2008 Woodie Awards
Financial aid hires counselors
Jennifer Ringenberg
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The Financial Aid Office is hiring peer counselors to help in Hamilton County high schools, according to financial aid administrators.
UTC students will act as representatives for high schools in Hamilton County to help guidance counselors aid students in the financial aid application process as they prepare for college, Ken Scannapiego, a financial aid counselor, said.
"The students who we're helping may or may not be attending UTC, but the peer counselor has the ability to help that student to get oriented with their school's online services," Scannapiego said.
Peer counselors will be helping students with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process and other applications for their individual college selections, Scannapiego said.
Meeting with a counselor closer to the student's age rather than an adult, Scanapiego said, makes the experience more comfortable because the counselor has just gone through the application process.
According to Rexann Bumpus, director of financial aid, no experience is required, but a naturally outgoing personality will make reaching out to students easier.
"This job teaches them responsibility and dependability, and they have to understand that that's a big part of this job and it's a big part of your life when you get out of school," Bumpus said.
Counselors will be paid $7.50 an hour through a state funded grant, specifically for peer counseling, Bumpus said.
Scannapiego said peer counselors usually work 10 to 15 hours per week and the schedule is flexible, but students must pick hours to work in which the high schools are in session.
Bumpus said, "I think it's a great experience for the student to have the opportunity to talk with other students, to deal with parents, guidance counselors and principals, and it's very flexible so they can pick their own schedule."
"Not only is it a great experience for them, but also they learn so much more about the financial aid process," Bumpus said.
Although the priority deadline has passed, the financial aid office is still accepting applications.
Students may submit applications to the Financial Aid Web site or to the office in Hooper Hall room 101.
For more information, contact the financial aid office at (423) 425- 4677.
UTC students will act as representatives for high schools in Hamilton County to help guidance counselors aid students in the financial aid application process as they prepare for college, Ken Scannapiego, a financial aid counselor, said.
"The students who we're helping may or may not be attending UTC, but the peer counselor has the ability to help that student to get oriented with their school's online services," Scannapiego said.
Peer counselors will be helping students with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process and other applications for their individual college selections, Scannapiego said.
Meeting with a counselor closer to the student's age rather than an adult, Scanapiego said, makes the experience more comfortable because the counselor has just gone through the application process.
According to Rexann Bumpus, director of financial aid, no experience is required, but a naturally outgoing personality will make reaching out to students easier.
"This job teaches them responsibility and dependability, and they have to understand that that's a big part of this job and it's a big part of your life when you get out of school," Bumpus said.
Counselors will be paid $7.50 an hour through a state funded grant, specifically for peer counseling, Bumpus said.
Scannapiego said peer counselors usually work 10 to 15 hours per week and the schedule is flexible, but students must pick hours to work in which the high schools are in session.
Bumpus said, "I think it's a great experience for the student to have the opportunity to talk with other students, to deal with parents, guidance counselors and principals, and it's very flexible so they can pick their own schedule."
"Not only is it a great experience for them, but also they learn so much more about the financial aid process," Bumpus said.
Although the priority deadline has passed, the financial aid office is still accepting applications.
Students may submit applications to the Financial Aid Web site or to the office in Hooper Hall room 101.
For more information, contact the financial aid office at (423) 425- 4677.
