Page 76 - LIN-Jan-ForWeb

HODGES HELPS STUDENTS

MAKE A PERSONAL

INVESTMENT IN THEIR FUTURE

by Nicole Roe
or 15 years, Jody Watts raised her children alongside her only a high school
husband while managing the books for their construction diploma at 4.6 percent.
F company. Now, as a single mother of three, she is working The median weekly
full time in hospitality to support her family. After attempting earnings for someone
school years prior, only to be told to put her dream of becoming with a bachelor’s
a nurse on hold to take care of her children, she is currently degree was $1,173
enrolled at Hodges University. Watts is pursuing an associate versus $712 with a
degree with plans to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing high school diploma.
(BSN) degree at Hodges. For Watts, devoting
“In the beginning I thought that if I got my foot in the door a few years to school
at the Ritz, I could move my way up, but not having a college to ultimately have
education puts a damper on being able to advance. I know I have a schedule that is
so much more to offer,” she said. conducive to her needs
The decision to go back to school is not always easy. and a substantial
Nontraditional students must consider how school will impact income makes the cost of going to school worth the investment.
their work schedule and time spent with family. These students Her co-workers call her “mom” because of her nurturing and
also weigh the investment needed to go to college versus the caring demeanor. She is always looking to take care of others in
rewards of earning a degree. need and looks forward to becoming a nurse.
Currently, 78 percent of Hodges’ students are receiving Watts knew the school work wasn’t going to be the only
some level of financial assistance, which includes federal, difficulty she faced. Finding the money to go to school presented
state or institutional aid. Of the students who are considered its challenges, especially when trying to take care of three
nontraditional (25 years or older), 81 percent are receiving children on her own.
financial assistance. Hodges’ Director of Admissions, Erlis Abazi, helped Watts
Hodges also offers students the opportunity to apply for discover how she could fund her college education.
federal and state grants such as the Pell Grant and Effective “If it wasn’t for him [Erlis], I probably wouldn’t have enrolled
Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant. Merit- and back in school,” she said. “He sold Hodges to me.”
Need-Based scholarships are also available to students who meet After completing her FAFSA, Watts received federal student
certain criteria. aid in addition to four individual grants. Although student loan
Although student loan debt continues to be one of the biggest payments will be part of her future, her desire to make something
deterrents of going back to school, the personal investment and of herself and become a nurse far outweigh the financial impact.
opportunity to improve one’s quality of life often give many With her degree, she knows she will have a higher earning power
adults the justification needed to enroll. Not only is earning a and an in-demand career. She views her decision to return to
college degree a personal investment in oneself, but it enables school as an opportunity to not only better herself but to also set
individuals like Watts to pursue a desired career, earn more a good example for her children.
money, and as studies show, live a happier life. “I want to show my kids that you can do anything, at any
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the time. I want them to be proud of me, and see the value of an
unemployment rate in 2017 for individuals 25 years or older education,” she said.
with a bachelor’s degree was 2.5 percent compared to those with

76 Life in Naples | January 2019