5 Myths About Community Colleges
Myth #1 : "I Just Don't Have the Money for College Right Now"
THERE'S MORE THAN JUST LOANS AND PELL GRANTS AT GRC.
To start with, Green River College offers or helps you connect with ways to pay for college that are more than just Pell Grants and student loan debt. Take a look at some of the different ways to get debt free money:
Scholarships: There are many scholarships available from the GRC Foundation and other sources. Even one of these could provide a significant part of your college fund. Each one has academic merit-based requirements and don’t need to be paid back.
- 400 Foundation scholarship awards available. Averaging $2000 per award. Learn More >
- Phi Theta Kappa scholarships (there are several) | Learn More >
- MyCAA Scholarship for veterans and spouses | Learn More >
- Washington College Bound Scholarship | Learn More >
- Automatically applies if you qualify when you fill out a FASFA application
- GRC’s Forestry and Cybersecurity programs have scholarships specifically for their students. Learn More >
Funding from Grants: GRC hosts or supports several programs offering funds from grants directly to students. These are often need-based and don’t need to be repaid.
- Workforce Education | Learn More >
- Funding from Workforce Education Opportunity Grant
- Workfirst (through WFE)
- Worker Retraining funding
- Basic Food Employment Training | Learn More >
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- For students with exceptional financial need
- GRC’s Financial Aid department can help you apply | Learn More >
One of the great benefits of community college is that paying for it is a vastly different burden than other college. Even if your grand plan is to attend a university, starting out at community college can save you a lot of money and take years off of your debt burden.
The value of GRC: Simply choosing Green River College is the smartest way of investing your time and funds
Compared to University
Help connect with other funding: GRC has many people on staff that can help you identify and apply for other sources of financial support outside of the College.
- Veterans Services can help you navigate the wide variety of G.I. Bill funding | Learn More >
- The United Way at GRC can help you navigate a wide variety of help through the Benefits Hub | Learn More >
- Financial education and planning
- Food access
- Housing | Learn More >
- FAFSA/WASFA coaching
- Utility bills
- Public transportation discounts
- Health care resource support
- Free tax preparation
- Indigenous Student Success and Resources | Learn More >
- Tribal scholarship & funding: assistance and guidance support
Student Employment: GRC’s student employment program can offset debt and give you resume-boosting work experience in a study-friendly environment.
- On-campus and some work-from-home positions available
- Up to 20 hours per week while school is in session
I'd like to Ask Someonesome questions about these programs. (Email Financial Aid)
THE GREEN RIVER COLLEGE PROMISE:
We commit to be an anti-racist institution where all students, faculty, and staff receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals. Green River College makes social and economic justice, equity, and inclusion our highest priorities.
The Green River College definition of equity encompasses all identities, including
but not limited to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender identity, sexual identity,
disability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, age, and culture. We understand
individual needs vary widely, and the effects of discrimination and historical oppression
must be taken into account while aiming for equitable opportunities and outcomes for
all.
Let this be a call to action to all members of the Green River College Community: everyone must contribute to this on-going effort to achieve equity for all.
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