I'm sure you've all played this game once in awhile:
I played this game today. All morning, as a matter of fact. It finally ended when I called someone who I knew wouldn't have any clue about the information I was looking for. How silly of me to think that the Department of Education, Student Services and Financial Aid, or any of the other Education affiliated lenders have any idea on what to do with a person who doesn't qualify for Fedral Aid, but needs a loan to go to school.
What was I thinking!
Thankfully, I called the University counselor (of the 4 year school I'm trying to transfer to), and told her what was up. Now she's just a counselor, she doesn't know much about Financial Aid. Perhaps she should, but that's another gripe. This lady was nice enough to walk over the the Financial Aid office and find out what steps I needed to take now, as well as dig up information on private loan information AND find me the number of a bank who deals with private loans.
I pose this question, "Why couldn't the Financial Aid office at the community college give me this info when I asked them about it yesterday?" Instead, I was shrugged off. In fact, even the Department of Education shrugged me off.
I like to call this the, "Indifferent, Not My Problem" syndrome. People who work in customer service just don't give a damn. The only questions they want to answer are the easy ones, doing some research for harder questions just isn't part of their job! GASP! God forbid they actually have to do WORK!
Jesus. I've worked in customer service for seven years. I've never given a customer the run around like the one I've gotten today. Maybe that's because I have empathy. I dunno. I always figured since it's my job to answer questions, even the harder ones, I had a duty to earn my wages. If I had to look something up, or find the number for the person who had answers I didn't already know, so be it.
"Dhurrr, try this number," just doesn't cut it for me.
Anyway, my college plans are still unclear. I'm still not getting all the answers I need, nor do I expect to. But at least it's a start. I'm going to petition my Financial Aid status, and set up a plan B if that gets denied. I'll have to apply for a private loan, which sucks (and can still be denied).
We'll see what happens. But nothing beats feeling like an ingrate because you want to go back to school to get a better job.
Posted by Zoso at May 3, 2006 12:36 PMI really think it is CBC to be honest. And I'm not just saying that because I generally dislike the town, but some of the worst experiences I have had with college "advisors" have been at CBC
So much so that I spent the majority of my education avoiding them.
That being said, at least you're making progress. That's something.
Posted by: Sarah at May 3, 2006 03:42 PM