Can Twitter Help Parents Find Financial Aid For College?

Keri Jaehnig
September 8, 2011
I can hear parents far and wide sigh and shrug… “Twitter??!!  Really???…” Yes, Twitter. In the past year or so,…...
Can Twitter Help Parents Find Financial Aid For College? featured image
[caption id="attachment_2269" align="alignright" width="150"]Idea Girl Media recommends the #collegecash Tweetchat to learn more about finding financial aid for college tuition Image credit: lowbudgetprosper.com[/caption] I can hear parents far and wide sigh and shrug...

[caption id="attachment_2269" align="alignright" width="150"]Idea Girl Media recommends the #collegecash Tweetchat to learn more about finding financial aid for college tuition Image credit: lowbudgetprosper.com[/caption]

I can hear parents far and wide sigh and shrug...

"Twitter??!!  Really???..."

Yes, Twitter.

In the past year or so, Twitter has done a lot to make their interface more user-friendly.

A Versatile Bird

A whole lot can happen in the fast-moving 140 character spaces on Twitter!

1) You might find others with similar interests to your own.

2) You can engage in fun conversation and/or build business relationships.

3) Business owners can use it for marketing and/or customer service.

4) Try the Search function to listen to conversation on virtually any topic at any given moment.

5) Governments and nonprofits have used it to alert and advise during times of crisis.

6) Connect with location-based services apps on your smart phone to let your friends know where you are.

7) Tweetchats - Twitter conversations on specific topics with like-minded people.  Usually there is a #hashtag to signal the topic, and this may or may not be at an assigned day and time.

Useful stuff, right?

So far, I've used Twitter for all of the above.

Lucky #7

Tweetchats - I attend 3 to 4 per week discussing social media and specific social networks.

When I saw a Twitter friend mention the #collegecash tweetchat, I was quick to tune in, as I have a high school senior and need to pay attention to all signals helping me find sources of financial aid for college.

It was just so lucky that I attended the first session because:

  • People with kids already in college shared their insight.
  • Some asked questions I might not have thought of.
  • An informative host - Jodi Okun of College Financial Aid Advisors.

Jodi talked about her processes in helping parents hurdle the tedious and sometimes difficult steps of getting all the forms and applications where they need to go.

Honestly, I learned more from Jodi in 45 minutes than I had from high school guidance counselors in years...

Deadlines, website resources, and more -- look below!

In An Eggshell

Here are my curated tweets from the first #collegecash tweetchat:

http://storify.com/kerijaehnig/collegecash

Jodi knows her stuff!  Her last most recent blog posts include:

  • 8 Reasons To Go To College
  • Sending Kids To College
  • Tips To Cut College Costs

Basically, those interested in participating hop on Twitter at 10pm EST on Thursdays for an hour.

There is a specific topic set each week.  Jodi will answer pre-set questions for about 45 minutes, and then the discussion is opened up for Q & A.

People from all walks of life various backgrounds attend, so you will learn insight from them as well.

And, you will probably see me there!

So...

Can Twitter Help Parents Find Financial Aid For College?

Are you a parent of a high schooler, struggling to figure things out after unemployment and the economic downturn?

Are you a parent trying to gain all the information you can to give your kids the very best?

Then your answer is:

Yes - if you hop in and go right to the informational source!

Did the curated tweet story offer you helpful details?

What questions do you have about twitter, #collegecash, and tweetchats?

Please tell me in the comment box below! :)

10 Replies

    • Keri Jaehnig Gravatar

      By Keri Jaehnig on

      Hi there, Glad you liked this article. Hope it is helpful with your business projects. Thanks for your comment, ~Keri

      Reply to Keri

  1. Jodi Okun Gravatar

    By Jodi Okun on

    So happy we are connected..love that we are part of the #CollegeCash community

    Reply to Jodi

    • Keri Jaehnig Gravatar

      By Keri Jaehnig on

      Jodi, Thank you for your comment here. I too am happy we’re connected! 🙂 I’ve really been enjoying the #CollegeCash chats, and am thankful for your intelligent resourcefulness. Looking forward… ~Keri

      Reply to Keri

  2. Paul Morin Gravatar

    By Paul Morin on

    Thanks, Keri.  This is excellent info, and as Dorien points out below, will become a lot more relevant in our world quite soon.  I think you’ve opened some eyes with this post.  Who woulda thunk – Twitter in the whole college application and financial aid scene? 🙂

    Reply to Paul

    • Keri at Idea Girl Media Gravatar

      By Keri at Idea Girl Media on

      @knikkolette:disqus , My pleasure! We are in the hot seat now to prepare for our daughter. I only hope that posts like this help people find their information. @JodkiOkun:twitter  runs a great Tweetchat.  Hope to see lots of people there!!  🙂 ~Keri

      Reply to Keri

  3. Keri at Idea Girl Media Gravatar

    By Keri at Idea Girl Media on

    @MoreInMedia:disqus , When we were going off to school sooooo many resources that are available today were available.  Even test rules and types of tests were regarded differently. @JodiOkun:disqus hosts a good chat!  Her approach is very informational, and she is quite guiding through the process, from what I saw. I plan to attend future chats, and have kept details to work on for deadlines coming up soon. I recommend all parents attend to get an idea of what to expect.  🙂 Thanks for your comment, ~Keri

    Reply to Keri

  4. Mattias Gronborg Gravatar

    By Mattias Gronborg on

    Hi Keri! Great post! I love the idea with #collegecash. Please let me know when you join a tweet chat about social media next time. Would be glad to join you. We also need to find a new time for Skype. Happy weekend! 

    Reply to Mattias

    • Keri at Idea Girl Media Gravatar

      By Keri at Idea Girl Media on

      @MattGron:disqus , #Collegecash chat is every Thursday evening at 10pm EST – 5 or 6 hours behind you, depending on the time of year (we’re almost to daylight savings time). Tuesday Trilogy are also commonly on my agenda.  All are consistent as well – Tuesday evenings: #LinkedInChat – 8pm EST; How to maximize your LinkedIn experience. #GetRealChat – 9pm EST; Real, current social media topics. #SMmanners – 10pm EST; social media etiquette. Skype – let me know what works. ~Keri

      Reply to Keri

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