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A comprehensive guide for seniors on navigating scholarships and financial aid for college, including sources of aid, application tips, and accessing assistance. Learn about federal aid, loans, scholarships, and useful resources to secure funding.
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SCHOLARSHIP BINDER 3 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: • WHERE DO I WANT TO GO? • WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET ACCEPTED? • WHAT DOES IT COST?
WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID? • Assistance to help families pay for college • Intended to assist not replace family contribution • There is a cost to college – It is rarely free!!
SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID • Federal - FAFSA forms should be filled after Oct. 1st. • Institutional • Loans • Scholarships • State • Oklahoma’s Promise- Students must sign up 8th – 10th grade
FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID • Federal Pell Grants • Stafford Loans • PLUS Loans • Federal Work Study • Federal Perkins Loans
FAFSA - FEDERAL AID • Each school puts together a “Financial Package” individualized for your family based on your tax returns and the college of your choice. You will have an EFC amount (Estimated Family Contribution) • File your taxes as soon as possible and then complete the FAFSA form. (OCT 1ST APPLICATION OPENS- 2018 TAXES!)
3 TYPES OF FINANICAL AID • LOANS – ANYTHING YOU BORROW MUST BE PAID BACK • GRANTS – FUNDING FROM GOVERNMENT, DO NOT HAVE TO PAY IT BACK • SCHOLARSHIPS – ACADEMICS & ESSAYS – DO NOT HAVE TO PAY BACK
Gift Assistance Scholarships State Institutional Private Grants Institutional State OTAG Federal Pell MONEY YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY BACK
Scholarships • Find scholarships through: • Counselor • Fastweb.com and scholarships.com • Universities • Parent’s work • Foundations • Companies
WWW.STROUD.K12.OK.US • HIGH SCHOOL • COUNSELOR • MONEY FOR COLLEGE • ALL LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS AR LISTED HERE • RESOURCES & LINKS TO OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS
SENIORS CREATE YOUR RESUMES • CREATE A RESUME TO USE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND EMPLOYMENT
How do I win Scholarships? • Apply on time • Apply for as many as you can • Include volunteer service as well as your academic accomplishments. • Do the Essay Scholarships!!!
LOANS • LOANS • Subsidized - The interest is paid by the federal government while the student is in school. You qualify for this based on your FAFSA application. • PERKINS LOANS- Government pays interest on these while you are in school. • Unsubsidized –All students can qualify. Interest accrues the entire time the student is attending college. Pay it back while you are in school
STUDENT SELF - HELP • Employment • Federal work study through FAFSA • Institutional opportunities
Tribal Assistance • Contact the individual Tribe to apply for scholarships that may be available.
TIPS FOR OBTAINING FINANCIAL AID • Research Options • Apply for multiple funding sources • Apply Early • File Taxes Early • File FAFSA Early • Apply for scholarships and grants
INTERNET SITES TO RESEARCH • COLLEGEBOARD.ORG • FASTWEB.COM • ACT.ORG • SCHOLARSHIPS.COM • FINAID.ORG • FAFSA.ED.GOV • UCANGO2.ORG
Scholarships • Find scholarships • UCanGo2.org • UCanGo2 on Facebook • OKcollegestart.org • Colleges • Books • Local Organizations • Churches • Family employers • Money that does not have to be paid back • Seniors: apply for 2–3 per week • Juniors: apply for 1–2 per week • Awarded based on merit, need, skill, hobbies, family history, athletics, writing ability
Institutional Scholarships • Specific to the college • Application may or may not be included in admission application • Find scholarship page on college’s website • Watch carefully for scholarship deadline • Institutional scholarships exist for returning students also, not just freshmen
UCanGo2.org • Each section offers information for • High School Students • Middle School Students • Parents • Adult Learners • Elementary School Students
Scholarship of the Week • UCanGo2.org highlights a new scholarship each week • Scholarships are organized by Deadline or by Category
Scholarships by Category • Adult Learners • The Arts • Ethnicity • Middle School • Military • Special Needs • STEM • Study Abroad
Additional Scholarships • Additional scholarships are listed for each month
Scholarships by Deadline • Scholarships are organized by monthly deadline • Detailed description of ten scholarships • Additional scholarships with monthly deadline • Ongoing scholarships awarded monthly, quarterly, etc.
OKcollegestart.org • Financial Aid Planning • Financial Aid 101 • Financial Aid Calculators • Scholarships • Financial Fitness
OKcollegestart.org • Find Scholarships • Create a profile • Find matching scholarships • Save scholarships • Receive reminders