Category Archives: Finance

Important Offices To Know As A PUC Student 

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The school year has started, and for those who are new or need reminding, we want you to know some of PUC’s offices that will benefit you and your education.

Student Finance 

Financial planning for college can be overwhelming, which is one your financial counselor is committed to working with you through the process and addressing any concerns, confusion, and complications you may have.

Academic Records 

Academic Records keeps track of all your credits and is the place to add a class or drop one. If you decide to change majors or add a minor, the academic records office is where you’ll get that done. 

Student Wellness Center 

Across the main campus is the Student Wellness Center, which provides personal and career counseling and offers testing services. For counseling, qualified counselors will sit, listen, and help you with anything you’re going through. If you haven’t decided on a major, that’s okay! PUC’s career counselors will talk you through career options to find a major that would be a good fit for you.

Teaching & Learning Center 

Tutors at the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) are here to assist you with those classes that need extra attention. TLC offers small group and one-on-one tutoring sessions, a writing lab; and makes accommodations for those with learning disabilities. If you’re a student veteran, PUC’s key task force members will work with you to make your transition to college life as smooth as possible.

Academic Advisor 

Your academic advisor is a valuable resource to you- whether it involves school, jobs, internships, or even life in general. With work and internships, they’ll connect you with people they know, and from there, you’ll continue to network and get your foot in the door. Your academic advisor wants you to succeed just as much as you do, so let them assist you in any way possible.

These are just five resourceful offices to familiarize yourself with. You might find other offices of use as the school year goes by. You can always check the campus map to know where each building is located. 

Five PUC Scholarships To Check Out 

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At PUC, we understand the cost of college is quite a number, which is why each student receives one or more forms of financial aid to help them on their educational journey. Here are just five scholarships specifically from PUC:

Maxwell Scholarship (Yearly: $32,000 / 4-Year Total: $130,620)

The Maxwell Scholarship is only available to incoming freshmen for the fall 2022 term. 

The student must have a 3.9-4.0 GPA and a 34+ ACT or 1500+ SAT. This scholarship cannot be combined with any other PUC scholarships, awards, or discounts, and is renewable for three years with a 3.5 GPA, with a potential 4th year under qualifying conditions. The student must also be living in the residence halls. 

Merit Scholarships

These are based on an unweighted cumulative GPA and test scores. These are automatically awarded to students who meet the criteria after the admissions application is reviewed. The awards are renewed for three years for students meeting the GPA requirements. 

  • President’s ($15,000 / 4-Year Total: $52,000) 

The President’s Scholarship is awarded to students who have a 3.75-4.0 GPA or 29+ ACT / 1350+ SAT. This scholarship is renewable with a 3.0 GPA. 

  • Dean’s ($13,00 / 4-Year Total $52,000) 

The Dean’s Scholarship is awarded to students who have a 3.5-3.74 GPA or 26+ ACT/1200+ SAT. This scholarship is renewable with a 3.0 GPA. 

  • Trustee’s Scholarship ($11,000 / 4-Year Total: $44,000) 

The Trustee’s Scholarship is awarded to students who have a 3.25-3.49 GPA, and is renewable with a 3.0 GPA. 

  • Founder’s ($9,000 / 4-Year Total: $36,000) 

The Founder’s Scholarship is awarded to students who have a 2.8-3.24 GPA, and is renewable with a 3.0 GPA. 

Out-Of State Scholarship ($1,500-$4,000) 

Freshman students out-of-state will automatically receive $1,500. For freshman students who are California residents and qualify for Cal Grant, up to $4,000 may be awarded.

Mostert Leadership Scholarship ($2,000) 

This scholarship is given to incoming freshmen for selected leadership roles they had during their junior and/or senior years. (Limited to two awards.)

Transfer Scholarships 

  • President’s ($13,000)

The President’s Transfer Scholarship is awarded to students who have a 3.75-4.0 GPA, and is renewable with a 3.0 GPA.

  • Dean’s Transfer ($11,000)

The Dean’s Transfer Scholarship is awarded to students who have a 3.40-3.74 GPA, and is renewable with a 3.0 GPA.

  • Trustee’s Transfer ($8,000) 

The Trustee’s Transfer Scholarship is awarded to students who have a 3.10-3.39 GPA, and is renewable with a 3.0 GPA.

  • Founder’s Transfer ($6,000)

The Founder’s Transfer Scholarship is awarded to students who have a 2.70-3.09 GPA and is renewable with a 3.0 GPA.

To view a list of all the scholarships given by PUC, visit our website. Please keep in mind that some of these scholarships have certain qualifications and restrictions. No matter what year you are, PUC offers other scholarships, grants, and discounts to make sure you and your family have financial support. 

It’s Time To Fill Out FAFSA!

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It’s October 1 and that means we are here to talk about FAFSA. Starting today, you can file your FAFSA and have your information sent to up to 10 colleges! 

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for college is to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is an online form you will submit each year that determines your eligibility for student financial aid. 

Be sure to file FAFSA as soon as possible since some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. To have your FAFSA information sent to PUC, include PUC’s school code—it’s 001258. 

FAFSA takes most people less than an hour to complete, which includes taking time to gather the necessary documents, completing and reviewing the application, and reading the important information on the “Confirmation” page you’ll receive after signing and submitting the FAFSA. You can even complete it on your phone! The U.S. Department of Education has created a mobile-friendly version on its website or it can be filled out using its myStudentAid app. Nothing should stop you from taking one hour to do this incredibly important step in the college financial aid process! 

Filing the FAFSA also potentially qualifies you for a Pell Grant, which is a subsidy from the U.S. federal government, and is something you don’t have to pay back. Amounts can change each year, but for the 2020-2021 award year, the maximum Pell Grant award is $6,345 so you can expect similar for 2021-2022.

Based on your FAFSA information, our team of financial counselors can determine how much financial aid you are eligible for and create a personalized financial aid estimate for you where you can see how much per month it would cost to attend PUC. It’s an incredibly helpful and absolutely essential thing for you to have when making a decision about where to attend college. 

What are you waiting for? Start your FAFSA now at fafsa.gov!

Things To Do Before Starting School 

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You finally finished finals and walked across the (virtual) graduation stage and now, hopefully, you’re enjoying some much-needed rest before heading off on your higher educational journey. But before you arrive on campus, there are a few things you should do, and to make this as easy as possible, we made you a list!

Complete Financial Aid

Don’t wait in long and socially distanced lines, get financially cleared before you arrive. Contact your financial aid counselor to make sure you have completed everything. You can call them at (707) 965-7200 or email them at studentfinance@puc.edu. 

Know Your Academic Advisor 

It’s important to know who your academic advisor is, they’re not only going to be helping you set up your class schedule but they’ll be there for you all year long for any questions you may have. If you haven’t received info on your advisor, check in with your Admissions Counselor. They’ll be able to help.

Research Majors 

If you’re undecided, that’s okay! PUC has over 70 degrees and programs for you to choose from. Do your research on our website and see what program interests you the most. If you need some guidance, call your admissions counselor at (800) 862-7080, option 2.

Get Yourself Checked-Up

Students must have a TB skin test (or other forms of tuberculosis clearance testing) from their doctor within the last 12 months. If you still need to do this, schedule an appointment with your doctor, and get a copy of your physical examination form. 

Make Sure Your Room Is Set 

Make sure your dorm room is set and ready for your arrival. If you haven’t filled out a residence hall form, make sure you complete it ASAP. 

Check-In With Your Roommate 

Roommates are assigned later on in the summer and once you know yours, check in with them! It’s great to start getting to know each other early so there are fewer move-in-day nerves, plus, you can make sure you don’t bring duplicate items, like fridges or microwaves. 

Explore Your Hometown 

There’s no place like home, so don’t forget to explore your hometown and enjoy the places you won’t see every day. Order your favorite takeout and spend some time with your loved ones.

Prepare Your Checklist 

Start a checklist. Add school and dorm supplies you need to buy and things you don’t want to forget to pack. Having a checklist will help you remember and keep you on track. 

This may seem like a lot to do but if you start now, you’ll be done in no time! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the admissions team for help at (800) 862-7080, option 2. We can’t wait to have you on campus! 

 

PUC Coloring Page Partie Deux

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It’s time for another edition of coloring with PUC!

Download this coloring page and color away. feel free to send us photos of the final product!

 

Pioneers Coloring Sheet 2

You CAN Afford An Adventist Education

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If you’re a high school senior you’re probably starting to get excited about graduation. That might lead you toward thinking about college next year and you might start to get nervous about how to afford it. College is expensive. But here are three ways to make it possible.

Step 1: Apply for FAFSA

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for college is to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is an online form you will submit each year that determines your eligibility for student financial aid. Be sure to file FAFSA as soon as possible since some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. To have your FAFSA information sent to PUC, include PUC’s school code—it’s 001258. Apply for FAFSA at fafsa.gov

Step 2: Apply for Cal Grant

Cal Grant is a financial aid program administered by the California Student Aid Commission that provides aid to California undergraduates, vocational training students, and those in teacher certification programs and can be used at most colleges in California. If you’re planning on attending a private non-profit California college like PUC, Cal Grant is worth up to $9,084 per year. That’s over $36,000 to help pay for four years of college—and it’s free!

To be considered for a 2020-21 Cal Grant award, you must complete the following requirements by March 2nd:

  1. Submit a 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
  2. Ensure that a certified GPA is submitted to the California Student Aid Commission 

 Not from California? That’s ok! We have a different step 2 for you! 

 Step 2: Apply for PUC’s Out of state Scholarship ($1,500-$4,000)

To reward students who choose to adventure outside of their home state, PUC presents the Out-of-State Scholarship. A student whose residential address is outside of California will receive an automatic award of $1,500. Requirements and qualifications: 

  1. Have residency in a state outside of California
  2. For students who meet the qualifications for a Cal Grant and would receive one if they were a state resident, up to $4,000 may be awarded 

Find out more about this scholarship and more by visiting our website.

Step 3. Apply to PUC Promise

PUC is excited to be partnering with Ardeo Education Solutions to offer the first-ever Loan Repayment Assistance Program. LRAP is a financial safety-net we offer at no cost to you or your family. If your income after graduation is under $45,000, we can help you pay back your federal, private, and parent plus loans. This is just for new students coming in Fall 2020. 

If you’re interested in learning more about PUC Promise or if you want to register, visit our website!

BONUS STEP: Look for outside scholarships! There are tons out there, you just have to search and apply. Here are a few options we found so you don’t have to! Check out our outside scholarship blog post.

 

 

15 Outside Scholarships To Apply For 

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When you look at the cost for college, it’s important to keep in mind 100 percent of PUC students receive one or more forms of financial aid. In fact, we’ve awarded over $30 million dollars in financial aid to our students. However, even with all the scholarships PUC offers (which we encourage you to look at right now!), it’s still expensive. That’s why it’s important to look elsewhere for financial help. 

There are countless outside scholarship opportunities you can find online. Some of them are serious and require essays to be written while others are fun and ask for a video or project. The process to find those scholarships can be a little time-consuming, but don’t let that stop you from receiving free money. If you don’t know where to start looking for scholarships, here are 15 you can apply for.  

All About Education Scholarship 

Deadline: April 30, 2020 

Award: $3,000

Every student dreams of receiving free money for their college tuition. All this scholarship requires is an essay of 250 words or less about how a $3,000 scholarship for education will make a difference in your life. 

3rd Annual Litner + Deganian College Scholarship Program 

Deadline: March 31, 2020, at 9 a.m. EST. 

Award: $2,500

Litner + Deganian is looking for a creative-minded student to create a superhero focused on reducing car accidents and accident-related deaths among teens to be the mascot of their company.

Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway 

Deadline: Re-opens mid-August 2020 

Award: $100,000 

Dr Pepper is awarding over $1,000,000 to help students reach their biggest goals. You must be 18-24 and attending school for the 2020-2021 year. You will need to submit a video talking about your academic and professional goals and how winning this tuition will impact your life. This giveaway does not open until mid-August, so you have time to be creative, show how passionate you are and give them a sense of who you are. 

Superpower Scholarship 

Deadline: March 31, 2020 

Award: $2,500

If you are a hero or villain enthusiast, this super scholarship can give you the power to win free college money. In 250 words or less, write about a superhero or villain you would want to change places with for a day and why. 

ResumeCompanion Annual Scholarship 

Deadline: July 15, 2020 

Award: $1,000

This fun award lets you create a resume based on the life of any fictional or nonfictional character, from TV, history, literature, or myth. The resume should not be about yourself or your own experiences. Resumes should be no longer than two pages and there is not a required GPA. 

Flavor of the Month Scholarship 

Deadline: July 31, 2020 

Award: $1,500

Everybody loves ice cream, so why not write about what flavor of ice cream you would be and why for $1,500! 

Fifth Month Scholarship 

Deadline: May 31, 2020 

Award: $1,500

This unique scholarship wants to know what is so special about five. In 250 words or less, write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. You can either be serious or funny. 

2020 General Marketing Education Scholarship – Marketing Education 

Deadline: December 15, 2020 

Award: $1,000 

This scholarship requires you to submit a 1,000-word minimum essay about your educational goals and plans after graduation. You will also need to explain why you deserve to win this scholarship and what it would mean to you if you won. 

ServiceScape Scholarship 2020 

Deadline: November 29, 2020 

Award: $1,000 

To apply for this scholarship, ServiceScape wants students to write a 300-word essay on the topic of: How does writing impact today’s world? You also need to submit a headshot with your essay. 

Halloween Costume Scholarship 

Deadline: October 31, 2020 

Award: $1,000

The cost of college is pretty scary, but the thought of free money is far from spooky. All you have to do for this scholarship is write about your favorite costume worn by either you or your pet. 

Do-Over Scholarship 

Deadline: June 30, 2020 

Award: $1,500

In 250 words or less, you will need to write about a mistake you made and if you were allowed one do-over in life, what would it be and why? Don’t make the mistake of missing out on this scholarship.

GoSkills Scholarship 

Deadline: March 15, 2020 

Award: $2,000

If you are a female college student who wants to start your own online business, this scholarship is for you. Besides talking about yourself, you will need to share reasons why you’re scared of starting your business, what’s holding you back, and who your female boss role model is and why. This isn’t an essay, but more of a conversation. 

Build U. Scholarship 

Deadline: April 15, 2020 

Award: $2,500 Scholarship Each Semester 

If you are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), this scholarship is for you. In less than 1,000 words, explain why you admire a company or organization that best exemplifies core values. You will also need to submit a short video answering the question: “What would the Build U. Scholarship mean for your education?” 

The Blades of Green Scholarship Fund 

Deadline: March 27, 2020 

Award: $1,000

If you are seeking environmental studies or related fields, this scholarship is for you. This scholarship is based on your academic excellence, the pursuit of further study in environmental education, and passion for further study. In 350-500 words, describe your career plans after graduation, passion for your intended field, and what inspired you to choose your career path. This application must be submitted by mail. 

University Frames Scholarship Program 

Deadline: June 15, 2020 

Award: $1,000

This scholarship is only for 3rd-year undergrad students who have a GPA of at least 3.0. You must write a 400-500 word essay describing your future goals after you graduate and what important lessons you have learned in school and how you will apply them in your future goals. You will also need to send a photo or selfie holding an invisible diploma frame. 

Don’t miss the opportunity of receiving free money for your education. There’s money out there just waiting to be given, all you need to do is look!

 

 

College on a Budget

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College is expensive. Not only are you paying to actually attend classes and live on campus, but you also have books and supplies to buy. On top of that, you still want to have a social life which means having money for exploring the incredible Bay Area, going out on dates, having adventures with friends, and becoming the foodie you’ve secretly always wanted to be. 

Here are some budget-friendly tips to help you get a handle on your finances while building habits that will help you throughout the rest of your life. 

Create A Budget

Establishing a budget is essential for your financial future. Make a list of your monthly payments so you know exactly how much you have leftover. Also, plan ahead. Do you have a large purchase or trip coming up? Make sure to set money aside. 

Make a list of your purchases

If you’re like me you really enjoy online shopping. This is a dangerous habit to be in. Try and keep a list of the things you purchase so you’re not surprised at the end of the month. 

Check Your Bank Account

This may sound like a given but keep track of your money. Check your account weekly. Make sure your auto-payments are going through and check your receipts to be sure you’re charged the correct amount for things. 

Make a list of things you NEED

Before shopping, figure out what you actually need so you don’t walk into Target for toothpaste and walk out with five new outfits, some workout gear, and a cart full of snacks. Maybe still get a few of those things, though …

Put Your Money Into Savings

If you don’t have a savings account yet, open one. Take at least 10 percent of what you make and place it into your savings account. The more you save, the more you will have for your future. 

Create A Financial Goal 

Select a specific amount of money and strive to always have at least that in your bank account in case of an emergency. You never know when you might have car trouble or drop your phone into a puddle. 

Take Advantage of Your Student ID

There are lots of places that give student discounts. From restaurants and clothing stores to museums. It doesn’t hurt to ask! 

Adulting can be hard, especially when it involves finances. But you can get into habits now that will really help your future self! And hey, you can always get a job! For more information about student jobs on campus check out this great blog! 

 

Making Adventist Education Possible: A PUC Promise

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Getting a college education is important for many reasons. Having a degree looks great on your resume, lots of jobs even require one. It can help you with future career success and satisfaction as well as provide you with long term financial stability. The one downfall is that college is expensive, but we like to think of it as an investment in yourself. Here at PUC, we are always working on ways to make that investment financially possible. 

Did you know the average student takes out loans EACH year of college? While that enables you to get the education you deserve, those loans add up and eventually, you have to pay them off. 😩 For most, getting your dream job (with dream pay) right out of college doesn’t happen so you might be worried about making enough money to afford student loans. This is why PUC is excited to be partnering with Ardeo Education Solutions to offer the first-ever Loan Repayment Assistance Program. LRAP is a financial safety-net we offer at no cost to you or your family. If your income after graduation is under $45,000, we can help you pay back your federal, private, and parent plus loans.

How does the PUC Promise work you ask? Well, it’s fairly simple.

  1. Visit  MYLRAP.ORG/PUC and follow the simple steps on the page
  2. Review and sign your LRAP award
  3. Graduate from PUC with a bachelor’s degree
  4. Work at least an average of 30 hours per week—in any profession (or more than one job if needed)
  5. Begin repaying your federal, private alternative, or parent PLUS loans
  6. The PUC Promise reimburses a percentage, or all, of your loan repayment

The PUC Promise is new and we’re sure you’ve got questions. Reach out to our Admissions team via phone (800) 862-7080, option 2, or email admissions@puc.edu for more information.

Please note: Students who pursue nursing aren’t eligible for the PUC Promise. The good news is, PUC made that decision because most of our nursing graduates’ starting salaries are well over $45,000 annually. PUC is actually ranked for top-earning alumni with 2-year degrees because of our nursing graduates, and we want to focus this offer on students who are pursuing majors leading to careers with more modest starting salaries.

 

Take A Look at PUC’s Scholarships​

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It’s really easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of paying for college. The thing is, all PUC students, 100 percent, receive at least one form of financial aid. Our finance team is committed to working with you and your family to be sure the opportunity of an Adventist education is possible whether it’s through scholarships, grants, or helping you understand the loan options available to you so don’t feel discouraged by the sticker price! 

PUC offers scholarships based on a variety of factors, including leadership, participation in music groups or athletic programs, and of course high GPA and high test scores. There are also scholarships available depending on your program of study, like the Adventist Mission Scholarship, available to theology and education majors. Visit puc.edu/scholarships to see all available scholarships. 

Here is just a preview of a few merit-based scholarships available. 

President’s Scholarship (Renewable with a 3.0 GPA)

    – 3.75-4.0 GPA or 29+ ACT / 1350+ SAT 

    – $13,000 / 4-Year Total: $52,000

Dean’s Scholarship (Renewable with a 3.0 GPA) 

   – 3.5-3.74 GPA or 26+ ACT / 1200+ SAT

   – $12,000 / 4-Year Total: $48,000

Trustee’s Scholarship (Renewable with a 3.0 GPA) 

   – 3.25-3.49 GPA 

   – $10,000 / 4-Year Total: $40,000

Founder’s Scholarship (Renewable with a 3.0 GPA) 

   – 3.0-3.24 GPA 

   – $9,000 / 4-Year Total: $36,000 

For high-achieving students, PUC offers the prestigious Maxwell Scholarship, worth up to a whopping $116,000. Students meeting qualifications receive full tuition based on their unweighted cumulative GPA and test scores; requirements are a 3.9-4.0 GPA and a 34+ ACT or 1500+ SAT. 

There are also several other PUC scholarships worth checking out, like the Legacy Scholarship for students whose parents attended PUC, and the Mostert Leadership Scholarship, which recognizes students for selected leadership roles held during their junior and/or senior years. 

Visit puc.edu/scholarships to see all available scholarships. If you have questions about what you might qualify for, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of financial aid counselors, who can give you a financial aid estimate that shows what it might cost for you to attend PUC. Call (800) 862-7080, option 1 or email studentfinance@puc.edu to talk with a counselor now.