There is no escaping the fact that college costs are rising and now with the recession it's affecting Americans more than ever. But what would you say if you or your sibling could attend college completely free? TV-2 reporter Jeannette Reyes tells us how with some sacrifice you can graduate college debt free.
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She goes to classes, is always on facebook and texts quite a bit. All while pursuing a degree, like most college students. But if she looks too young to be one, its because she is. Paisley Stovall is a 15 year old girl who is both a college and high school student because of a program called Post Secondary Enrollment Option.
SOT: (Paisley)
THEY USUALLY COME UP AND ASK ME, ARE YOU REALLY? AND THEY DONT BELIEVE ME. AND THEN THEY START TELLING ME HOW THEY FEEL OLD. SO I FEEL BAD BECAUSE IM LIKE, DONT FEEL OLD, IM JUST YOUNG.
The person responsible for admitting students as young as Paisley is Gloria Dunnivan, director of Pre-College and Outreach, she believes this program makes college more feasible for todays struggling families.
SOT: (Dunnivan)
THE PARENTS PAY FOR THE COLLEGE COURSES AND THE BOOKS ARE ON LOAN FROM THE UNIVERSITY SO THEY ARE BASICALLY GETTING FREE COLLEGE AND USE OF TEXTBOOKS AT NO COST.
The program accepts bright and hardworking students. But those arent the only requirements.
SOT: (Dunnivan)
WE ALSO ASK FOR AN ESSAY A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION FORMS AND WE HAVE TURNED DOWN STUDENTS WHO HAD A HIGHER GPA AND A HIGHER ACT. IF SOMEONES NOT READY TO COME TO COLLEGE WE WILL SAY NO AND WE HAVE SAID NO.
But some students dont take rejection very well
SOT: (Dunnivan)
WELL WE HAD A STUDENT WHO HAD TEACHERS SAY NO AND HE WAS VERY ADAMENT THAT WE LET HIM IN THAT HE WAS GOING TO GET UPSET. THAT IT WAS GOING TO PUT HIM OVER THE EDGE AND WE STILL SAID NO.
STANDUP:
AT 15 PAISLEY IS CURRENTLY A COLLEGE JUNIOR AND WILL BE GRADUATIN GIN THE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR. BUT PAISLEYS MOTHER INSISTS THAT HER DAUGHTER ISNT A GENIOUS. SHE BELIEVES THAT MOST STUDENTS CAN ACHIEVE WHAT HER DAUGHTER HAS IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY. AND THIS PROGRAM DOES JUST THAT.
Although the program gives students the opportunity to attend college for free, they cant have everything.
SOT: (Paisley)
I WANTED TO STAY IN A DORM LATER ON ONCE I FINISH HIGH SCHOOL BUT SHES TELLING ME NO YOU NEED TO STAY HERE TO SAVE MONEY.
But Paisleys mom Phyllis believe its a low price to pay for the many benefits the program offers.
SOT: (Stovall)
ITS FREE, ITS FREE IT WOULD HELP ANYBODY. IM NOT CONCERNED WITH THE FREE PART OF IT MORE OR LESS, I WANT TO NURTURE HER TO THE BEST OF HER ABILITIES
Paisley admits that being 15 and in college is a balancing act. But she believes having other passion and hobbies has helped her do well and make friends.
SOT: (Paisley)
I LOVE MUSIC. I DONT KNOW I JUST LOVE MUSIC
Contrary to what most believe, a struggling economy doesnt make a college degree unattainable. But rather forces us to take a different route, a route that, in this case, can turn out much cheaper than before, even free.
Post Secondary Enrollment Option is available for all high school juniors and seniors. If you you or a sibling is interested in contact Gloria Dunnivan at 330-672-3743 or email her a Gdunniva@kent.edu.
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My success story - becoming debt free!by AllisonLawhon5,224 views
What about them?
jeannetterey89 1 year ago