So at some point in a college student's life, whether it is at the start of one's college education, or already in the midst of their studies, there might come a time where the financial worries of going to college overwhelm the worries of studying for the next big exam. I found myself to be in such a debacle.
Ironically, when I first started out in college, the idea of financial aid never much phased me. I had a scholarship, and I always assumed that my parents would be able to cover the rest. That's what they're there for, right?
After going to college (at that time a different university) for about a year, it was time for a serious wake-up call. I'll say, once one is out on their own, not pampered at home, having all expenses paid for, the value of money seems to become oh so greater. I can't even begin to describe what a miser I turned into. It was then that I made the decision to transfer schools, to one that offered a more affordable cost of attendance, while offering excellent value.
Seeing as I am now a Student Ambassador at UAF, it is safe to say that my final stop, concerning my college education, is UAF. I couldn't be happier with the decision I made to come here (I am a proud Nanook). Ah, but then the issue of financing my education, even at a more affordable school became a bit of an issue.
Here's the deal... I have such wonderful parents, who have supported me all through college (encouraging me and financially supporting me), that they decided they wanted me to be debt free by the time I graduate. This means no loans- period. Yes, you read right; I have never taken out a loan of any kind to support my college education. However, as one might imagine, money had become tight. I can't even begin to explain how LUCKY I was when the Post 9/11 GI Bill became effective on August 1,2009.
Although the benefits of this bill originally belonged to my father (who is in the Army), he transferred his benefits to me (military can choose to transfer their benefits of this bill to their dependents). Thanks to my father and this bill, my entire education is financed through the VA. My tuition and fees are paid for, I receive a housing allowance, and a yearly books and supplies stipend of $1,000. It is a rush of relief not having to worry about paying for my education.
Overall, I just want others to know about this latest and great form of financial aid. If you want to read more about it you can visit:
http://www.uaf.edu/veterans/benefit_programs/
or
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Post-911.htm
Other than that, I hope that if you didn't at least learn a lesson by reading about my past financial experiences, that you might have learned about a form of financial aid that may be of use to you.
Anne :-)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Conferences
There is probably a conference going every day of the year minus major holidays! They are a great place to meet people, gather new ideas and even experience a different location. Even my boyfriend is in Florida (lucky!!!) at a conference for work for computer training.
The most current conference in my future is the one I'm planning! It is a conference for all the chapters of Alpha Phi Omega in Section 8! This includes brothers from the Universities of Alaska Anchorage and Juneau, University of Washington, Seattle University and University of Oregon, who are all coming to Fairbanks for a weekend of leadership, friendship and service! Recently we had a region conference, which unfortunately is just the chapters in our section at the moment. You can read about that one here!
Planning a conference is slightly more stressful than just attending one. My committee of two of my brothers and an adviser, have worked since the semester started to get this conference rolling. I've also been in direct contact with our region director who has been a HUGE help.
We've had to look at finding flights that students can afford (pretty much only Alaska Airlines flys from the rest of the United States between September and May), finding housing for all of these brothers and associate members - both with brothers from my chapters and at a hotel for the staff (about 15 brothers from the other schools and 4 staff members), organizing meals, activities and transportation for everyone involved (all in all, about 32 people), and registering and budgeting the registration costs. And we are still keeping up with our day to day lives and other chapter related issues. It's been a stressful couple of months, but we'll see it all come together this weekend!
I'm super excited and I'll post pictures and talk a little more about what happened next week!
Have a good Saint Patrick's Day!!!
Mercedes
The most current conference in my future is the one I'm planning! It is a conference for all the chapters of Alpha Phi Omega in Section 8! This includes brothers from the Universities of Alaska Anchorage and Juneau, University of Washington, Seattle University and University of Oregon, who are all coming to Fairbanks for a weekend of leadership, friendship and service! Recently we had a region conference, which unfortunately is just the chapters in our section at the moment. You can read about that one here!
Planning a conference is slightly more stressful than just attending one. My committee of two of my brothers and an adviser, have worked since the semester started to get this conference rolling. I've also been in direct contact with our region director who has been a HUGE help.
We've had to look at finding flights that students can afford (pretty much only Alaska Airlines flys from the rest of the United States between September and May), finding housing for all of these brothers and associate members - both with brothers from my chapters and at a hotel for the staff (about 15 brothers from the other schools and 4 staff members), organizing meals, activities and transportation for everyone involved (all in all, about 32 people), and registering and budgeting the registration costs. And we are still keeping up with our day to day lives and other chapter related issues. It's been a stressful couple of months, but we'll see it all come together this weekend!
I'm super excited and I'll post pictures and talk a little more about what happened next week!
Have a good Saint Patrick's Day!!!
Mercedes
Friday, March 5, 2010
Governor's Cup 2010
Hey Everyone!
As a part of the Nanook Traditions: Winter Carnival, the Governor's Cup was played. The Governor's Cup is a hockey tournament between the Alaska Nanooks and University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. I can't remember how many years its been played, but I do know that the Nanooks won the cup this year after losing for the past three years.
Here are two of my brothers from Alpha Phi Omega with the Governor's cup.
This year, Alpha Phi Omega teamed up with the Student Activities Office (SAO) and ASUAF (The Associated Students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks) to fund a motor coach to Anchorage to watch the first game played at the Sullivan Arena. For $30, students got a ride to Anchorage and back, a t-shirt, a ticket to the game and noisemakers. A pretty sweet deal to cheer on our team on away ice.
Final score UAF 7-UAA 4. By the way, our student section over there was almost louder than the 4,000 UAA fans.
After our first two goals, we sang our school's fight song, here are the lyrics:
The second game packed the Carlson Center as the Nanooks played on home ice! Only 82 seats were available at the start of that game. So, pretty much packed! It was amazing! More of the t-shirts that the SAO ordered and passed out to almost the entire student section.
The place was roaring, I can't even begin to describe it. Check out the highlight video at the Alaska Nanook Hockey Blog. If you're interested in any more info from a fans' perspective, you can find that too in the Nanook Hockey Blog.
During the intermission between 2nd and 3rd periods, the Tradition Stone made an appearance. After one of their players was ejected (for punching one of our players in the head), their coach was ejected (for throwing a water bottle at the ref) and one of our players was ejected (for something that was "A stupid decision, I should have backed off" [from the player at the post conference]) we won 3-2!
As for the other Winter Carnival Activities, I was too tired to attend, but I head that the showing of the unreleased to the public: Boondock Saints 2 was a success, as well as the karaoke night!
Right now, I'm looking forward to a week off of classes (though I'll be working on papers and the like) for spring break.
Mercedes
As a part of the Nanook Traditions: Winter Carnival, the Governor's Cup was played. The Governor's Cup is a hockey tournament between the Alaska Nanooks and University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. I can't remember how many years its been played, but I do know that the Nanooks won the cup this year after losing for the past three years.
Here are two of my brothers from Alpha Phi Omega with the Governor's cup.
This year, Alpha Phi Omega teamed up with the Student Activities Office (SAO) and ASUAF (The Associated Students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks) to fund a motor coach to Anchorage to watch the first game played at the Sullivan Arena. For $30, students got a ride to Anchorage and back, a t-shirt, a ticket to the game and noisemakers. A pretty sweet deal to cheer on our team on away ice.
A photo from the Anchorage Daily News sports front page of our student section at the Sullivan Arena.
(http://www.adn.com/2010/02/26/1159357/governors-cup-hockey.html)
Some more Nanook pride:
Chancellor Rogers made an appearance at the Sullivan Arena with his wife, Sherrie.
The second game packed the Carlson Center as the Nanooks played on home ice! Only 82 seats were available at the start of that game. So, pretty much packed! It was amazing! More of the t-shirts that the SAO ordered and passed out to almost the entire student section.
And the pep band:
During the intermission between 2nd and 3rd periods, the Tradition Stone made an appearance. After one of their players was ejected (for punching one of our players in the head), their coach was ejected (for throwing a water bottle at the ref) and one of our players was ejected (for something that was "A stupid decision, I should have backed off" [from the player at the post conference]) we won 3-2!
Right now, I'm looking forward to a week off of classes (though I'll be working on papers and the like) for spring break.
Mercedes
TRiO-Student Support Services Program
This past Tuesday I had the chance to give a speech at the annual TRiO Day banquet. TRiO includes a program known as SSS, or Student Support Services., as well as the Upward Bound program, which helps students prepare for college.
There are many obstacles in our lives that may make the decision to go to college, as well as making it to graduation in a four-year program feel practically impossible! For example, living in poverty, learning or physical disabilities, or even the fact that neither of your parents went through a four-year program. These factors contribute to making it less likely for students to make it through a four-year program.
I am one of those students. I have been a part of SSS since day one of my academic experience here at UAF and I would like to take a moment to let you know about these important services that are provided on our campus through SSS.
SSS services include:
* Free tutorial services
* Instruction in mathematics skills
* Academic advising, mentoring and personal support
* Cultural and social engagement
* Use of laptop computers, labs, and other technology resources
* Direct financial assistance to qualified low-income participants
I have benefited from the opportunities and services which have helped me to stay in school, as well as being more successful in my endeavors. I hope that if you are worried about applying to school because you are faced with any of these struggles, please consider the services that SSS provides.
I almost didn't apply to school because of these obstacles but with their help I have become a very successful student and today I can't imagine my life without my college experiences.
The banquet on Tuesday was a good reminder of the important role that these programs play in helping students succeed and achieve the academic experience they deserve.
The annual banquet is a day to celebrate both those who contribute to the success of the program, as well as to celebrate the success of the students who are beneficiaries of the program.
If you are thinking about applying for school and are faced with these life obstacles you can also check out SSS on Facebook
FNA 2010
It's that time of year again folks! The sun shines longer, the semester is reaching its half way point, and the much anticipated Festival of Native Arts is here! For the past 37 years students, staff, faculty, and the community of Fairbanks put in plenty of hours of planning, organizing and coordinating this annual event that gathers representatives of Alaska Native people to show and share their unique and vibrant cultural heritages.
photo by Todd Paris
photo by Edna Henry
photo by Todd ParisThe arts of music, dance, and craftsmanship, both traditional and modern, are united and celebrated with three nights of dancing that pumps in the heart of Alaska and flows back to communities throughout the state. This invitation is extended to all. Whether you're a fresh or vintage local or a visitor to the state, this is an event that will absorb your being and lift your spirit; all you have to do is show up! Did I mention it's a free event with free parking?
For some communities throughout the state, dancing was or is non-existent, and over the past few decades there has been a cultural renaissance in some areas where the people have chosen to research and relearn songs from times past. Some even create their own musical compositions with accompanied choreography. Part of the reason that festival is so powerful is that is shows the resilience of Native culture. If you can imagine winters before any modern luxuries you can imagine that unity is key to mental, physical and spiritual survival, and what better way to get together than through song, dance, and of course food! This year’s theme is “True Identity: Proud of Our Heritage.” For more information and detail about the theme you can visit this website: http://www.uaf.edu/festival/theme-logo/
The Festival of Native Arts is a very special gathering for me because on that very stage at the Concert Hall is where I remember my first, big, live performance. The year was 2002, I was in eighth grade at Clark Middle School, and a dance member of the Miracle Drummers & Dancers, a Wasilla based Yup'ik (southwest Alaska Native culture) dance group. I recall having butterflies, sweaty palms, feeling the intensity of the bright lights, and lots of eyes that were facing the opposite direction of mine. Before getting on stage I express my nervousness to my mentor. She told me that when she first started dancing she would remove her glasses so that the audience would be out of focus which helped ease her worries. I decided to try her method and as I got on stage the nerves intensified. It was my first time dancing with dance fans. I was worried I would drop the fans or that my arms would forget the motions. I remember asking the drum leader what songs we were going to perform. He says, “Don’t worry; when you hear it, you will know exactly what to do.” He prepares the singers and dancers by singing solo the chorus of the song. We collect ourselves to our places and began grooving in unison. As the drumming following the increased rhythm of our heartbeats I felt complete within myself and connected to all in that moment. Since then I could not get enough of Native dancing.
photo by Edna HenryFor me, dancing is more than a passion; it's a way of life. I am Iñupiaq with northwest Alaskan roots (as well as southern Wisconsin) and was exposed to dance early on but began my formal training when entering my teenage years. I am honored to have learned under the instruction of many respected master composers, choreographers, singers, dancers and artists. Over the years I have come to the conclusion that it is the drum that moves me, the song that guides me, the energy of the community that excites me, and I sing because I am happy, I dance because I am free. My identity is my tool for my creativity. I hope you all have a chance to take a glimpse into the arts of Alaska’s original people. Let the story dances take you on journeys, let the love songs fill your heart, and let the invitational dances allow to experience the power of the drum, and the power of the people.
Mark your calendars ladies & gentlemen, Festival of Native Arts will take place March 4th-6th from 6 p.m. to midnight. The dancing will be at the Charles Davis Concert Hall and the artisans at Wood Center Multi-level Lounge. The last day of Festival (Saturday March 6) will begin with a potluck from noon to 2 p.m. at the Carol Brown Ballroom in the Wood Center. Bring a dish to share and/or have a taste of some our Alaskan favorites and so on. Following that will be a Pow-Wow from 2 to 5 p.m. There’s nothing better than starting off spring break weekend with singing, dancing, arts & crafts, and of course, food!
Quyana.