Financial Aid Programs and Benefits: Locating Public and Private Scholarships

1. Financial Aid Programs and Benefits: Locating Public and Private Scholarships by Buffie Edwards

2. The federal government offers a variety of programs and benefits to help students pay for college. You may be eligible for one or more of the following federal programs or tax benefits. Federal Aid

3. FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid • To apply for federal financial aid and most state aid programs, you must complete the FAFSA. • Apply as soon as possible, AFTER January 1, for the next academic year. You can indicate several college choices on one application so don't wait until you're admitted to apply. • Paper copies of the FAFSA are available from high school guidance offices, college financial aid offices, and at public libraries. You also can call 1-800-4FEDAID. • It is preferred that student complete the FAFSA online. Federal Aid

4. AmeriCorpsPeople of all ages can earn money for college in return for one year of service in their communities. U.S. Armed Forces Students can take advantage of many educational programs offered by the U.S. Armed Forces. Opportunities range from free tuition at U.S. military academies to scholarships in exchange for service through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program. Other Federal Programs

5. The Student Guide: Financial Aid - is a comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Funding Your Education - an introductory publication for students below the senior year in high school.IRS Publication 520: Scholarships and Fellowships IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Higher Education Helpful Online Resources

6. Scholarships may be awarded on the basis of academic achievement, leadership potential, artistic talents, athletic ability, career plans or field of study, or special hobbies or interests. Searching for Scholarships

7. Check with the College and Career Specialist at your high school • Get information about scholarships, aptitude testing, collegiate updates, and more. Contact local organizations • Many community organizations, foundations, corporations, clubs, and civic groups offer scholarships to students. Contact local organizations, such as the Elks or Jaycees; ethnic and religious youth groups; college fraternities, sororities, and alumni groups. Tips on finding scholarships:

8. Ask employers and labor unions. • Many companies and labor unions offer scholarships to employees, members, or their children. Also, check with professional organizations related to your career interests, such as the American Bar Association or the American Medical Association.

9. Look for more scholarships offered in your area. • Check with local department stores, grocers, credit unions and banks - many offer one or more scholarships annually. Contact your local chamber of commerce to see if they have a list of local businesses offering scholarships.

10. Visit free online search services Many search services allow you to input your academic, ethnic, and personal interest information and receive regular updates on scholarships that might apply to you. Beware of any company that wants you to pay for a scholarship search! Instead, try the free services.

11. Student Aid - US Department of Education financial aid and scholarship wizard. • The SmartStudent Guide - Undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships are forms of aid that help students pay for their education. • FastAid Scholarship Search - The largest and oldest private sector college scholarship database

12. FastWeb! Search  - Begins with a password protected customized profile for searches among thousands of scholarships. • College Board Scholarship Search - Locate scholarships and other information that matches your educational level, talents and background. • Pacific Northwest Scholarship Guide - Maintained by the College Planning Network, serving students of the Pacific Northwest, the site requires no personal information and provides access to 100% of the database.

13. Scholarship Hunter  - Free and easy scholarship source • Scholarship Experts - Locates scholarships by a profile of program, regional area, school and other information. • CollegeNet - Mach 25: Breaking the Tuition Barrier  - Provides a keyword search to narrow to particular scholarships.

14. SallieMae - College Answer - College Answer features over 600,000 scholarships, grants, tuition waivers, internships and fellowships. • Scholarship Scams – Valuable information from the Federal Trade Commission. For more information from the Higher Education Coordinating Board, contact us at: Email: finaid@hecb.wa.gov Phone: 1-888-535-0747

15. Reference • http://www.hecb.wa.gov/paying/taxbene/taxbeneindex.asp • The Higher Education Coordinating Board is not responsible for the content of the Web sites. Online Services for StudentsNote:

16. I hope this information has given you some useful tips. If you have any suggestions for future seminar topics, please see Mrs. Edwards or another Student Support Services staff member. If you are viewing this workshop online, please come by Student Support Services, 109 Eldridge Hall, and complete an Academic Seminar Evaluation form, so that we may have documentation of your program participation. You may also print this form online. EXIT Thank you for your participation!