Starting Off Spring Semester on the Right Foot
Desiree Perez
It's a new year and a new semester. With one half of the 2011-2012 school year complete, you and your student have had a chance to see what worked for you and what needs improvement. We have a few tips that could help you and your student save some money, make professional connections and start the semester off right.
Financial Aid
The most popular New Year's resolutions involve losing weight and saving money. So we talked to director of Admissions, Scott Hagg, for tips to help you and your student find ways to save on education costs without having to tighten your belts.
A big name when it comes to paying for college is FAFSA: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In addition to other awards, the FAFSA helps determine who is eligible to receive funding through the state's Cal Grant Program. But in order to be considered for the Cal Grant awards, your student has to be sure to file his or her FAFSA by the March 2 priority deadline.
Humboldt State also offers scholarships to help you and your student pay for college. Your student can apply for HSU scholarships for the 2012-2013 year using our new STARS online application. The application period is open now through Feb. 17, so don't delay!
Check out the Financial Aid website for more information.
Jobs and Internships
Another popular New Year's resolution is to find a job or a more satisfying career. Whether your student is looking for his or her first part-time job, an internship or connections for a career after college, HSU's Career Center can help.
"Some parents might not know what our Career Center does," says career counselor and internship adviser, Joy Soll. "It's a place where a student can come to get all the help he or she needs with internships and jobs, from how to create a resume to what to wear in the interview. We can help them along every step of the way."
In addition to job listings available on it's online resource, Springboard, the Career Center hosts its annual Career Expo on Feb. 24, giving students a chance to find full- and part-time work with employers from campus, the community and beyond. This makes January the perfect time to start preparing.
If your student is seeking some career-related experience, this is also a great time to start looking for summer internships. Talk to your student about summer plans. If you're expecting her or him to come home, see if your student can find an internship in your hometown. Figure out if you should budget for travel if your student is looking for an internship abroad. Recommend to your student that she or he speak with the career counselor assigned to his or her college for more help. With most internship deadlines in April and May—during spring semester crunch time—it's a good idea to get the details taken care of right away.
Career Counselors:
College of Natural Resources and Sciences—Cherry Ouellette
College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences—Loren Collins
College of Professional Studies—Joy Soll
For more information on the Career Center, visit humboldt.edu/career.
Students can also use the HSU Alumni Association's online Career Network, which includes assessments, resume tips and much more.
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