Alabama Possible works to make higher education more accessible to students across the state. The group raises awareness about the resources available to help fund a college education through its annual campaign, “Alabama Goes to College.”
In an effort to remove financial barriers, the group is also promoting University of Alabama Application Week, executive director Chandra Scott said. This week, more than 60 universities in the state are waiving admission fees until this Friday.
“A $35 or $50 application fee could be the difference between a light bill and someone’s drug bill. No one knows that. So we’re always thinking about ways to open up access to all students. I’m thinking about it,” Scott said.
Scott said Alabama ranks as the sixth poorest state in the nation, highlighting the urgent need for financial support for college admissions.
The Class of 2021 who did not apply for federal student aid left about $4 billion in Pell Grants on the table, according to the National College Attainment Network.
Scott said federal student aid is another important entry point for many families who can afford to attend college, and another important part of the campaign is creating an FSA ID on the website StudentAid.gov He added that families should be encouraged to do so and be able to apply for federal aid as soon as it opens. .
“Even if you know you’re going to go into the military or the workforce, we always encourage our students to continue with the process because once they graduate, at least they have more options,” Scott continued.
As noted on Studentaid.gov, the 2024 FASFA announcement has been postponed until December.
Professor Scott said applying for financial aid early increases students’ chances, with many universities currently seeking scholarships. She also said students who need help can seek guidance from school counselors and career coaches through Alabama Possible.
Disclosure: Alabama Possible donates to funds for reporting on civic engagement, education, poverty and youth issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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North Carolina colleges and universities are relying on adult learners to address workforce shortages in the state, particularly shortages of teachers and nurses.
North Carolina is projected to have a shortage of nearly 13,000 nurses by 2025, and when it comes to teachers, the state currently needs more than 5,000.
Lori McLaren, executive director of the William Peace College of Professional Studies, said the school is looking for ways to support adult learners who have some college credits but no degrees. She said one of her ways to do that is to streamline the application process and partner with local businesses to offer tuition discounts.
“In addition to tuition discounts, there is also an opportunity to go on-site and do an unofficial transcript review,” McLaren outlined. “We can host special events to connect with these students and ease the process of applying and enrolling.”
She believes the key to attracting adult learners is to simplify the process and provide additional resources such as student support, career coaching, and extended office hours.
At McLaren, we understand the challenges faced by adults juggling work, family and university. She emphasized the importance of creating a learning environment that prepares students for long-term career success.
“We’re creating opportunities for them to actually work on solving real-world problems,” McLaren noted. “This has a really big impact on adult learners because they’ve been there and done it in some way, and when they walk into that classroom they see themselves as part of a learning community. I realize that they are truly valuable members.”
Research shows that increasing college enrollment alone will not meet the state’s need for 2 million working-age adults with high-quality post-secondary degrees and certifications.
Disclosure: William Peace University contributes to our foundation for education reporting. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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Many employers are hiring college graduates who also have access to skills-based training, and one school in Texas is expanding its Google Career Certification program.
South Texas College recently received an “Innovation of the Year Award” for improving its online Google Certification classroom. Computer science professor Nicholas Hinojosa said the award recognizes efforts to provide so-called “micro-credentials” to upskill and reskill students. He said he believes that contributes to student success.
“I have several students and I know firsthand that they have earned a certificate and it has helped them advance in status and career,” he said.
STC offers Google certifications in voice and data technology, telecommunications specialist training, and internet usage. Hinojosa said at least 177 students have received the professional certification since STC adopted his Google “IT Support Professional Certification” in 2020.
Google charges certificates as a way to equip learners with theoretical and practical knowledge and real-world problem-solving skills. Hinojosa said he believes this will strengthen students’ resumes, improve their employability and potentially benefit the communities in which they ultimately live after graduation.
“I think this will give you a better idea of what to expect in the workforce if you decide to pursue one of these fields in the future,” he said.
Hinojosa said he believes it is important to get high school students used to earning industry-recognized certifications, especially as they begin to plan for their futures. He said Google certifications can help students whether they are pursuing a degree or entering the workforce.
This report was supported by the Lumina Foundation.
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Cannabis is an emerging science where students can make new discoveries and contributions. Wayne State University in Michigan introduced an undergraduate certificate program this fall.
Andrea Matti, assistant professor of chemistry at Wayne State University, said students are enthusiastically participating and schools across the country are seeing similar enthusiasm.
“We went from having five majors to now having 100,” Matti said. “I said, ‘What do you say? I said, ‘You outperformed the majors by 20 times?’ And he goes, ‘Oh, yeah, we introduced cannabis.’ . ”
This certificate program is designed to teach students the fundamentals of analytical chemistry, separation science, and laboratory research for jobs in the cannabis testing industry. These courses prepare students for careers in the testing and regulation of cannabis, including both CBD and THC. It is a field that is growing both locally and nationally.
Matti said the cannabis field is new and rapidly expanding, and as scientists we can discover a lot and make a difference because we can find new ways to measure and contribute to the standards. .
“The majority of our majors are pre-M.D., P.D., Pharm.D., or PA pre-Ph.D., but we also have students who don’t want to be involved in health care but who genuinely like learning about medical devices and devices. They want an outlet too. They want to work in labs and testing,” she explained.
Students who have completed at least 60 credits and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher may apply for a cannabis chemistry certificate. This program is also open to students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree from any educational institution.
Disclosure: Wayne State University contributes to our foundation for reporting on civic, educational, environmental, and health issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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