Work hard for the money

I am a sophomore agricultural journalism major in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. I pay for my education completely, without the help of my parents, but with the help of CAFNR and MU scholarships, a part-time job, and of course, FAFSA. Because of scholarships, grants, and student loans I receive from FAFSA, I can sleep better at night knowing I can attain the college degree I’ve dreamed of.

Because I have financial help from these sources, I have time to get involved in CAFNR. This means numerous opportunities are at my fingertips. Rather than working every possible minute to pay for my expenses out of my pocket, I have time to build relationships and to better myself during my stay with CAFNR.

Scenario: You're a senior in high school, looking for the perfect fit after graduation. You like what the University of Missouri offers students like you to help you make your dreams come true.

Problem: It’s almost time to head off to college, but you don’t know how you can afford tuition, room and board, and all the extras that come with the college life.

Solution: FAFSA!! Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is here to help you pay for your journey through college. By simply applying for FAFSA, students all over the country are eligible and receive grants, scholarships, and student loans that make their education possible. Three easy steps are involved in applying for financial aid, according to the FAFSA Web site.

What's next:

• Get organized. This means do your taxes, apply for a PIN, and get all your paper work ready to go.


• Fill out the application. It’s that simple. Just fill out the application online, and add corrections as necessary.


• Follow-up. Print off all information, check on status of application, and watch for your financial aid information to be sent to you.


• Watch for important deadlines!

The Mizzou priority date is MARCH 1, 2009. Be sure to fill these applications out ASAP to recieve as much support as possible!

Remember, it never hurts to APPLY EARLY!

-Kaity Kerwin
Agricultural Journalism, sophomore

Catch the Tiger Spirit!

Photo courtesy of CAFNR student, Amanda Eiberger

Mizzou basketball provides a lot of excitement around campus. Our fans were quite proud as they defeated our arch-rival, Kansas, 62-60 earlier this month. After the game winning shot in the final seconds, fans stormed the court to celebrate the upset, the win against our rival and keeping an undefeated record in Mizzou Arena this season. The team looks to make their first appearance in NCAA March Madness tournament in three years.

And although basketball is on every Tiger’s mind right now, who can forget the last two football seasons? We made it to two great bowl games and were in several prime time games! Chase Daniel was a preliminary Heisman candidate!

• With all the excitement surrounding Mizzou sports this school year, you might be wondering how you can be a part of it all next year. Depending on what sports you want to buy tickets for, there are a couple different options. Although the ticket office has yet to decide what packages will be available for the 2009-2010 school year, here are a few things to think about when picking your package.
  
• What games do you really want to attend? If you are only a die hard football fan, pick the football package. The same goes for basketball. That way you don’t pay extra for games that you won’t attend.
  
• There will not be block seating at football games next year. All students seats with be first-come first-serve. So if you want to sit close to the field, get there early!
  
• Do you want to be with the loudest and most passionate Mizzou fans in the crowd? Join Tiger’s Lair (for football fans) and Zou Crew (for basketball fans)! These groups get great seats, t-shirts and opportunities to attend bus trips to big away games.

Information regarding ticket packages, Tiger’s Lair and Zou Crew will be available at Summer Welcome.

Be sure to keep following Mizzou hoops...help cheer on the team against the Jayhawks on March 1 in Lawrence. The final home game is scheduled against the University of Oklahoma on Wednesday, March 4.

-Madison Burnett
Soil, Environmental, and Atmospheric Science, Junior

Welcome to the Zou!

Looking for the scoop on colleges and universities? Tired of the same ol' brochures and post cards in your mailbox? Want to know what to expect after high school?

Here's your chance to get information from real students for real students.

Welcome to the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources blog, where you'll see what it means to be a TIGER. Follow our students through daily adventures through college life. Don't miss out, it's a jungle out there!

Now the question is, are you ready for the ZOU?