Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 18 UCW AUGUST 9 - 15, 2023 EDUCATION FTCC accepting new participants, mentors into Y.E.S. initiative by CHRISTOPHER THRASHER Do you ever feel alone? Are you worried about your future? Would you like to build a better life for yourself and the people you love? If so, the Y.E.S. (You + Effort = Success) program at Fayetteville Technical Community College might be right for you. e Y.E.S. program supports male students by helping them achieve their educational, personal and professional objectives. e program achieves these objectives by treating each student as a unique individual. Students meet with mentors who help them design an innovative blend of academic enhancement, character devel- opment and leadership training that is tailored to the needs of each student. Every student in the program enjoys numerous benefits including career coaching, academic work- shops, team-building events, scholarships, field trips, access to the program's lounge on campus, and much more. Students in the FTCC Y.E.S. program enjoy unique opportunities to escape the classroom and take trips that are both fun and educational. For example, Y.E.S. program students recently partnered with other students from FTCC and from Fayetteville State University to attend the Student Leadership Conference in Selma, Alabama. e five-day trip also included visits to the Jubilee Festival as well as the Inter-generational Hip-Hop Summit. "I had very high expectations, and it didn't disap- point," FTCC student Joshua Farley said. "We went to different museums, and we saw just how big of an impact they made back then, especially our ances- tors and what they went through." e Selma Trip is just one example of activities available to Y.E.S. program students. ose interest- ed in learnign more about the trip can visit https:// www.faytechcc.edu/blog/ftcc-students-connect- real-world-with-classroom-lessons-on-selma-trip/ Jesse Watts, an FTCC student and Y.E.S. partici- pant shared his thoughts about the program: "e Y.E.S. initiative has been a key component in my success at Fayetteville Technical Community Col- lege. It has allowed me to fellowship and connect with other male minorities who are looking to better themselves both academically and professionally. It has afforded me the opportunity to be able to exchange ideas or words of encouragement which help groom and mentor other minority males for success." Watts is now serving as a mentor in the program. "Being a mentor for Y.E.S. initiative has been rewarding. I have been able to ensure other young minority men go on to continue their journeys aca- demically at four-year universities or professionally by entering into the workforce." Watts said the program is a way to help students reach their goals. "e Y.E.S. initiative is a program well suited for all young minority males." he said. "e culture of encouragement and challenge results in growth and overall success." e Y.E.S. program is open to all male students at FTCC. Participation in the program and all program activities are available free of charge. CHRISTOPHER THRASHER, FTCC Social Science Instructor. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200 What families need to know about student loans a StatePoint STAFF REPORT More American families are borrowing for college. 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If you find yourself needing to borrow parent or private loans to cover remaining costs, consider these factors: • Costs: Compare costs of different loans by look- ing at the actual interest rate you'll be charged, not the lowest advertised rate. Understand the differ- ence between variable and fixed interest rates, and be aware of any fees and available discounts, such as those offered for using autopay. • Cosigners: A creditworthy cosigner doesn't just increase the odds of loan approval, even if the stu- dent can qualify on their own; cosigning may yield a lower interest rate, reducing the overall cost of the loan. • Total Debt: Borrow only what you need. With private loans, you can usually borrow up to the total cost of attendance. However, borrowing less than the maximum can help you save over time. A simple rule of thumb you can use to determine how much student loan debt you can afford: If total student loan debt at graduation, including federal and private loans, is less than the student's annual starting salary, you can likely repay the loans in 10 years or less. • Repayment: Look for repayment flexibility to match your needs. For example, College Ave Student Loans offers 5-, 8-, 10- and 15-year repayment op- tions, along with the choice of deferring payments until after graduation or beginning payments right away. No matter what option you select, understand the terms. For more resources, including an online student loan calculator, and to learn more about paying for college, visit CollegeAve.com Private loans for college can play an important role in financing your education. By researching your financial aid options, applying for scholarships and comparing private student loan options, you can minimize college costs, so you can better man- age your finances after you graduate. For more information about applying for aid using the FAFSA, visit https://studentaid.gov/ e Y.E.S. Initiative (You + Effort = Success) is a mentoring program for male FTCC students who want to better themselves academically and professionally.