The Money's There... Now Go For It!
MAKE MORE MONEY BY GOING BACK TO SCHOOL
Post-graduate students make on average $75,000 a year compared to high school graduates, who usually peak out around $31,000. This is according to an article that explains why going back to school is one of the best ways to increase your earning power in the job market. Recessions typically don’t last very long compared to the long-term benefits that a solid education can have on your potential ability to command a higher salary than your bong-smoking counterparts that choose to ’screw the system’ and do nothing about their current situation.
CANADA LOVES STUDENTS
Thankfully, we live in a country that makes it pretty easy for many people to afford a post-secondary education through the use of student loans, which can see you through those four years of education and off to a better financial future. Canada has one of the most comprehensive and pocket-friendly student loan programs, which takes into account your financial situation and your ability to pay back your loan; even offering interest-free terms and ultimately forgiveness on part of your loan, depending on what your financial situation is like during your payback period.
Not every program is perfect, but I’ve used OSAP for my entire post-secondary education and I can suggest a few things that might help you get approved for that loan.
GET YOUR INFO TOGETHER
Make sure you fill out your application as accurately as possible. This means looking at the application the moment it becomes available online or through your school if you don’t have an internet connection and gathering your paystubs, financial information and any extenuating circumstances that you feel may help plead your case as someone who needs the money. Try and mail all of this information on time as there is a benefit to submitting early: a) you can swiftly correct any issues with your application and b) you won’t rush and make potential errors on your app–both of these can slow down the time it takes to get your money.
BE PERSISTENT
If you don’t get approved at all or for the full amoung OSAP is able to offer, you can always appeal their decision. Don’t sit back and say ‘well, that’s what fate decides’. No. Think about why they didn’t approve you (they will usually let you know) but understand that there are thousands of students applying for this money. The best thing you can do is ask someone you know that received funding and see what they did on their application. You might be surprised what a little bit of tweaking can do. Most bureaucracies are plot-followers, ie. they want to see what your story is all about. They want to see how all of your circumstances connect in a kind of story that concludes with you needing the funding to complete your objective of getting that diploma. Granted, much of the process is how the math of your situation all adds up, but you are given space on your application to tell your side of the story. I always liked to think of it in terms of fantasy fiction: I’m a student on a quest to achieve the all-important and coveted diploma, so that I can then share my four years of education with the world and make society better. If that’s too abstract, here’s a sample of what I might write in my comments section of the application.
“Most of my finances go to covering rent {if you don’t pay rent, you can say household contributions}. The amount that will be left over will not be sufficient to cover school materials or the food, transportation and leisure expenses associated with school. My goal is to earn a degree in {insert here} so that I may {teach, better my understanding, increase my skills} so that I can be better equipped to contribute to my community and society at large.”
Hope this helped, and remember, be persistent and think about what makes your story unique!
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Tags: Applications, Cash, College, George Panayotou, Money, OSAP, School, Screw You Recession, Student Loans, university
