Guide to Scholarships Help students find more Financial Aid Arizona Community Foundation Joyce Medina & Tamika Davis

About ACF Community Foundation $500 million in assets Over 1000 funds, 100+ scholarship funds Statewide foundation Low fees, custom programs

Financial Aid Overall Financial Aid The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is important to complete the FAFSA early in order to receive maximum consideration for free money.Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Resources for Counselors: Grants Grants are gift aid awarded to qualified students who demonstrate substantial financial need (determined by the FAFSA). Grants do not need to be repaid. Loans Loans are funds provided to students (or parents in the case of the Parent PLUS Loan) and must be repaid. Some student loan programs require financial need while others do not.

Financial Aid Overall Student Employment Students can work on campus through the Federal Work-Study program. The funds earned can be used toward a student's educational expenses, while the student gains beneficial work experience. Scholarships Scholarships are gift assistance awarded based on many factors and do not have to be repaid. Other Resources Other resources are funds received that do not fall into the typical financial aid categories listed above. Other resources include, but are not limited to: GI Bill/Veteran's Benefits, AmeriCorps/Peace Corps, tuition reimbursement and vocational rehabilitation.

FAFSA Opens January 2013 for the year. Students will need the Student Aid Report (SAR) to apply for many need based scholarships. Many awards use the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) to determine a students need. If students do not have a SSN, they can use the FAFSA forecaster to estimate their need and submit a copy of the report to ACF.

ACF Scholarships Over 100 scholarship funds All individual criteria, unique requirements and award amounts Range of award amounts $250-$20,000 per award All levels of students, fields of study, in and out of state schools, some renewable.

Application Process One Online General Application!!! Opens in January 2013 All students apply each year for over 70 competitive awards Automatch software helps students apply for the awards for which they are eligible Statewide, selected by volunteer committees

Application Process Create login using address Complete the application – Transcript – SAR report form FAFSA – optional – 2 letters of recommendation – Essay

Deadlines Rolling deadlines between mid-February and end of May Apply early in the process to be eligible for the most awards

Tips for students Invest time in your application READ & answer each question Spelling & grammar count Call or to verify that we have all your documents Be courteous

For Example Essay: Describe your vision of your professional life and contributions to your community 10 years after graduation (from the university). How does receiving scholarship funding impact that objective? (750 word maximum) “ I plan on helping the community by furthering my education in order to continue helping home owners save their homes from forclosure. Until the economy returns to a more stable state, people will continue to need help. These scholarships will allow me the opportunity to finish what I started.” 3 sentences, 1 typo. Very little effort. = Not awarded!

Common mistakes List school or field of study as undecided Ask to be considered for need based awards, no SAR submitted Don’t answer all the “select all that apply” options Capitalization!

Common mistakes Didn’t send a transcript Did not follow up with references – no letters submitted Waited until the last minute to apply Don’t check your for notifications Discourteous when calling or ing

Tips for counselors Every student should/can apply Notification list Resources at federal level: – State resources: – Arizona Commission for Post Secondary Education

Other Scholarships At the college Flinn - Pulliam - Dorrance - Arizona College Scholarship Foundation

Questions? Joyce Medina Education & Scholarship Manager Tamika Davis Education & Scholarship Coordinator