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Transcript
Macey:
Hey everyone, welcome back to The Redlands Rundown, the official podcast of Redlands
Community College. I’m your host, Macey Scotten, and today I’m excited to talk about
a topic that’s so important for students — financial aid. Joining me is Paris Przekurat,
Director of Financial Aid here at Redlands. Paris, thanks for being here!
Paris:
Thanks for having me, Macey. I’m excited to talk about this — financial aid can be
confusing for students, so I’m happy to help clear some things up.
Macey:
Let’s start with the basics. When students hear “financial aid,” what does that actually
include?
Paris:
That’s a great question. Financial aid covers more than just one thing — it can include
grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Grants and scholarships are
great because they don’t have to be repaid, while loans do. Work-study allows students
to earn money by working part-time on campus or through approved community jobs. Altogether,
financial aid is designed to help students pay for tuition, books, and other college
expenses.
Macey:
For students who are new to college or maybe coming back after a break, what’s the
first step they should take to apply for financial aid?
Paris:
The most important first step is completing the FAFSA — the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid. That’s the gateway to almost all types of aid. Once that’s submitted,
our office can determine eligibility for federal and state grants, loans, and even
some scholarships. I always tell students, even if they don’t think they’ll qualify
for much, fill it out anyway — you might be surprised.
Macey:
Absolutely. I remember filling out the FAFSA for the first time — it seemed intimidating,
but once you start, it’s not too bad. For someone who might be stuck or unsure about
the process, can they come to you or your office for help?
Paris:
Definitely. That’s what we’re here for. Students can stop by our office or make an
appointment, and we’ll walk them through every step — from creating an FSA ID to submitting
the FAFSA. We can also help them understand what their financial aid offer means once
it’s processed. We don’t expect anyone to figure it out alone.
Macey:
That’s so reassuring. Are there any common mistakes or misconceptions you see when
students apply for aid?
Paris:
One big one is waiting too long. Some types of aid are first come, first served, so
applying early gives students more options. Another misconception is thinking that
financial aid is only for people with high financial need. That’s not true — there
are grants, scholarships, and programs for a wide range of circumstances. Also, students
sometimes forget to renew their FAFSA each year — that’s a key step to keep receiving
aid.
Macey:
Good reminder. It’s something students really need to stay on top of each semester.
Speaking of which, what are some of the resources available at Redlands to help students
pay for school beyond federal aid?
Paris:
We have quite a few! Redlands scholarships are available through our foundation, and
we encourage every student to apply. We also have institutional scholarships, departmental
awards, and outside scholarships that we can help students find. In addition, programs
like TRIO, Oklahoma’s Promise, and Workforce funding can all help depending on eligibility.
Our goal is to make college as affordable as possible.
Macey:
That’s amazing. And I know affordability is something Redlands really focuses on —
especially keeping tuition low compared to other colleges in Oklahoma.
Paris:
Yes, affordability is one of our biggest priorities. We want every student, no matter
their background, to have the opportunity to pursue an education here without feeling
overwhelmed by the cost. Between financial aid, scholarships, and flexible payment
plans, we can usually find a way to make it work.
Macey:
That’s so good to hear. For students listening who haven’t started the process yet
— or maybe they’re thinking about enrolling soon — what’s the best way for them to
get in touch with you or learn more about financial aid?
Paris:
They can reach out to the Financial Aid Office directly by email at financialaid@redlandscc.edu
, or stop by our office in the Student Center. We’re happy to answer questions, help
with applications, or review their current aid package. And for anyone just exploring
Redlands, we can even give a quick overview of what types of aid might be available
to them.
Macey:
Perfect. Before we wrap up, do you have any advice for students navigating financial
aid for the first time?
Paris:
Yes — don’t be afraid to ask questions. Financial aid can feel confusing, but we’re
here to help. The earlier students reach out, the smoother the process will be. Stay
organized, meet your deadlines, and take advantage of every resource available to
you.
Macey:
That’s great advice. Thank you so much, Paris, for joining us today and for everything
you do to support our students.
Paris:
Thank you for having me!
Macey:
And thanks to everyone listening. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Redlands Rundown
for more conversations with students, staff, and community members. See you next time!
