Financial Aid Night Scholarships

1. Financial Aid Night Scholarships Presented by: Tiffany Slowinski & Megan Grilli-Oesterle

2. Four Scholarship Areas • North Hunterdon High School Scholarships • College- and University-based Scholarships • Local Scholarships • Gifted & Talented Program Scholarships and Opportunities

3. North Hunterdon Scholarships • Seniors only • Awarded by subject-area departments for students who excel in academics and who show strong leadership in the classroom • Awarded by activity clubs • Students must be NOMINATED by faculty and staff—they may not apply for these awards

4. College- and University-Based Scholarships • Seniors only • Information available from each institution through admissions information, financial aid information, and college websites. It is a good idea to call early and get the information. • Apply directly to the university • Where to get information? • admissions and financial aid offices • college websites • Good websites: www.fafsa.gov & www.fastweb.com

5. Local Scholarships • Seniors only • Scholarships offered by local businesses and organizations • Dollar amounts vary—close to $100,000 awarded • Students must complete an application process • Local scholarships will be listed on the Naviance Website in January and are due back in guidance by March 4th. • If you go on Naviance now you will not find any scholarships listed. This is because the organizations have not yet updated their requirements for 2011.

6. Local Scholarships Cont. • Listen for announcements in January and check the Naviance Website! • https://connection.naviance.com/fc/signin.php?hsid=nhhs • Log into Naviance • Click -> Colleges Tab (Top of Page) • Scroll Down and Click -> Scholarship List • Scroll Down to “Browse by Category” and Select -> Local Scholarships

7. EXAMPLE

8. Local Scholarships Cont. • Students must submit a separate application for each scholarship. • Check where scholarships are submitted! • Some scholarships will be mailed directly to the sponsoring organization. These scholarships will have various due dates. • The majority of scholarships will be submitted in Guidance.

9. Local Scholarships Cont. For Scholarships Due In Guidance • Students must sign in and file the applications in Mrs. Slowinski’s filing cabinet. They CANNOT leave the applications in her mailbox! • Students must make an appointment with Mrs. Slowinski to turn their applications in • Return to Mrs. Slowinski no later than 3 pm On March 4th • Make an appointment to hand them in early! There is a long line the last day.

10. Local Scholarships Cont. • Two types of applications! • Local Scholarship Application (similar concept to using the Common Application to apply to colleges). • Specific scholarship application (the organization wants you to fill out their own forms). • Be sure to read the requirements of each scholarship carefully. • Include any extra essays that are necessary for the scholarship. • Please use a black or blue pen to complete the application or TYPE. • Be sure to complete all information and return application and/or essays etc.

11. Local Scholarships Cont. For each scholarship: • Include any extra essays that are necessary for the scholarship. • Please use a black or blue pen to complete the application or TYPE. • Be sure to complete all information and return application and/or essays etc. • Check the deadline.

12. EXAMPLE Check Address Download Application Check Deadline Check Description

13. Helpful Hints • Refer to essays written for college applications • Start the essays early! • Prepare in a neat, professional manner. • Do not skip a part of the application! • Do not forget to attach essays or transcripts that are requested. • There are financial questions in the Local Scholarship Packet. Only answer what you are comfortable answering! For non-need based scholarships this will not be held against you.

14. Helpful Hints Cont. • Students need to contact Mrs. Slowinski directly with any questions. Parents should not be filling out application packets! It is painfully obvious to the scholarship committees when a parent has done this. • There are a lot of personal financial questions on the applications.  If you are applying for a non-need based scholarship and do not feel comfortable releasing this information, then you do not need to answer every question.  Please be aware that this may or may not influence the sponsors' decisions. • Apply! Apply! Apply! • You have to be in it to win it! • Certain scholarships have very few applicants, so you never know.

15. Scholarship Notification • Some sponsoring organizations will contact you directly • All scholarship and recognition award recipients are invited to the Senior Awards Night. • Please do not call the office asking if you are receiving any scholarships. • Everyone is welcome to attend and support our students! • June 2nd at 7 pm.

16. Gifted & Talented Program Coordinator: Megan Grilli-Oesterle

17. Gifted & Talented • Local, state, and national scholarships and opportunities are offered to students in all grades • One-of-a-kind scholarships • Contests • Special Interest Areas

18. One-of-a-kind Scholarships • Applicants selected to apply by nomination, invitation and/or application. Some examples are: • Star Ledger/Mort Pye • Robert C. Byrd • DAR Good Citizenship • Principal’s Leadership Award • Toyota Community Scholars

19. Contests • Voice of Democracy • Essays • Poetry • Public Speaking • Artistic

20. Special-Interest Areas • College and university merit scholarships • First-generation student scholarships • Community service recognition such as AXA and Sam Walton (Wal*Mart) Scholarships • Ethnic, disabled, athletically talented, etc. • Ronald McDonald House Scholarships • All Students • Ethnic: Asian, African American, Hispanic

21. Applying for Gifted & Talented Scholarships and Opportunities • Check the website for information: http://www.nhvweb.net/nhhs/GiftedandTal/Index.aspx • Visit the G/T office (located inside the Guidance suite) for application materials if not offered online • Comply with instructions and deadlines

22. Summary • Plan ahead • Read all instructions – please! • Procure necessary documentation • Prepare legibly – type if possible • Submit prior to deadline • Applications received after the deadline will be marked as late.

23. Remember . . . • Your application is YOU on paper! • All deadlines apply!! • Be sure to provide Financial Aid information if you will be needing a scholarship. Many of the scholarships are based on need.

24. Contact Information Tiffany Slowinski Guidance Counselor Local Scholarship Coordinator tslowinski@nhvweb.net (908) 713-4138 Megan Grilli-Oesterle Gifted & Talented Coordinator Mgrilli-oesterle@nhvweb.net