Have you ever played the board game Life?  You place a little pink or blue stick figure in a car and proceed around the board based on the path you choose and the numbers you spin on the wheel.  You can choose to get an education or you can choose to go straight into the workplace.  You might even have an opportunity during the game to go back to school if you so choose.  The thing is, you never know what Life is going to throw at you.  Your choices and your “spin” could be beneficial or detrimental to your progress.  Your car could break down and require repairs, you might get married, you might have children. You just never know what’s around the corner.  The first time you played the game, wouldn’t it have been nice to have a “lay of the land” before you started the journey?  They may have been able to help you avoid some pitfalls and make some wise choices along the way.

VWCC is preparing to hire a College Affordability Navigator that can help potential students have a “lay of the land” when it comes to navigating the costs of education.  This individual will be able to assist with financial aid applications, identify scholarship options, and promote employer tuition reimbursement opportunities.  Financing is often of particular concern for post-traditional learners so having face-to-face access to a subject matter expert who can help navigate the process is a step forward in ensuring equitable access.  Finding the money and resources needed to enroll and persist in college is a real issue for many people, now more than ever.

Want more information?  Check out these great resources:  The Real Price of College ; Hope College RPC toolkit