Universities offer transfer aid
by Caren Penland, reporter

    Don’t give up on your dream school, a representative of a major university told South Campus students recently.

    The African American Student Organization sponsored Transferring to a University: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You. Led by Kathryn Omarkhill, tutor coordinator.

    Three guest speakers represented the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University and Texas Wesleyan University.

    “Don’t give up without even trying,” Joael McMullen, the director of financial aid for TCU, told her audience.

    “It still could be very affordable for you to go to a school like TCU or Texas Wesleyan although it’s private and costs more because they have more money to give away,” she said.

    McMullen emphasized the importance of meeting deadlines. She said promptness was the most important factor in actually receiving any money from the school or government.

    “There is a definite guarantee that if you miss the deadline, you won’t get any aid,” she said.

    Derill Halloway, the transfer coordinator for UTA, concentrated on aspects of change when switching from a community college to a university.

    “What our advisors will do for you is set up a schedule. Just let us know what you need,” he said.

    Halloway stressed how important it is to get involved with school. He passed out a list of over 200 student organizations.

    “In a university, you’re not on your own,” he said.

    Halloway also told students to use the mentor program when they go to a university. That way they have an upper-classman as a contact with whom they can discuss difficulties. He said that was one of the best choices a transfer student can make.

    Also, Halloway pointed out that UTA has a program called The Maverick Express Agreement, which awards scholarships to TCC students if they have already earned an associate’s degree.

    “This program,” he said, “is an incentive for students to go ahead and earn that degree.”

    Jennifer Hedrick, transfer coordinator for Texas Wesleyan, explained the importance of seeing advisors.

    “If you know what you want to do, the best thing for you is to talk with your advisor early on,” she said.

    Hedrick further pointed out that the three representatives were not in competition with one another, that this meeting was not about selling the university.

“We want you to go wherever it fits you. It’s not about sales, we’re not in competition here,” she said.

One student asked if a rumor he had heard was true. Is TCU attempting to diversify its campus by giving special aid to people of color?

“No, it’s not true. It’s not true for anywhere in Texas. Have you ever heard of the Hopwood Act?” McMullen responded with a chuckle.

    The Hopwood Act of 1996 prevents schools from giving more funding to any specific group over another. Preference of any kind is not tolerated.

    Omarkhill closed the meeting with a final reminder.

    “Make sure your major is laid out before the semester you’re ready to transfer,” she said.