Please take a moment to listen to our interview with Steven McDowell, author of Basic Guide to Financial Aid.
Steve McDowell is the Associate Vice President for Financial Aid Services & Title IV Compliance at Connecticut State Community College.
McDowell recently published his new book, Basic Guide to Financial Aid, aimed at enrollment professionals at colleges and universities nationwide. Steve can talk about how his work to ensure that higher education is accessible and affordable within the Connecticut community colleges led to writing this manual for how any college and university can better serve students and families.
While the book is written for financial aid professionals, McDowell is an advocate for college affordability and can discuss what students and families should expect from their financial aid offices.
Basic Guide to Financial Aid provides a roadmap to ensure that those working in financial aid offices have a better understanding of the fundamentals of administration and compliance. McDowell’s book covers five integral parts of financial aid: Eligibility, Student Aid Programs, the Aid Delivery Process, Reporting and Common Requirements, and Training Resources.
This book highlights the vital importance of training, exploration, and how to constantly examine and improve financial aid processes.
What do students and parents need to know? There are many opportunities out there for students to take advantage of when it comes to paying for college and financial aid. They should consider the college enrollment management and financial aid staff as partners in this journey. McDowell has been particularly involved in bringing a central opportunity to Connecticut’s Community College students known as PACT: the Pledge to Advance Connecticut.
What is PACT? The Pledge to Advance Connecticut allows first-time, full-time students to attend a CT Community Colleges DEBT FREE. It guarantees affordability to earn a degree or certificate and pursue a viable career path. PACT is open to any graduate of a Connecticut high school regardless of when you graduated, or if you completed high school in-person, remotely, homeschool or via GED. It closes the gap typically expected as an out-of-pocket expense for students that traditional financial aid doesn’t cover. There is no income limit or eligibility to qualify, only that you are a first-time, full-time student enrolled for at least 12 credits.
What does a student need to do to apply for PACT? PACT applicants must apply to a Connecticut Community College campus and complete the FAFSA - the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Completing the FAFSA is the first step to apply and qualify for PACT.
Are there any other requirements for a student to take advantage of PACT? PACT applicants must attend school full-time - 12+ credits per semester. Additionally:
● PACT applicants must participate in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program at their campus of choice.
○ PACT students get to choose their degree or certificate program and have access to a Guided Pathways Advisor who helps create a plan for success, along with a faculty advisor depending on the career they aim to pursue.
● PACT applicants must remain in good academic standing once enrolled.
Are there any other additional benefits with PACT? Not only do PACT recipients enjoy tuition debt-free, they also benefit in many other ways. All students may apply with no application fee to any Connecticut Community College. All students are assigned a Guided Pathways Advisor who is consistent throughout your college career. All students also can access a multitude of supports including transportation, on-site day care, food security, telehealth and mental health resources - all at no cost to the student regardless of PACT participation.
Where can students go to find out more and see if they qualify for PACT? All it takes is a visit to ct.edu/pact.