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SCHOLARSHIPS
Announcement
The Bexar County Scholarship Clearing House prepares a scholarship
application packet for approximately fifty scholarships offered
to Bexar
County graduates. Applicants must rank in the top quarter of their
class. The deadline for applications will be the last week of
October. Applications
are available in the Career Center.
General information:
Scholarships are a small but important part of financial aid.
Scholarships are divided into two general categories:
Merit Based Scholarships awarded based on high school academic record,
special talents or high SAT/Act scores.
Need Based Scholarships awarded on the basis of the applicant's financial
need along with the proper documents for the proof of need.
Colleges offer a large number if merit awards for academic achievements.
Being a scholarship winner requires effort and planning on your part.
You must gather and organize information, which shows your academic
success, extra curricular/volunteer activities, and future career plans.
How To Find and Prepare Scholarship Applications:
Start preparing yourself to be competitive during your freshmen year
in high school by participating in school club activities, community
service, and any other activities to show you are developing leadership
skills and making contributions for worthwhile causes.
Strive to always make the best grades possible.
Continually update your resume. List every award, significant achievement,
and community involvement on your resume.
Begin your scholarship search early.
Search for scholarships on the web, or check with local organizations.
Look for scholarships geared toward your own interest, your special
talents, heritage, nationality, religion, parents and/or grandparent's
membership in organizations, scouting, or other similar groups, disabilities,
or hobbies.
Tailor your application to meet the requirements of the scholarship
criteria.
Follow directions and proofread your application-don't give the judges
the opportunity to rule out your application.
Write thank you letters promptly after you receive an acceptance letter.
Make yourself available for the scholarship presentation.
Websites to Explore
Remember… to search for your scholarships. You should never have
to invest any money, but you have to invest your time and efforts.
Scholarship Coach www.scholarshipcoach.com
Fast Web - www.fastweb.com
Collegeboard - www.collegeboard.org/fund/finder/html/ssrchtoop.html
March 25 - www.collegenet.com
CollegeEdge - www.CollegeEdge.com
FASTAID - www.800headstart.com
Wired Scholar - www.wiredscholar.com
CASHE - www.cashe.com
Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation - www.hispanicscholarship.com
College Resource Materials - www.cashforcollege.com
TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID
Federal
Pell Grants
Most common award - does not have to be repaid.
Awarded to students with the greatest amount of financial need.
Amount ranges from $400 - $3500
Amount is dependent on your financial need, cost to attend college and
your status as full-time or part -time student.
Work Study Programs
Provides part-time jobs for students with financial need.
Program encourages work related to the student's course of study.
Paychecks may be used for educational costs or personal expenses.
Students may earn the amount stated on the financial aid award letter.
Federal Student Loans
Borrowed funds that must be repaid.
Low-interest rate loans for students with exceptional need.
It is very likely that your aid package will contain one or more loans.
State
State Grants
Must have graduated with the state recommended or distinguished curriculum.
Students must be residents of and attend college in the state.
State grants do not have to be repaid.
Campus Based Programs
Federal Supplement Education Opportunity Grant (FSROG)
For students with exceptional financial need - lowest EFC's
Priority given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants
Awarded in the basis of academic merit, athletic ability, exceptional
SAT or ACT scores, financial need, National Merit Scholar, semi-finalist
or recommended scholar status.
EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)- is the amount of money you and
your family are expected to contribute toward your cost of attendance
for the school year
The EFC is the sum of four separate calculations:
Contribution from Parental Income x 22% to 47%
Contribution from Parental Assets x 5.6%
Contribution from Student Income (excludes first $2,200 x 50%)
Contribution From Student Assets x 35%
Factors, such as family size, number of family members in college, family
savings, and current earnings (information you provided on the FAFSA)
are used to calculate the EFC.
If your EFC is 2900 or less you are eligible for a Pell Grant.
The EFC will appear in the Student Aid Report (SAR) on Part 1 below
the date of processing.
It will look like a serial number: EFC: 02900.
Exchange the first number for a dollar sign and you will know your EFC.
Worksheets are available online your Expected Family Contribution.
www.saliliemae.com
www.collegeboard.com (click Tools listing)
www.finaid.org
NECESSARY FORMS TO COMPLETE
1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Everyone should complete a FAFSA.
Every college requires the FAFSA form if you are seeking federal financial
aid and some state aid programs.
2. College Scholarship Service Financial Aid PROFILE (CSS PROFILE)
Required by some private schools to determine institutional aid awards.
The CSS PROFILE will assess all assets of the student and family.
FAFSA
You may submit a FAFSA:
On the Internet By using FAFSA on the Web: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Complete The FAFSA form and mail in envelope provided.
How to apply:
Must reapply for federal financial aid every year.
Complete the FAFSA correctly - student and parents signatures required.
Approximately 4 weeks later, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR).
The SAR will tell you your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Make sure the SAR is accurate- if not, make corrections on Part 2 of
the SAR and return immediately.
Financial Aid Counselors at the colleges to which you have been accepted
will verify information on the FAFSA and determine your aid eligibility.
Financial aid award letters will state the amount and types of aid (grants,
loans and/or work-study) that make up your aid package.
If you have been accepted at more than one college, compare the financial
aid packages from each college.
Select the school that best meets your academic goals and your family's
financial situation.
CSS PROFILE
Register by:
The CSS PROFILE registration form will be at the same time as the college
application for the schools that require the PROFILE.
Phone: 1-800-778-6888.
Online: www.collegeboard.com
click the CSS /Financial Aid PROFILE option.
Mail: pick up form in the career center.
How to Register:
Complete the registration questions and submit by mail or online.
Fee to register is $6 per college.
List the schools to which you are applying that require the CSS/PROFILE.
Will receive a PROFILE Data Confirmation Report.
A customized PROFILE Application will be sent by mail after registration.
Return application to the College Board for processing.
Processing fee is $16 per college.
Fee waivers are available from your high school counselor.
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