MTV to Give College Students Guidance on Financial Aid
MTV is famous for a lot of things, including Snookie Polizzi and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino of Jersey Shore Fame, so college financial assistance is not high on the list when you think of the network. Maybe it’s time to think again, because last week MTV announced a new Facebook app that is designed to help students understand and navigate the college financial aid maze.
The app, called, “My College Dollars,” connects with a user’s profile information to find prospective scholarships and other financial aid for college students. It operates completely within the parameters of Facebook, so students don’t even need to log off when it’s time to fill out their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Students Aid). In fact, the app is designed to make filling out the form easier for students.
The interactive app also features video tutorials featuring musicians like Jason Derulo, and other celebrities, who explain some of the intricacies of the application process. “My College Dollars” is the dream child of Devin Valencia, who entered and won the Get Schooled Affordability Challenge, which was funded by MTV, the College Board, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She was awarded $10,000, plus up to another $100,000 in funding to make the app come to life.
Jason Rzepka, vice president of MTV’s public affairs, said there was a real need for this type of app. “We’re really doing this for low- and middle-income kids to know about the financial aid opportunities available for them.” According to the MTV press release, “upwards of 2 million college students don’t even apply for financial aid.” The main goal, said Rzepka, is to bring this information to students who don’t know that college aid exists, and particularly those students who “don’t have the support from parents or guidance counselors.”
MTV also says that they will gain nothing financially from the app, and that no user’s private information will be shared or sent to “third party programmers.” Rzepka said that “My College Dollars” is really about “empowering” students to take control of the financial aid process. “If we can help them overcome their challenges, that’s good for them.”
What do you think about MTV’s Facebook app? Do you think you’ll use it to navigate your way through the college financial aid maze?
