April 25, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR CHARLENE CASSIDY IN SC
Jesse, I'm sure you are disappointed to find that you cannot afford to
do something that you had your heart set on. I wonder though, if you have
explored all of your options with regard to financial aid. Both the state
and federal government sponsor financial aid programs in the form of low
interest loans and/or grants. The amount/type of aid you receive is
income-based. Most colleges and universities have a financial aid office
that helps students determine what type of aid is available to them. If you
have applied to a specific college(s) contact the financial aid office there
to get some help. If you go to the US Department of Education website
(www.ed.gov), you will find information on Federal Financial Aid Programs as
well as links to other programs. You may also download the federal
application form from this site. Your high school guidance counselor should
also be able to help you find the forms you need and point you in the right
direction through the application process.

If you have exhausted all of your options and you still feel that you cannot
afford the college/university you want to attend right now, I think
community college is an excellent choice. You could take your basic core
courses and not spend as much as you would at a college. You would be able
to transfer some, if not all of the credits you take to a college/university
at a later date.
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A: FROM MENTOR ROSE CLARK IN PA
Hello Jess,
Taking classes at the community college is a good place to start, but I would not give up on college. My family could not afford to send me to college but I found that there were government grants and loans that help to pay the way. Neither of my parents attended college and they both had minimum wage jobs. I now have a PH.D in chemistry and teach at a smaller university. Have you spoken to the financial aid office at any colleges? Most colleges will do everything that they can to help you find the money you need, even if it means taking out loans. I had several loans when I finished but the education is worth it and I love my science job! I wish you the best of luck.
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A: FROM MENTOR DIANA DIONISIO IN CA
There is nothin wrong with takin classes at a community college. It saves money and you basically get general education out of the way. Since you're planning on transferring to your dream college, your diploma will say that college and nobody will know that you even went to a jc in the end on your diploma. Just make sure to work hard during those first two years because you're going to compete again to get into the school you want when you transfer.
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A: FROM MENTOR JUDY LONG IN CO
I would say yes,
definitely go to community college versus none at all.
I encourage Jess to look everywhere for financial aid
- start with the financial aid office at the community
college. I was in the same situation as she is and
found a lot of different types of financial aid
available. My father's place of employment offered
scholarships, there were scholarships based on
academic performance, student loans, work-study and
tutoring programs. I attended my community college
the first year on shcolarship from my father's
employer then transferred to a bigger university with
the help of academic scholarships and student loans.
I also worked part time during school and full time in
the summers. It wasn't easy but it was very well
worth it to be able to graduate from a good
university. It helped me get a good job after
graduation and pay back the loans quickly.
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A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK IN RI
I do think it's a good idea. Many students start at community
colleges and transfer to 4-year colleges. Some community colleges
have agreements with 4-year colleges that students who succeed there
can transfer. Each4-year college has its own rules about transfer
credit, so it's a good idea in choosing the community college, your
courses and, later, your 4-year college, to look into the
transferability of credit, so you don't end up having to take many
more courses that the minimum to complete a bachelor's degree.

When you say you can't afford it, I'm taking you at your word,
assuming that you have already looked into what financial aid you
would get and carefully thought about how cheaply you might be able
to live. If you haven't done that, you certainly should. There are
many sources of scholarships (though I'm not prepared to endorse any
particular way of finding them, alas) and you should apply for any
that you are eligible for. You may be able to combine part-time
study with work for pay, and save up for full-time study later; with
luck, you might find work that help you to clarify your eventual
career goals and through which you learn useful skills. Living at
home saves a lot of money, and tuition at community colleges is
typically lower than at 4-year institutions.

Education is an investment in your future - it's worth doing without
things you want but don't really need in order to have the career and
life you want later. It's worth taking out some student loans - but
be careful to think about your expected future income and don't
borrow more than you can afford to pay back.

If you don't continue with school at all, the danger is that you
might get so busy with full-time work and/or with starting a family
that higher education becomes very difficult to start. Community
college is a way to keep in school, possibly part-time, and keep
yourself focused on your educational goals.

Very best wishes for you -
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A: FROM MENTOR MAMIE MOY IN TX
You will be able to take courses at the community college that are accepted
at almost all colleges. Many students begin their post secondary educational
experience at community colleges for a number of reasons. In many instances
the class size in community colleges is smaller than in many colleges and
universities. Your academic foundations will not suffer by attending a
community college before enrolling in a four year college or univerisity.
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A: FROM MENTOR MAUREEN O'BRIEN ROZENHART IN WA
Of course community college is a great idea!! Not all education
needs to come from a university and many, many excellent courses and
instructors are offered at community colleges. What matters is what you
want to do. If the career/s you're interested in have educational
requirements that can be met by going to a community college instead of
a university, by all means, save a few dollars. Another option is
Vocational or Technical colleges. Many times you can get very specific
training in a fields such as nursing, computer courses or automotive
tech, etc. at these type of colleges. Many universities also transfer
credits from the Voc Tech courses and just finish up all the
math/english/science type of degree prerequistes at a university later
if that's an option that comes available to you. And last but not
least, don't forget there are student loans out there if you reeeeeeally
want to go to that university. Anything is possible.
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A: FROM MENTOR ELEANORA ROBBINS IN CA
The more education, the happier people are, the more interesting lives they have, and the more money they have to do things. The opposite, therefore, is an unhappy, boring, and poor person. Which sounds like the kind of person you want to be? Here in California, many students begin their college educations at community colleges, and then transfer to main campuses after two years. They do this for four reasons—it is so much cheaper to attend, it is so much less of a monetary stress for families, the transition from high school to college is easier, and most universities make it simple to transfer credits.

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A: FROM MENTOR MARSHA SEGEBARTH IN INDIANA
Jess, I have taught at both a community college and four year institutions. I certainly encourage you to consider a community college at least for a year (perhaps two if you choose courses wisely)if finances are a problem. Community colleges provide a valuable service to their areas. The trick is to make sure you choose courses that you KNOW will transfer to the institution you eventually hope to graduate from. In order to do this, I advise meeting with a representative of that insitution or checking with the registrar concerning community college courses which they accept. I live in Kentucky. At present, all courses taken at a community college in Kentucky will transfer to the University of Kentucky as both hours and GPA points. Sometimes the four year institution will accept the hours, but the points earned (usually 4 points for an A, 3 points for a B, 2 points for a C, 1 point for a D) will not be entered into your cumulative GPA. If you have earned A's in those courses it is a shame not to get credit for them! At any rate, be sure to check with the Registrar of the 4 yr. institution concerning which courses they accept, and choose your community college courses wisely. Often, community colleges have smaller class sizes and are able to provide more one-on-one help. Be sure to check into financial aid at the community college, too. It is available! Good luck.
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A: FROM MENTOR MOLLY WILLIAMS IN MI
Absolutely! Please try taking courses at a community college. The
experience will introduce you to college level courses and let you
explore your career options. And be sure to talk with both your
high school and community college counselors about where you could
transfer to complete your bachelor's degree. There are scholarship
and work-study programs at many colleges that are intended for
students who must support themselves. There are some colleges that
are especially geared to students with limited economic resources.
Berea College in Kentucky is one that comes to mind; the college
requires that all students work in order to support themselves and
the college. You certainly can go to college even if your family
can't help pay for it.