A net check is money from the federal government to help students go to school.
This is how it works, according to the FASFA website:
After filling out a FASFA form, the federal government determines a student’s Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. EFC is the student’s family financial strength and decides if the student is eligible for financial aid.
When it is determined that the student is eligible for financial aid, the information is sent to the school. The school decides what financial aid package is best to cover a student’s need. This is determined by the EFC and the cost of attendance. Cost of attendance sometimes includes living expenses.
So what about the net check?
The money on your net check is the money from the federal government minus the share the school takes out for its expenses. Hence, the term ‘net’ check.
After hours of standing in line at the financial aid office, you learn that your tuition has been paid. Your book voucher paid for your books. Now that your tuition and books are paid for, you should be OK, right?
Wrong.
Other expenses associated with going to school such as housing, transportation and clothing need to be addressed.
OK, maybe those of us who receive net checks should stop whining and be grateful that the money is coming.
We are just going to spend our money on clothes and rims right?
Wrong.
Cars get towed, utility bills are more than expected, speeding tickets are given out and sometimes gas prices soar past the $3 mark.
Net checks help when unexpected expenses take a bite out of our wallets.
Complaining about net checks may seem bratty at times. Especially when some people spend the money on things that are not necessities. However, there are people who need their money to handle urgent business.
Emanuel Nicholson is a senior newspaper journalism student from Tallahassee. He can be reached at Enich1980@hotmail.com