How to get scholarships to work for you!! Presented by: Forest Lake Academy Guidance Team

Knowledge Resources Money for College

You are your biggest asset Narrow your College choices to top 3 Go to the admissions page on website Understand the Admissions Process Look for Financial Aid deadlines Look for individual school scholarships

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid Link to: FAFSA.ed.gov FAFSA.ed.gov Federal Deadline Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight Time June 30, 2012

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid College Deadline Each college may have a different deadline. Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about their definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date they receive your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed.

GrantsScholarships Federal Pell Grant Academic Competitiveness (ACG) State Florida Bright Futures Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Private Florida Pre Paid Educational Subsidy Vocational Rehabilitation Federal Robert C. Byrd Endowed Scholarships Private VA Benefits

Important Legislative Changes Important Legislative Changes Florida Bright Futures Awardees Students are now required to submit a complete, error- free FAFSA for Bright Futures any time prior to disbursement No FAFSA = No $ Increase in community service requirement Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) FAS – 100 hours Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) FMS – 75 hours

Bright Futures Eligibility Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, as determined by the student's postsecondary institution Apply for a scholarship from the program by high school graduation Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or its equivalent

Bright Futures Eligibility cont. Be accepted by and enroll in an eligible Florida public or independent postsecondary education institution within 3 years of high school graduation. If a student enlists directly into the military after graduation, the three-year period begins on the date the student is separated from active duty Not have been found guilty of, or plead nolo contendere to, a felony charge, unless the student has been granted clemency by the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Executive Office of Clemency

Bright Futures Eligibility cont. Be enrolled for at least 6 semester credit hours (or the equivalent in quarter or clock hours) NEW The submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now an annual requirement for Bright Futures eligibility. Note: The students FAFSA does not have to indicate need; however, must be complete and processed error free prior to a students first disbursement of an award. (The Florida State Programs May 15 deadline does not apply to Bright Futures.)

Bright Futures Important Dates Submit an Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application Beginning *December 1, 2011 AND Ending on *May 26, 2012 *This application gives the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) permission to evaluate his/her high school transcripts for eligibility for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. Link to: Florida Bright Futures websiteFlorida Bright Futures

Bright Futures Eligibility Award Chart

Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) 3.5 GPA (Weighted or Unweighted) Courses must include 16 credits of college preparatory academic courses. 4 English (3 with substantial writing) 4 Mathematics* (Algebra I level and above) 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) 3 Social Science 2 Foreign Language (sequential, in the same language) ACT 28 Reading/Math SAT 1270 Reading/Math Community Service Hours = 100 hours

Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) 3.0 GPA (Weighted or Unweighted) Courses must include 16 credits of college preparatory academic courses. 4 English (3 with substantial writing) 4 Mathematics (Algebra I level and above) 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) 3 Social Science 2 Foreign Language (sequential, in the same language) ACT 21 Reading/Math SAT 980 Reading/Math Community Service Hours = 75 hours

Bright Future Award Amounts

Questions? What about if Im going to an out of state college? What if I want to go to a community college? What if I want to attend a private college?

Scholarship Information Link to: Fastweb.comFastweb.com

Scholarship/College Planning Link to: Collegeboard.comCollegeboard.com

College Search Link to: Peterson's College QuestPeterson's College Quest