I recently learned this important lesson in how to graduate from college: use the Office of Financial Aid as much as you can.

Try to get close to someone who works there. After recently applying for summer aid, I walked out with not just that but a lead for a summer job as well.

This all came from working with the same person in financial aid since I have been enrolled at Michigan State University. She helped me the summer I was coming in when something went wrong with my financial aid, and every since then she’s the only person I call on. I email her whenever I’m coming in for something, and she always makes time. Whether it’s a quick fix or long conversation, it doesn’t matter.

I have seen a lot of people get dropped from classes or drop out of school because of not having an established relationship with the Office of Financial Aid. When someone is looking out for you in there, they keep tabs on things and can usually prevent drastic situations from happening to you.

It might seem unimportant, but having a cordial relationship with someone there can pay off in the long run. You never know when you need tuition money for whatever reason, and having someone that can provide it for you is always a plus.

Usually when in the Office of Financial Aid you have to wait in a terrible line, you may be late for class or work and someone can spend all day there on the right day. But I can usually get in quickly with the person I know. This comes in hand whenever I’m pressed for time or simply just don’t want to spend a long time in the office.

Find someone that can help you in there. It’s not that hard and can benefit you a lot in the long run. College is never easy and having to worry about money throughout it can be another pain that you don’t want to deal with. These people are here to make sure they can help us as much as possible, so we should all take advantage.