Parkside High School works to prepare seniors for college

SALISBURY, Md. – FAFSA, private student loans and scholarships are some of the ways that students pay for college. But even through all of those different avenues, two Parkside High School seniors are still left wondering how they’re going to front the bill.

The school year may have just started for students at Parkside High School, but a lot of seniors already have college on their minds.

Senior Tashawna Gattis said she may have to find a stream of income once she starts her post-secondary education, to help her parents with the expenses.

“It’s a little bit overwhelming, because times is flying by so fast,” Gattis said. “I would get a job to help my parents pay for stuff.”

To help students better understand the importance of financial planning, Parkside High School guidance counselor, Erica Riggin, has been educating seniors on different alternatives to student loans.

“We certainly want students to understand the ramifications of taking out any student loans, or looking at interest in different programs,” Riggin said. “You want to use loans as last resort. Certainly, we don’t want to go into college, coming out with debt, if it can be avoided.”

Senior Harmony Darden said she’s been looking to college alums for advice.

“I’ve been talking to a lot of the older people to see how their experiences were and what they remember about the experience,” Darden said.

And she’s also been exploring the scholarship route, to alleviate some of the financial burden.

“I want to try to apply to as many scholarships as I can,” Darden said.

“If you want to attend college next fall but haven’t applied, Riggin said you should think twice about not submitting those college applications on time.

“Time is of the essence, it’s all about deadlines,” Riggin said.

“We know that there’s a lot going on senior year; if you miss your college application deadlines in the fall, you are worrying about ‘Am I going to be wait listed if I do get in? Am I going to be denied? Do I have to delay a semester going in? So, you want to make sure you’re following what your college deadlines are,” Riggin added.