Make wise decisions when using financial aid
Angie Williams
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: Dixie Sun Link Features
Many Dixie State College students take advantage of their financial aid funds by using them on non-school related items.
Nearly 80 percent of students at DSC are on some type of financial aid, Financial Aid Director J.D. Robertson said. Financial aid includes scholarships, student loans, work study and grants.
Robertson said financial aid should be used for things that enable a student to get a better educational experience. He said students use their money for transportation costs, student fees, housing, food and other expenses. Some students even spend their money on their Internet bills because they consider it a necessity for their education. However, some students use their money for vacations or for car tune-ups, which is unacceptable, Robertson said.
Curtis Blake, a junior biology major from South Jordan, said he uses his financial aid to purchase things needed for school or to pay off debt.
Blake has been married for about three years and has received financial assistance each year. Blake receives an Ambassador scholarship, a Federal Pell Grant, and a subsidized Stafford loan each semester.
"We spend our money on books, backpacks and back-to-school clothes," Blake said. "Whatever is left after that, we spend on bills and what not through the semester."
Although Blake usually spends his financial aid money on items for school, he said he and his wife have also used that money on other things, such as paying off credit cards. Because he has a family to support, he said taking out student loans is something he definitely depends on each year.
"I would try not to get a loan if you can avoid it," Blake said. "If you do get a loan, get a subsidized loan because the interest doesn't accumulate until after you graduate."
However, not all students use their financial aid money as responsibly as Blake does. Robertson said he often meets with students who have used up all of their available funds and come back asking for more. He said there are federal maximum limits the financial aid office can lend to students, and they can't go above that. Robertson gave a few simple suggestions for students to remember when considering taking out money for a loan.
Nearly 80 percent of students at DSC are on some type of financial aid, Financial Aid Director J.D. Robertson said. Financial aid includes scholarships, student loans, work study and grants.
Robertson said financial aid should be used for things that enable a student to get a better educational experience. He said students use their money for transportation costs, student fees, housing, food and other expenses. Some students even spend their money on their Internet bills because they consider it a necessity for their education. However, some students use their money for vacations or for car tune-ups, which is unacceptable, Robertson said.
Curtis Blake, a junior biology major from South Jordan, said he uses his financial aid to purchase things needed for school or to pay off debt.
Blake has been married for about three years and has received financial assistance each year. Blake receives an Ambassador scholarship, a Federal Pell Grant, and a subsidized Stafford loan each semester.
"We spend our money on books, backpacks and back-to-school clothes," Blake said. "Whatever is left after that, we spend on bills and what not through the semester."
Although Blake usually spends his financial aid money on items for school, he said he and his wife have also used that money on other things, such as paying off credit cards. Because he has a family to support, he said taking out student loans is something he definitely depends on each year.
"I would try not to get a loan if you can avoid it," Blake said. "If you do get a loan, get a subsidized loan because the interest doesn't accumulate until after you graduate."
However, not all students use their financial aid money as responsibly as Blake does. Robertson said he often meets with students who have used up all of their available funds and come back asking for more. He said there are federal maximum limits the financial aid office can lend to students, and they can't go above that. Robertson gave a few simple suggestions for students to remember when considering taking out money for a loan.
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