The Search For Scholarships

Students who are about to graduate from high school are already looking ahead toward planning for their first year of college. With this comes the concern for paying their way through college and the search for scholarship opportunities.

So what are scholarships, where do you look to find them, how do you apply and what do you need to watch out for so that you don’t get scammed?

There are a variety of scholarships offered. A scholarship is a gift to a student, one that does not have to be repaid, and is usually given do to the student’s grades, achievements or the student meeting other eligibility requirements. There are popular scholarships that attract a lot of attention and that are quite competitive and there are the off-beat scholarships that require a little more digging to discover, yet are less competitive.

One myth about scholarships is that you have to have a perfect grand point average. There are many scholarships for average students that focus on qualities besides academic merit. There are also many community service scholarships.

To start your scholarship search, first make a list that includes all of your hobbies, clubs and extracurricular activities. Having this information at hand will help when it comes time to ask for letters of recommendation during the scholarship application process. Teachers and counselors can better sell students to selection committees if they have thorough resumes and background information.

You can now match your specialties to eligibility requirements. Don’t waste your time and the institutes by applying for a scholarship you are not eligible for. For instance, if the scholarship is for children of veterans of war, be sure you have proof of this.

There are many small scholarships out there. There's no scholarship that's too low to apply for. The $200 and $300 scholarships add up.

Another way to search for scholarships is to contact schools that you are interested in and inquire about their scholarship programs.

When applying, save your applications so that you can revise them each time rather than having to recreate them. This applies to essays as well. You can make minor tweaks to essays and then use them to apply for multiple scholarships.

Where are the obvious places to start looking for scholarships? To name a few: Online; banks and credit unions; churches, alumni associations at schools the student's parents attended; local Rotary, Elks and Lions clubs; departments that offer the student's intended major, since they may have awards not handled through the university's financial aid and scholarships office; any fraternal or community organization to which the student and immediate family members belong; college and university foundations and student's and parents' employers.

And last, if a particular scholarship sound too good to be true, it usually is. Learn how to recognize and protect yourself from the most common scholarship scams. The number one tip: If you have to pay money to get money, it's probably a scam.

Kara Lilly, a Librarian for over 15 years in College Park, creates the Eduology for schoolwork.org, a leading provider of homework help, college directories with satellite maps and a comprehensive breakdown of student loans. For more information, please visit www.schoolwork.org.

Tips for Starting College

You are a senior in high school and you will be starting college soon. There will be some concerns you and your parents will need to look at before starting your first semester?

For parents, you can begin working on helping your student as early as August through December, before your child even graduates from high school. The first thing you want to begin focusing on is pulling together as much information for FASFA or the United States Department of Education Free Application for Federal Aid, as possible. You can begin by collecting documentation you will need to complete the FASFA application and you can even attend a financial aid presentation. Be sure to save your last pay stub for the year in December as well so that completing the FASFA paperwork will be easier. By January you will want to have the application completed and filed, the sooner the better as financial aid can run out.

As parents you also may want to prepare and file your federal income taxes as early as possible so that you can verify income for financial aid.

For seniors in high school, your responsibility starts with signing up for your SAT and ACT tests as early as August. Between August and December you will want to visit with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements. Start collecting personal references from teachers, school counselors or employers early in the year, or at least two weeks before application deadlines. Attend a college fair and begin applying for admission at the colleges you have chosen. Find out if you qualify for scholarships at each college you have applied to and start the financial aid application process. Between January and May you will want to visit the colleges that have invited you to enroll. Keep track of and observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork and of course continue looking for scholarship opportunities.

College is an exciting time and as a freshman you may be wondering what it is you will need for your dorm.

To start, remember that dorm rooms are very small so take only the essentials. Freshmen typically get the worst rooms in the dorm as the upper classmen get to pick the best rooms before the year is over. Make sure you find out everything there is to know about your dorm and what it has and does not have. For instance, if the dorm does not have carpeting, you may need to take a rug. If the room isn’t air conditioned, taking a fan might be an option.

Find out what is allowed and not allowed in the dorms as well. Some schools do not allow microwaves, hot plates, candles and more. Most schools provide beds, some provide mattresses, and of course most require you to buy your own sheets. Types of items that you might consider taking include: TV, pillows, radio, rug, water filter, hangers, tape, tools and posters.

Freshmen are typically assigned roommates, so try contacting your roommate before the first semester. Moving in can be stressful and annoying so by talking to your roommate ahead of time you can find out what kind of person they are, what you have in common and what you each can bring or leave home.

Last, remember to save your money so that you have some spending cash. You will want to live frugally but there will be an occasion when you need your own money for those extra things.

By addressing all of your concerns before you arrive your first day of college, you won’t find this large life transition so difficult.

Kara Lilly, a Librarian for over 15 years in College Park, creates the Eduology for schoolwork.org, a leading provider of homework help, college directories with satellite maps and a comprehensive breakdown of student loans. For more information, please visit www.schoolwork.org.

Going Back To College

If you have been out of high school for a while and are tired of working in a dead-end career, you probably have considered going back to college. If you are intimidated about going back as an adult and are worried about being the only person over 25, don’t despair. According to statistics, since 1998 the number of adult learns has increased 41 percent making over 2.9 million students over the age of 35 going back to college.

If you are planning to go back to college, here are a few things to consider:

1. Flexibility is key. Many colleges and universities offer flexible course scheduling with classes offered nights and weekends. This means that if you are holding down a job while going back to school, you can often tailor your courses around your work. If you have children, many institutions offer campus childcare services. A third thing to remember is that you do not have to go back to school full time; your course load can remain minimal. But, if you are looking for financial aid, you may be required to take a specific amount of hours.
2. Make more money. The higher your education the higher your salary. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, employees with a high school diploma averaged $27,915 a year while those with a bachelor’s degree earned $51,206. Individuals with master’s degrees averaged $74,602. Statistics also show that seventy five percent of future positions will require at least some type of certification or licensure.
3. You didn’t graduate from high school. If you did not graduate from high school but received your G.E.D., don’t despair. Over 97 percent of colleges accept students with a G.E.D. diploma.
4. How will I pay? Paying for college through scholarships and financial aid is much of an option to adults as it is those just graduating from high school. There are various forms of grants and low interest loans that are offered regardless of your grade point average, financial need or credit history.
5. How will I get there? If your community does not have a college and you don’t have time to commute, there are now options. Courses today can be taken online or through distance learning programs. Check with the college or university you are interested in to discuss these options. Remember, if you take distance courses through institutes outside of your state, it may be more costly. You will get a financial break staying with a school in state.
6. Do your homework. After identifying what school you would like to attend, make an appointment with the academic advisor. Be prepared to have a few things with you such as old transcripts – that is if you have attended any college prior. Also, do some homework on what field of study you are interested in. The Occupational Outlook Handbook can help you develop an idea of what types of jobs are out there.
7. Testing. Be prepared to take entrance exams. Although you are not required to take admissions tests such as the SAT or ACT, there are placement tests colleges require for English and Math.
8. Check if your life experiences count for credit. Last, ask whether the institute you want to attend offers credits for life experience. Many schools do this through exams such as CLEP or DANTES. These are called ‘life experience credits’.

Kara Lilly, a Librarian for over 15 years in College Park, creates the Eduology for schoolwork.org, a leading provider of homework help, college directories with satellite maps and a comprehensive breakdown of student loans. For more information, please visit www.schoolwork.org.

Why go to college

We hear about it all the time, multi-millionaires who succeed despite not having a college education. So you might be asking yourself or your child might ask, why should I go to college?

To start off, statistically, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Labor has shown that a high-school diploma alone is not sufficient for students to access jobs that pay above average. If you are looking for a position with any kind of technical expertise, it is most likely that job will require either a two year degree, four year, masters or at least graduation from a certificate program.

With the various ways an education can be had today, whether it’s through your local community college or online, it has become easier than ever to go back to school or earn your degree.

What are the benefits of attending college?

1. Greater Knowledge. A college education will give you an overall understanding of all of the sciences, which are all necessary for critical thinking skills. In college you are also required to articulate your thoughts through writing reports and papers, which later on assist you in expressing yourself clearly on and off the job.
2. Potential To Earn More. Studies have shown that a college graduate earns approximately $18,000 more a year than someone without a degree. Even a two-year degree will earn you more money than having nothing at all.
3. More Potential. With some basic courses and skills the potential to land a job or find an employer that will provide you with training is greater with a college degree.
4. More Job Opportunities. The better paying jobs certainly are more technical today than they have ever been. Life experiences just don’t translate into technical know-how. Attending college you will gain the latest information on new technology and software systems being integrated into the work place.

Financing your education has become easier today as well. With scholarships, loans and federal assistance, with a little bit of homework done on your end, you will find the perfect financial provision out there for your needs.

What are the options?

Scholarships: There are two types of scholarships, undergraduate and graduate fellowships. A scholarship is a gift in that it does not have to be repaid like a student loan. Because the money is a gift, the funds are generally reserved for students with specific qualifications such as academic, athletic and so on.

Student Loans: Student loans are like any type of loan in that it must be paid back. Education loans are broke down into three categories – Student Loans (Stafford and Perkins Loans), Parent Loans and Private Student Loans. Federal laws set the maximum interest rates and fees that can be charged.

Military Student Aid: For students who are interested in pursuing careers in the military, there is military student aid. Aid such as the Montgomery GI Bill covers about three-fifths of your college education and is good for up to ten years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty or training. The Montgomery GI Bill is for those who are enrolled in the Select Reserve of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Army and Air National Guard.

Kara Lilly, a Librarian for over 15 years in College Park, creates the Eduology for schoolwork.org, a leading provider of homework help, college directories with satellite maps and a comprehensive breakdown of student loans. For more information, please visit www.schoolwork.org.

Learning Strategies Made Easy

We all could use a little help in making learning a little easier. With simple strategies, you can help yourself or your child learn to perfect test taking and improve study skills.

Studies have shown that from late elementary school into college, studying and test taking is often a major hurdle for children. And if your child already has a learning disability, the difficulty can be even more pronounced. If your child’s test scores have fallen during this time period and their stress level has increased, there are a handful of ways you can help. Questions to ask include:

1. Does your child know what to study? If your child appears to have difficulty discerning what to remember during a lecture or in reading a textbook, ask them these few questions: a) Have they checked in with the teacher about the content of the test? b) Has the teacher provided a study guide or practice test? c) Does your child have a plan for studying?

Helping your child recognize verbal cues the teacher may give that will signal the information’s importance is also important. If the teacher says, “Write this down”, “Let Me Summarize”, “This Is Important” or “I’ll write this on the board”, the student should make note of the information. Review information in your child’s textbook with them as well, going over chapter and section headings, words, phrases or sentences that appear in bold, sidebar information and questions at the end of each chapter.

2. Does your child know how to study? – Show your child strategies in organizing, remembering, and prioritizing information. Make sure your child is also doing nightly reading assignments and using a system to record information. Have your child summarize to you what they have learned and help your child organize their materials by cleaning out binders and folders, or setting up sections with tabs. Showing your child tricks in remembering information through sentences or acronyms, rhymes or relating information known to something unknown, can be helpful. Drawing pictures or cartoons is also helpful to many students, especially if they are a visual learner.

3. Does your child know how to monitor their work?– As a student, you need to have necessary skills to check your work. Ask your child to look through graded homework assignments and previous tests to find patterns of mistakes. Another solution is to help your child make a personalized checklist of test taking techniques, looking back to see if any questions were missed or if the answer to the problem was properly spelled out and answered accordingly.


4. Does your child know how to set goals and pace their work?– Does your child rush through studies? You can help your child set goals and pace their work. Ask them to create and review a study plan, setting a timer for a certain study period. Make sure your child builds short breaks into their schedule. Encourage your child to focus on their strengths and emphasize their efforts and that you are proud of them.

Practice these four strategies with your child or even with yourself and you will find that such practices will follow you through a lifetime and reward you over and over again.

Kara Lilly, a Librarian for over 15 years in College Park, creates the Eduology for schoolwork.org, a leading provider of homework help, college directories with satellite maps and a comprehensive breakdown of student loans. For more information, please visit www.schoolwork.org.

Financing your student’s education

So your child is ready to go off to college and you are perplexed over how you will pay for their education? If you are like most parents, you have heard of scholarships and loans but when it comes to the details, here is where you get hung up. If this is the case, here is a short synopsis of how to interpret college finance terminology.

Scholarships: There are two types of scholarships, undergraduate and graduate fellowships. A scholarship is a gift in that it does not have to be repaid like a student loan. Schools, individuals and various sponsors help fund such scholarships so that students who qualify can be rewarded or students who can’t afford to pay for school out of their pocket can attend college. Because the money is a gift, the funds are generally reserved for students with specific qualifications such as academic, athletic and so on. Some scholarships are set up for students who are interested in a particular field of study or are just plain need of financial assistance.

Student Loans: Student loans are like any type of loan in that it must be paid back. Education loans are broke down into three categories – Student Loans (Stafford and Perkins Loans), Parent Loans and Private Student Loans. Federal laws set the maximum interest rates and fees that can be charged. Many student loans offer flexible repayment terms. In some cases there are loan forgiveness programs in which a student pays off the loan in exchange for volunteer work or military service. Private student loans can help you fill the gap between federal, state or school assistance loans or scholarships. Private loans are often called alternative student loans and are based on your credit. These loans must be used for specific educational expenses. Many websites offer financial calculators so that you can estimate your monthly payments and what your debt will be.

Military Student Aid: For students who are interested in pursuing careers in the military, there is military student aid. Aid such as the Montgomery GI Bill covers about three-fifths of your college education and is good for up to ten years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty or training. The Montgomery GI Bill is for those who are enrolled in the Select Reserve of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Army and Air National Guard. If you are in active duty, you accept a pay reduction of $100 per month for twelve months; when you use your benefits you can receive $1,101 monthly for a maximum of 36 months of educational benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job-training and correspondence courses – if the veteran is enrolled full-time. Part-time students receive less but can stretch out their funds longer. Reserve veterans have their own unique benefits.

Kara Lilly, a Librarian for over 15 years in College Park, creates the Eduology for schoolwork.org, a leading provider of homework help, college directories with satellite maps and a comprehensive breakdown of student loans. For more information, please visit www.schoolwork.org.