Award-Winning Social Team Seeks Students For Experiential Learning Opportunities On Rowan’s Glassboro Campus Be creative. Be dynamic. Be a part of Rowan University’s social media team. With paid student worker positions available within both content creation and social media community monitoring, gain the experience you need to propel your post-graduation career forward with a well-rounded […]
Strategic Enrollment Management
Living the Dream: Impact of TheDream.US Scholarship on One Rowan University Student [VIDEO]
“TheDream.US Scholarship impacted me as I’m the first one being in college in my family. I thought I couldn’t make it, but I am here now.”
Rowan Foundation Scholarships: Which Ones To Apply To and Where To Find Them
Today a member of our Rowan Blog team, Rachel Rumsby, shares advice about Rowan’s Foundation Scholarships. Rachel is a junior Communication Studies and Public Relations double major. Rachel is an on-campus resident from River Edge, NJ (Bergen County). Paying for school is a struggle for some. Applying to scholarships is a great way to help […]
Julia’s Corner: Taking Advantage of On-Campus Resources
Recent grad Julia McAleavey shares guidance through this advice column for incoming students. A student with well-rounded experience, Julia earned a bachelor’s in advertising this spring. She transferred to Rowan her sophomore year, after another school wasn’t a great fit. While at Rowan she started as an exploratory studies major, unsure of what to major in. She’s lived both on campus and off campus, held student worker jobs and internships, and participated in clubs and sports.
New beginnings – you are starting at Rowan University. This is one of the biggest changes you will have in your life, either as a new freshman or a transfer student. You may think you are ready to be free and get away from home, and maybe you are. However, even if you are ready, you will probably still struggle with adjusting to your new life at Rowan. No matter what that struggle may be, Rowan wants you to succeed and be happy. That being said, there are several resources on campus to help with whatever you may be struggling.
Tutors: You may have been in the top ranks of your class in high school, but college is a whole different ball game. School might become more challenging for you. There is nothing wrong with that. Rowan offers free tutoring services to help you get out of that slump and be the best you can be. To sign up for a tutor, you can go to the Rowan website under Student Success Programs. You will matched with a tutor to help you in whatever class you need.
Financial Aid: You may be paying for college on your own. Even if you aren’t you still may need some help. Have no fear, financial aid is here! They want to help make paying for college as stress-free as possible. Visit them in Savitz Hall so they can help set up a payment plan for you.
The SHOP: Located in the Rowan Boulevard apartments near the Rowan Boulevard end of campus, The SHOP is a small food pantry that people make donations to. The donations consist of food and other necessities for students in need to take. It helps students with financial struggles to get things they need without them having to worry about paying for it. You just have to show your student ID to get inside.
The Wellness Center: Whether you are physically ill or are having some mental health struggles, the Wellness Center is here to help you. I have gone for both of these, and they were super helpful. It is a great resource and being seen by someone is free, so I highly recommend it. Plus, everything you tell your counselor is confidential, so you won’t have to worry about being exposed. There are plenty of nurses and mental health counselors available that want to help you get better. You can make an appointment online or call them.
All in all, there are tons of resources on campus to help students live a healthy life. Take advantage of them. You’ll be glad you did in the long run. Just remember that there is nothing to be embarrassed about! It may be hard to take the step to get help, but you should be proud. Most likely, you are not the only one who needs it, and you will be a role model for those who are nervous about it. Everyone at Rowan wants you to be happy, and getting help from these resources will help with that.
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Story by:
Julia McAleavey, advertising graduate
5 Financial Tips to Help You Graduate Debt Free
This spring, I will graduate with no college loan debt, but I was kind of dealt the financial aid jackpot when I applied for college. I live with a single mom who had two other kids in college. Due to my situation, I was eligible for multiple grants and scholarships at any college I picked.
Although I got a lot of help through financial aid, here are some tips for high school and college students for saving money and graduating debt free.
- Take advantage of high school classes that can earn you college credits.
In high school I was able to take advanced placement (AP) courses such as AP calculus AB and BC. At the end of the marking period, I then took AP tests to earn college credit for those classes. Taking advantage of these classes allowed me to graduate with a whole semester worth of college credits.
There was also a course called High School Option. This meant you had a period or two free, but you attended a college course at your local community college. Both of these options allow high school students to receive college credits at low costs. Now, there are even more opportunities for high school students to receive college credits. My cousin attended GCIT, where she graduated with almost a full year of college finished.
- Apply for grants and scholarships and don’t miss the deadlines.
Another way to lessen your student debt is to apply to all grants and scholarships that are available to you. Local businesses and organizations in my town gave out scholarships to high school students. I was able to take advantage of these and although it may not have been tens of thousands of dollars, I was able to use that scholarship money and pay for books for two years of college.
Each state also gives out grants and financial aid, but there are deadlines for both of these. It is very important that you do not miss these deadlines. Missing these deadlines can result in you not getting the full financial aid you are eligible for.
- Consider going to your community college for 2 years.
While you may not get the full college experience, going to community college allows you to finish your first 2 years of college at a third of the cost, possibly even less. Going to a community college cuts down the cost because you only pay for the classes that you are taking. You don’t have to pay for room and board, a meal plan or all the additional expenses that a 4-year college charges you. Attending a community college also allows you to work part time or possibly full time. This can help you pay out of pocket for your classes you are taking or it will give you an income to help save money for when you transfer to a 4-year college. Either way, attending a community college will help you cut expenses and college costs in the long run.
- Create a budget and stick to it!
The first step to creating a budget is calculating all of your monthly expenses. This means going through your bank statements and receipts and figuring out how much you spend and what you spend it on each month. Next, calculate your monthly income. Once this is all determined, you can figure out how much money you are left with each month. In order to save or pay off debt, you must create a budget. It can be to save $100 every week or $200 a month. Whatever you determine your budget will be, it is important to stick to it!
- Apply for a work-study or to be an RA.
Another option for college students is applying for a work-study on campus or applying to become a resident assistant (RA). Work studies are a great way to gain experience with on-campus jobs and can also connect you with a lot of resourceful connections for after you graduate. R.A’s get free housing, but also a lot of responsibility that may leave you not gaining the full college experience, if that is what you are looking for. Both of these options allow college students to lessen the cost of college or allow you to make money while attending college.
Using these 5 tips can help you towards graduating with little to no debt.
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Story by:
Maria Mancini, senior public relations major
Header image courtesy of:
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Student Worker for Financial Aid Department Provides Tips for Filing the FAFSA
Courtney Colletti, a senior communication studies major from Pennsville, NJ (Salem County), is a student worker for the Financial Aid department. Today she shares with us a glimpse into her job, and the importance of filing your Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming school year.
What are your responsibilities as a student worker for the Financial Aid department?
My official title is Creative Assistant, and I manage the Financial Aid social media accounts and help out with marketing efforts within the department. I get to create content for Twitter and Instagram, brainstorm contest ideas for social media and help my bosses organize financial aid events.
I really wanted to expand from just social management into more marketing experience. This job presents opportunities for me to run events and host classes about financial aid and plan PR campaigns for getting students to file their FAFSA. I am also part of the initiative for the FAFSA Finisher contest, which encourages students to fill out their FAFSA for a chance to win Rowan gear and technology prizes.
How did you get the job as a student?
I actually came across this job on ProfsJobs. I love ProfsJobs! All of my past positions have been found on there. When I interviewed for this job, the atmosphere was so great, and I realized the importance of making sure I am happy in what I do and having a good environment. It’s such a collaborative team effort, and we still have fun and get creative. The whole office is focused on helping students and making sure they get the money they need. Financial Aid may have a reputation for being “boring,” but my bosses are so funny, outgoing and happy.
From your experience at work, how does the FAFSA help students? Why is it important to complete?
Students have to fill out the FAFSA if they want any kind of financial assistance from the government. When it comes to grants and scholarships through the government, the information you provide in your FAFSA determines how much aid you qualify for. It also sets you up so the federal government can determine how much in subsidized and unsubsidized loans you’re able to receive.
We try to encourage students to file the FAFSA as early as they can, because you can lose potential aid money by not filing as early as possible. The more aid you are able to receive from the government, the less money you have to borrow from private lenders, which could come with higher interest rates. We want to prevent students from losing money that they are entitled to.
Because of COVID-19, the deadlines for filing have changed. Instead of April 15, returning students have to file by June 1 the very latest. Brand new students have until Sept. 15 to file for the Fall 2020 semester.
Any suggestions for students who are looking to fill out the FAFSA?
Ask your parents to sit down with you to do this, or find someone you trust who is good with money to advise you. Make sure you have all the information you need ahead of time so you’re not scrambling for it last minute. And if you have to fill it out on your own or need help, the Financial Aid department is here for you. You can email us to set up a phone or Zoom call where our staff can walk you through the process. It’s not as scary or intimidating as students think it is. You’re just plugging in a few numbers, and they keep it pretty simple.
The Office of Financial Aid wants you to know that they are still here for you as a resource. Follow @rowanfinaid on Instagram and Twitter to participate in contests and win prizes just for filling out your FAFSA!
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Story by:
Nicole Cier, senior writing arts major
Learn How This Transfer Student Graduated Debt Free
Meet Natalia Panfilova, a 2017 graduate from the Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts. Natalia earned her bachelor’s in Public Relations without paying a single dollar for her degree.
According to Marketplace, roughly 70% of American students end up taking out loans to go to college. It was estimated that the average student leaves school with around $30,000 in debt. Not Natalia, though, and today she will share with us how this transfer student managed to graduate debt free.
Community College
Before coming to Rowan, Natalia went to Camden County College. She chose to attend community college because she knew she would save up more money that way. According to Saving for College, “Students can save as much as $30,000 or more by attending a community college instead of a private four-year college.” During community college, Natalia worked in full-time jobs that were taking care of her tuition payments. Also, during community college, one of Natalia’s friends told her to work with her at one of the Wyndham hotel chains in Atlantic City because the hotel chain would cover a part of her tuition. This opportunity was one of the reasons she managed to graduate debt free.
Tuition Reimbursement Jobs
Wyndham is one of many organizations that offer tuition reimbursements. Tuition reimbursement is when a company agrees to help pay for an employee to further his or her education. “All you have to do is prove that you can somehow apply your career skills to your job,” Natalia says. Natalia also received financial aid, but whatever was not covered by her job took care of it. “They would cover up my books and they would cover up to $4,000 per year. So, I actually didn’t pay anything out of pocket. I got to keep my salary, because I was a commuter,” Natalia says.
Commuter
When Natalia was at Rowan, she chose not to stay on campus and decided to commute from Brigantine, NJ (Atlantic County). She commuted an hour each day, but because she commuted and was able to schedule her classes in two days, she was able to work full time at the hotel.
She recommends students learn about finances: “Educate yourself in all things financial, the more you know the better. Just in life in general, if you know how debt works, how banks work, your life is going to be so much easier.”
What is Natalia Doing Now?
Natalia recently moved to New York City for her new position as a program marketing manager for WebMD. By being savvy with her spending, she was able to graduate debt free and become a homeowner. Graduating debt free allowed Natalia to travel worry-free and so far, she has visited 13 countries.
Like what you see? Learn more about becoming a Rowan transfer student!
Story by:
Iridian Gonzalez, senior journalism major
Photos courtesy of:
Natalia Panfilova
5 Financial Tips for Transfer Students
Today, we speak with five transfer students who have some financial tips to share with future incoming Rowan students. “I took summer classes and that cut-down my work load by a lot during the semester. I was also able to manage my time by taking online courses, so I was able to have time for […]
Social Media Team is Seeking a Student Photographer
The Rowan University Social Media Team is looking for a student photographer. This position will assist with visual content creation to be used on Rowan University’s social media platforms, website and print materials. Tasks include taking photographs of campus, events, student life and more. The student photographer will also be responsible for some editing and cataloging photos.
As a photographer you will have the opportunity to attend a variety of University events, gain professional experience and have your work featured on many different Rowan University platforms.
You must be a full-time Rowan University student enrolled in the spring 2020 semester. This is a part-time, paid position. Duties include:
- Photography experience shooting with a DSLR camera.
- Demonstrating strong skills in organization and time management and the ability to work in a fast-paced, creative production environment.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative products.
- The ability to work occasional nights and/or weekends.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter, resume and photography portfolio to socialmedia@rowan.edu. The deadline to submit your application and video is January 31, 2020.
P.S. If you happen to feature your photography on your social media please share your handle with us!
Social Media Team is Seeking a Student Vlogger
The Rowan University Social Media Team is looking for a student vlogger. If you love starring in your own videos, editing videos and getting creative we want to hear from you! Specifically, we want to hear from you via a one-minute video showing us why you’re the perfect fit.
JOB DESCRIPTION & REQUIREMENTS
Rowan University’s student vlogger is responsible for representing the university through biweekly vlogs that are hosted on Rowan’s official YouTube channel. The student vlogger must be a full-time Rowan University student enrolled in the spring 2020 semester. This is a part-time, paid position. Duties include:
- Brainstorming ways to illustrate student life (and more) at Rowan University through a new and creative perspective.
- Developing original video content that will be shared on the Rowan University’s YouTube channel, social media platforms and other digital platforms.
- Shooting, editing and exporting vlogs on a weekly basis—a minimum of one vlog to be submitted every other week.
- Demonstrating strong skills in organization and time management and the ability to work in a fast-paced, creative production environment.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative products.
- The ability to work occasional nights and/or weekends.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter, resume and a one-minute video to show us why you should be Rowan’s next student vlogger. Your video can feature a day in your life, give a tour of your favorite spots on campus/South Jersey or just simply introduce yourself. Submissions should be sent to socialmedia@rowan.edu. The deadline to submit your application and video is January 31, 2020.
P.S. If you happen to have your own YouTube channel be sure to share that with us too!
Meet our FAFSA Financial Aid Winner
Meet Zoilemmy Castellanos, a junior biological sciences major from Pennsauken, NJ. She’s the grand prize Apple Watch winner through the FAFSA financial aid contest!
“It is a struggle sometimes, but being able to be an EOF/ASCEND student and fill out my FAFSA knowing I have the opportunity to study and make my dreams come true is a blessing in itself. I thank Rowan, my high school counselor, and God that I am able to go to school.”
Like what you see? Come visit us!
VISIT CAMPUS
Photography by:
Jelani James senior journalism major
Have a Ball with Financial Aid at Rowan University
These financial aid officers are a hoot! Learn about the nine steps it takes to navigate seamlessly through your financial aid application at Rowan University. Like what you see? LEARN MORE Related stories: RISE: Helping Financially or Academically Disadvantaged Students with Dawn Singleton Sweltering Winter at Rowan University [Video] 5 Creative Ways to Reduce Student […]
Sweltering Winter at Rowan University
Vanessa Vause, a junior at Rowan University, reports live, covering the student experience here at Rowan. Today’s big story is the weather forecast expected at Rowan University this winter. Hot! Hot! Hot! That’s right, folks, thanks to President Houshmand’s hot sauce flying off shelves to support student scholarships, Rowan predicts having a sweltering winter. We […]
Through the Eyes of One RCBC Student
Not only is Rowan University’s partnership with Rowan College at Burlington County a beautiful thing, but the RCBC campus itself is a beautiful place. RCBC freshman sonography major Samantha Fennimore shared these photos with Rowan University and we are feeling pretty darn #RowanPROUD of her photography and our campuses’ partnerships. With three pathways to completing […]
RowanCard: Rowan Bucks vs Dining Dollars
By: Hope Holroyd Senior triple major: Public Relations, Advertising, American Studies Like what you see? Register for a tour or open house. Related stories: RowanCard: On-Campus Food RowanCard: Purpose Insider’s Look at Rowan Bucks
RowanCard: Purpose
By Hope Holroyd Senior triple major: Public Relations, Advertising, American Studies Like what you see? Register for a tour or open house. Related stories: RowanCard: On-Campus Food On-Campus Dining: RowanCard Provides Something for Everyone Insider’s Look at Rowan Bucks
RowanCard: On-Campus Food
By: Hope Holroyd Senior triple major: Public Relations, Advertising, American Studies Like what you see? Register for a tour or open house. Related stories: RowanCard: Off-Campus Vendors RowanCard: Purpose Insider’s Look at Rowan Bucks
What I Wish I Knew: Picking a Major [VIDEO]
Maria Oliveira (senior, biochemistry), Ryan Klohr (master’s program, business administration), and Lauren Bitzer (junior double major, marketing and business management) share their experiences with their individual majors, and reveal what it was they wish they knew when first choosing a major at Rowan University. Video production and editing by: Alexander Belli Dual major, advertising and […]
On-Campus Dining: RowanCard Provides Something for Everyone
Upon arrival at college, all students are bound to have heard at least a few warnings of the dangers of the “Freshman Fifteen” and the limited options available at the dining hall. But while Rowan’s campus continues to expand and improve, so does the selection of food students accessible to students. With a range of […]
What Can Student Affairs Do For You?
You want to find a school – one you’ll actually like – one you can afford. You do a little research. You take the tour. You learn about its history and its campus; you visit the dorms, the cafeteria and the gym – all very important. Then, you leave. Now, a few months later, it’s […]
What I Wish I Knew: Students Share Their Experiences [VIDEO]
Vanessa Vause (senior, public relations), Natalia Panfilova (B.A. Public Relations 2017 graduate) and Alexander Belli (senior double major, advertising and public relations) talk about what they wish they had known before starting at Rowan University. Listen to see how what they experienced could help you be more prepared your transition into “Rowan Life.” Like what […]
The Truth Behind Student Population Growth [VIDEO]
Dr. John Jeffrey Hand, senior vice president of the Division of Student Affairs, explains why Rowan University is growing when so many surrounding colleges and universities are not. Hint: it has to do with retention. Rowan isn’t admitting a larger number of students each year; instead, more students than ever are staying to complete their […]
A Late Night at the Writing Center
Fighting the end-of-the-year drag we students know oh-so-well, students and tutors alike gather each semester in the Rowan Writing Center for the long NAP (Night Against Procrastination) event. Students take advantage of a first year writing portfolio station, workshops, slime and stress ball crafts, a meditation station, English language support, research and citation help, and free […]
Rowan Students Receive Prestigious National Awards [VIDEO]
This spring Rowan University has had the extraordinary distinction of seven of our students being selected for highly competitive, national awards. We currently have two Fulbright Scholar winners and one alternate, as well as two summer Fulbrights. Fulbright is considered one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world and offers merit-based grants for international educational […]
Behind the Scenes: Student Worker has Amazing First Week [VIDEO]
Being a brand new student worker for this blog presents many opportunities for me to experience real-life jobs within my field such as interviewing people, becoming a photographer and editing photos, publishing my own articles and working with a team to generate content for the blog. Being a public relations major, it’s great that I get […]
Rowan 4+1 Getting You Closer to Your Master’s Degree
Meet Emily Strauser a current 4+1 writing arts student from Stratford, NJ, who is undergoing her senior year as an undergrad while concurrently taking her first year of graduate courses. She is focusing on a dual-specialization in creative writing and new media and publishing within her bachelor’s degree. She earned her associate degree in English […]
What is the Real Cost of a Rowan Degree? [Infographic]
College is an investment and, with costs rising, it is important to choose a school committed to keeping higher education affordable. Rowan University has made that commitment, but big picture may still seem daunting. Let’s take a look at the cost of a Rowan undergraduate education, compared to the purchases you make everyday. A breakdown of […]
4 Rowan Scholarship Awardees Share Their Stories
Back in November I had a pleasure to meet with Steven C. Farney, Ed.D., senior director of administration from the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM), who shared information every Rowan student needs to know when applying for scholarships. If you had a chance to read that post, then you should be an expert in […]
Affording the College Life: A Student Forum
Teenage Hollywood movies made up a big chunk of how I imagined college life to be. Crazy parties … lots of them, food fights and little to no homework. There has to be a fraternity or sorority in which you can only get in by passing some humiliating test. And, of course, let’s not forget […]
Alumni PROFile: Cassie Aran & Brandon Lucante of Cookie Munchers
We are #RowanPROUD and we are Rowan Profs! Not exactly sure what a Prof is? It’s our owl mascot, Whoo RU. Read about him here. Our series of alumni spotlight blogs feature Profs who have stayed connected to the Rowan community after graduation. Here we speak with 2016 graduates Cassie Aran and Brandon Lucante, who own Cookie Munchers. […]
Financial Aid: Reducing Roadblocks with Pamela Gordy
Feeling overwhelmed or even frightened by the financial aid process? Guess what? You are not alone. Many of us find it difficult to follow all of the deadlines and fill out complicated financial aid forms. But no one has ever said that finding money for college is an easy task. The good news is that […]
Alumni PROFile: Mike Jenkins, Anchor Moving & Storage
We are #RowanPROUD and we are Rowan Profs! Not exactly sure what a Prof is? It’s our owl mascot, Whoo RU. Read about him here. Our series of alumni spotlight blogs feature Profs who have stayed connected to the Rowan community after graduation. Here we speak with 1992 graduate Mike Jenkins, who now owns Anchor Moving […]
3 Moms Tell Us Why Their Families Chose Rowan
Families play a major role in college decision-making. For transfer students, college decisions can take even more planning and guidance than usual. Despite that extra time agonizing over making the right choice, so many talented students transfer to Rowan University each year. We had a feeling our students’ families might have something to do with it, so we sat down for […]
Alumni PROFile: Kari Janisse, Creative Juices by Kari
We are #RowanPROUD and we are Rowan Profs! Not exactly sure what a Prof is? It’s our owl mascot, Whoo RU. Read about him here. Our series of alumni spotlight blogs feature Profs who have stayed connected to the Rowan community after graduation. Here we speak with 2004 graduate Kari Janisse, who owns Creative Juices by Kari. […]
Step-by-Step Financial Aid Infographic
High school taught me how to skim through the book and prepare myself for a test in one night. There I learned how to follow the deadlines, but still somehow leave everything to the last minute. But what they didn’t teach me in high school, and I think many of you can relate to this, […]
How SEM Helps You Minimize Debt
Think about why you’re considering joining the Rowan family. Is it affordability, location, safety or maybe something else? Whatever your answer is, you’re making the right choice. Rowan, particularly the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) within Student Affairs, is here to help you achieve your dreams, build your future and reach success. For the past […]
Scholarship Process, Made Simple
You are finally back into the semester routine and seem to be caught up with all of your assignments. Yet, without realizing it, you have to start preparing for your next semester. Putting together your class schedule can be hard to handle. But what is more important is the fast approaching scholarship application deadline. Certainly, […]
5 Creative Ways to Reduce Student Debt
Imagine getting your degree, and walking off the stage into your future with no strings attached. How would that feel? Now, let’s face it, this is not reality for the majority of students today, as student loan debt is higher than ever before. The Institute for College Access & Success, a nonprofit organization that aims […]
Innovative Scholarship Opportunities for High School Students
Welcome to high school. Here you are, ready to think about college. Wait. What? Already? Yes. You might think your sophomore or junior years, even your freshman year, are way too early to think about college. Not so. As you live in the moment, don’t wait for the reality of college to hit you as […]