Deneene Merchant has been in Higher Education for 30 years now with 15 of those years, specifically related to Financial Aid.
She spent a lot of time working in pre-college and collegiate programs, just helping students be able to gain access to college and then helping them to find a way to pay.
In this episode of Higher Education Advocates Podcast:
03:12 - (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
03:48 - FAFSA is available beginning October 1 of each year, Deneene encourages all families to complete that application.
04:28 - REMINDER: The FAFSA is free so please do not pay anyone to complete the FAFSA.
05:00- Go to studentaid.gov to complete the FAFSA.
06:32 - What type of financial aid is available to families who complete the FAFSA?
07:36 - Explanation of Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
08:27 - Deneene explains the importance of federal work-study to students.
09:25 - FAFSA is the first step to receiving financial aid
11:45 - What is the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive?
12:21 - What is the loan amount for first-time students going to college?
13:25 - What is the importance of doing the FAFSA early?
14:18 - Deneene's advice for families when it comes to comparing colleges?
17:38 - Deneene's advice: she encourages families to review award letters and review costs.
19:43 - Why is it important for families to meet financial aid deadlines?
- and then where can they find the deadlines?
- What can you find out about these deadlines?
22:09 - Deneene message for families?
Contact Deneene at fainfo6752@gmail.com
Links Mentioned:
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Theresa is a mother of three, all of whom earned Bachelors degrees. Her daughter earned a Bachelors degree in Technical Management with a minor in Human Resources Management. Her two sons earned a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Technology and Hospitality Management respectively.
Theresa was born in Chicago but raised in Jackson, Mississippi (Go JSU!). When she returned to Chicago, Theresa attended school part-time to focus on raising her children. As her children got older, she began to work full time while still attending school part-time until she was laid off from her job. Not to be deterred, Theresa transitioned to going to school full time and graduated in 2001 with her Bachelor’s degree in business.
As a scholarship recipient, Theresa earned over $32,000 in scholarships towards the completion of her Master’s degree in Higher Education, which she was awarded in 2013. Theresa then began her career as a College Financial Aid Advisor and has not looked back since. In her 15+ year career, Theresa has earned numerous awards and designations including Employee of the Year and the Dean’s List for the Financial Aid Department. Theresa is a member of several professional organizations-the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the Illinois Association of Admissions and Counseling to name two.
When Theresa isn’t working with America’s future, she enjoys spending time and traveling the world with her husband and #1 supporter, Mike. Theresa also enjoys a good book, a great movie, and the Sci-Fi channel.
- “February 27 is National TRiO Day” Learning about TRiO Programs With Victor Diaz Galindo - February 26, 2021
- February is Financial Aid Awareness Month “Financial Aid Chat with Deenene Merchant” - February 12, 2021
- “The Real Deal A Family’s Guide to College”- With Lisa Lyons” - January 15, 2021
