Day: June 28, 2019

FAFSA: It’s Been Made Easier!

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Two open faced hands hold a big ball of crumpled bills in them above a brown and green background of blurry foliage. A metaphoric representation of financial aid such as FAFSA

Let’s Break Down What it is First

FAFSA: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a form to be filled out by current and future college students in the US. Its purpose is to find out if they qualify for student financial aid from the government, and how much.

A cluttered desk of notebooks, a plant, and a computer with a piece of paper showing that depicts a stick figure developing a finance plan.
Photo by Rawpixel.com

An initiative of the Higher Education Services Corporation has made this part of college easier recently. This has made FAFSA and the Tuition Assistance Program, TAP , easier to access than ever before in my opinion. Plus the web pages feel much more friendly to use from the perspective of someone who has filled out FAFSA a few times before.

FAFSA & TAP: A Few of Many Ways to Fund Your Success

FAFSA and TAP are just a few of the ways that you can find resources to succeed using financial aid. You can use the US Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool or read up here at StudentAid.gov on exactly how and where to find the perfect scholarships for you. The College Scholars Program is a marvelous way to fund your future if you can swing it. The Excelsior Scholarship and Enhanced Tuition Awards Program are some other things that have been affected by the modernization. They’re incorporated into the new section of NY.gov called “Start Here Get There” that we’re talking about.

It Was High Time for a FAFSA Rejuvenation, and That’s Exactly What We Got.

New York is really trying to work with students and make it less painful to fill out your forms every year that you’re going to school. The Department of Education is stepping up their game, and personally, I appreciate it. Less runaround and more getting things done, which is what we’re all about, right? Step-by-step instructions on how to complete the fafsa form can be found on the state’s new section of their website: StartHereGetThere.ny.gov.

A cork board of sticky notes with one in the middle, larger than the rest, that says "Make things Happen"
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

There’s Also A FAFSA App: myStudentAid

a screenshot of the Federal Student Aid app as seen from an iPhone when one searches for FAFSA.
The app as seen on an iPhone

The reviews on this app are the usual, ranging from rants to raves. From the need for an update to the ease and simplicity compared to the old method of filing FAFSA. In general, it’s safe to say that you should fully investigate how you like the app before taking anyone else’s word for it. You might just think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, who knows.

A screenshot of the Federal Student Aid app as seen on an Android phone when one searches FAFSA.
The app as seen on an Android phone

Finding the app was fairly simple, I merely searched “fafsa” in each of the app stores and it was one of the first apps to pop up, right after the ads of course.

If You Need Help:

There are also some numbers to call if you do get stuck somewhere during the process. If you need help understanding, the number for the Federal Student Aid Information Center is 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Another method of finding help is the FAFSA Assistance Hotline 1-800-808-1790, open Monday – Thursday, 9am – 5pm. You can also email them, simply address it to: FAFSAhelp@hesc.ny.gov or if you’re already logged into Facebook and want to message someone directly you can visit the page for New York State Financial Aid.

What Are You Waiting For? We’re Down to The Wire!

Now that you’re loaded up with resources and ways to fund your college journey, go apply for FAFSA here. You’ll want to apply ASAP so that everything is in place for the beginning of the Fall semester on August 26!

Ready, Set, Fashion! Calista’s Journey to Entrepreneurship

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A green sewing machine works on a blue cloth with a spool of red thread sitting next to a pair of scissors

Coauthored by Calista E.

A fair skinned woman with light colored hair, profile shot.
Calista Allen, SUNY Ulster Class of 2018

Another person has started here, to go far in the community with her newly learned skills. Calista chose SUNY Ulster over a well-known private college and says it was “it was one of the best decisions I have ever made” as she knew she wanted to be an involved part of a small business and remain local.

Calista has been designing and sewing for about ten years now. She credits her grandmother for teaching her garment creation basics before her time in college. Saying that her grandmother has been one of her biggest supporters and inspirations.

Most recently, she has turned her long time love of sewing and designing into a blossoming career. Thanks to the real world experience gained from her time in the fashion design program.

SUNY Ulster, Here to Help.

The fashion curriculum at SUNY Ulster has provided continuous opportunities that have shaped Calista’s life, livelihood, and career. The professors on campus encouraged and emboldened Calista to explore her talents and perfect her skills. She enhanced her design methods, portfolio building and interview skills to graduate at her highest potential as a result. Along with the well planned curriculum, the program offered Calista many internship opportunities that were vital to learn the industry first hand. Therefore she interned with brands you might know like: the Robert Tonner Doll Company, Eleven Six Knitwear, and Karina Dresses.

A sewing mannequin stands with a tape measure wrapped around it's top

Calista was proud to say that this school guided and molded her into a networking queen! To clarify she recalls one of the most impactful parts of her educational journey; that SUNY Ulster “provided endless opportunities to meet new people and interact with other local businesses and entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.”

A woman stands in a white dress with leather sleeve and belt accents
The Robin Dress ( made of chiffon with leather details).

After completing her internship with Karina Dresses, the company offered her a full time position. They realized the vigor and passion she had started to hone in on and wanted her skills to stay at their business. Calista has been working there for almost three years as the Social Media Manager and Junior Design Assistant for the brand located in Uptown Kingston. She continues gaining skill and experience while starting ventures of her own in the world of fashion.

Her design aesthetic is athletically inclined clothing with an elegant flair; a mix of sporty and sophistication. In her own words “I enjoy playing with style lines and geometric shapes to create a unique style.” She has used that as a base for a children’s clothing line, entirely of her own making, coming soon.

What’s Next for Calista?

Blue/White Gingham Dress
Cali Bee Kids Spring Line

Calista was happy to express how grateful she is for the fashion program at SUNY Ulster. The way it offered various tools and resources to kickstart her passion, and build strong relationships that continue to support and guide her future to this day. In addition, this driven young entrepreneur has started her own Spring kid’s clothing line. It’s called Cali Bee Kids and is set to launch this August! To check it out for yourself click here: http://bit.ly/CaliBeeKids

When asked what her best memory of her experience here was, she responded: “I don’t have a specific favorite part of earning my degree at SUNY Ulster, because I loved everything!”