Student loans are a great way to help cover the cost of your education, but they can get out of control if you haven’t planned on how you are going to pay them back.

HJC has posted a new video to YouTube.com that shows what an out of control student loan can do to your life…check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H28FpEBUepQ

At HJC, we want to make sure all students and graduates get the tools they need to manage their student loans. If you are having problems or know of someone that needs help with a student loan….let us know! We can help!

Blogs are great when we have a lot to share, but sometimes it is fun just to see what is going on through out the day at HJC. We now have a twitter account you can follow!

http://twitter.com/hjcupdate

Logon and join!

It’s time for our students who live in West Virginia to begin the financial aid process again.

To be considered for the WV Higher Education Grant you must complete the 2009-10 FAFSA…..AND the WV Higher Education Grant application before March 1, 2009.

The WV Higher Education Grant a grant sponsored by the state of West Virginia, and does not have to be repaid. Please apply even if you have never been eligible for Pell grant in previous years.

The 2009-10 award year doesn’t start until July 1, 2009, but the deadline to apply is March 1.

The websites are www.fafsa.ed.gov and www.wvapply.com.

Please send me an e-mail to let me know you have completed both applications, and I’ll mark you off my list!

Darlene

HJC will be upgrading the computer system on Thursday, January 22, from 10:00 pm – 5:00 am EST. This will allow us to be able to provide 1098T statements for student taxes.

During this upgrade, you will not be able to access the student portal (www.myhjc.com) or your online classes. Please adjust your plans as necessary.

As more and more people and places make computers and internet services available, HJC has noticed a significant reduction in the number of students using the computer lab hours. Consequently, HJC will be changing the weekend hours for computer labs.

For the Winter Quarter 2009, the computer labs will be open the following 3 Saturdays from noon – 2:00 pm.

January 17
February 7
March 7

Please make sure you plan according if you want to use the computer labs at HJC. As always, the computer labs will be available the following times during the week:

Monday 7:00 am – 8:00 am and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday – 7:00 am – 8:00 am and 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Friday 7:00 am – 8:00 am and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

With the holidays fast approaching, HJC will be adjusting the normal operating hours to allow staff time to spend with family and friends. Following is the schedule through January 2.

December 22 – Office open 9 – 5  - Grades mailed out

December 23 – Office open 9 – noon

December 24 – 26 Office Closed

December 29 – Office open 9 – 5

December 30 – Office open 9 – 7 pm

December 31 – Office open 9 – noon

January 1 – Office Closed

January 2 – Office open 10 – 4

HJC students made this year’s giving tree one of the most successful ever. HJC students “adopted” 16 children from the local Salvation Army’s Angel Tree. Students then picked gifts from the children’s wish list and purchased the items for them.

The HJC honor society students helped wrap and organize the gifts for delivery to the Salvation Army.

Thanks to all of those that helped make the holidays a little brighter for local residents.

HJC Gifts

The Appalachian Culture class at Huntington Junior College is hosting an Appalachian festival on Wednesday, December 10, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. This festival celebrates the history and culture found here in the Appalachian region. There will be free food, crafts for sale, and live music.

Stop by and visit this wonderful event organized by students of HJC.

HJC has released a new look for the website.  Some of the new tools include:

1.       A student quick link pop-out. This tool, on the right hand side of the page, will let you quickly link to the student portal or your student e-mail.

2.       Course descriptions. Wondering what a specific class covers? These course descriptions will help you decide if the class is something you want to take.

3.       More information about the distance education classes. This will include a self-test to see if online classes are right for you and the minimum equipment requirements you should have.

4.       Quick links for Financial Aid. This will help you find the right place to do loan counseling, address changes, and see the status of your financial aid.

This is not the final design for the website. HJC will soon be adding basic syllabi for the classes and a virtual tour. Take a look and let us know what you think.

Have you ever wanted to help a neighbor in need, but just can’t find a way? At HJC we make it easy. Each year the college holds a Thanksgiving food drive. Students can donate nonperishable food items which will be used to fill 10 baskets for HJC students. You can bring 1 item to donate or you can donate more. EVERY donation helps a HJC student.

To participate, bring your non-perishable food item to the front office. There is a donation box in the front hall way. The college will buy turkeys, eggs, milk, butter and break to put in each basket. All donations must be turned in by Wednesday, November 19. The baskets will be distributed on Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21.

This is a great way for you to help. Please see Marsha or Karen if you have any questions.