1. GETTING YOU READY FOR COLLEGE The Complete Scholarship Book

2. Types of financial aid: Scholarships and grants Free money! Money you receive through organizations, clubs, and sports that you don’t have to repay. Loans Funds that must be repaid plus interest. Work study You get paid through an on-campus job.

3. College Price Tag: Direct cost- the costs that you can’t change. Fixed rate set by the college.  Examples:  Tuition and fees  Book s and class supplies  Room and board Indirect cost- costs that you can alter or choose.  Examples:  Transportation and gas  Phone service  Entertainment

4. Work-Study Typically provided through the Federal Work Study Program Federal Work study program  A United States federally funded program that assists students with the costs of postsecondary education.  The Federal Work Study Program helps students earn financial funding through a part-time work program.

5. Federal Agencies That Offer Loans: Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP) Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) Federal Parent Loan of Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

6. Other Ways to Pay For College: Americorps- You volunteer for a specific group or organization in exchange for tuition reimbursement.  Full time members: $4,725 (pay for college, grad school, or college loans)

7. Am I Eligible? Free Application for Federal Student aid Determines your eligibility for federal assistance Schools base their financial aid package on FAFSA Deadline to complete application is June 30 www.fafsa.ed.gov

8. Scholarship Tips: Apply every year Fill out FAFSA application Learn financial aid application process Stay in contact with financial aid administrators Keep college options open Consider a school in-state Investigate other ways to pay for college Consider living at home during college Apply for as many scholarships as you can Join clubs and build a resume

9. Types Of Scholarships: Merit Scholarships- High academic performance, leadership ability, and artistic ability.  Examples:  Pennsylvania State University Bunton-Waller Fellows Program  Drexel University Presidential Scholarship  University of Pittsburgh Academic Scholarship  Temple University Temple Scholar Award

10. Types Of Scholarships: Department Awards- Shows promise or achievement in your major.  Examples:  Accounting  Biology  Criminology  Fashion merchandising  Special education  Nursing

11. Types Of Scholarships: Athletic- Used to attract top athletes. Only given out in Division 1 and Division 2 schools. Division 1 Schools: Pitt Penn State Villanova UCLA Ohio U Coastal Carolina Florida State Division 2 Schools: Clarion Slippery Rock IUP Edinboro California University Kutztown Lock Haven Pitt Johnstown Division 3 Schools: Allegheny Carnegie Mellon Grove City Chatham La Roche St. Vincent Thiel Westminster

12. Types Of Scholarships: Fellowships  Only for graduate students  Usually cover all expenses.  Example: Grad assistant for a professor or coach

13. Private Scholarships Businesses and corporations  Ex: Dell Scholars Program, Best Buy Scholarship, Walton Family Foundation Scholarship Professional associations  American Library Association Clubs and groups  Key Club, National Honors Socity, Art club, etc. Religious community  Youth group Minority organizations  Ex: Hispanic Scholarship fund Wal-Mart Stores Parents employers

14. Other Scholarship Opportunities College major/ field of interest Student affiliations State of residence/ study Ethnic background International Students Students with Disabilities

15. 5 Parts of the Scholarship Application 1. Application Form Receive from club, organization, sport, etc. Complete each section that applies to you. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS! If hand writing use a blue or black ink pen

16. 5 Parts of the Scholarship Application 2. Transcript Get official one sent for your school You have the right to review it before hand

17. 5 Parts of the Scholarship Application 3. Essay Typed on the computer, never hand written Free of all grammatical errors Stay on topic Keep it to the point

18. 5 Parts of the Scholarship Application 4. Letter of Recommendation Have at least 3 Make sure they are going to help your cause

19. 5 Parts of the Scholarship Application 5. Interview Prepare ahead of time  Take any material with you that you might need Dress appropriately Ask questions

20. Renewable Scholarships Award extended beyond the initial award year.  Ex:  2 time award (receive the amount twice during college)  4 year (receive the amount once every year for four years)  Maintain full-time status  Maintain required GPA

21. Designated expenditure Specific expenses that your scholarships cover:  Tuition  Room and board  General  School related supplies

22. Scholarship ongoing eligibility requirements GPA Satisfactory academic progress Full time status Time off from school Designated field of study College choice Service requirements Military service Participation in sport

23. Scholarship Scams: Warning signs: A notice that promises you cash, just pay a registration fee Pay a fee and they will do all the work Money back guarantee Credit card verification No application Suspicious contact information Scams

24. Web sites FastWeb  free online scholarship search  Helps you find scholarships that you qualify for  www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com FinAid  Free information about financial aid  www.finaid.org www.finaid.org