MC invites area higher-ed institutions to campus for College Fair and Financial Aid Night
Sept. 12, 2024
For high school students and their parents, choosing a higher education institution can be a complicated and arduous process … but the Maryville College Admissions team insists that it doesn’t have to be.
To simplify it, MC is again hosting the annual Blount County College Fair and Financial Aid Night, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, in the William Baxter Lee III Grand Foyer of the Clayton Center for the Arts on the Maryville College campus. There, under one roof, almost 50 colleges, universities, technical schools and art colleges will be on hand to help aspiring undergraduates learn more about their academic programs and all other aspects of college life.
“We work diligently to make sure high school students in the midst of the college application process learn everything they can about Maryville College, but it’s difficult for families to find the time to tour other institutions that might be a better fit,” said Catherine Jahns, assistant director of Admissions and visitor experience. “We’re confident that we can help anyone interested in becoming a Scot find a home here, but most importantly, we want to help Blount County students find the school that’s right for them.
“Our president, Dr. Bryan F. Coker, frequently talks about how Maryville College is an institution ‘of and for the region,’ and providing a place at the Blount County College Fair where so many of our peers can join us to let students and families know what they offer is our way of giving back to the community of which we’re a part.”
In addition, from 7-8 p.m. the same night, Maryville College Admissions and Financial Aid counselors will be on hand to assist interested students and their parents at the annual Financial Aid Night. The evening, Jahns said, is designed to help students and their families with two of the most important pieces of the college search process — finding the right one and learning how to pay for it through financial aid. It’s a rare opportunity, she added, for high school students from across East Tennessee to get a better understanding of everything MC and its sister institutions have to offer.
“We want every student in the surrounding area to stop by and visit the various Maryville College tables at the fair, but we recognize that there may be interest in programs of study and other opportunities that we don’t offer,” Jahns said. “At the end of the day, we believe it’s vitally important for students and their families to learn as much as possible about all of their options as they search for the right school, and that’s what the Blount County College Fair is all about — helping people make informed decisions.”
In addition to Maryville College and each of its nine academic divisions, the following institutions will be represented: Austin Peay State University, Bryan College, Carson-Newman University, Cumberland University, East Tennessee State University, Eastern Kentucky University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Emory & Henry University, , Johnson University, King University, Lees-McRae College, Lincoln Memorial University/the LMU Office of Undergraduate Admissions/the LMU School of Engineering, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, Middle Tennessee State University, Milligan University, Mississippi State University, Nossi College of Art & Design, Oglethorpe University, Pellissippi State, Randolph College, Roane State Community College, South College, South College Knoxville, Tennessee School of Beauty, Tennessee Tech University, The University of Alabama, Tennessee Higher Education Commission — Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, UTK Tickle College of Engineering, Transylvania University, Trevecca Nazarene University, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Florida, University of Memphis, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, University of Tennessee-Knoxville/the UTK Tickle College of Engineering/the UTK Haslam College of Business, University of the Cumberlands, Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky University, Young Harris College and more.
The Blount County College Fair will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. While registration is encouraged (and can be completed at https://maryville.link/bccf), interested participants are welcomed to drop in at their leisure.
Financial Aid Night to follow
Following the fair, parents and families are invited to attend Financial Aid Night from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Lambert Recital Hall of the Clayton Center for the Arts. Although presented by Maryville College’s financial aid staff, the session covers general information that will help prospective students and families, regardless of the type of college they are considering.
During Financial Aid Night, families and students will learn what they need to do to apply for all types of financial aid, including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is required to qualify for most student aid programs such as the Tennessee State Grant, Federal Pell Grant, institutional awards and low-cost federal student and parent loans. Terminologies, student eligibility, timelines and information on grants and loans will be explained. From institutional aid to state and federal aid programs, this financial aid primer will help decipher the terms, raise the issues, review best approaches and answer financial aid questions.
Participants also will be briefed on the Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarship Program, as well as the importance of searching out free money awards like scholarships to help pay for education costs.
“Navigating college financial aid opportunities can be intimidating, which is where Financial Aid Night comes in,” Jahns said. “Knowing and understanding the terms, deadlines and types of aid can reassure families that not only is the process manageable, but it can be done in a way that ensures each student receives the most financial aid that’s available.”
For more information about the Blount County College Fair and Financial Aid Night, please call the Office of Admissions at 865-981-8092.