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Category Archives: Financial Aid
GRCC In the News, 8-26-13
Local colleges deal with changing national student loan rates
Aug. 23, 2013; Grand Rapids Business Journal
West Michigan students are safe for now, but local colleges are still uncertain about the future of financial aid legislation.
… Grand Rapids Community College was closely following the news as it came out, said Ann Isackson, GRCC’s director of financial aid. After the bill was signed, the school posted the following on the financial aid page of its website:
“The U.S. Department of Education recently increased the student loan origination fees for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans and for Parent PLUS loans. These increases will take effect for loans first disbursed after July 1, 2013. Due to federal sequestration, Subsidized and Unsubsidized origination fees will rise from 1 percent to 1.051 percent of the loan principal. Parent PLUS origination fees will rise from 4 percent to 4.204 percent of the loan principal.”
Aug. 25, 2013; The Holland Sentinel (special section called Women Everywhere)
Gabrielle Vilella put her college plans on hold as she took care of her family and entered the workforce. But her desire for a degree didn’t waver.
… Community colleges offer programs in the summer, on weekends and — increasingly — online. In fact GRCC’s newest degree — in information security — can be taken completely online.
Local college, university enrollment increases noted
Aug. 23, 2013; Grand Rapids Business Journal
Students are descending on local college campuses, some in record number. Several West Michigan colleges are anticipating increased enrollment in incoming freshman classes and most are offering new programs of study. Additionally, schools shared information about what areas students are arriving from and how this years numbers compare to 2012-2013.
… Grand Rapids Community College
GRCC said it expects to see 3,700 incoming freshman students this fall.
GRCC renames Bostwick Commons for Juan Olivarez
Aug. 23, 2013; Grand Rapids Business Journal
A Grand Rapids Community College space will bear the name of Aquinas College’s president.
Take Five Summer to Fall Cocktails – 8/23/2013
Aug. 23, 2013; WZZM
GRAND RAPIDS, MI (August 21, 2013)– Grand Rapids Area restaurants participating in Restaurant Week Grand Rapids will soon learn who the winners are of the judged and people’s choice competition for winning the best cocktail in two categories for the Grand Cocktail 2013 competition held during Restaurant Week Grand Rapids.
… Second and third place finalists will receive dinners at some of the Restaurant Week restaurants and “People’s Choice” winners will receive dinner at the Heritage Restaurant at GRCC operated by the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education.
GVSU and Delta College sign reverse transfer agreement
Aug. 24, 2013; MLive
ALLENDALE, MI – Grand Valley State University has signed a reverse transfer agreement with Delta College.
… GVSU’s agreement with Delta brings to 22 the number of reverse transfer agreements the university has with community colleges in Michigan. Other agreements are in place with schools in Jackson, Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Lansing.
Aug. 25, 2013; The Detroit Free Press
GRAND RAPIDS — If only Drake Harris had been more obstinate.
… Instead it is the second week of August, and Harris is not at Christian’s football practice. But instead of playing basketball, he is at Grand Rapids Community College, taking two classes so he can graduate early and enroll at Michigan in January. He will be able to participate in spring football practice and be ready to play football at U-M next fall.
Michigan game-by-game predictions: Will 10-2 be enough to net a B1G title?
Aug. 26, 2013; MLive
ANN ARBOR — In the first two years of Brady Hoke’s tenure at Michigan, the Wolverines accomplished something they hadn’t done in a while.
… Aug. 31 vs. Central Michigan
Dan Enos’ Chippewas will bring a quarterback into Michigan Stadium who has thrown just four passes at the Division I level. Cody Kater was a terrific JUCO player, but this is a long way from the now defunct Grand Rapids Community College. Michigan’s defense should be fine here, and it should allow Devin Gardner to work through any early-season kinks with the new offense. Michigan 38, Central Michigan 10 (Record: 1-0)
Ferris State coach Tony Annese knows there’s no sneaking up on opponents this season
Aug. 23, 2013; MLive
BIG RAPIDS, MI — Coach Tony Annese can’t play the underdog card again after Ferris State won seven games in his first season.
… The Bulldogs went 7-4 overall, 6-3 in the GLIAC North Division in the first year under Annese, the former Muskegon High School and Grand Rapids Community College coach.
GRCC offices offer extended hours
Extended Service Hours!
Offices open until 6:30 p.m.
August 19-22 & August 26-29, 2013 (Monday through Thursday)
The Cashier’s Office, Counseling and Career Center, Enrollment Center, Financial Aid, Occupational and Disability Support, Student Life and Conduct and Student Records will be open until 6:30 p.m. to serve you!
GRCC offices offer extended hours
Extended Service Hours!
Offices open until 6:30 p.m.
August 19-22 & August 26-29, 2013 (Monday through Thursday)
The Cashier’s Office, Counseling and Career Center, Enrollment Center, Financial Aid, Occupational and Disability Support, Student Life and Conduct and Student Records will be open until 6:30 p.m. to serve you!
Dave Morris becomes ESP-financial aid adviser
Dave Morris
Please welcome Dave (or David) Morris, an ESP-financial aid adviser in the Financial Aid Office as of July 1, 2013.
He earned an associate of arts degree at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and a bachelor of fine arts at Western Michigan University. He has been working in financial aid for over 30 years, for the past five as a contingency employee in the GRCC Financial Aid Office. He enjoys helping students and parents successfully navigate the financial aid process, and he is proud to be a part of an excellent team of financial aid professionals.
In his spare time, he enjoys reading, traveling, swimming and growing heirloom tomatoes in the summer.
Get your ducks in a row!
Do you need help getting ready to sign up for classes at GRCC? Please join us on Friday, June 28 from 11 AM to 1 PM at our Lakeshore Campus Thompson M-TEC facility. We will have GRCC staff available to help you with Accuplacer testing, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Raider Card, Technology Assistance and more.
We look forward to seeing you!
GRCC’s Lakeshore Campus
Thompson M-TEC
6364 136th Ave Pvt.
Holland, MI 49424
616-234-2200
Adjusted hours for service areas
The service areas have adjusted hours during the upcoming weeks.
During the week of December 17 to 21, 2012, and January 2 to 4, 2013, Cashiers, Counseling & Career Center, Enrollment Center, Financial Aid, Student Life and Conduct, and the Testing (Assessment) Center will close at 5 p.m.
The service areas will offer extended hours from January 7 to 10 and 14 to 17, 2013, to serve students. For a complete list of offices and hours, click here.
SALT helps with financing higher education, managing student loans
The Financial Aid Office has contracted with American Student Assistance to deliver a dynamic, multichannel educational program to GRCC Students and Alum called SALT. SALT assists students with making financial decisions during and after attending, with financing higher education, and with managing student loans.
SALT educates, empowers, and engages students and alumi to truly own their finances, by making it immediately rewarding, easy, and fun to make smarter student loan and financial decisions. It’s offered free and more information on this program is available at www.saltmoney.org, or by calling 855-469-2724. If members have questions about their student loans, they can call a SALT loan counselor at 877-523-9473.
Reminder: Appreciation Open House for Jill Nutt Today
In case you haven’t heard, Jill Nutt will be leaving GRCC and moving on to become the Director of Financial Aid for Hope College. Jill’s been at GRCC for 22 years, and although she’s not retiring, we want to acknowledge her contributions and leadership at GRCC.
On Thursday, June 21st, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM, please stop by the Enrollment Center to acknowledge Jill’s years of service and wish her well!
Introducing Ken Fridsma – Interim Director of Financial Aid
You may have seen him around, as he’s been a familiar face in the Financial Aid office since 2009.
Beginning June 18th, you’ll probably see him around more often! Ken Fridsma has agreed to serve as the Interim Director of Financial Aid beginning June 18th. Ken retired from GVSU after serving as their Director of Financial Aid for 40 years! He began working for GRCC in 2009, processing financial aid applications, awarding aid and meeting with students, helping out during our most hectic times. Ken has been active in the financial aid community and has previously held leadership positions at the national, state and local level. WELCOME KEN!
Also, during this interim transition phase, Jane Mohr and the Cashier’s office will report directly to Lisa Freiburger. Ken and Jane’s leadership will allow us to review our services and organizational structure to position services to meet the changing financial aid requirements and student needs..
Why the change? Jill Nutt will be leaving GRCC to become the Director of Financial Aid at Hope College! Please stop by the Enrollment Center on Thursday, June 21st, from 3:00 – 4:00 to wish her well!
Appreciation Open House for Jill Nutt – 6/21/12
In case you haven’t heard, Jill Nutt will be leaving GRCC and moving on to become the Director of Financial Aid for Hope College. Jill’s been at GRCC for 22 years, and although she’s not retiring, we want to acknowledge her contributions and leadership at GRCC.
On Thursday, June 21st, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM, please stop by the Enrollment Center to acknowledge Jill’s years of service and wish her well!
Deadline for Summer Semester Financial Aid Applications Quickly Approaching
If you interact with any students who are interested in Summer Semester classes, please remind them that they may qualify for some financial aid.
Even though it’s only February, students need to submit a 2012 Summer Financial Aid Request Form here as soon as possible so GRCC can determine their eligibility for summer financial aid. The deadline for Summer financial aid applications is March 15, 2012.
Financial Aid and Cashiers Offices Hours for Thanksgiving Week 2011
November 21st thru November 23rd the Financial Aid and Cashier’s Office hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both offices will be closed November 24th and 25th.
Financial Aid and Cashiers Offices Hours for Thanksgiving Week 2011
November 21st thru November 23rd the Financial Aid and Cashier’s Office hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both offices will be closed November 24th and 25th.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship Offers $30,000 for Transfer Students
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is accepting nominations for the largest scholarships available to transfer students and recent alumni from community colleges. The “Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program,” will award up to $30,000 annually per recipient to help current students and recent alumni from community colleges and two-year institutions pursue four-year degrees at any accredited college or university. The Foundation provides up to $30,000 per year to each of approximately 50 deserving students selected annually, making it the largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer students in the country. Deadline is November 29, 2011. “Open House” style workshops and information sessions for applicants will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 PM on October 21 and 28 in room 336 of the Student Center. Email Fatima Nieves @ fnieves for more details.
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