University of Wyoming - WYO Yearbook (Laramie, WY)

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A NEW SPRINKLER SYSTEM installed in frater- nity mall req uired resodding of the area. Student Mike Hill and UW Greenhouse Supervisor Dennis Green help lay the new grass. Photo by Dave Mid- den GOOD ADVICE goes a long way when students receive adequate financial support. Beverly Rose, office assistant, helps Gerald Corr file papers with the Financial Aids office. Photo bv Dan Le- Financial Aid 29

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Education costs climb; financial aid fills gaps Students use loans, scholarships most TWO UNIVERSITY GROUND CREW WORK- MEN enjoy the summer weather with an on- campus job. Photo by Jim Wilson A college education was one of the most expensive things a person could buy. Costs varied with particular institu- tions and the number of terms the edu- cation was carried out. but the price had been steadily increasing at all institu- tions. Not only was a higher education getting more expensive, it was becom- ing more and more of an essential asset. So how was the person of average financial status supposed to pay for this vital expense? Fortunately, there was an answer. The one major factor that ena- bled more people to further their educa- tion was financial aid. One of the most common and widely used forms of financial aid was the scholarship. Colleges and universities all over the country offered many students a full-ride. paying for everything from tuition to books. A full scholarship at Wyoming was most often given to students possessing some athletic abili- ty, and some were given to the college student who had earned academic honors or was a member of some or- ganization. Scholarships that paid a part of the increasing costs of education were also given for various reasons, including athletics, academics and activities. One of the major complaints about scholarships was that students had to maintain grades or remain a participant in the activity to keep them. A major ad- vantage was the money did not have to be repayed. unlike a loan. The student loan was another form of financial assistance and it was used by many students at UW. There were many different kinds of student loans to choose from, and almost all of them offered interest rates lower than that of any other kind of loan offered by banks or lending institutions. Any student loan, however, operated on one impor- continued 28 Financial Aid

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. . financial aid WINDOW WASHING may not be a favorite on the job list, but it is available as work for UW student employees. Photo by Joe Mahoney tant assumption - the student would re- pay the loan after graduation. One of ►the major advantages to a loan was that it was easier to obtain than many other forms of aid. Another plus was the fact that academic performance and finan- cial need were usually not considera- tions when applying for a lo an. Many other forms of financial aid were available, coming from the federal government. Monetary awards such as the Pell Grant and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant helped many students that showed financial need. The amount of the grant depend- ed on the cost of the institution attend- ed and the amount of money that could be used from personal sources. The grants did not have to be repayed. However, the student had to be enrolled in an accredited college or university to be eligible for aid. College work-study was another form of aid. supported by the federal govern- ment. A student eligible for this type of assistance held a job in some depart- ment at the University and was paid hourly wages. Jobs ranged from custodi- al to secretarial duties. Although many forms of financial aid were available, a large percentage of students paid for their education using parent or personal sources. Not being eligible for financial assistance for one reason or another put many people in the position to use a savings account or bond to pay for the education necessity. Another way to pay for a higher edu- cation was to find a part-time job during the school years and a full-time job in the summers. Common jobs among co- eds were working at fast food fran- chises, gas stations or local stores. Lawn mowing, snow removal and babysitting were also popular. Less typical jobs in- cluded life guarding, house sitting, farm working and working at a relative ' s bus- iness. Most jobs didn ' t interfere with school work as work schedules could easily be arranged around class and study times. UW seemed to have people using all forms of the financial aid spectrum. Although Wyoming was one of the least expensive institutions in the region, many people were still burdened by the costs. Brent George Sheri Zapp 30 Financial Aid