BIRTHED                                                         

 

As we all begin to step into this new season, this new semester, I believe there are some thing that are about to take place and just wow our nation. More specifically I believe there are things inside of you that are about to be released into GSU, or whatever University you feel is best for you.

 

Everyone reading this please take note that your CURRENT SITUATION IS NOT YOUR FINAL DESTINATION.  With that being said, stop putting emphasis on where you are, start putting emphasis on where you are going. Your situation may be hard and you may be struggling, but the pain is temporary. When you go through hell be sure to come out on fire. I say that meaning when everything is going on and it seems like you can't go on just keep going. Let all the failures fuel your fire to reach your desire.

 

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour has come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. Now I mention this as symbolism. I believe that some people are pregnant with new ideas, new thoughts that would transform and transpire to realities. I believe people have been pregnant with business ideas, financial aid ideas, new work, new love, new creativity and so much more. I mention pregnancy because when a woman is pregnant she goes through mixed emotions, weight gain, pain, and stress. That's how it is when you have a new idea about a school program, or you want to go about doing something in a different way, or you want to start your business. You have an idea that you are pregnant with, but there is a process in which your work load is heavier than before, stress comes, and you have to face pain. Things always get worse before they get better.

 
There comes a time when the pregnant woman has to give birth. When she finally gives birth and releases that child into the world she can train it up and she can watch it blossom and grow. That's how it is after you had all the hurt, frustration, and pain of a new idea. You get to the point where it's time to birth what's inside of you. What I like so much about this next season is that I believe some world changing ideas are about to be birthed. I believe some cures for diseases will be birthed. I believe some positive change will be birthed. Another reason why I am excited is because when a woman gives birth. Not only does she birth a child, but she releases a child into the world and trains it up. When you birth your idea, it is released into the world and it's up to you to train it up.

 

So I challenge you today, give birth to what is inside of you. Release it into existence. When it leaves the womb it's no longer trapped in a box. It is now free to expand and grow. Don't wait till tomorrow, next week, or next year. Today is your day to give birth and release!

 

- Justin Smith

  Student Ambassador

  JSmith32@student.govst.edu

MONEY!!!!!!!!!

As you prepare for college this fall, DO NOT forget about financing your education. Going through college in America, and coming out debt-free is just about impossible in today's world. There are a few different ways you can finance your college education-grants, scholarships, unsubsidized and subsidized loans.

Grants do not need to be paid back. It's free money. You do not have to put in any work for grants besides the application. You have such things such as your Pell grant, Map Grant, and SEOG Grant, that you can get just by doing your FAFSA. You may also receive grants from grant writing to an organization. Grants do not need to be paid back. It's free money.

Scholarships are another source of financial aid. You have to earn this money. Sometimes it's by classification, age, talent, grades, ect.  You do not have to pay scholarships back. This  form of financial aid is another source of aid that you want to have.

Unsubsidized loans are loans that adds interest to your balance even when you are still in school. That means what you owe originally will multiply. For example, a student borrowing $10,000 per year at 8%, would owe $48,666 dollars after four years of college (approximately $8,666 more than they initially borrowed).YOU DO NOT WANT OR NEED this form of "financial hurt", oh I mean "aid." You have to pay this back and then more.

Subsidized loans allows the government to pay your interest off until you get out of school. However, after you graduate, you have interest to pay on those loans. This is another type of financial aid that you do not want. You have to pay these back plus your interest. So if over the course of 4 years you took out $60,000 worth of loans, while you are in school the government would pay them off, but let's say when you graduated you had a 7% interest. Then you would end up paying what you borrowed plus the interest rate. You do the math! You are paying back more than what you borrowed.

If you aren't using scholarships and grants to pay for school, then I would suggest paying out of pocket, or finding sponsors to help assist you. I would NEVER recommend loans of any sort to anyone. It is a horrible business deal. Yes, it may help you graduate with a degree, but it will also insist in you graduating with debt. With you having to pay people back more than what you borrowed. It's not an aid, it's a hinder, a lie. When you owe someone a significant amount of money, you're freedom is compromised.

Everyone's situation is different, but one thing I will say is DO NOT GO INTO DEBT trying to pay for college. If you can't afford 15 credit hours take 12 or 10 credit hours. It may take you an extra semester or year to graduate, but I guarantee that you will benefit greatly by not being in debt.

We live in a country that wants everyone to have college degrees and puts emphasis on going to school, yet they make the dream of college so unattainable that many of the 99% never realizes they can do it. While at the same time the 1% and 5% are pretty much predestined for college, and they are out getting the degrees and qualifying for the good paying degree jobs. This is resulting in a bigger gap between the rich and the poor. 

More degrees would lead to more good paying jobs, which would lead to better tax paying jobs which would benefit everyone. Now please don't get discouraged about school reading this, but please be encouraged. Be encouraged to try your hardest, your best, and go get scholarships and grants.

In your spare time look up the percentage of colleges graduates graduating debt free vs. the college graduates who are graduating with debt. Do the research for yourself. Make wise investments and reach for the top. Now is your time.