The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is a form used to be considered for financial aid for school. Though it is provided through an office of the US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, the form is the key for students to be considered for federal aid, state aid, and institutional aid to pursue their postsecondary goals.
What does ‘postsecondary’ mean?
Postsecondary education can be many things. It can be a degree from a four-year or two-year institution, like a university or community college. Postsecondary can also mean vocational or technical school (like cosmetology school), or programs that provide the student with an industry-recognized credential (like a culinary arts specialist, an automotive technician, or a medical assistant).
What does ‘financial aid’ mean?
Financial aid is a general term for funds that help a student pay for their education. Aid can come from multiple sources and can have different expectations. For example, a student can receive aid from the federal government, from the state, or from the school/program to which they apply.
Types of aid:
Federal Loans: Money from the federal government that must be paid back after completing postsecondary education. There are subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans. Subsidized loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need and do not accrue interest while students are in school. Unsubsidized loans are available for undergraduate and graduate students, with no requirement to demonstrate financial need. However, unsubsidized loans will accrue interest while students are still in school. Still, interest rates are fixed and often much lower than those from private or bank loans. Parent PLUS loans are an additional federal student loan option. These should be considered a last resort for aid.
Grants: Money granted that is usually based on the student’s financial need. This is money that does not need to be paid back by the student. Grants can be awarded from the student’s school, from the government, or from other entities. Usually, the FAFSA is required to be considered for a grant.
Scholarships: Money granted that is usually merit-based. This is money that does not need to be paid back by the student. Scholarships can be awarded from the student’s school, or from other entities. For example, students can apply for scholarships wherever they can be found (through corporations, community organizations, faith-based institutions, etc.). Sometimes scholarships have expectations (i.e. maintaining a minimum GPA or a certain number of credits). If scholarship expectations are not met, the student’s scholarship may not be renewed for the following year. It is important to understand any requirements associated with a scholarship. Usually, a FAFSA is required to be considered for a grant.
Gifts: Money outside of the student’s (or student’s parents’ income) that can be used to pay for school. For example, money that a student’s grandparent set aside when they were born could be considered a gift.
Work-Study: The federal work-study program provides students with an opportunity to work part-time at their school for extra money while attending school. Money earned by the student is theirs to keep. A FAFSA is required to be considered for a grant.
Private/Bank Loans: Loans that a student or student’s family may apply for, and do not require a FAFSA. These types of loans have variable interest rates which are much higher interest rates and require students to begin repayment immediately. Credit checks will be part of a private or bank loan process. It is highly recommended that students seek other forms of financial aid before turning to private or bank loans.
The FAFSA must be re-submitted for every year that a student attends school.
FAFSA uses federal tax information to help determine a student’s eligibility for aid.
Students are not required to accept any of the awards they receive because of the FAFSA. It is simply the key to open the door to financial aid options.
The State of New Jersey has an organization called the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) dedicated to supporting students in postsecondary financial aid. This office exists solely to support a student’s journey through seeking financial aid to attend school.
There is an alternate process for students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA in New Jersey. NJ Dreamers is the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.
The government may not use information provided on the FAFSA for any purpose other than postsecondary financial aid. The FUTURE Act, among other stipulations, places strict limits on how information can be used. Federal Student Aid states that “Federal Tax Information” will only be available to institutions, state higher education agencies, and designated scholarship organizations.
The Newark FAFSA Challenge, launched in Fall of 2019, is an initiative to help Newark high school seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)or theNew Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Applicationfor New Jersey Dreamers. We are committed to ensuring that Newark students and families have the support they need to complete the FAFSA because financial readinessiscollege readiness.
Nationally, 90% of high school seniors who complete the FAFSA will immediately enroll in college, a key predictor of eventual college completion. Unfortunately, many low-income, first generation students lack the support to successfully navigate the college financial aid process, and as a result, may not enroll in college at all.
Our goal is to help Newark students prepare for college by ensuring they have access to personal assistance to complete the FAFSA or the NJ Alternative Application.
Apprenticeships are only for jobs like construction or manufacturing..
Fact:
The reality is: Professions across the country hire apprentices! Careers in cutting hair, culinary arts, fashion, herbology and horticulture, computers and electronics, and even beekeeping are all fields where you can start as an apprentice.
Getting a technical degree in one of these fields can seriously elevate your career opportunities and prospects!
Is An Apprenticeship Right For You?
Apprenticeships are a way to transfer the knowledge of an older generation to the young workers of the next generation. In other words, apprenticeships are training programs for a skilled profession. Apprenticeships are perfect for people who want to go to trade school, or students who are already in trade school. An apprenticeship is almost like an internship, except the nature of the work apprentices do is different from what interns do. This is mainly because of the differences between career outlooks between trade schools and traditional colleges. Apprenticeships are a way to gain hands-on experience in a field that might not have many training resources.
A field that heavily utilizes the convention of apprenticeship is the hairstyling industry, especially among barbers. At barbershops, an apprentice barber is someone who lacks experience, but who works alongside a Master or Senior Barber, observing and absorbing knowledge, skills, practices, and tactics that they utilize.
So if you are looking for some skill training before entering the workforce, then apprenticeships are a great way to be exposed to trades while earning practical experience, making progress towards your professional certification, and getting paid.
For anyone who is uninterested in a four-year degree, but wants to enhance their skillset, trade school may be the perfect option for you.
Some common reasons trade school is a better fit for you:
Bachelor’s Degree programs seem to offer unessential knowledge
You want to learn practical skills to earn more money
Bachelor’s Degree programs take too much time to complete and you have a busy schedule
You are only able to spend only up to two years in school because of other responsibilities
Bachelor’s Degree programs lead to jobs you can’t imagine yourself pursuing
You want to pursue a career in the skilled trades
Trade schools offer vocational training that can lead to a successful career in less than half the time it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree. At one of these institutions, you can learn a new skill or craft and get hired for it all within a few months to two years.
New Jersey has some of the best trade schools with all kinds of programs to choose from. Whether you are interested in carpentry or healthcare, or anything that may fall in between, there is a New Jersey school that’s right for you.
1. Lincoln Tech College
Lincoln Tech has six different campuses spread across New Jersey. The college offers courses for the industries in the highest demand like IT or Healthcare.
Career paths (and their NJ campuses) include:
Computer & Network Support Technician – Iselin, Moorestown and Paramus
Medical Assistant – Iselin, Moorestown and Paramus
Medical Coding and Billing – Paramus
Patient Care Technician – Moorestown, Paramus
Practical Nursing – Iselin, Moorestown, Paramus
Automotive Technology – Union, Mahwah
Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology – Union, Mahwah
Automotive Mechanics – Union
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Technology – Union, Mahwah
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining and Manufacturing Technology – Mahwah
Diesel and Truck Technology – South Plainfield
Heavy Equipment and Truck Technology – South Plainfield
Welding and Metal Fabrication Technology – South Plainfield
Eastwick College works in conjunction with the HoHoKus School of Trade and Technical Sciences. They have campuses in Nutley, Hackensack, Ramsey, and Paterson and offer a wide range of career training programs.
Career paths include:
Bilingual Licensed Practical Nursing
Business Operations and Accounting
Electrician Apprenticeship
Electronics and Computer Technology
Facilities Management
HVACR
Licensed Practical Nursing
Manufacturing Technology
Medical Assisting
Medical Billing and Coding
Plumber Apprenticeship
Welding
Costs
Depends on which program you choose and how long it takes you to complete.
American Institute began by offering career training programs in business, but now also offers several programs in legal, allied health, diagnostic medical sonography, and IT. There are campuses in Clifton, Somerset, and Toms River, NJ.
Career paths include:
Administrative Office Professional
Dental Assisting
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
ESL – English as a Second Language
Massage Therapy
Medical Assisting
Medical Coding and Billing
Nurse’s Aide – FastTrack
Costs
Tuition fees are comparable to the other NJ Trade schools. They vary from $12,995 and $32,995.
New Educare is a healthcare centered institution offering courses mainly in various different healthcare programs. The programs are designed to help students earn careers in allied health professions. The campus is located in Newark.
Career paths include:
Patient Care Technician
Clinical Medical Assistant
Phlebotomy Technician
EKG Technician
EKG and Phlebotomy Technician
Pharmacy Technician
Surgical Technician
Surgical Instrument Technician
Dental Assistant
Administrative Medical Assistant
Medical Billing and Coding
Restorative Care or Aide
Rehabilitation Therapy Technician
Costs
Varies depending entirely on program of choice.
Website
For more information, visit: https://www.neweducare.com
5. Jolie Health and Beauty Academy
Jolie Health and Beauty Academy is designed for students interested in cosmetology and other related professions. They offer hands on training programs for students aspiring to make it in the beauty industry. Campuses are located in Cherry Hill, Northfield, and Turnersville, NJ.
Career paths include:
Barbering
Cosmetology
Esthetics/Aesthetics
Skin Care Esthetics
Costs
Tuition for these programs varies between $7,861 and $18,455.
Website
For more information, visit: https://www.jolieacademy.com
Paying for Trade School
There are a few ways that you can pay for trade school. You can either pay in cash by saving up and charging the amount due for your tuition every semester. This is the most straightforward, but also the most immediately expensive.
You can enroll in a payment plan that splits up your tuition costs throughout the months of each semester you enroll in. This makes sense if you are working and are earning a steady income, but would rather not pay in full.
Other options include filing for financial aid. Contrary to popular belief, trade school students are eligible for financial aid through FAFSA! It is not limited to Bachelor’s degree or post-graduate degree programs. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will show you if you are qualified for financial aid or not. If not, you can see which student loans you may qualify for to cover the costs of your term bills.
You can also apply for scholarships, grants, and other financial awards to help fund your technical education.
Time to Apply!
Hopefully, this list helped you create an idea of where you want to take your career with trade school. These are the best five trade schools in New Jersey, and programs that they offer, so that you can understand your options when it comes to trade school. Depending on what you like and the career you want, these schools and programs can help bring your dreams to reality!
Whether you are looking to get started on your education, finish it, or switch careers, it’s never too late to go to college. The Lumina Foundation reports that 38 percent of undergraduate students are older than 25, 58 percent work while enrolled in college, and 26 percent are raising children. College is a great place for working professionals, and enrolling might help you advance professionally.
This guide will help you assess the benefits and the potential drawbacks of going to college. Hopefully, this will help you make an informed decision about whether college, at the moment, is right for you!
Balancing School With Your Personal Life.
This is one of the hardest obstacles for most adults returning to school.
Everyone has a personal life filled with details, people, and problems unique to themselves. It is important to recognize that college is a multi-year commitment, and should be treated like a full-time job, since that is exactly what it aims to prepare you for.
Be sure to find flexibility in your schedule, find proper child care, identify means of transportation, and make the necessary life adjustments to be fully ready to commit to college. College is all about commitment and sacrifice, so be ready to make some clear decisions about what YOU want. Remember, it is temporary and when college is complete, you will be reaping the benefits.
Since it’s a big leap, many people will be supportive of your decision, so try to find a support system that can give you the freedom to learn. This can come from family or even your current employer. For example, Chipotle offers tuition reimbursements to several qualifying employees!
Whether you are starting or finishing a degree, looking to change your career, or pursuing knowledge for its own sake, make sure you can commit to your education by assessing what’s going on in your life first.
Why you should consider college.
College is a great way to get ahead professionally. These days, on-demand skills that young students learn in college make them more employable for entry-level jobs. However, you don’t have to be young or right out of high school to gain these skills. In fact, most employers prefer people with more experience, so why not use it to your advantage?
If you want to change your career or start a career in a different field, then going to college can help you bridge gaps in your experience or knowledge. It will get you ready for the job of your choice!
Education has never been more flexible! You can enroll either full-time or part-time into most programs depending on your commitments. Additionally, nowadays online school is becoming much more prevalent, so you have the possibility to take classes and learn from the comfort of your own home. Education is the most convenient it has ever been, so it only makes sense to take advantage of it, especially if you have obligations at home that you cannot leave unattended.
Figuring out paying for college.
There are a few ways that you can pay for college. You can either pay in cash by saving up and charging the amount due for your tuition every semester. This is the most straightforward, but also the most immediately expensive.
You can enroll in a payment plan that splits up your tuition costs throughout the months of each semester you enroll in. This makes sense if you are working and are earning a steady income, but would rather not pay in full.
Other options include filing for financial aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will show you if you are qualified for financial aid or not. If not, you can see which student loans you may qualify for to cover the costs of your term bills.
You can also apply for scholarships, grants, and other financial awards to help fund your college education.
Always make sure you have a plan ready to enact in order to pay for college. If you cannot afford it, and do not wish to take out a loan, it might not be the right time for you to go to college.
Have an educational plan.
College isn’t just a program meant to get you a job, it is an educational institution where you can focus and cultivate your interests to develop professional skills. It is important to set educational goals before and during your college education.
First of all, it is important to choose a major that works for you. The process of finding a major should include evaluating your academic interests and monitoring on-demand skills and employment trends to see what jobs are out there. For more information on how to choose the right major, click here.
Next, find opportunities, like clubs, organizations, or societies, that can help you advance professionally in your chosen field. This way, you can be part of a cohort of like-minded individuals, which will almost guarantee your collective success.
Make long-term goals and adjust your academic behavior to satisfy these goals. For example, if you want to be a researcher then make sure to take classes in statistics and research methods. Make sure to have a good relationship with your advisors and counselors to ensure a smooth process.
Schedule your life.
It can be tough to balance life with school, so something that every adult should utilize to keep track of their time is a planner! Your planner should map out your entire week and split up your tasks by the hour. Learning time management skills, and applying them to your own life, is one of the best ways to progress and accomplish more. Always match your tasks to satisfy the goals you set.
Research and Visit Schools.
Once you are ready to apply for schools, research and visit schools that seem the most appropriate for your personality and academic interests. This should be entirely up to you, with the help of some expert guidance (like a college graduate you trust or a counselor). It is extremely important to end up where you want to end up for college. Before applying, make sure you have the required documents, test scores, and anything else that the application may require from you to attend the institution. Once you complete your application, all you can do is hope for the best!
Commit & keep up with deadlines!
Once you’re in, you’re in! Utilizing the above strategies, you should have no trouble being an excellent student. Meet regularly with your advisors to update and monitor your academic goals, and you should be all set! Just remember to keep up with your deadlines, and you’ll be graduating before you know it! Good luck!
Summer vacation is a time to take a break, relax, and find out who you really are through exploration. Exploring your interests, hobbies, and goals while you don’t have to worry about school is a great way to develop personally.
How can I leverage my summer activities to help me advance professionally?
Time out of the classroom should be spent self-reflecting and thinking about one’s future! Self-reflection is the key to taking advantage of opportunities as they present themselves.
Be Goal-Oriented.
You must research what you need to accomplish for the goals that you have! If your goal is to get into college, then start out by researching what kinds of test scores, grades, and experiences you might need to be considered. Start out by researching what other people did prior to attending your target school, and see how your activities, interests, or hobbies can put you in a similar position.
If your goal is to gain an internship or job position, then understand the position’s requirements and ensure you have all the skills they desire. If you do not, then there’s no better time than summer to begin learning. You can also research what other successful applicants’ resumés look like.
LinkedIn is a great tool to get started with networking professionally. It lets you understand current, realistic trends in employment, along with the skills required to get jobs these days. You can also compare your skills with others to see how industry professionals used their experiences to get their positions.
Think about a future for yourself.
The best way to plan for the future is by making accurate predictions of the future. Here are two resources that can help you understand what careers might be available to you in the future.
The Future of Jobs Report predicts which jobs will be themes desired throughout this decade. These predictions can allow you to choose an employable career path.
For example, if by 2026, the world will need over 10 million Data Scientists, then it would be advisable to seek out a career in data science.
Choose skills you want to develop.
The top skills that employers after college look for are the ability to work in teams, critical thinking skills, drive/work ethic, self-confidence, resilience, and leadership. By using summer experience to build up these skills you will already be qualified for internships and college, and then for employment after college (if that is your goal!)
If you have a hobby, sport, or interest you usually pursue over the summer, then really think about what benefits it brings you, and write them all down! You’d be surprised at how many skills you may build during any given activity.
Find an Enrichment Program
Enrichment programs are designed to help students learn skills that will make them better students, better candidates for post-secondary education, and better young professionals!
At these programs, students can expect to learn about college, learn about participating in the workforce, and develop skills needed to compete and succeed professionally. If you are looking to participate, look for more information through:
You might already have plans throughout the summer. Perhaps you’re going on vacation with your family or friends, or maybe you have to work throughout the summer to help out your family or save up some money for yourself. Regardless, don’t be afraid to document whatever it is that you are doing.
If you’re going on vacation, write about it! For example, instead of saying you went to visit your grandma down south, you can say that you went on a family retreat to rediscover your roots! If your vacation destination has a college or university, check out programs they might be offering during your stay, or go for a college visit!
If you’re working over the summer, then make sure you write about the skills that you’ve gained! For example, if you are working in the Food/Beverage, Customer Service, or Retail industries, then you can write about how your job taught you communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and other job-specific skills you’d like to exhibit.
Be YOU!
Lastly, don’t do something just because someone else told you to. Always make sure that you are following your own path, and the best way to form your own path is through researching what’s available to you in the modern world.
Understanding this, and being metacognitive (self-aware and able to monitor your own thoughts) will help you be motivated, responsible, and organized in achieving your goals.
For example, don’t just volunteer at a random place over the summer because you think it will look good for college, but instead, try to volunteer somewhere where you can express your passions.
Always be yourself, and value yourself so that you give yourself nothing but the best opportunities for you. Regardless of what you end up doing this summer, there is always a way to make it feel rewarding, fruitful, and productive. Good luck this summer!
Content Adapted from Make Your Summer Count Towards College and Career Success event led by Kevin Hudson
