When Monyce Fleming decided to enroll in college she wasn\u2019t sure where to go or how to start. As the first person in her family to go to college, she had a lot of questions. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a ton to learn, but the big thing that I had to work through was paying for college,\u201d says Moynce. \u201cYou have to figure out more than just paying tuition and fees. It\u2019s about juggling those expenses with life. I needed financial aid and guidance to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n
Monyce isn\u2019t alone in her struggle. Data show finding money for college is one of the top reasons students put off enrolling in higher education. Austin Community College District (ACC) has a team of specialists to help students like Monyce find the support they need. \u201cWe\u2019re charged with getting students as much money as possible,\u201d says Belinda Pe\u00f1a, ACC financial aid manager. \u201cThat\u2019s our goal. We want to help alleviate as much financial burden as possible so that no student struggles with trying to stay in college because of money.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belinda and the Financial Aid team worked with Monyce to help her apply for financial support and find cash for college. She was awarded multiple types of financial aid from scholarships to work-study.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t think I\u2019d get anything, but I\u2019m glad I did,\u201d she admits. \u201cI would have missed out on money that was there and ready for me.\u201d <\/p>\n
Popular financial aid support options at ACC include grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, and payment plans. The average award for ACC students is $6,141<\/p>\n
Grants & Scholarships: <\/strong>Grants and scholarships are free money, and as long as you meet and maintain eligibility criteria, students can apply every year. The ACC Foundation<\/a> makes it easy to apply for scholarships, through the General Scholarship Application. Students complete a single application, with a short, personal statement, to be connected with hundreds of opportunities. The average award is $2,500. <\/p>\n Loans: <\/strong>Loans are borrowed money that students will need to pay back after they stop attending college. <\/p>\n Payment Plans:<\/strong> To help spread the cost of tuition, making paying for tuition more affordable and manageable, ACC offers an interest-free payment plan. \u200b\u200bPayments can be split into three equal sums during the spring and fall semesters and two payments during the summer semester.<\/p>\n Additional Support: <\/strong>Students at ACC get free tutoring, free academic coaching, advising, and counseling. The college also offers multiple support options throughout the year for additional expenses: <\/p>\n All of the financial aid options are available for eligible students, and it begins by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)<\/a>. Undocumented Texas residents may complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) to apply for grants and work-study: austincc.edu\/undocumented<\/a>. ACC\u2019s in-house experts review all applications and connect students with the best options for them.<\/p>\n For more information on ways to get and save money for college, visit austincc.edu\/payforcollege<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Monyce Fleming decided to enroll in college she wasn\u2019t sure where to go or how to start. As the first person in her family to go to college, she had a lot of questions. … Continue reading \n