that we all consider at one point or another in our lives. Some of us decide to attend right out of high school, and others return when our lives present an opportunity to fit it into everyday life. I took both paths and enrolled in a private undergraduate program right out of high school. Two decades later, I returned to school for my master’s degree.
When one begins college, it is entirely up to them, and there is no right or wrong answer. However, finances should not be a deterrent. For many, these decisions can weigh heavily as finances and the ability to pay can burden families. I understand this decision from the perspective of a first-generation student, from a single-parent household, with no family resources for college.
If I could give my younger self a piece of advice, it is the same advice that I give students today, “don’t be afraid to ask for help.” If not for my college’s financial aid and admissions office, I may not have started college. Like many students today, I failed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) early in the process. At that time, FAFSA forms were mailed to students, and it was thick enough to be a magazine! The length of the application alone was enough to make me quit before I started.
I was embarrassed that my family could not afford to send me to college, and who wants to disclose how little or much they make to a stranger? I attended a Chicago public high school and was often discouraged about my prospects of not being another statistic. Thankfully, I had an admissions ambassador who called me periodically to check on my progress. She was a junior and worked in admissions through the Federal Work-Study Program. She said, "if you keep putting your FAFSA application off, you’ll only hurt your chances of receiving funding to receive your degree.” A degree for me meant more job prospects and the ability to break out of poverty.
I shared that my family could not afford college, despite the scholarship I was offered. That’s when my ambassador connected me to the financial aid office, who walked me through the process and explained that I could qualify for FAFSA with timely completion. I went on to get a job in that same office and enjoyed helping my peers and incoming students in the same position.
I earned my bachelor’s degree and later learned that through community college, I could have received the same quality of education for a fraction of the cost of my undergraduate program. I’ve spent my entire career in financial aid and have helped multiple students, families, and colleagues tap into resources to help support their education.
I could lay out a list of resources, but the most important message I want to convey to students is to connect with the Financial Aid Office often and regularly. If you are unsure of what to ask or how to get started, we can help you. I encourage you to be patient with the process and check in on your progress. When in doubt, ask for help! Don’t let fear stop you from finishing, and know that any information you share with the Financial Aid Office is strictly confidential. Our office is a judgment-free zone, and we genuinely care about your success.
