UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL AID 2016-2017

Seniors, here is the complete Powerpoint,

UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL AID, Mrs. Kim Miller presented on January 19.  Take time to review it again and ask any questions as you begin this IMPORTANT process of completing your FAFSA forms.

REGIONS $5,000 RIDING FORWARD SCHOLARSHIP

The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship is available online. It is a $5,000 scholarship and will be awarded to 16 deserving students.  

To start your application, go to 
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship 

REGIONS RIDING FORWARD 

SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY CONTEST

WHO INSPIRES YOU? 

Of all the African-Americans who have made significant achievements and innovations for our society, is there one in particular who inspires you? 

     Your essay should, in 500 words or less: 

          (a) address how an African-American has been an 

               inspiration in your life, and

          (b) discuss the contributions of the African-American 

               individual who has served to inspire and motivate you. 

You can also follow this link and then scroll to the bottom of the page to read essays from last year's winners by clicking on this link:  2015 Regions Winners

Create a document in your GOOGLE DRIVE SHARED FOLDER and then let me know when I need to edit it. 

African-American achievements have moved us all forward. To honor Black History Month, Regions offers the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest. Enter for an opportunity to win a $5,000 or $3,500 scholarship.


DEADLINE February 26, 2016

IT PAYS TO FILE YOUR FAFSA EARLY

Below is the link to an article found in Consumer Reports and details why you should file your FAFSA as soon as possible.  

 It Pays to File Your FAFSA Early details some of the reasons you and your parents should complete all of the FAFSA requirements by the deadlines given to you.  

February 8      Date to have your taxes filed
February 20    SENIOR FAFSA DAY

IMPORTANT FAFSA INFORMATION

With several of the important scholarship deadlines completed, it's time to focus on FAFSA, your first source for Financial Aid--a crucial part of funding your college. 

Tuesday night, January 19th, there will be an important parent meeting (and you will also attend) where the focus will be completing financial aid.  

The second important deadline for financial aid will involve your parents getting taxes done no later than February 8th. You will need this important information when you complete your FAFSA.

We have a SENIOR FAFSA DAY FAFSA DAY SAVE THE DATE scheduled for Saturday, February 20th from 8:30--12:30.  At this time, all of the Upward Bound staff will be on hand to assist you / your parents as you file your FAFSA. It's important to complete all of these forms correctly and thoroughly, because it can cause a delay in the processing of your federal aid.

Then, once your FAFSA is filed, you will have an SAR available (which we can help you download and save).  We will need a copy of this SAR report.  As with all files, SAVE AS First Name Last Name SAR Report.

Regardless of the college you attend, you need to do this before March 1, a priority deadline for most schools.  

Here is a Handy Dandy  College Comparison Worksheet for you to use as you are following the money trail and considering different colleges.

Also, if you have special circumstances and need to know what to do if you are not living with your parent, read this article:   WHO IS MY PARENT ON THE FAFSA?

SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE STUDENTS

At this point in your senior year, everything is moving quickly. As you near graduation, learn about how the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People can work for you:   

1) Be Proactive; 

2) Begin with the End in Mind; 

3) Put First Things First; 

4) Think Win-Win; 

5) Seek First to Understand Then to Be Understood; 

6) Synergize; 

7) Sharpen the Saw

SENIOR SUCCESS JANUARY 11th--SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE WEEK

This week is SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE WEEK for Gates, Smith, Dell. Take time tonight to work on completing these tonight.  Doing the work for these scholarships require effort and determination.

SUCCESS involves a journey, and the effort you put into your quest often GREATLY determines the outcome.

If you have completed scholarships due this week, or if you are not doing them, start thinking ahead to how you plan to fund your education. You should also start looking at College Counts, if you have taken Honors Advanced and AP classes and have an ACT below 26. Other scholarships have been posted to the blog (go to 2015 archives) so you have the list and links for them there.

Finally, I have the newest version of the AAEOPP Scholarship.  AAEOPP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2016  It is due March 25th, and should be typed in the WORD document I emailed to you (or this link) and saved with your name in your Shared folder.  Also, make sure you ask your recommenders early, so you meet all the deadlines.