Razor COACH at U of A Offers Financial Aid Workshop for High School Students

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Razor Coach, Bethany Mitchell, works with a family to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

More than 50 high school junior and senior students along with parents attended a financial aid workshop Feb. 27 hosted by the Razor C.O.A.C.H. program at the University of Arkansas. Families who attended the event had an opportunity to hear presentations from the U of A Financial Aid Department and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education before moving to computer labs to begin searching and applying for financial aid.

The Razor C.O.A.C.H. program partners with high schools in Washington and Benton counties to provide college and career planning services to over 500 students in 10-12 grades. The program is a collaboration between the College of Education and Health Professions, NWA Council, NWA Education Services Co-Op and is funded through the Walton Family Foundation. Currently in its second year of operation, the program provides services focusing on pro-academic behaviors, career and college exploration, ACT/SAT test prep and financial aid. This event was just one of many ways the program strives to assist students to achieve their goals for education and careers beyond high school.

Families came from as far as Lincoln, Siloam Springs and Pea Ridge to attend the event, which was held in the Graduate Education Building. Families of the students were excited to learn more about how to help pay for college, technical school or whatever education they choose after high school.  The Razor Coaches are master’s and doctoral students in the Counselor Education program at the U of A. Coaches engaged attendees by asking them questions related to the financial aid process and assisted students in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Razor C.O.A.C.H., standing for Creating Opportunities for Arkansans’ Career Hopes, serves 15 high schools in Northwest Arkansas. If you would like more information about the program or future events please contact the program director, Josh Raney, at jraney@uark.edu.