College Application & Financial Aid Night Scholarships September 29, 2015

Sources of financial aid? $185 Billion in Financial Aid

Is it worth it to apply for scholarships?  Yes, if you like free money!  LHS 2015 graduates reported over $2.4 million in scholarships, grants and gift aid toward post- high school education!  Scholarships: money you don’t have to pay back! Tip - visit: – Chronicle of Higher Ed./Gates Foundation. Find/compare colleges graduation rates, net price, monthly loan repayments etc. College Scorecard - Allows users to filter colleges by graduation rates, average annual cost, and the salary of students ten years after entering school. And that’s after using features to create a custom list of schools based on the usual search criteria of major, location, size, public/private, and 2- or 4- year degree

Scholarship Sources  Federal - Grants/gift-aid  State Scholarships – Washington Opportunity Scholarships/State Need grants  Institutional Funds – Awarded directly from colleges to their admitted students  Outside Private Scholarships – National, state & local organizations.  Military Reserved Officer Training Corps – Scholarships in return for military service. Army, Navy, Air Force. Commissioned officer in the reserves upon graduation, begin military service terms.  Recent LHS grads: Naval MIT = $200,000, UW-Seattle, Nursing Army University of Portland = $200,000, AF Santa Clara University + Dean’s Scholarship = $136,000

Washington State Financial Aid Programs - “Opportunity Pathways ”  Washington Student Achievement Council - administers the majority of the state’s student financial aid programs. These programs help tens of thousands of students annually earn college credits, certificates, and degrees.  College Bound Scholarship – early commitment of state financial aid  Opportunity Scholarship Program-STEM/Healthcare  Passport to College Program for Foster Youth  State Need Grant –  State Work Study  American Indian Endowed Scholarship  WICHE Programs - consortium

WA State Need Grant  WASHINGTON STATE NEED GRANT The State Need Grant (SNG) program helps the state’s lowest-income undergraduate students pursue degrees, hone skills, or retrain for new careers. Students can use the grants at eligible institutions in Washington.eligible institutions A new state law has expanded eligibility for the Washington State Need Grant to low-income, non-citizen students who meet the program’s eligibility requirements and satisfy the residency criteria. Non-citizen students unable to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) due to immigration status may instead complete the free Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) as a FAFSA proxy.

State Need Grant Awards Maximum Award Amounts* InstitutionAward Public Research: University of Washington Washington State University $10,344 $10,351 Public Comprehensive: Central Washington University Eastern Washington University CTC Applied Bachelor's Degree Programs The Evergreen State College Western Washington University $7,284 $6,871 $6,871 $7,262 $7,522 Public Community & Technical Colleges $3,541 Private Four-Year Universities & Colleges $8,517 STATE NEED GRANT AMOUNTS VARY BY THE TYPE OF SCHOOL ATTENDED. THE CHART BELOW SHOWS THE MAXIMUM AWARD RECIPIENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE, IF ENROLLED FULL TIME. (68 institutions).

What is WICHE?  Student Exchange Programs  Washington residents can enroll in eligible programs at reduced tuition rates through the WICHE programs in 14 western states:  Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Western Undergraduate Exchange  Undergraduates may enroll in over 150 participating 2- & 4- year colleges & universities outside of their home state. Students pay 150% of the receiving school’s resident tuition, a significant savings over nonresident tuition.  WUE Eligibility: must be a WA state resident. Some institutions may have additional criteria, such as ACT/SAT test scores or high school GPA, some limit specific majors.  WICHE website has online database participating institutions: search by state/major

How much would I save with WUE? (West Campus ) Resident tuition:$9,484 Nonresident tuition:$23,830 WUE rate (Resident x 150%):$14,226 WUE Savings:$9,604

What college scholarships are available?  Need-based – FAFSA determines aid eligibility (CSS PROFILE, other)  Merit scholarships – proven ability in academics (GPA, SAT scores etc.), or special talents (the arts, athletic etc.)  Visit specific college financial aid websites, printed materials, financial aid offices as well as department sites. Differing deadlines/application requirements (tests, auditions, portfolios, send in tapes etc.).  Consider Honors Colleges!  Notable Scholarship: WSU Regents Scholars Program – 2 LHS nominees  At some colleges every applicant is automatically considered for merit scholarships, others you have to apply or be recommended. Check before you apply for admission. Visit “Destination “awards.  Recent LHS student awards:  Northeastern University Presidential Scholars Program -100 out of 44,000 students valued at $157,000  Whitworth University Honors Colloquium Scholarship $142,000.  FACT: Active seekers-score cash!!!

What scholarships are offered by private & public colleges & universities?

 After filing FAFSA, college financial aid office creates a personalized aid package and sends a Financial Award letter (mail or electronic). Will list awards from variety of sources.  Compare it to other colleges.  Can accept, decline or modify award. Accept the free, scholarship money! Do not accept more loans than need.  Be sure all scholarships are listed!

Finding outside scholarships?  LHS Career Center LHS Career Center  Scholarship webpage/notebook/bulletin board/reader board/morning announcements – better odds local scholarships (Issaquah Rotary, Women’s Club, Kiwanis, LHS Booster Club etc.)  Make it weekly homework!  Liberty Nominees-Comcast Leaders & Achievers, Prudential Spirit of Community, WSU Regents etc.  Financial Aid Handbook  Online Search Engines:  State: The WashBoard.org  National: Fastweb.com, Collegeboard.com, finaid.org,  Groups: Employers (student & parent), foundations, corporations, civic groups, religious affiliation, veterans’ associations, clubs, field of study/intended career, minority status, National/ethnic background, local organizations etc.

 TheWashBoard.org, is a free, student-centered, online clearinghouse that matches Washington scholarship seekers with Washington scholarship providers. TheWashBoard.org  User-friendly site allows students to set up a profile, search & apply for verified scholarship opportunities specific to their academic interests, college, university, or other criteria.

Sallie Mae Scholarship Search  Access 3 million scholarships offering up to $18 Billion on Salliemae.com  It's fast, easy, and free  Find scholarships that match your talents and interests  Get alerts when new matches are posted  Save your profile and edit as needed

Too good to be true? Many students and their families fall prey to scholarship scams.  The FTC cautions students to look for tell tale lines:  "The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."  "You can't get this information anywhere else." “Free Seminar”  "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship."  "We'll do all the work."  "The scholarship will cost some money."  "You've been selected by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship" or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.

Need-based or Merit-based Scholarships  “ Need” is relative. Consider the “pool”.  FAFSA is required to determine need. All should apply annually!  Include a “financial safety school”. This year colleges do not know from the FAFSA, what other schools you are considering. Could request review but always good to know you have a low cost alternative option school.  Outstanding accomplishments may secure a scholarship over someone with more “need”.  Merit: Academics, Athletics, Service, Arts, Community/school Leadership, Overcoming Adversity, Work

When and how do I apply?  Start looking early & don’t give up.  Explore multiple sources – High school, School district, Chamber of Commerce, greater community, private organizations, corporations, religious organizations, state, national awards.  Prioritize local scholarships, smaller pool!  Assess your strengths? (academics, leadership, service…)  Don’t apply if you are not eligible!  Support materials – official transcripts, essays, recommendations, resume, references, tax information, standardized test score documentation  Proofread! Spelling, grammar, customize resume/essay etc.  Don’t pay anyone!

Tips for winning scholarships?  Read & follow all directions  Fully complete the application  Neatness counts  Write a compelling essay  Watch all deadlines. Apply early!  Keep a copy  Ask for help if you need it  Look for small applicant pools  There may be a match just for YOU!  Always be sure to thank donors!

Choose your next session?  Private College Admissions Black Box Theater  Public University Admissions Main Theater  College Application Process: Choral Room  College Q & A-Counselors: PAC Lobby