Scholarships & Financial Aid

1. Scholarships & Financial Aid Searching for scholarships Helpful hints for winning them Financial Aid: How to file

2. WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP ? A scholarship is a gift of money donated by a foundation, group, corporation, individual or government to assist a student in funding his/her education. These monies do not have to be paid back.

3. NEED BASED Scholarship is based on a student’s demonstrated financial need as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other income information MERIT BASED Scholarship is based on a student’s performance academic athletic performing arts other Can be need based or non- need based TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

4. WHERE TO LOOK • JVS Student Services • Home School H.S. Guidance Dept. • Colleges, Universities & Technical Schools • Internet web sites • Libraries/book stores

5. Lorain County JVS Student Services • Receives scholarships from many local, regional, state and national organizations and businesses • Also solicits/automatically receives some local high school scholarship applications • All scholarships reproduced and placed in “Blue Box” and sorted by deadline; criteria listed on label • Personalized help if desired (internet searches, essay advice, etc.)

6. High School Guidance Offices • Announce, post or print scholarship information; may have a special file drawer accessible to students • Many communities have excellent local scholarships • Will help student provide transcript, GPA and other required information

7. College, Universities & Tech Schools • College Viewbook lists requirements & deadlines; many occur before regular admission deadlines • Ask admissions officer about scholarship, fellowship and internship opportunities:academic - performing arts -underrepresented groups - athletics - other

8. Internet • www.finaid.org – links to fastweb.com, College Board’s FUND FINDER, SRN Express • Yahoo: type in “scholarship search engines” or “scholarships for culinary students” (hidden gem: www.cooking schools.com ?) • Collegeanswer.com (sponsored by SallieMae) • Don’t: Pay any $$ or provide confidential information such as your social security number

9. Ohio Career Information Services (or OCIS) • Usually available through a school’s media center; can be accessed in school library or from home via school’s website. • Requires user name: LorainJVS and password: ohiocis03. • Website: www.ocis2004.ode.state.oh.us • Has scholarship sort and school sort, plus many other terrific services.

10. OCIS: Getting Started • www.ocis.org – click on “what’s new” • Click on link (http: …) • Enter info: Lorain JVS… ohiocis03 • Click on Financial Aid…or Financial Aid Sort • Financial Aid: select cluster areas • Financial Aid Sort: more detailed search! • Click on scholarships found for info

11. POSSIBLE SOURCES... • Private Foundations • Industry • Employers • Clubs & Organizations • Churches • Community & Civic Groups • Federal & State Governments

12. CHOOSING SCHOLARSHIPS • Read scholarship descriptions carefully • Narrow your choices • Time is of the essence • Use credible references • Take advantage of every possible opportunity • Pay close attention to detail

13. PREPARING A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION • Read all instructions carefully • Prepare thoughtful essay(s) • Proof several times • Make & keep a copy • Collect requested information • Transcripts • Letters of reference • Completed FAFSA • ACT Score required?

14. REMEMBER... • Searching for and completing scholarship applications requires hard work, but the pay -off can be significant. • You don’t have to have a 4.0 GPA to win scholarships. • You can’t win unless you apply. • Ask for help if you need it.

15. Winning that Scholarship!

16. The Application: Making a Good First Impression • Copy application; make a draft then transfer information to the original • Where possible, word process - especially essays. Use word count for proper length. • Proofread: grammar and spell check; have another person proofread it too. • Be honest regarding grades, activities, etc.

17. Essay “do”s Create an outline first Grab the reader; finish strong Be specific; examples Passionate, positive and persuasive Unique; set apart? Essay “don’t”s Re-use an old essay Stop at a first draft Exceed the length Avoid the topic Use passive voice; boring tone Writing a Winning Essay

18. Recommendation Letters • Select wisely: knows you well; positive view • Teacher, supervisor, coach, counselor, club advisor (no friends or family members!) • Allow 2-3 weeks

19. Ace the Interview • Prepare answers to possible questions • Dress for success • Be on time • Eye contact; smile; speak clearly • Thank you note to committee can’t hurt

20. Financial Aid: How to File and What You Might Receive

21. What is Financial Aid? • Source of money provided to help a student afford education • Student can attend a college, university or technical school

22. Types of Financial Aid FREE MONEY • Grants • Scholarships • Work Study LOANS must be repaid after college (student loans) or during college (parent loans)

23. Cost of Attendance • Tuition and fees • Books, supplies and equipment • Room and board • Transportation • Necessary personal spending

24. Sources of Aid • Federal government (70%); colleges and schools (25%); state government (5%) • Other sources: employers, community groups, foundations, unions, religious organizations...

25. How to apply for Federal and State Aid • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • Don’t file until after January 1 • Can file on-line or mail: aim for 2/15/05. Definitely recommend on-line filing if possible!!

26. Automatic Consideration for: • Federal Pell Grant (EFC of $4000 or less) • Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (if you are Pell-eligible) • Work study (a job at school) • Student loan of $2625 for first year • Parent (or PLUS) Loan • Ohio Instructional Grant (OIG) • (Plus schools often require it for their monies)

27. What Happens Next? • Student Aid Report (SAR) to parent and student • Will contain EFC, which determines much of aid given • Colleges or schools will send FA Award Letter to student

28. What can you do to prepare? • Go to www.studentaid.ed.gov and get a PIN or Personal Identification Number for you and a parent ; allows you to electronically sign the FAFSA/ make corrections. • Do taxes as soon as possible in 2005; transfer numbers to FAFSA. • Ask for help if you need it from your guidance counselor.

29. How can you get help with FAFSA? • Financial Aid Night at JVS in January, letter to be sent to parents • One-on-one appts at JVS (mostly days) • Financial Aid Service Centers in February (at LCCC; 4-7 pm, 2 dates to be announced) • College Goal Sunday in late Jan or early Feb; at LCCC 1-4 pm, date to be announced

30. EFC or Expected Family Contribution: How to Obtain an Estimate • www.finaid.org …Calculators…Expected Family Contribution…enter information (do not enter home equity) • Click on “calculate” – your EFC will appear • If it is $4000 or lower, you may be eligible for a Pell Grant depending on school cost • Don’t panic – you can borrow to help cover the EFC.