This is one of several photos we took last week on a tour of one of the UTSA campuses (Univ of TX, San Antonio). It was a nearly surreal experience, touring a campus with a child of MINE -- not ME touring a campus, but entering the world of college mom. (My first 3 did get more education after high school, but not in so official a manner. )Discussion of colleges and career options has dominated a LOT of conversation around here. It's been quite interesting to listen to and, on occasion, be invited to participate in (of course, there are many occasions where I participate UNinvited....). I took 5 kids to lunch at Applebee's today and the discussion continued - with some of the strongly considered career options being drafting/CAD, accounting/finance, political science, and music teacher. This is a refined list, much narrowed and seeming to be pretty good matches for the kids.
Frankly, I'm impressed with their interest and planning. I considered myself to be a very mature teenager and I wasn't near this "ready" (planning wise) for education and career choices. I had enough just to get through high school at the time. I guess that's why I'm impressed with the kids who are working these thoughts out - they have difficult backgrounds AND difficult lives even still - but this is important to them. I would give a LOT in support wherever I can to make sure they can achieve these goals, if they do end up going after them....
So many more of my kids, I fear, will never make it to this sort of future planning. It's very nice to be involved with some kids who ARE healing, doing better, hoping to become productive members of society (or, at the least, to listen to their description of primary goals: money makers). It's all good. :-)
Oh, and if you're interested, UTSA seems a pretty decent school.
I have 12 kids who will graduate in the next 3 years. On top of 2 in college now. I don't plan to PAY for their schooling - but will help if/when I can - any tips from been there/done that moms on hidden funding options beyond PELL grant/student loans??
3 comments:
Oftentimes, schools will have books available for you that will explain grants that are available. For instance, one university had a grant (allbeit small) for women who attended, the only catch was you had to write a thank you note each quarter/semester thanking them for the grant. Another had a grant for anyone who had the last name of "Brown". You might ask the financial aid office of the university after you enroll. They were small, but they helped. Also, make sure they get their financial aid paperwork in for pell and loans EARLY. As much before the March 1 deadline as possible!
I have 2 in college. And I'm in grad school. We get all the info on the books and order them used off of Amazon. Saves a bundle. Plus they should qualify for some grants and interest free loans I would think.
My adopted son qualified for a grant for being a "first generation" to attend college. It's $1000 a year free and clear! They said even though he was adopted, he was the first generation of his biological family to attend college (the first generation to graduate from high school for that matter!)
UTSA is beautiful. My husband and i graduated from Trinity - just down the street.
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