Elizabeth C

Upon beginning my journey into the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, I was ecstatic; but underneath, I was also dealing with the issue that I may be ending this journey with major debt under my belt. A couple of weeks into the program passed by and my classmates and I went to career day to look at different companies and positions in the surrounding area. At career day, there was a table for the Middle Georgia Consortium, and Mr. Darrell Stillings asked if I wanted help paying for school and of course I said “YES, who wouldn’t!”. I walked away with his business card in my hand, but also with a thought in the back of my mind that “this must be a joke, who would do this?”. After researching and completing the necessary steps, I found out the Middle Georgia Consortium did indeed help with paying for tuition and other school related expenses. This took a humongous stress off of my back and let me stay focused on my Occupational Therapy Program, which was a big enough stress for me! The Middle Georgia Consortium also helped with my transportation expenses for getting to and from school (2 hour commute back and forth) which also helped a lot! But the help didn’t stop there! My program required me to purchase uniforms, pay for yearly background checks, etc. The Middle Georgia Consortium provided assistance by funding those required items. My enrollment with the Middle Georgia Consortium has been terrific. My Career Facilitator, Ms. Freeman, and the other staff have always been very helpful in every way they can and if I had any questions they always provided an answer within a timely manner. Now, I have graduated from the OTA program with Honors from Middle Georgia State University and the help is still coming! The Middle Georgia Consortium is assisting me with paying for my upcoming board exam, and are also continuing to cheer me on. I have been very fortunate to have met them when I did because they helped me tremendously over these past two years. I would recommend the Middle Georgia Consortium to anyone who needs financial help to continue on with their school and career. Thank you Middle Georgia Consortium!!