CTE Project-Based Lesson Plan Writing

1. CTE Project-Based Lesson Plan Writing Lisa Stephens USA Funds Services March 10, 2010

2. Contact Information Lisa Stephens USA Funds Services 129 Lockerbie Lane Dora, Alabama 35062 lisa.stephens@usafundsservices.org Office: 205-648-8778 Mobile: 317-459-5555 www.usafunds.org

3. Funding Your College Education • Why go to college? • More money • Lower unemployment • More job selection • Increased job satisfaction • More opportunities for advancement

4. Funding Your College Education More money • Earn 77% more every year with a Bachelor’s degree than with a high school diploma • Earn 74% more over your lifetime with a Bachelor’s degree than with a high school diploma Why go to college?

5. Funding Your College Education College costs vary by the type of school you attend • Public four-year colleges and universities • Private four-year colleges and universities • State community and technical colleges • Private career, technical, and vocational schools • On-line learning schools The cost of college

6. Funding Your College Education • Some of Alabama’s four-year public colleges and universities • Alabama, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Auburn, AUM , Jacksonville State, Miles, Montevallo, South Alabama, Troy, UAH, UAB, UNA, West Alabama • Some of Alabama’s four-year private colleges and universities • Birmingham Southern, Samford, Huntingdon, Faulkner, Oakwood, Stillman, Tuskegee, University of Mobile, Types of colleges

7. Funding Your College Education Types of colleges Map courtesy of The Alabama College System: http://www.acs.cc.al.us/colleges/collegemap.aspx

8. Funding Your College Education • Community colleges • Alabama Southern Community College • Bevill State Community College • Bishop State Community College • Calhoun Community College • Central Alabama Community College • Chattahoochee Valley Community College • Enterprise-Ozark Community College • Jefferson Davis Community College • Faulkner State Community College • Gadsden State Community College • Jefferson State Community College • Lawson State Community College • Lurleen Wallace Community College • Marion Military Institute • Northeast Alabama Community College • Northwest-Shoals Community College • Shelton State Community College • Snead State Community College • Southern Union Community College • George C Wallace Community College • Wallace State Community College • George C Wallace State Community College • Technical Colleges • Drake State Technical College • Ingram State Technical College • Reid State Technical College • Trenholm State Technical College • Upper Division College • Athens State University Types of colleges

9. Funding Your College Education • Some career, vocational, and technical schools with campuses in Alabama • ITT Technical Institute • Remington College • South University • Strayer • Tri-State Institute • Virginia College Types of colleges

10. Funding Your College Education • Some Alabama-based online learning schools • Amridge University • Columbia Southern University Types of colleges

11. Funding Your College Education Tuition and fees Housing Meals Books and supplies Transportation costs Personal expenses Miscellaneous expenses Cost of attendance

12. Funding Your College Education Costs vary by school type Consider: • WHERE you go to school • In-state tuition vs. Out-of-state tuition • Public school tuition vs. private school tuition • WHERE you live • On-campus vs. Off-campus vs. At home • Books • New vs. used Cost of attendance

13. Funding Your College Education Factors impacting costs: • Housing • Food • Personal living expenses • Transportation • Entertainment • Child & pet care • Unexpected expenses Construct a budget and stick to it! Cost of attendance

14. Funding Your College Education What is financial aid? • Money you may qualify for to help you pay for school and school-related expenses • Free Money • Scholarships • Grants • Work-study • Need based on- or off-campus employment • Student loans • Must be repaid with interest. • Other types of aid • Veteran’s benefits • Tuition assistance • Vocational rehabilitation • Other state and federal programs Paying for college

15. Funding Your College Education Institutional scholarships • Awarded by a school, alumni organization, etc. to you if you decide to attend that school Outside scholarships • Awarded by an agency, club, foundation, group, company, church, etc. for you to attend any school Paying for college - Scholarships

16. Funding Your College Education Institutional Scholarships • Apply for these scholarships directly through the school(s) you plan to attend. • Many scholarship deadlines for large schools are in December of the year before you plan to go to school. • Check with the school(s) you plan to attend for scholarship deadlines. • This information will be on either the ADMISSIONS website or the FINANCIAL AID website. How do I find scholarships?

17. Funding Your College Education Clubs Fraternities Sororities Companies Civic organizations Churches Who awards outside scholarships?

18. Funding Your College Education One example of a scholarship web engine • www.fastweb.com • FREE, excellent, customized, comprehensive source of outside scholarships • Don’t limit your options by being too specific. Your high school counselor Newspaper Word of mouth How do I find outside scholarships?

19. Funding Your College Education Write an essay Video essay Science or technology project • Big $$$$ Enter a contest/sweepstakes • Really? Register at a website • Read carefully before you register. • Don’t pay for scholarship searches. What do I have to do to get outside scholarships?

20. Funding Your College Education 2009-2010BUBBLE WRAP® COMPETITION FOR YOUNG INVENTORS Are you America’s next great inventor? Sealed Air Corporation, the creator of Bubble Wrap® cushioning, is sponsoring the Bubble Wrap® Competition for Young Inventors to encourage students in grades 5–8 to demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity by creating an invention that incorporates the use of Bubble Wrap® cushioning.  ENTRY DEADLINE IS MARCH 3. Three finalists will win a three-day trip to New York City, where the Grand Prize Winner will be announced at the Bubble Wrap™ Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 22, 2010.  The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $10,000 savings bond, while the 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $5,000 and $3,000 respectively in savings bonds.*  The teacher/mentor of each finalist will receive a $500 gift card. In addition, the school of the Grand Prize Winner will receive a $5,000 donation. Bubble Wrap?

21. Funding Your College Education Executive Women International Scholarship Provided By: Executive Women International Deadline: Varies Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: Unspecified Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.executivewomen.org/ Description: The Executive Women International (EWI) Scholarship is available to full-time junior high school students who anticipate graduating from high school in the spring of the following year. Your high school must be within the boundaries of a participating EWI chapter (visit the EWI for a complete list) to be considered. Selection will be based on character, personal merit and background. An essay and two letters of recommendation are also required. REAL Scholarships

22. Funding Your College Education Siemens Competition Provided By: Siemens Competition Deadline: October 1, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $100,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.collegeboard.com/siemens Description: The Siemens Competition encourages students to do research in math, science, or technology, giving young scientists the opportunity to present their research to leading scientists in their field. 300 projects are recognized as Semifinalists. Regional Finalists are awarded a trip to compete at one of six regional competitions. At the regional event, after presenting a poster, giving an oral presentation, and participating in a question and answer session, the student or team of students will qualify for $1,000 to $3,000 scholarship. National Finalists qualify for $10,000 to $100,000 scholarship. Individuals submitting projects must be seniors at the time of the deadline; team applicants made up of two or three students may be freshman, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Registration begins early May. REAL Scholarships

23. Funding Your College Education Davidson Fellows Scholarship Provided By: Davidson Institute for Talent Development Deadline: March 3, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $50,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.davidsongifted.org/Fellows/ Description: The Davidson Fellows Scholarship is open to students who can demonstrate noteworthy achievements through the creation of a "significant piece of work" aimed at improving the lives of others in the areas of science, technology, mathematics, music, literature, philosophy and outside the box. A "significant piece of work" is defined as an exceptionally creative application of existing knowledge; a new idea with high impact; an innovative solution with broad-range implications; an important advancement that can be replicated and built upon; an interdisciplinary discovery; an exemplary performance; and/or another demonstration of extraordinary accomplishment. You must also be under the age of 18 as of October 1, 2010 and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. REAL Scholarships

24. Funding Your College Education Annual Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest Provided By: Penguin Putnam Incorporated Deadline: April 15, 2010 Type of Award: Essay Contest Amount: $1,000 Awards Available: 5 Website: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/services-academic/essayhome.html Description: The Annual Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest is open to high school juniors and seniors. This year's essay competition is based on the book, "The War of the Worlds" by H. G. Wells. You must write an essay on one of five selected topics listed on the Web site to be considered for this award. REAL Scholarships

25. Funding Your College Education Fountainhead Essay Contest Provided By: Ayn Rand Institute Deadline: April 25, 2010 Type of Award: Essay Contest Amount: $10,000 Awards Available: 236 Website: http://www.aynrand.org/contests Description: The Fountainhead Essay Contest is open worldwide to 11th and 12th graders. You must write an essay of no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words on a topic relating to Ayn Rand's novel, "The Fountainhead." Topics can be found on the sponsor's Web site. Essays are judged on both style and content. The winning essay must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of "The Fountainhead." All information necessary to enter the contest is contained on the sponsor's site. REAL Scholarships

26. Funding Your College Education Allstate Foundation s Second Annual Keep the Drive High School Journalism Award Provided By: Allstate Foundation Deadline: March 20, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $3,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.keepthedrive.com/journalist Description: The Allstate Foundation (TAF) is calling for high school students to either write an article and have it published in their school newspaper or write and produce a broadcast news segment for their high school news station to help raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving. Please visit www.KeeptheDrive.com/journalist for the official rules and entry form. Entries will be accepted now through March 20, 2010. REAL Scholarships

27. Funding Your College Education MonsterCollege $5,000 Giveaway Provided By: MonsterCollege Deadline: February 28, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $5,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://college.monster.com/content/5000_spring_promotion_2010?g=1 Description: The MonsterCollege $5,000 Giveaway is open to registered MonsterCollege members who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and who are at least thirteen (13) years of age. You may enter the contest once per day during the Promotion Period. REAL Scholarships

28. Funding Your College Education Optimist International Essay Contest Provided By: Optimist International Deadline: Varies Type of Award: Essay Contest Amount: $6,000 Awards Available: 3 Website: http://www.optimist.org/e/visitor/scholarships.cfm Description: The Optimist International Essay Contest is open to students who are under the age of 19 as of December 31st of the 2008-2009 school year (December 31st, 2008). To be considered for this award, you must write a 400-500 word essay on the topic, "The Power of Youth" and submit it to your local Optimist Club. Students do not have to be Optimist members to compete. There are 53 District scholarships of $650 awarded each year. Then 3 International winners chosen from the District winners - first place will receive $6,000, second place $3,750 and third place $2,250. Additional Information: For more information on how to apply, please visit the Optimist website. REAL Scholarships

29. Funding Your College Education Do Something Awards Provided By: Do Something Deadline: March 01, 2010 Type of Award: Grant Amount: $100,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.dosomething.org/programs/awards Description: Could you use $100,000 to change the world? The Do Something Awards celebrate young people 25 and under who are tackling a problem and changing the world. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or Canada. Apply online at www.dosomething.org/awards. Application closes March 1st, 2010. There will be one $100,000 Grant Winner and four $10,000 Grant Winners. REAL Scholarships

30. Funding Your College Education FastWeb Financial Aid Awareness Month Sweepstakes Provided By: FastWeb Deadline: February 22, 2010 Type of Award: Scholarship Amount: $5,000 Awards Available: Unspecified Website: http://www.fastweb.com/content/fin_aid_promo Description: Sweepstakes… REAL Scholarships

31. Funding Your College Education Some scholarships are one-time awards • Most of these awards are to entering freshmen and some transfer students Some scholarships are renewable if you meet certain criteria • Most criteria are tied to maintaining a certain great point average • Some may require that you complete a certain number of credit hours Some scholarships are to be used for specific costs such as tuition, books, or housing How do scholarships work?

32. Funding Your College Education How do I get the money? • Institutional scholarships are awarded by the school and money is applied directly to your institutional charges (tuition and other charges on your student account). • Outside scholarships may come directly to you or your school in the form of a check. These checks are usually co-payable to you and the school you are attending. Money is applied to your student account to cover your institutional charges. What if money is left over after all of my institutional charges have been paid? • Most schools will refund money to you for other school-related expenses (living expenses, books, etc.) How do scholarships work?

33. Funding Your College Education To be eligible for Federal Student Aid, you must: • demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans). • have a high school diploma or a (GED) certificate. • be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. • have a valid Social Security Number. • register with the Selective Service if required. • maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school. • certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant. • certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes. The FAFSA

34. Funding Your College Education To be considered for federal and state aid (grants, work-study, student loans, need-based scholarships, etc.), you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov It is a FREE application. It doesn’t cost anything to fill it out. Your high school guidance counselor or college’s financial aid office can help you complete it. Applying for financial aid

35. Funding Your College Education Apply as soon as possible after January 1 (typically, after you and your parents have completed your tax returns) for the year you are applying for financial aid. Most schools have priority dates for completing your FAFSA and additional required paperwork. Schools run out of certain types of grants and work-study. This aid is typically awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Completing your FAFSA and additional required paperwork by your school’s priority date could mean more money for you. You MUST re-apply EVERY year. The FAFSA

36. Funding Your College Education You need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued by the Department of Education. • One of your parents will also need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued by the Department of Education. • Apply at www.pin.ed.gov • You and your parent should keep your PINs and write them down in a safe, secure place. You will use them each year to electronically sign your FAFSA. The FAFSA

37. Funding Your College Education If you are entering school in the Fall of 2010, try to complete your FAFSA as soon as you can after January 1, 2010. What you’ll need in order to complete the 2010-2011 FAFSA • A copy of your W-2(s) and federal tax return from 2009 • A copy of your parents’ W-2(s) and federal tax return from 2009 The FAFSA

38. Funding Your College Education Why do I need parental information? Do I need my parental information? Am I “dependent” or “independent” Families are expected to contribute a share of their financial resources to pay for their children’s higher education. Questions you answer on the FAFSA will determine whether or not you will need to obtain parental information. Your responses to these questions will determine if you are: • “dependent” and parental information is required • “independent” and no parental information is required The FAFSA

39. ore Funding Your College Education These questions determine whether you are dependent or independent for 2010-2011: • Were you born before January 1, 1987? • As of today, are you married? • At the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)? • Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training? • Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces? • Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011? The FAFSA

40. Funding Your College Education • Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2011? • At anytime since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court ? • Are you, or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination? • Are you, or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination? The FAFSA

41. Funding Your College Education • At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? • At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? • At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless? The FAFSA

42. Funding Your College Education How it works: You complete the FAFSA and indicate which schools should receive your information. • The information you provide on the FAFSA is sent to those schools. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated based on the financial information you supply on the FAFSA. • Your EFC determines your eligibility for a Pell grant. • Your EFC is also used by your school to determine what other types of aid for which you may qualify. The FAFSA

43. Funding Your College Education Know the formula Cost of attendance - expected family contribution = financial need Determining financial need School #1 Cost of Attendance $15,000 -Expected Family Contribution $2,500 =Financial Need $12,500 School #2 Cost of Attendance $35,000 -Expected Family Contribution $2,500 =Financial Need $32,500 School #1 Cost of Attendance $15,000 -Expected Family Contribution $30,000 =Financial Need $0 School #2 Cost of Attendance $35,000 -Expected Family Contribution $30,000 =Financial Need $5,000

44. Funding Your College Education Schools will notify you of your financial aid award. You may receive a paper award letter or you may receive an electronic award notification. Total award amounts are broken down into fall and spring amounts. Consider your final cost when comparing award letters. Award letter

45. Funding Your College Education Award letter

46. Funding Your College Education Grants • Free money • Doesn’t have to be re-paid • Need-based Work-Study • Work on or off campus and receive a paycheck • Need-based Loans • Federal Perkins • Federal Stafford • Subsidized • Unsubsidized • Federal Parent PLUS • Federal Grad PLUS Types of aid

47. Funding Your College Education Pell Grants • Federal grant. • School funding is not limited. (Eligible students are awarded even if they apply late.) • Eligibility determined by financial information provided on FAFSA • Expected Family Contribution will determine amount. • 2010-2011 annual award amounts range from $1,176 to $5,500. Award amounts are prorated for ¾ time, ½ time, and less than ½ time enrollment. • NEW this year! • Pell eligible students can now receive Pell grants year-round. • Students are limited to 18 semesters of Pell grant. Grants

48. Funding Your College Education Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) • Federal grant. • School funding IS limited. (Schools run out of money!) • Awarded to Pell-eligible students. • Funds are meant to go to neediest students. • Schools determine their award policies (recipients and award amounts). • Many schools award SEOG to the neediest Pell-eligible students who apply for aid the earliest. • SEOG annual awards $100 – $4,000 Grants

49. Funding Your College Education Academic Competitiveness Grant • Federal grant. • School funding has not been limited. • Awarded to Pell-eligible students who completed a “rigorous secondary school program of study” (e.g., an advanced diploma), entering school the fall after spring high-school graduation. • Second year recipients must have a 3.0/4.0 at the end of their first year in college. • Award amounts: • ACG first-year awards $750 • ACG second-year awards $1,300 Grants

50. Funding Your College Education The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) • Federal grant. • School funding has not been limited. • Awarded to Pell-eligible students with a 3.0 in their 3rd of 4th year of undergraduate study majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language. • Award amounts: • SMART 3rd year awards up to $4,000 • SMART 4th year awards up to $4,000 Grants