Blanca Navarro, ’Doah Staff Writer
February 6, 2013

Many students who attend Shenandoah University receive some type of financial aid to help with the expenses of college. When the amount of financial assistance exceeds the amount due for tuition, fees and housing, students receive a financial aid refund check. Refund checks are given out, typically, a week or two into each semester, following the end of the add/drop period. This semester, the Business Office set hours for students to pick up checks on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 24-25.

Some students desperately wait for this check, but others were not necessarily in a rush to get the money back. This was the case for sophomore psychology and pre-occupational therapy student Raven Daaku who said she was looking forward to it, but that she did not urgently need it. “I just put it in my savings account, possibly to use for next semester’s books or any other needs.”

Senior business administration major Jessica Richardson said that her refund check paid for what she had spent on books this semester and a little extra. She saved $150 of the total, and gave the rest to her parents. Freshman music education major Danielle Confletti said she would use the money to buy some clarinet stuff that she needs for school, and also to pay off college bills.

Similarly, junior theatrical stage management major Colleen O’Brien said she used her money for her scene design class supplies, and was not really in a rush to get her check back. In contrast, music production and recording technology sophomore Alex Slohm preferred not to pick-up the check, so the school would sent it home to his parents.

In most of the cases, refund checks end up either being saved or paying for bills. Some students prefer to save half, and then send the rest home for their parents to save. The good thing seems to be that students are using the money for important needs rather than wasting it on unnecessary things. Saving money is always a good idea, and something that is best learned as early in life as possible.