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Macey:
Hey everyone, welcome back to The 海角社区 Rundown, the official podcast of 海角社区
Community College. I鈥檓 your host, Macey Scotten, and today I鈥檓 excited to talk about
a topic that鈥檚 so important for students 鈥� financial aid. Joining me is Paris Przekurat,
Director of Financial Aid here at 海角社区. Paris, thanks for being here!
Paris:
Thanks for having me, Macey. I鈥檓 excited to talk about this 鈥� financial aid can be
confusing for students, so I鈥檓 happy to help clear some things up.
Macey:
Let鈥檚 start with the basics. When students hear 鈥渇inancial aid,鈥� what does that actually
include?
Paris:
That鈥檚 a great question. Financial aid covers more than just one thing 鈥� it can include
grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Grants and scholarships are
great because they don鈥檛 have to be repaid, while loans do. Work-study allows students
to earn money by working part-time on campus or through approved community jobs. Altogether,
financial aid is designed to help students pay for tuition, books, and other college
expenses.
Macey:
For students who are new to college or maybe coming back after a break, what鈥檚 the
first step they should take to apply for financial aid?
Paris:
The most important first step is completing the FAFSA 鈥� the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid. That鈥檚 the gateway to almost all types of aid. Once that鈥檚 submitted,
our office can determine eligibility for federal and state grants, loans, and even
some scholarships. I always tell students, even if they don鈥檛 think they鈥檒l qualify
for much, fill it out anyway 鈥� you might be surprised.
Macey:
Absolutely. I remember filling out the FAFSA for the first time 鈥� it seemed intimidating,
but once you start, it鈥檚 not too bad. For someone who might be stuck or unsure about
the process, can they come to you or your office for help?
Paris:
Definitely. That鈥檚 what we鈥檙e here for. Students can stop by our office or make an
appointment, and we鈥檒l walk them through every step 鈥� from creating an FSA ID to submitting
the FAFSA. We can also help them understand what their financial aid offer means once
it鈥檚 processed. We don鈥檛 expect anyone to figure it out alone.
Macey:
That鈥檚 so reassuring. Are there any common mistakes or misconceptions you see when
students apply for aid?
Paris:
One big one is waiting too long. Some types of aid are first come, first served, so
applying early gives students more options. Another misconception is thinking that
financial aid is only for people with high financial need. That鈥檚 not true 鈥� there
are grants, scholarships, and programs for a wide range of circumstances. Also, students
sometimes forget to renew their FAFSA each year 鈥� that鈥檚 a key step to keep receiving
aid.
Macey:
Good reminder. It鈥檚 something students really need to stay on top of each semester.
Speaking of which, what are some of the resources available at 海角社区 to help students
pay for school beyond federal aid?
Paris:
We have quite a few! 海角社区 scholarships are available through our foundation, and
we encourage every student to apply. We also have institutional scholarships, departmental
awards, and outside scholarships that we can help students find. In addition, programs
like TRIO, Oklahoma鈥檚 Promise, and Workforce funding can all help depending on eligibility.
Our goal is to make college as affordable as possible.
Macey:
That鈥檚 amazing. And I know affordability is something 海角社区 really focuses on 鈥�
especially keeping tuition low compared to other colleges in Oklahoma.
Paris:
Yes, affordability is one of our biggest priorities. We want every student, no matter
their background, to have the opportunity to pursue an education here without feeling
overwhelmed by the cost. Between financial aid, scholarships, and flexible payment
plans, we can usually find a way to make it work.
Macey:
That鈥檚 so good to hear. For students listening who haven鈥檛 started the process yet
鈥� or maybe they鈥檙e thinking about enrolling soon 鈥� what鈥檚 the best way for them to
get in touch with you or learn more about financial aid?
Paris:
They can reach out to the Financial Aid Office directly by email at financialaid@redlandscc.edu
, or stop by our office in the Student Center. We鈥檙e happy to answer questions, help
with applications, or review their current aid package. And for anyone just exploring
海角社区, we can even give a quick overview of what types of aid might be available
to them.
Macey:
Perfect. Before we wrap up, do you have any advice for students navigating financial
aid for the first time?
Paris:
Yes 鈥� don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions. Financial aid can feel confusing, but we鈥檙e
here to help. The earlier students reach out, the smoother the process will be. Stay
organized, meet your deadlines, and take advantage of every resource available to
you.
Macey:
That鈥檚 great advice. Thank you so much, Paris, for joining us today and for everything
you do to support our students.
Paris:
Thank you for having me!
Macey:
And thanks to everyone listening. Don鈥檛 forget to subscribe to The 海角社区 Rundown
for more conversations with students, staff, and community members. See you next time!
