College Publisher Test Site

More than a handful of ABAC students popped into the Donaldson Dining on Tues., Feb. 3. Lines of tables and students zigzagged during the lunch hour.

The first table allowed for students to grab a free T-shirt and enter a chance to win a door prize. The T-shirts were packaged very tightly, and I do mean TIGHT!

At first glance, the T-shirts appeared to be piles of one hundred dollar bills. A college student could have a field day with just one stack! I could make a special visit to the Mall of Georgia! To my dismay, the packaged open to a very wrinkled white T-shirt. ABAC branded the front while Suntrust branded the back. At least I did get a free T-shirt from the deal.

I can always use a new T-shirt. Plus, I can advertise for my college!

Checking out several potential four-year colleges and universities has usually been more a chore than a picnic. As for myself, a single mom of twins and swamped with chores and studies, there is hardly any time for shopping around for my transfer. On-campus students may or may not have the means of transportation to visit potential four-year institutions. Also, the many students that do work either a full- or part-time job. On top of choosing our next school, we may need to get a money life jacket.

We need a little help. PROBE is one of those helpers.

According to Angie Palmer, PROBE is an organized circuit that allows two-year college students to be informed of four-year colleges and universities. Financial Aid provided Cash for College to inform students about grants, loans, and scholarships. Therefore, students were able to ask questions and to be informed.

Representatives from banks, such as Bank of America and Suntrust, were able to provide information about student loans. A few other vendors had booklets about how we can handle our finances and spending habits. Also, information about scholarships were ready for any and all students.

Representatives from Georgia colleges and universities advertised their institutions. Valdosta State University, Thomas University, and University of Georgia, were among the many available to ABAC students.

Joy Decree of Brewton-Parker told me that they "have a campus in Norman Park, and middle school education is available."

For students wanting to skip the whole Georgia college scene, Florida and Auburn came to the rescue. These tables stayed fairly busy.

I tracked down Nina Cooper, an education major here at ABAC. She shared her interest in the possibility of transferring as well as the chance of winning a scholarship.

Nina asked, "Where is the representative for Albany State University?" Other than that, she thought how nice it was that we could all be informed about transferring and applying for financial help in one afternoon.

Angela Smith, another ABAC student, shared that she found the advice about loans and transferring to be very helpful.

Many thanks to Angie Palmer and the ABAC Financial Aid!

With their help, ABAC students were able to see what opportunities might be available to them.

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