Ways to pay for your Pierce education:

Educational loans
These loans have low interest rates, and payment doesn’t begin until you graduate or cease to be enrolled. Visit the Financial Aid Web site for more information about loans.

“Receiving a Coca-Cola scholarship enables me to pursue my dream of becoming a registered nurse.” — Maura Shawhan, Pierce College Puyallup Nursing student.

Grants & scholarships
Based on need, merit or other criteria, these funds don’t need to be repaid as long as you stay in school. Visit the Scholarships Web site for a list of currently available scholarships, or visit the Financial Aid Web site for more information about grants.

Work-study
Employment opportunities are available on and off-campus for students who qualify. Earn tuition money and gain work experience! Visit the Work-study Web site for more information.

Special funding
Check into this option if you are a displaced worker or WorkFirst participant. Visit the Workforce Development and Education Web site to learn more about special funding opportunities.

Child care grants
Grants for childcare expenses are available each quarter to students who are awarded financial aid. Pierce College Fort Steilacoom also offers affordable child care for students enrolled in evening classes. Visit the child care page for more information. (Child care centers will be opening at Fort Steilacoom in January 2007 and at Puyallup in Spring 2007, too!)

You can also learn more about these opportunities and get answers for your questions at the Financial Aid office at either college.

An online version of our on-campus orientation session is now available. Learn about advising, paying for school, parking, ID cards, buying books, and extracurricular activities.

You can also reserve your spot at an on-campus orientation, where you’ll get a tour of the college, meet fellow students and friendly Pierce College staff, and have an opportunity to get answers to your questions about being a student at Pierce.

Visit www.pierce.ctc.edu/orientation/ today!

Learn a new craft, improve your physical fitness, hone your computer skills…. All these and more are available through Continuing Education classes.

The Fall 2006 schedule is now online. Check out the list of classes and register now!

New courses include…

* Holiday Tablescaping
* Writing for the Web
* Excel Spreadsheets — Get Functional!
* Home Schooling for High School
* Practical Home Management

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, which is located next door to one of the prime running areas in Pierce County, has added cross country to its list of athletics teams as a club sport.

With Fort Steilacoom Park and its 400 acres of paths and running trails as a next-door neighbor, cross country is a natural addition to the Raider athletics lineup. If interest is high enough, the team could become a regular intercollegiate sport at Pierce, said Duncan Stevenson, Director of Pierce District Athletics.

“We’ve had interest in cross country from students on a regular basis,” Stevenson said. “Now we have a very enthusiastic coach/advisor to focus that interest.”

The team will be coached by faculty member Steve Johnson. It will compete as a club sport against Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, universities, and in open events starting this fall. Currently there are 13 other schools with cross country teams in the NWACC, according to Stevenson.

Although the team will compete against other colleges, club sport athletes do not use college eligibility, and both part-time and full-time students are eligible to compete.

Three meetings are scheduled at the college for men and women interested in joining. They are on August 15, 2 p.m., room C405; August 16, p.m., room C405; Sept., 1 p.m. room C405. Johnson can be reached at spjohnso@pierce.ctc.edu. Phone calls can be directed to Stevenson at (253) 964-6612.

The updated Fall 2006 Bulletin is now online and will be in mailboxes throughout Pierce County soon.

Register now to get the classes you want!