CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — High school seniors are starting to apply for colleges and seek federal financial aid for the 2021 academic school year.
Jaden Ortiz, a senior at King High School, hopes to study Sonography at Del Mar College. She has already filled out the free application for federal student aid or FAFSA for her first year of college. She is exploring all her options to help pay for college.
“I’m going to get a job,” Ortiz says.
She says she's looking to get a job so she does not have to take out student loans, hoping that the Department of Education can find a way to give some extra help to the students whose parents have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
“Maybe giving kids a little extra money, or giving them more options to just help them financially going into college because a lot of parents have lost their jobs,” said Ortiz.
King High School has set up videos, workshops, and zoom sessions on canvas to show the students how to fill out their FAFSA.
Jaden’s mother, Billie Jo Morales, said she is grateful for the college and career counselors that have set up these resources for the students.
“Through this remote learning, the opportunity for the scholars to be able to reach out and have some assistance with their application process,” Morales said.
The pandemic has caused a great amount of strain on Morales' job search, and now she teaches her other children at home. She encourages parents and students to take advantage of their college counselors and other helpful resources.
“Let’s do our job so that these these opportunities are filled and that they can take advantage of a life in education,” she said.
If you are a senior in high school, check with your college and career counselor for assistance on how to navigate through the FAFSA, which is currently open for students to apply here.
