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>> THIS ORIGINAL WSRE
PRESENTATION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY
VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.
♪♪
>> HELLO.
WELCOME TO PENSACOLA STATE
TODAY.
I'M YOUR HOST, DREXEL GILBERT,
AND WE HAVE A TERRIFIC PROGRAM
COMING UP FOR YOU TODAY.
COMING UP YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE
THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE FOR
AN UP-CLOSE LOOK AT THE
PERFORMING ARTS AT PENSACOLA
STATE COLLEGE.
WHETHER HE EXPLORE THE
INCREASINGLY POPULAR BACHELOR'S
DEGREE PROGRAM AT PENSACOLA
STATE.
THEN FINANCIAL AID.
YOU HAVE GOT QUESTIONS?
WE HAVE GOT ANSWERS.
AND STUDENTS FROM ACROSS FLORIDA
CONVERGE ON PENSACOLA FOR A
COMPETITION THAT HAS THE
POTENTIAL TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES
AND PERHAPS TO IMPROVE YOURS.
FIRST NOT ALL THE LEARNING AT
PENSACOLA STATE TAKES PLACE IN A
TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM WITH DESKS
AND CHAIRS.
SOME OF IT TAKES PLACE ON THE
STAGE.
IN THE MUSIC ROOM AND IN THE
DANCE STUDIO.
AND YOU HAVE BACKSTAGE PASSES
FOR THIS LOOK AT PENSACOLA
STATE'S THRIVING PERFORMING ARTS
PROGRAM.
♪♪
♪♪
>> WE HAVE HAD CULTURE OUR
ENTIRE HUMANITY, ALL THE WAY
FROM THE GREEKS.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE
TO BE HUMAN AND I THINK THEY CAN
BE HUMAN WHEN THEY ATTEND OR
PERFORM EITHER ON THE STAGE OR
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OR DANCE.
>> BEING IN PERFORMING ARTS YOU
LEARN DISCIPLINE AND THAT
DISCIPLINE CARRIES OVER INTO
ANYTHING REALLY.
YOU LEARN TO BE ON TIME, BE
PREPARED WHICH IS ALL THINGS
THAT YOU DO WHEN YOU DO OTHER
THINGS BESIDES MUSIC OR THEATER.
I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS
THAT MUSIC IS SOMETHING THAT YOU
CAN DO YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.
THEATER ISES? YOU CAN DO YOUR
ENTIRE LIFE.
MEANWHILE WE SHALL -- GRADUATION
IS ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE
COUNTRIEN YOU'RE GETTING FOR MY
MONEY A BETTER PRODUCT BECAUSE
WE DO THEATER RIGHT HERE.
MY PHILOSOPHY IS THAT THERE IS
NO CASTING CREW, THERE'S ONE
TEAM CREATING THE PRODUCT
TOGETHER, EVERYBODY IS EQUAL,
EVERYBODY WORKS TOWARD THE SAME
GOAL, EVERYBODY SUPPORTS EACH
OTHER AND YOU CELEBRATE EACH
OTHER.
>> ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IS LETTING
THE STUDENT, AND EVERYONE IS
JUST A FAMILY AND WE ALL WANT
THE BEST IN EACH OTHER AND WE
SEE THAT ONE OF US ARE
STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT THEN
WE'RE ALWAYS THERE TO HELP THAT
PERSON NO MATTER WHAT THE
SITUATION IS.
>> THE BIG THING IS I BELIEVE WE
HERE ARE STUDENTS AND WE ARE
KNOWN AS PEOPLE, NOT AS NUMBERS.
THAT YOU ARE TEACHERS GET TO
KNOW US ON A MUCH MORE PERSONAL
LEVEL.
IT IS DID HE DEFINITELY A HOMING FEEL,
ENCLOSED SPACE, PROFESSORS
REALLY CARE ABOUT YOU AS A
STUDENT.
SO I THINK OUR SCHOOL MATCHED UP
AGAINST BIGGER SCHOOLS WE BECOME
MORE LIKE A FAMILY.
>> I BELIEVE THE ARTS ARE VERY
IMPORTANT.
YOU STILL NEED TO HAVE SOME OF
THE ARTS AND CULTURE IN YOUR
LIVES.
>> I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN
STUDIES SHOWN THAT STUDENTS THAT
STUDY THE MUSIC AND ARTS EXCEL
IN SOME OF THEIR OTHER AREAS.
>> THEY'RE TRULY ENCOMPASSING
ALL THE ARTS HERE AT PENSACOLA
STATE.
COMPANIES WHEN THEY RELOCATE TO
AN AREA, ONE OF THE THINGS THEY
LOOK FOR IS HOW BIG OUR
COMMUNITY OR CULTURE IN THE
TOWN.
SO YOU LOOK AT PENSACOLA BEING A
SMALL TOWN BUT LOOK AT WHAT GOES
ON IN THIS TOWN.
IT'S LIKE THERE'S MORE THAN ONE
EVENT EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND IN
ALL THE DIFFERENT ARTS.
♪♪
♪
>> IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM.
I'D RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE.
>> IT HELPED ME REALIZE WHAT I
LOVE AND HOW MUCH I LOVE MUSIC
AND HOW MUCH I WANT TO DO IT.
♪♪
>> SEEING THE PEOPLE WILL WHO
LOVE WHAT THEY DO, HOW MUCH THEY
LOVE THEIR JOB IS JUST MAKES ME
WANT TO DO WHAT THEY DO.
AND THEY CONTINUE MUSIC.
>> WHY YOU SHOULD GO TO
PENSACOLA STATE, IT'S AN
ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY ONE OF
THE -- IS VERY WELCOMING.
WE WANT HERE JUST AS MUCH AS
TEACHERS WANT YOU HERE.
IT'S PLACE YOU'RE NO LONGER A
NUMBER IN THE PROGRAM OF A WAY
HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT THE PROGRAM
BUT THIS IS A SCHOOL WHERE WE
WANT YOU HERE AS A STUDENT AND
TEACHERS KNOW YOUR NAME AND WE
WAP YOU TO BE PART OF THE
PROGRAM AND THE PROGRAM TO
BECOME PART OF YOU.
WE WANT THIS TO BECOME YOUR
LIFE.
IT'S A PROGRAM EVERYONE SHOULD
ASPIRE TO BE IN.
IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM TO BE PART
OF.
>>
>> IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.
IT SAVED ME, I'M VERY GRATEFUL
FOR WHAT THE PROGRAM HAS GIVEN
ME.
THE HANDS ON-ONE ON ONE
INTERACTION WITH THE INSTRUCTORS
AND P THE STUDENTS GIVES ME THAT
HANS TO BETTER MYSELF.
AND WHAT I WANT TO PURSUE.
>> IF A STUDENT GOES TO FLORIDA
STATE THE FIRST THREE OR FOUR
YEARS YOU WON'T GET STARRING
ROLES, THEY TWO THE GRADUATE
STUDENTS OR SENIORS.
>> HERE YOU CAN BECOME A STAR IN
THE SHOW, THE FIRST YEAR IF IF
YOU'RE TALENTED ENOUGH.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I
LIKE ABOUT OUR SCHOOL IS THAT
YOU GIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO
STUDENTS THAT ARE TALL LENNED.
THAT'S ONE OF THE GREAT
STRENGTHS OF OUR PROGRAM IS THAT
YOU GET HERE YOU CAN PERFORM.
>> IT'S GOING TO GO FINE TODAY,
RIGHT?
♪♪
>> PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING THE
ARTS ARE OUT OF HERE FOR YEARS
BUT THEY HAVE ALWAYS SURVIVED
AND THEY ALWAYS WILL.
IT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.
BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED THEM.
BECAUSE PEOPLE AS PART OF THEIR
PSYCHE.
PEOPLE CAN'T DO WITHOUT THE
ARTS.
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE
HONESTY AND INTEGRITY OF PEOPLE
THAT PERFORM AND HON NECESSITY
AND INTEGRITY OF PEOPLE THAT
LISTEN.
THE ARTS WILL BE HERE FOREVER
LIKE IT HAS BEEN SINCE TIME OF
THE GREEKS.
IT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.
>> IT'S ENDLESS THE
POSSIBILITIES FOR US.
I SEE GOOD THINGS HAPPENING.
>> THE PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM
AT PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE IS
FAIRING QUITE WELL, NOT ONLY IN
THE NUMBERS OF STUDENTS WHO ARE
INCREASINGLY INTERESTED IN
JOINING THIS PROGRAM BUT ALSO IN
THE LEVEL OF TALENT THEY BRING
WITH THEM.
WHEN WE COME BACK WE'RE TALKING
BATCH ALREADY'S DEGREE PROGRAMS
AT PSC.
RIGHT NOW A LOOK AT WHAT'S AHEAD
FOR PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE.
♪♪
>> PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE'S
BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM IS
GROWING IN POPULARITY AND HERE
TO TALK WITH US ABOUT WHY AND
ABOUT THE BENEFITS FOR STUDYING
FOR YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE AT
PSC ARE OUR GUESTS FOR THIS
SEGMENT, THEY ARE DAN BUSSE,
DEAN OF WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT
AND VOCATIONAL SUPPORT, WELCOME
TO THE PROGRAM.
>> GLAD TO BE HERE.
>> ALSO WE HAVE WITH US TODAY
SANDRA HARTLEY, COORDINATOR OF
NEW PROGRAMS DEVELOPMENT,
WELCOME TO YOU AS WELL.
>> GLAD TO BE HERE.
>> AN EXCITING PROGRAM FOR
PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE, A GREAT
OFFERING FOR THE STUDENTS AS
WELL AS FOR THE COMMUNITY.
LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THE HISTORY OF THIS PROGRAM AND
WHAT COURSES HAVE BEEN OFFERED
OF PROGRAMS STUDY -- BEEN
OFFERED IN THE PAST.
>> THE BACHELOR'S PROGRAM AT
STATE COLLEGE LEVEL, COMMUNITY
COLLEGE LEVEL WERE ORIGINALLY
DESIGNED TO MEET INDUSTRY NEEDS.
A DEMAND IN THE WORK FORCE.
AN UNMET NEED AT THE UNIVERSITY
-- THAT THE UNIVERSITIES HAD.
BACK IN 2010, PENSACOLA JUNIOR
COLLEGE MADE TRANSITION TO STATE
COLLEGE INSTEAD OF OFFERING THE
-- OFFERING A NUMBER OF PERHAPS.
THAT'S THE HISTRY IN A NUTSHELL
T. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNEDDED
SPECIFICALLY TO MEET INDUSTRY
NEEDS.
>> UP TO THIS POINT WHAT
PROGRAMS OF STUDY ARE OFFERED?
>> WE HAVE TWO BATCH ALREADY'S
DEGREES, ONE IS IN NURSING, THE
OTHER ONE IS IN MANAGEMENT.
THAT'S A BACHELOR OF APPLIED
SCIENCE.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF
CONCENTRATIONS IN THAT
MANAGEMENT AND THEY AGAIN, I
KEEP COMING BACK TO THE SAME
POINT.
THEY'RE DESIGNED TO MEET
INDUSTRY DEMANDS.
WORK FORCE DEMANDS.
>> AND ALONG THOSE LINES LET'S
TALK ABOUT HOW THE PROGRAM HAS
GROWN NOT ONLY IN TERMS HOW MANY
STUDENTS AND MORE INTEREST BUT
ALSO IN THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS
THAT ARE GOING TO BE OFFERED OR
CONSIDERED TO BE OFFERED IN THE
FUTURE.
>> DO YOU WANT THE TAKE THAT?
>> YES, THEY HAVE GROWN.
WE'RE DELIGHTED.
WHEN WE STARTED PLANNING WE HAD
A WHY WOULD DREAM WE WOULD START
WITH 40 STUDENTS.
AND I THINK WE HAVE OVER 400
THIS TERM IN OUR BATCH ALREADY'S
PROGRAM.
SO OUR BIG PROGRAM IS OUR BAS
WITH THE CONCENTRATIONS UNDER
THAT, BAS IS ADMINISTRATION AND
SUPERVISION.
THE BSN PROGRAM IS COMING ALONG
NICELY.
YOU KNOW I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
NEW PROGRAMS; THAT'S CORRECT?
>> I DO, THERE'S EXCITING NEWS
AHEAD FOR WHAT'S IN THE FUTURE.
>> ONE PROGRAM WE JUST GOT
APPROVED ASSOCIATE DEGREE LEVEL
IS CYBER FORENSICS.
THAT'S GOING TO BE A FASCINATING
PROGRAM.
IT COMBINES CRIMINAL JUSTICE
WITH INFORMATION SECURITY, IT'S
THOSE PEOPLE WHO DETECT,
IDENTIFY AND PROSECUTE ALL THE
PEOPLE WHO HACK IN THE SYSTEMS.
SO IT'S GOING TO BE A
FASCINATING --
>> ABSOLUTELY --
>> GROWING FIELD.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THAT PROGRAM WAS BROUGHT TO US
FROM LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE
SHE WAS AND LOCAL CHIEFS
INDICATED THAT THEY HAD A DEMAND
FOR THAT PROGRAM.
IN ORDER TO MEET DEMAND WE
STARTED TO PUT THAT PROGRAM
TOGETHER AND THAT PROGRAM IS
GOING TO BE OUTSTANDING.
HOPEFULLY IT WILL PROVIDE LAW
ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY LOCALLY
HERE WITH THE RESOURCES THEY
NEED IN ORDER TO PROSECUTE,
MAINTAIN THAT EVIDENCE AND
REDUCE CYBER CRIMES LOCALLY
HERE.
>> THE CYBER FORENSICS CYBER
SECURITY DOVE TAILS WITH OVERALL
GOALS NOT JUST FOR THE COLLEGE
BUT THE COMMUNITY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
ONCE AGAIN, WE WORK HAND IN HAND
WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
WE HAVE LOCAL BUSINESS PARTNERS,
THOSE BUSINESS PARTNERS ARE
REALLY WHAT'S DRIVING THE
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT.
WHAT THE NEED THEY SEE, THE NEED
THEY SEE IS WHERE WE'RE PUTTING
OUR EMPHASIS.
CYBER SECURITY, CYBER FORENSICS,
INFORMATION SECURITY, THOSE TYPE
OF PROGRAMS ARE NOT ONLY IN
DEMAND BUT ALSO VERY HIGH
PAYING.
IT'S A GAME CHANGER FOR THIS
LOCAL COMMUNITY, IF WE CAN
PROVIDE COMPANIES THAT ARE
EXPANDING, THE TALENT POOL TO
NOT ONLY BE PROFITABLE BUT TO
EXPAND.
>> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE
BENEFITS OF THIS PROGRAM THEN
FOR THE STUDENTS.
WHY PURSUE YOUR BATCH ALREADY'S
DEGREE AT PENSACOLA STATE
COLLEGE?
>> THAT ONE IS EASY.
AND CHIME IN ANY TIME.
BASIC REASON, IT'S MUCH MORE
COST EFFECTIVE TO DO IT LOCALLY
HERE.
NOT ONLY COST EFFECTIVE AS FAR
AS TUITION, FEES, SO FORTH, WE
ALSO HAVE JOBS LOCALLY THAT
INDIVIDUALS CAN MOVE OUT OF
GRADUATION, WALK ACROSS THE
STATE RIGHT INTO POSITION.
THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF BACHELOR'S
PROGRAMS LOCALLY HERE.
>> THE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE
TO SAY IS I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE
SO I HAVE A VESTED INTEREST.
THEY'RE ALREADY AT HOME.
THEY KNOW OUR PROGRAMS, THEY
KNOW WHERE TO GO TO SEEK
FINANCIAL AID, THEY KNOW WHERE
TO GET COUNSELING.
THEY KNOW OUR QUALITY.
THEY'RE AT HOME ALREADY.
WHY NOT STAY?
WE TALKED ABOUT GROWTH EARLIER,
HOW EXCITING IS IT FOR YOU AS
ONE WHO WHEN TO THIS SCHOOL,
THIS INSTITUTION?
TO WATCH THIS GROWTH IN THE
PROGRAM?
>> FANTASTIC.
I LOVE ALL THE AVENUES OUR
STUDENTS CAN PURSUE.
THE CYBER FORENSICS ASSOCIATE
DEGREE LEVEL IS GOING TO DOVE
TAIL NICELY INTO THE INFORMATION
-- INTO THE CYBER SECURITY
BACHELOR'S DEGREE WHICH WILL
GIVE ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND
KNOWLEDGE AND IS GOING TO BE IN
GREAT DEMAND.
>> SO WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
FOR STUDENTS TO COME INTO THE
PROGRAM AN ACTUALLY LADDER THEIR
CREDENTIALS FROM ASSOCIATE LEVEL
TO BACHELOR'S LEVEL.
WHICH ARE IN DEMAND PROGRAMS
LOCALLY, LOCAL COMPANIES, ON OUR
ADVISORY BOARD HELPING TO
DEVELOP CURRICULUM, PROVIDING
REAL INSIGHT, REAL WORLD
EXPERIENCES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
IN THE FORM OF INTERNSHIPS AN
CO-OPS SO WE HAVE A VERY STRONG
RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LOCAL
BUSINESS PARTNERS AN THESE
PROGRAMS FIT NICELY WITH THE
OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHARGES OF THE COMMUNITY.
>> THAT'S A THEME THAT IS
RECURRING IN EVERY SHOW,
PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE IS NOT
JUST AN ISLAND SITTING HERE,
PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE IS A
THRIVING INTERESTED MEMBER OF
THIS COMMUNITY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> RIGHT.
>> EACH OF OUR PROGRAMS HAS AN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THOSE
COMMITTEES AGAIN PROVIDE THAT
REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.
SO WE'RE NOT OPERATING IN A
VACUUM OR AN IVORY TOWER.
THESE ARE THE SKILL SETS THAT
LOCAL BUSINESSES WANT AND NEED
IN ORDER FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BE
SUCCESSFUL AND FOR THOSE
COMPANIES TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND
THRIVE LOCALLY.
>> THANK YOU, DAN BUSSE AND
SANDRA HARTLEY, APPRECIATE YOU
COMING OUT AND BEING ON
PENSACOLA STATE TODAY.
WE WILL CHECK BACK WITH YOU A
FEW SHOWS DOWN THE LINE TO SEE
HOW THINGS ARE GOING.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
>> WHEN WE COME BACK WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APPLYING FOR
FINANCIAL AID AT PENSACOLA STATE
COLLEGE.
FOR NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT
WHAT'S AHEAD AT PSC.
>> TUITION AND OTHER EXPENSES
ARE OF TOP CONCERN FOR MANY
STUDENTS AND POTENTIAL STUDENTS
AT PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE.
IF YOU FIND THE PROCESS OF
APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID TO BE
INTIMIDATING OR OVERWHELMING,
THE GOOD NEWS IS IT DOESN'T HAVE
TO BE.
IN THE STUDIO NOW WITH US IS
KAREN KESSLER, DIRECTOR OF
FINANCIAL AID AT PENSACOLA AT A
TIME COLLEGE AND YOU ARE HERE TO
GIVE US ADVICE ON BEING
COMFORTABLE WITH THE FINANCIAL
AID PROCESS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
HERE AT PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE
WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN THE FACT
THAT WE WANT MONEY NEVER TO BE
AN ISSUE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE
WORKING TOWARDS THEIR
EDUCATIONAL GOALS.
WE'RE ACTUALLY IN THE TOP 1% OF
THE MOST AFFORDABLE SCHOOLS IN
THE UNITED STATES AND PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
SO OUR GOAL IS TO HELP STUDENTS
GET ALL THE AID THAT THEY'RE
ELIGIBLE FOR FOR THEIR
ATTENDANCE HERE.
LAST YEAR, 81% OF STUDENTS
RECEIVED ASSISTANCE.
THE FIRST STEP THOUGH IS TO
APPLY TO THE COLLEGE AND DO ALL
OF THOSE KINDS OF ACTIVITIES
THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR THEM AS
ENTERING STUDENTS.
THE SECOND THING IS FOR THEM TO
FILE THE FREE APPLICATION FOR
FEDCAL STUDENT AID.
LIKE THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS THE
DOOR TO ALMOST ALL THE FINANCIAL
AID WE OFFER HERE AT THE
COLLEGE.
>> AND THERE'S A WEBSITE THEY
CAN GO TO DO THAT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
WE REALLY ENCOURAGE OUR STUDENTS
TO GO TO OUR COLLEGE WEBSITE.
BECAUSE ON THAT WEBSITE WE CAN
CLICK ON FINANCIAL AID, IT
BRINGS THEM TO A PAGE THAT
OFFERS INFORMATION ABOUT COST OF
ATTENDANCE, THE LINK TO THE FREE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID, IT GIVES BUTTONS TO CHOOSE
FROM ON THAT PAGE.
THEY CAN CLICK ON TO HAVE A
GUIDE FOR OUR SPECIFIC AID
OFFERED HERE.
CLICK ANOTHER GUIDE WITH LINKS
IN IT TO ALL THE DIFFERENT OTHER
KINDS OF AID FOR MORE
INFORMATION TO SEE WHAT THEY
MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR.
AND WHAT WE REALLY LIKE IS THE
FINANCIAL -- OF THE FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS FOR FINANCIAL
AID, BECAUSE WE WROTE THOSE FROM
QUESTIONS THAT STUDENTS ASKED
US, BECAUSE WE FIGURED IF
STUDENTS WERE ASKING THOSE
QUESTIONS THEY NEEDED THOSE
ANSWERS.
>> SO THESE ARE LIVE QUESTIONS?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THIS YEAR THE PELL GRANT WILL BE
UP TO $5,635.
AND THAT COVERS THE MOST OF THE
INSTITUTIONAL EXPENSES FORMAL
AND SPRING PER STUDENT BECAUSE
OUR TUITION AND FEES FOR A
FULL-TIME STUDENT PAST YEAR FOR
12 CREDITS EACH SEMESTER IF THEY
ATTENDED WAS UNDER $4,500, THAT
INCLUDED TUITION AN FEES AN
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES SO WE ARE
VERY AFFORDABLE.
AND WE TRY TO HELP STUDENTS
DETERMINE THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR
OTHER KINDS OF ASSISTANCE.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT
STUDENTS FIND SO INTIMIDATING
ABOUT THE PROCESS?
>> I THINK IT'S THE FACT THAT
THEY HAVE TO FILL IN PERSONAL
INFORMATION ON A FORM THAT'S
ONLINE ON A WEBSITE.
WE TRY TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND
THAT IT'S SECURE, THIS
INFORMATION IS ONLY PROCESSED BY
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME
STUDENTS COULD USE WHAT WAS
CALLED THE IRS RETRIEVAL.
AFTER THEY AND THEIR PARENTS
FILED TAXES WHEN THEY WHEN TO
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL
STUDENT AID AND GOT TO THE
QUESTIONS THAT ARE INCOME
QUESTIONS, BECAUSE THIS IS NEED
BASED MONEY THEY'RE ASKING FOR,
WHEN THEY GOT TO THOSE
QUESTIONS, THEY CAN SAY WE WANT
YOU TO RETRIEVE THAT INFORMATION
ON OUR BEHALF FROM THE IRS SO
THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
THE RIGHT NUMBERS IN THE RIGHT
PLACES.
EVEN IF THEY GET THEM IN THE
WRONG PLACES WHEN WE START GOING
THROUGH THE PROCESS, WE'LL HELP
THEM GET IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
>> THAT LEADS TO NEXT QUESTION,
WHETHER ARE COMMON OBSTACLES OR
CHALLENGES THAT A STUDENT MIGHT
FIND?
AND WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS TO
THOSE CHALLENGES?
>> PART OF IT IS THAT WE RAISE
OUR CHILDREN TO THE BECOME
INDEPENDENT.
SO THEY THINK WHEN THEY GRADUATE
FROM HIGH SCHOOL ESPECIALLY IF
THEY'VE GOT GOOD JOBS THEY'RE
WORKING PART TIME THAT MOVE INTO
FULL TIME, PERHAPS THEY
SHOULDN'T NEED THEIR PARENTS'
INFORMATION BUT THE FEDERAL
RULES ARE THAT UP UNTIL AGE 24,
PARENTS AND THE STUDENT
THEMSELVES ARE CONSIDERED THE
FIRST PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE
PROVIDING FOR THEIR COLLEGE
GREEKS THE COST OF IT.
SO SOMETIMES STUDENTS DON'T
UNDERSTAND THAT AND LEAVE OFF
THEIR PARENTS INFORMATION OR TRY
TO LEAVE IT OFF.
SOME OF THE OTHER INSTANCES ARE
THAT PERHAPS PARENTS WANT TO
FILE TAX AS LITTLE BIT LATER.
THAT MEANS WE WORK FILES LATER
FOR A STUDENT AND IT MEANS WE
MAY HAVE RUN OUT OF SOME OF THE
FUNDS THAT WERE GIVEN BECAUSE WE
AWARD THEM FIRST ELIGIBLE FIRST
AWARDED.
WE NEVER GET ENOUGH FOR 100% OF
OUR STUDENTS.
>> SO THE LESSON THERE IS TO
START THE PROCESS EARLY?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THE FORM BECOMES AVAILABLE
ONLINE JANUARY 1st.
WE RECOMMEND THE FAMILY FILE
THEIR TAXES OR IF THAW GO AHEAD
AND FILE BE -- IF THEY GO AHEAD
AND FILE BE SURE TO GO BACK
AFTER THEY HAVE FILED AND USE
THE IRS RETRIEVAL TOOL.
THE GOAL IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA
FOR A STUDENT TO HAVE THAT PIECE
OF THE PROCESS DONE BY
MAY 1st.
>> I MAY THROW YOU WITH THIS
QUESTION BUT WHAT ARE THE
BUSIEST AN LEAST BUSIEST TIMES
IN THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE?
IS THERE EVER A LEAST BUSY TIME?
>> ONCE THE COLLEGE DECIDED WE
WOULD HAVE MULTIPLE TIMES A
STUDENT BEGINS EDUCATION DURING
A SEMESTER, THAT LULL TIME WENT
DOWN BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S GETTING
BUSY BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE NOW
THINKING ABOUT FALL.
THEY WERE JUST THINKING ABOUT
GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND
NOW THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT FALL
AND GETTING ALL OF THAT IN
PLACE.
PERHAPS THEY DIDN'T ADD BUT
THEIR DREAM SCHOOL ON FREE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
AID AND THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN THAT
LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE YET.
AND MIGHT BE GETTING A LETTER OF
DENIAL SO NOW THINKING WHAT AM I
GOING TO DO IF.
SO WE SEE THAT.
IT STAYS PRETTY BUSY ALL THE
TIME BUT WE STREAMLINED OUR
PROCESSES HERE AND STUDENTS
SHOULDN'T HAVE THEIR MONEY IN
PLACE -- SHOULD HAVE THEIR MONEY
IN PLACE IN JULY.
>> VERY QUICKLY LAST COUPLE OF
SECONDS, IF YOU HAVE WAITED YOU
HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOUR DREAM
COLLEGE IT'S NOT TOO LATE.
GO AHEAD AND START.
>> NEVER TOO LATE.
>> KAREN KESSLER, THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT.
COMING UP, STUDENTS FROM ACROSS
FLORIDA SWARM TO PENSACOLA FOR
WHAT COULD BE A LIFE-CHANGING
EVENT.
♪♪
♪♪
>> WHAT HAPPENS WHEN STUDENTS
WHO ARE EAGER TO JUMP START
THEIR CAREERS CROSS PATHS WITH A
PROGRAM THAT CHALLENGES THEM,
EQUIPS THEM AND SETS THEM ON THE
ROAD TO SUCCESS?
WE FOUND OUT WHAT HAPPENS AT THE
RECENT SKILLS USA FLORIDA STATE
CONFERENCE HOSTED BY PENSACOLA
STATE COLLEGE.
>> DR. MEADOWS, PRESIDENT OF
PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE BOUGHT
SKILLS USA WHEN HE BECAME
PRESIDENT IN 2009.
AS WE STARTED SKILLS USA,
EVERYONE IN OUR COLLEGE REALLY
WAS ABLE TO COME ON BOARD AND
REALLY SEE THE VALUE AND THE
ORGANIZATION.
>> IN 3, 2, 1.
GO.
>> SKILLS USA IS A WONDERFUL
OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO GET
THEIR HANDS IN THE DIFFERENT
COMPETITION AREAS AND SEE WHAT
ALL THE CAREER FIELDS ARE ABOUT.
NOT ONLY DO THEY CHALLENGE
THEMSELVES WITH THE ACTUAL
SKILL, BUT THEY CHALLENGE
THEMSELVES WITH SOFT SKILLS THAT
GO WITH IT.
THEY'RE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH
ALL THE JUDGES ABOUT THEIR
FIELDS, AND THAT HELPS THEM TO
BE A WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUAL AND
TO DO WELL WHEN THEY ARE IN THE
REAL WORLD.
>> THE AVERAGE AGE FOR SKILL
WORKERS IS AROUND 55 YEARS OLD.
SO WITHIN THE NEXT TEN YEARS WE
HAVE TO FILL THOSE JOBS.
WE NEED SOMEONE THAT'S ABLE TO
COME IN AND WORK ON OUR AIR
CONDITIONER, HELP WITH OUR
ELECTRICAL.
WE NEED SOMEONE TO BUILD OUR
HOMES.
WE NEED TO GO TO THE
COSMETOLOGISTS TO HAVE OUR NAILS
DONE AND HAVE SOMEONE TO WORK ON
OUR HAIR.
WITHOUT THIS TRAINING, WITHOUT
THIS WORK FORCE READINESS
PROGRAM, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO
DO IT.
>> AND THESE AREN'T SMALL PAYING
JOBS EITHER.
THESE INDIVIDUALS DO VERY WELL
ONCE THEY COMPLETE A TWO YEAR
PROGRAM, THEY WILL ALWAYS FIND A
JOB WITHIN THE SKILLED WORK
FORCE AREA.
>> OVER A COUPLE OF DAYS WE'LL
BRING IN CLOSE TO 10,000 PEOPLE.
>> WE'RE BRINGING ABOUT A
$3 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT TO
OUR AREA.
>> ON GO,
>> JUST LIKE WE DO IT IN THE
REAL WORLD.
THE FLORIDA SKILLS USA
CONFERENCE AND WORLDS OF
POSSIBILITIES CAREER EXPOE WILL
ONCE AGAIN BE HOSTED BY
PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE AND HELD
IN PENSACOLA IN 2014.
THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF
PENSACOLA STATE TODAY.
I'M YOUR HOST DREXEL GILBERT.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
♪♪
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