Indiana Financial Aid

Did you know that March 18th will be the 14th Annual Absolutely Incredible Kid Day! Absolutely Incredible Kid Day is a held across the nation and was started by the organization Campfire USA.  It is a simple campaign designed to recognize all the incredible children in the world. To participate adults are asked to write a letter of support, love and encouragement. It only takes a few minutes to jot a note that will be remembered and appreciated for a lifetime. The positive impact of these letters on kids is what it’s all about.

Positive reinforcement is important for people of all ages.  Just ask Kathy England. Kathy is the Director of Financial Aid at Harrison College. She runs the Columbus Indiana college financial aid department and ensures that our 200+ local students get the federal funding and Indiana scholarships they qualify to receive.  But this was not what Kathy always did.

Kathy worked for Greensburg Community High School for over six years. Not as a teacher in the classroom, but as a custodian. During that time Kathy always felt encouraged by Keith Hipskind, Dean of Students. With this encouragement, Kathy chose to enroll at Harrison College (formerly Indiana Business College) to pursue a degree in Business Administration. Mr. Hipskind believed in Kathy and would offer her words of praise every time he would find her working on her college homework assignments on her lunch break.  In 2001 Kathy graduated with her degree and began working for Harrison College in the financial aid department.

On a recent visit back to Greensburg Community High School to promote the importance of completing the FAFSA; Kathy had the opportunity to catch up with Mr. Hipskind. Below is an excerpt from an email he sent out to all employees of Greensburg Community High School.

“Kathy continued to work and go to school and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Management and just completed her Master’s Degree in Management and is currently working on her second Master’s Degree in Human Resources (HR) which she will complete in June of this year.  She also is now teaching college courses and working with students on Financial Aid.

Life is good!!  Keep on keepin’ on with our kids…You never know what you might say and do to inspire someone like Kathy.”

The point I guess I am trying to make is that all of us need positive reinforcement—Young and Old alike! So let someone know you support their efforts to continue to improve themselves by participating in the Absolutely Incredible Kid Day or by letting a student of an adult education program know that you admire their dedication to a better future.

• Twenty-first Century Scholars Program
• Harrison College
• Indiana Scholarships
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Drum roll please! We have made it to the last of the Five Fabulous Questions to Ask a College. And this one is a doozy! Yep, you probably guessed that it has to do with MONEY!

Fabulous Question 5: How do you award scholarships and financial aid?

If you have been reading along thus far, you may have an idea how I am going to answer this question. The answer is…INDIVIDUALLY!

What I mean by this is that EVERY student meets with and consults a Harrison College Financial Aid Analyst not just when they first enroll, but throughout their time as a student. It is important that students understand their funding.

As an Indiana accredited college, Harrison College participates in forms of college tuition assistance. Federal grants, student loans, Indiana scholarships and grants are the ones most people think of when they hear the words financial aid, but there are many types of financial aid. Harrison College also participates in the following scholarship programs:

• Imagine America
• Imagine America Military Award Program
• Charles Cring Adult Learner Award
• President’s Scholarship
• Bailey Family Foundation’s College Scholarship
• CNT Design Scholarship

Students attending a Columbus Indiana college who are seeking a degree in the medical field OR students who have completed their GED may also apply for the One Step at a Time Scholarship in memory of Harrison College faculty member, Carole Bonnell.

It is important to understand two things when it comes to financial aid:

1. There are so many ways to fund your future.
2. Every student is different, so meeting with a financial aid analyst one-on-one is a huge bonus for Harrison College students.

All this talk about financial aid has me thinking about Harrison College's Tuition Freeze program.  Check out more information about the Tuition Feeze Program on our website.

In the spring, Indiana Business College officially changed its name to Harrison College.

Now almost a year later, the new name is sticking and our alumni are coming to us with questions:

• Does this mean my diploma is void?
• Did I graduate from Indiana Business College or Harrison College?
• How do I get a new copy of my transcripts?

Let's start from the beginning. We are not a new college. Harrison College IS Indiana Business College just with a new name, like if a woman gets married and goes from her maiden name to her new married name-still the same person. So your degree is valid, your school still exists, we were not bought out.  The name change was brought about simply because "Indiana Business College" was no longer a good description of what the institution represents-we are no longer just a business  school and no longer just in Indiana. Why Harrison? The name Harrison represents a history, a heritage and leadership in Indiana. It is not necessarily named after any one person.

Now, what can you as an alumni do with this informaton? You cannot change your diploma. If you graduated before July 1, 2009 when the name was officially IBC then that was the institution that granted the degree. If you graduated after that date your diploma will read "Harrison" because that is now the official name of the degree granting institution. We do however suggest on your resume that you say that you graduated from "Harrison College (formerly Indiana Business College)".

You may at some point need a copy of your transcripts-usually new employers ask for this. You can request a copy of these from Harrison for $15.  Because our name has officially changed your new transcripts will say "Harrison;" however, printed on the back is an explanation of the name change so that there is no confusion to employers.

What if your campus closed? Along the way, Harrison has made the decision to close some campuses and open new ones. If the campus you graduated from is no longer open you can contact the Administrative Offices 317-264-5656 to receive information on getting new copies of transcripts and diplomas if needed.

So that's it. Change is a part of growth and we are certainly growing! We are still the same school just with a new name. We hope that no matter what name you graduated under, your loyalty and pride as an alumni holds strong. We are still the same family and we want you to still be a part of it!

We are getting close to the end of the Five Fabulous Questions to Ask a College series. It’s time to address Fabulous Question #4! Again, this was a question that hadn’t really occurred to me to recommend to students preparing to tour colleges.

Fabulous Question 4: How would you describe students’ relationships with professors?

First, I will start by saying that Harrison College faculty members are referred to as INSTRUCTORS. And unlike some professors, we require not only the educational background needed to teach course, but also REAL WORKING EXPERIENCE in their fields of expertise, such as help desk careers, message careers and surgical technology careers. This allows students to learn from real-world examples and not just out of a textbook.

I am also going to have to go back to the idea of SERVICE as a part of education. Our instructors understand the culture of Harrison College and strive to provide service every day in class.

Our instructors know their students by name. This may not be quite as hard as it may sound because we intentionally keep the student to teacher ratio low in our classrooms. This allows instructors to really get to know the students. After all, our students are real people dealing with real life.

Finally, our instructors love what they do. In fact, employee satisfaction is HIGH and a contributing factor in Harrison College being recognized as one of Indiana Best Places to Work for three years in a row. Students find the instructors are committed to providing learning opportunities at all times. By scheduling time to provide FREE TUTORING to any student who wants it, they prove their commitment to our students and their desire to reach new heights of educational success and career advancement.

Check out the courses and programs offered at Harrison College.

See something you like? Contact an admissions representative at a campus near you to schedule a visit. You will probably have the opportunity to meet at least one of our exceptional faculty members when you visit the campus. When you do, shake their hand and just try to imagine the wealth of knowledge they have waiting to share with YOU!

Only one more post left in this FABULOUS series. See you back here tomorrow for the grand finale when I will answer Fabulous Question #5—How do you award scholarships and financial aid?

Ever wonder why colleges use advertising? Isn't it easy to pick the right college?

Find one you’ve heard about; go through admissions; and begin your collegiate career... Right?

Well it’s not that easy. It’s been reported that 1 in 4 college freshmen will drop-out of college before completing their freshman year. Why is this you might ask? Most of the time students drop out because they started off at the wrong institution in the first place. That’s why is so important that institutions like Harrison College advertise and inform prospective students about their benefits. 

So what are some of the benefits about Harrison College that we want to message out?

A Long History. In a world where many claim to be an expert, it’s comforting to know about a school that’s truly been a leader for more than 100 years.

Personal Support. We work with students one on one to help them reach their goals, from choosing a field of study to providing Career Development Assistance
 

Financial Aid. We’ll help devise the best plan to finance education – almost all

Harrison College students receive some form of college tuition assistance.

A Variety of Studies. We offer more than 30 programs in a wide variety of career fields in

business, criminal justice, health sciences, information technology and veterinary technology training.

Those interested in culinary arts or hospitality may learn at The Chef’s Academy.

Smart Choices. We develop our programs based on input from business leaders and research of industry growth trends to ensure that they offer strong career potential.

Career-Focused Degrees. Classes will center on selected areas of studies, period.

It’s all students need – and only what they need – to get the job they want.

Day, Evening & Online Classes. Students can enjoy flexible class schedule, including the ability to combine a distance learning college with varying levels of face-to-face, in-class instruction. Part-time and full-time study options offer even more convenience.

Multiple Campuses. We’ve strategically located our campuses to make it a reasonable commute for most anyone.

Lifetime Employment Assistance. We’re with our students every step of the way, providing guidance on writing cover letters, building resumes, interviewing, and starting great careers.

 
These attributes just name a few reasons why we advertise about the great opportunities that come with being a part of Harrison College.

 

Check out one of our commercials to see how we advertised our Long History attribute!

There are quite a few confusing messages on line these days.  It doesn't matter if you are  searching for a System Administrator Career or pursuing training as a Medical Reimbursement Specialist.  You are constantly being bombarded with misleading and inaccurate messages.   Let me simply state for the record that The Federal Government is NOT going to be providing you money to go to school ENTIRELY for free!   I know that may come as a major disappointment, but  college is affordable.  There is a financial plan for everyone.  If there is a will, there is a way.  There are lots of ways to pay to attend college: grants, loans (and taking out loans to invest in yourself isn't bad!), online college scholarships, interest-free payments, and all sorts of other options.   Check out http://www.harrison.edu/financial-aid/eliminate-your-financial-fears.aspx for assistance in alleviating your financial fears.


 

Today I would like to continue my quest to answer the Five Fabulous Questions to Ask a College. Today I am answering Fabulous Question #2. I don’t know if I would say I have a favorite Fabulous Question, but if I did, it might be this one! Oddly this is the hardest one to put down in words—but I am sure going to try!

Fabulous Question 2: How is this school distinctive?

I think I can best answer is with a bulleted list of what sets Harrison College apart from other Columbus Indiana colleges.

• Service—What? Did you say service? That is usually the response I get when I talk about the positive approach to providing service to each and ever student at our campuses. Many students don’t really believe this until they experience it for themselves. Our commitment to service is evident from the ONE-ON-ONE Financial Aid appointments to the FREE Tutoring offered to all students.

• Familiarity—We know our students—BY NAME! We don’t just care about their successes—we care about their struggles too. For many students this is the difference they were looking for when they enrolled. We understand the obstacles that often get in the way of completing an adult education program and look for tools to assist students through these struggles so they can more easily experience real career and educational success. Read more about Student Resource Services at Harrison College.

• Review of Previously Earned College Credits—Harrison College doesn’t just agree to review your previously earned college credits—we do so HAPPILY! This is a huge deal to many of our students! Knowing that you will not have to fight to get someone to review your credits brings a great deal of peace of mind to many students.

• Educating the INDIVIDUAL—We know that no two students are the same. So why would we expect that every student would be successful with the same educational experience? Our faculty and staff work hard to create an atmosphere that encourages learning and success for EVERY Harrison College student.

I could go on and on about what makes Harrison College stand apart from the rest. BUT, I would rather invite you to visit a Harrison College campus near you to see for yourself.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the answer to Fabulous Question #3-- How many students transfer to another school during or after their first year?

What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you start thinking about going to college? For many prospective students the answer is COST. This is understandable since getting a college education is not cheap. I would NEVER suggest that any student choose a college based only on tuition cost—that would be as silly as buying a pair of shoes that were the wrong size just because they were on sale! (Read my advice for finding the right college for you by clicking here.)

One thing that every student must keep in mind is that a college education must be viewed as an investment in one’s self and future. But the smart student always looks for the best way to secure college tuition assistance in a variety of ways.

It is sometimes very easy for those of us familiar with Harrison College to forget just how special some of the things we do really are. The Tuition Freeze Program is a perfect example of this.

Harrison College, an Indiana accredited college, believes in rewarding students for continued commitment to their education. The Tuition Freeze Program ensures that students who start and complete their degree without dropping out or sitting out a quarter will NOT experience an increase in their tuition. This applies to part-time students as well as full-time students. What better reward could there be than saving money while earning a degree designed to increase your employability and promote career advancement?

Find out more about the Harrison College Tuition Freeze Program by visiting our financial aid page OR complete an Admissions Contact Form so one of our friendly admissions representatives can answer all your questions about Harrison College and the Tuition Freeze Program.

If you, your child, or someone you care about is a Twenty-first Century Scholar, you MUST read this blog!

As a soon-to-be high school graduate it is time to complete your first ever FAFSA! The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the first step to receiving a wide variety of financial assistance for education—including the Twenty-first Century Scholars program money!

The Twenty-first Century Scholars program is an Indiana scholarship—and for that reason you MUST complete your FAFSA by the March 10th deadline every year. Yes, I said EVERY YEAR until you complete your degree.

One of the biggest mistakes many recently graduated Twenty-first Century Scholars make is missing that deadline.

What if you are a Twenty-first Century Scholar who isn’t heading off to college right now? Well, go ahead and file that FAFSA—and keep doing it every February until you activate your scholarship within two years of high school graduation. What that means is that you have two years to start using your scholarship monies and many adult education programs are participants in the Twenty-first Century Scholars program.

Filing a FAFSA is FREE, so all it will cost you to file is a few minutes of your time.

If you are not sure how to file or if you are confused by some of the questions on the FAFSA, visit the Harrison College Columbus Indiana college campus on Sunday, February 28th from 2-4PM for one-on-one assistance from one of our financial aid professionals. The Columbus campus is located off Central Avenue near the Columbus Municipal Airport on 2222 Poshard Drive. Click here for more info on the Harrison College Columbus campus.

Learn more about the 21st Century Scholars Program by clicking here.

I wanted to post this important announcement. The MyCAA program has been put on hold as of February 16th. This is the program that is granting spouses $6000 to pursue an education. This has come to a surprise to many. Please check out the article DoD puts spouse career assistance on hold to read about this breaking news.

Quick Facts:

• MyCAA pays for tuition and training courses and professional licenses, certifications and credentials.
• Spouses of DoD Active Duty members and Spouses of activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components who are on Title 10 orders.
• The money you will receive is FREE! That's right you don't have to pay it back!
• Click MyCAA to access the MyCAA website.
   
• Click here for FAQs for MyCAA Military Spouse Frequently Asked Questions.
   
• If you are an active student, please ask your Harrison College financial aid analyst if you have any questions regarding this program.

Whether you are looking for surgical technology careers or fashion merchandising jobs, MyCAA can be your jump start into a new career.

FREE FAFSA Workshop at the Harrison College Evansville campus  

High school seniors, current college students, and adults thinking about attending college during 2010 are invited to attend a FREE FAFSA Workshop at the Harrison College Evansville campus located off of Green River Road at 4601 Theater Drive.

• Thursday, February 18, 3-7 PM
• Monday, March 8, 3-7 PM

Director of Financial Aid, Jenifer Sermersheim, and Senior Financial Aid Analyst Rebecca Moran will be on hand to provide one-on-one assistance in completing the electronic application for the 2010/2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid—AKA the FAFSA.

As advocates of education, Harrison College invites the community to join them for these workshops regardless of where the student would like to attend college.

If your goals for 2010 include enrolling in an adult education program, obtaining career advancement, or simply finding the right Indiana accredited college for you, the FAFSA is your first step to securing grants and Indiana scholarships to help pay for your education.

Contact the Harrison College Evansville campus now at 812.476.6000 or click here to check them out online.

If you have not heard, February is Financial Aid Awareness Month. Exciting, right? Well, I think so. After all, it is the availability of grants, lower interest loans and Indiana scholarships that allow many students the means to afford a college education.

The first step in receiving money for college is completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid—otherwise known as the FAFSA. Although the FAFSA isn’t impossible to fill out on your own, many people find some of the questions difficult to know how to answer. Add to the general confusion the stress of knowing that one wrong answer could impact the money you, your spouse, or your child will receive for education. Now that’s a lot of stress! 

Never fear, help is here in the form of COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY. If you have never heard of College Goal Sunday, let me share a little about this wonderful opportunity. All across Indiana, financial aid professionals will gather to provide their wisdom and knowledge to ANYONE wishing to fill out a FAFSA.  Yes, professionals providing FREE one-on-one help!

Here are some answers to the most common questions asked about College Goal Sunday:

When and where do I go to fill out my FAFSA?  Check here to find the nearest location to you.

Who should fill out a FAFSA? Anyone who even THINKS they might be interested in attending college during 2010 or 2011 should complete a FAFSA.

Why is it important to fill out my FAFSA now? It is true that the FAFSA can be completed any time throughout the year; however, some financial aid is only awarded to those people who meet the March 10th deadline. Some Indiana financial aid programs, like the 21st Century Scholars program, the Frank O’Bannon grant, Core 40, and Academic Honors, and countless other Indiana scholarships require that this deadline be met in order to qualify for the money you are eligible to receive.

What should I bring? 2009 taxes and W2 forms for the household, Social Security Number, driver’s license, proof of citizenship or noncitizen eligibility, records of any untaxed income (social security income, TANF, welfare, veterans benefits) and documentation of current business, farm, stock, bond or other investment records.

What if my (or my parent’s) taxes have not been done by then?  That’s okay. Don’t let this stop you from completing a FASFA by the March 10th deadline. Just bring as much of the documentation listed above and an estimate can be made and later corrected by the financial aid department at the school you choose to attend.

What if I cannot make it to the College Goal Sunday event? Well, you can always attend the FAFSA Frenzy at the Harrison College Columbus Indiana college campus on Sunday, February 28th between 2 and 4 p.m. or visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the FAFSA electronically.

Even if college is just a small thought in the back of your mind right now, please join us at either event to complete your FAFSA. After all, 2010 could be the year you change your life through education.