Senior Guidance Notes
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January 8, 2008
As always, please read these notes through carefully and then give them to your parents to read. They are also available on the Newark Catholic website, along with a lot of other scholarship Information. Just click Departments, then Guidance, then Senior Guidance Notes or College Financial Aid or Fastweb, and you're there.
If you plan to apply for financial aid and will be using the paper FAFSA form, they are still available in my office. I also have the FAFSA worksheet for those who are applying online, which is really the better way to go. They should be filed as soon as possible. Check the colleges you have applied to to see what their financial deadlines are and which financial form(s) they require.
It is a good idea for everyone to file a FAFSA form, because some schools require that it be completed even If you are just applying for academic scholarships.
I am giving a booklet entitled Funding Education Beyond High School to each of you. It covers all federal grants and scholarships, the whole financial aid process, different kinds of loans, and a glossary of financial aid terms you will be running across. I am also giving you a brochure entitled Do You Need Money for College? which should also be helpful.
February 10 at 2 p.m. is College Goal Sunday. This program will offer free, professional help from members of The Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators In filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be filled out In order to apply for federal and state grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance including certain scholarships. Financial aid professionals will be available to walk you and your parents through the financial aid application. You will need to bring parents' and student's 1040 tax returns and W2s, social security card and driver's license, and any other other benefit and Income Information. They will provide everything else you will need to file. The program will be held at OSUN/COTC in the Reese Center building. Advanced registration is recommended at www.ohiocollegegoalsunday.org. It would be a very good idea to take a completed FAFSA worksheet with you and these are available in my office.
Many of you have received acceptances from colleges (Congratulations!). The colleges generally ask you to send in a deposit to guarantee your place in the freshman class. You can request that the deadline for this deposit be extended until May 1, In case you haven't decided which college you will be going to. However, some colleges may suggest that you send it in before that date so that you can be scheduled for your freshman orientation. Read the letters from the colleges very carefully, and if there is something you don't understand, bring it in to me and I will try to help you. Some colleges may have a shortage of on-campus housing, which doesn't happen very often. in these cases it is probably a good idea to send In your deposit early to guarantee that you will have a place In the dorms, in some instances when a student and parents are not able to make a definite decision on a college by May 1, they will send in deposits to more than one school. This is a little pricey, but it will hold your spot at more than one college until you decide.
On page 5 of these notes there is some helpful information about filling out the FAFSA on the web or paper. On page 6 there is helpful information about the Student Aid Report (SAR) you will be receiving which will tell you how much student aid you are eligible to receive from the federal government, and how much the government expects your family to pay. The colleges you listed will also receive a copy to your SAR and they will then send you a financial aid award letter. You don't have to accept all of the aid that is offered; only the aid you want.
The recommended deadline for completing the FAFSA for OSU is February 15 and for COTC is March 1.
SCHOLARSHIPS
I would like to call your attention to three scholarships available through SchoolSoup.com. The first one is through the Mensa Education Foundation for $300-$1000. Deadline is January 15. The second one is the Roothbert Fund Scholarships and Grants in the amounts of $2000-$3000. Deadline is February 1. The third one is the XEN Scholarship Essay for $500 and the deadline is February 1. To apply for these scholarships login to SchoolSoup profile on the Guidance Department page under Financial Aid on the Newark Catholic website.
AES Engineers is offering a $500 scholarship and applicants don't have to be engineering students. Students must submit an essay of no more than 1000 words in answer to one of the two questions that are posted on their site: http://www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm . Deadline: September 15, 2008
2008 KFC Colonel's Scholars Program will be giving away $20,000 scholarships, $5,000 per year, . Applicants must have a gpa of 2.75 or higher, be enrolled In a public, In-state college, pursuing a bachelor's degree, and demonstrate financial need. Application must be completed online at www.kfcscholars.org by February 15, 2008. Students must complete a FAFSA. Financial need can also be calculated at www.act.org/fane.
The Licking County Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for 2008. Last year they granted over 250 scholarships providing over $370,000 In financial support. The foundation will accept applications until 5:00 pm on Friday, February 29, 2008. Any applications received by Thursday, January 31, 2008 will be reviewed for completeness prior to final submission to the scholarship committee. Applicants meeting this "early bird" date will have the opportunity to provide any missing information or make amendments if needed prior to the final deadline on February 29, 2008. To identify the scholarships for which you qualify, visit the Fouundation's website at www.thelcfoundation.org, call them at 740-349-3863, or log on to the Newark Catholic website.
Bernard C. Harris Memorial Scholarship Program will award four $1,000 scholarships. Requirements include a student application form, an essay entitled "Why My Family Is lmportant to Me." student entrepreneurship form, high school transcript, counselor recommendation, and a gpa of 3.0 or above. If you're interested in applying, you may download an application from www.harrisconnect.com/scholarship. Return the completed application to me by February 23. Then we will choose one applicant to represent the school.
The William D. Squires Educational Foundation, Inc. will offer 12 scholarships of $3,000 each to students from Ohio. These scholarships are renewable for three years. The scholarship is primarily need-based. Applicants must have an EFC (Estimated Family Contribution on the Student Aid Report) less than $10,000. A minimum gpa of 3.2 is required. I can give you an application or you can download one from www.wmd-squires-foundation.org. Deadline: April 5, 2008
The Ohio Assoclatlion of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Ofticers is offering the Leadership and Service Scholarship. They will give six scholarships of $500 each for students attending an Ohio college. I have a paper application or it Is available on the website www.oacrao.ohiou.edu Requirements include gpa of 2.75, personal statement, list of leadership and service activities, high school recommendation form, community recommendation form. Deadline: February 26, 2008
Best Buy is offering scholarships to seniors who have good grades and outstanding community service. Apply at www.bestbuy.com/scholarships by February 15, 2008.
National Co-op Scholarship Program will award 175 merit scholarships of $6,000 each renewable to any of 11 different schools participating in The National Commission for Cooperative Education. Applicants must have 3.5 gpa or better, complete an application Including a one-page essay describing why you have chosen too pursue a college cooperative education program. Two schools in Ohio which are in this association are University of Cincinnati and University of Toledo. Deadline: February 15, 2008
AXA Achievement will offer up to twelve $2,000 scholarships to students in this community who demonstrate ambition and drive, determination to set and reach goals, respect for self, family and community, and ability to succeed in college. Applications are available to download at www.axa-achievement.com. Apply by February 15, 2008.
The Central Ohio Chapter of Credit Unions will award five scholarships in the amount of $1,000. One application will be sent to state competition which is awarding five $2,500 scholarships. Some items to be considered in the application are community and school activities, employment history, and an essay explaining how a credit union can help you with financial decisions in your future. Deadline: March 3, 2008.
The Printing Industries Education Funds, Inc. offers valuable schoolarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for those interested In a graphic communications, print management, printing technology or graphic arts major at an accredited educational instirution. You can apply through the website, www.planko.org and click on the STUDENT tab. Applications are due February 29, 2008. Contact Tom Lasik at the PIANKO office 888-576-1971 or tlasik@pianko.org if you have any questions.
Students applying for the Big 33 scholarships can apply by accessing the Big 33 website www.big33.org. All Big 33 scholarship applications are available on-line for you to complete and submit for processing. You have until February 1 to complete these forms.
Young Buckeyes of Central Ohio Alumni Club will be awarding two scholarships of $2,800 each for students to attend OSU. Criteria to be conlsdered are educational goals and accomplishments, academic honors, leadership, community service, work experience, references, and high school transcript. Deadline: Janaury 31, 2008
The Licking County OSU Alumni Club will award several scholarships to deserving students to attend OSU. Applicants must rank in top 25% of their class, demonstrate involvement in school and community activities, and show a sound interest and positive attitude toward college work. Financial need is also a consideration. Deadline: Janaury 15, 2008
Ohio Association of Career Colleges and Schools is offering full tuition, one-half tuition, and specific amount scholarships. This group of schools are generally a shorter period of time than associate degree college or a bachelor degree college. Some are as short as ten weeks. See me for more emformation. Deadline: March 30, 2008
National Football League Players Association Scholarship. The Central Ohio Chapter of this association is awarding two scholarships of $2,500 for one male and one female in Licking County Applicants must have played varsity sports in high school, but will not receive an athletic scholarship for college. Criteria for selection includes career goals, nomination by coach, academic achievement, potential for success, leadership and character, and indication of how athletic competition has aided in personal growth. Deadline: February 1, 2008
I also have scholarship information from the following colleges
The American Musical and Dramatic Academy - New York & L.A.
Bethany College - Bethany, West Virginia - leadership scholarship
DeSales University - Center Valley, Pennsylvania
Bowling Green State University - Bowling Green, Ohio
John Carroll University - Cleveland, Ohio - Greek and Latin majors
Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Regis University - Denver, Colorado - science scholarships
Ohio Wesleyan University - Delaware, Ohio
Johnson & Wales University - RI, FL, CO, NC
University of St. Thomas - Houston, Texas