MT. OLIVE
HIGH SCHOOL
GUIDE TO
SCHOLARSHIPS
Ms. Jackie Meurer, Counselor
217-999-4231 ext. 106
2011 - 2012
INTRODUCTION
This packet includes a listing and brief summary of scholarships with which I am familiar thus far. This is not intended to be a list of all scholarships available to Mt. Olive seniors. I have included local as well as regional, state and national scholarships. As days and weeks go by, more of these are added, and requirements and deadlines are updated, so keep checking with me, our school website, and the college bulletin board. For a more complete listing of the regional, state, and national scholarships, I recommend the following FREE scholarship search on the internet: www.fastweb.com. Please pay close attention to requirements and deadlines.
I wish you all success in your academic future, and hope that some of the scholarships described in this packet will become at least a partial answer to you and your parent’s quest for financial assistance for the cost of your college education. Good Luck!
FINANCIAL AID WEB SITES
www.fastweb.com – customized scholarship search; largest & most popular student resource website
www.collegezone.com – explore careers, plan for college, apply to college, and pay for college.
www.studentaid.ed.gov – Federal Student Aid Programs website
www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov – sources for federal aid and nonfederal aid
www.legion.org/needalift - financial aid information, scholarships for military and non-military.
www.cappex.com – scholarships offered by colleges
www.finaid.org – Financial aid information page; includes aid estimator and scholarship search.
http://www.guaranteed-scholarships.com/ - lists and describes scholarships offered by individual colleges and universities to all enrolled students meeting specific criteria.
http://www.get-recruited.com> offers students an opportunity to be recruited and perhaps offered a scholarship to attend colleges and universities throughout the US.
www.free-4u.com – scholarships, including many for ethnic groups and minorities.
www.collegequest.com – college match service, financial aid and scholarships
www.yahoo.com/education/financial aid/ - provides links and info about companies that give aid.
www.collegeboard.com – college and scholarship search
www.collegescholarships.com – a list of scholarships from around the country.
www.fastaid.com – largest and oldest private sector scholarship database.
www.collegenet.com/mach25 - database contains over 600.000 awards totaling over $1.6 billion.
www.embark.com/ - choice of majors, careers, links to colleges, scholarship search.
www.cblbank.com – scholarship search, student loans
www.meritaid.com – merit-based scholarships matching students to colleges
www.ChristianConnector.com –enter for $2500 scholarship drawing, additional scholarships offered by Christian Colleges.
www.mycollegeoptions.org – scholarship searches, college searches, and information on majors
www.studentscholarships.org – scholarships, college majors, career information
www.salliemae.com – contains college lean and scholarship information
www.collegesavings.org – has links to your state’s college savings program
FINANCIAL AID FACTS
1. Times have changed to favor the student in the financial aid process. Colleges and universities are competing to attract the good students.
2. If you qualify, don’t let the “sticker price” of the school scare you away. Do not rule out a private school until you have received the financial aid package from the school.
3. To be eligible to receive federal/state aid, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Don’t stop working hard just because you are a senior!
APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID – STEP BY STEP
1. Apply for your federal student PIN for you and a parent at www.pin.ed.gov – this allows you and a parent to sign your FAFSA electronically. We will do this at school in January.
2. Use the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet (available through my office in January) as you gather the information required to complete the FAFSA on line.
3. Complete and submit the FAFSA on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov - after January 1.
4. If you prefer to complete the paper FAFSA, call 1 800-433-3242 and request one to be mailed to you. Or you can download a PDF version of the FAFSA at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov.
A FAFSA completion workshop is scheduled for Wednesday evening February 1 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. in the computer lab to assist you and your parents in completing and submitting the FAFSA on the web. It is ok to submit the FAFSA with last year’s tax information, and later submit changes once your current year’s tax information is available.
Information from the FAFSA is used to determine if you are eligible to receive federal student aid from grants, loans, and work-study programs. States and schools also use this information to determine if you qualify for any additional aid. So submit a completed FAFSA even if you think you won’t qualify for federal aid.
FAFSA4caster – to get an early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid, and an early start in the financial aid process. Much of the information you enter here will populate the FAFSA on the Web. Go to www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov
APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
· START EARLY
Extracurricular activities that highlight your strengths and involvement in the community are all things that are important to those who make scholarship decisions. Get involved early.
· SEARCH FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
A couple of hours a week in the library or at the computer will help you learn about hundreds of scholarships and assess those for which you might qualify. Local scholarship information is available through the Guidance Office. The Financial Aid Office at the colleges you have applied is another great resource for scholarships.
· APPLY, APPLY, APPLY
Apply for as many scholarships as you think you may be qualified for. You never know unless you try.
· PLAN AHEAD
It takes time to get transcripts and letters of recommendation. Don’t wait until the last minute.
· BE ORGANIZED
Keep all relevant information in one place so you can review deadlines and requirements often.
· FOLLOW DIRECTIONS
Fill out forms correctly, don’t miss deadlines, supply all requested information, and proofread.
FINANCIAL AID CALCULATORS AND ESTIMATORS
o To figure out how to pay for college, the College Board offers an interactive College Financing Calculator at www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/
o To project your and your family’s contribution, ACT offers The Financial Aid Need Estimator at www.actstudent.org
o To determine how much salary is needed to make the payment on a current and future student loan debt and how much can be borrowed based on future expected earnings, use the Debt/Salary Wizard at
www.mapping-your-future.org/apps/debtwizard/
BE AWARE OF
SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS
Don’t pay for help to find money to pay for college. Telemarketers and advertised financial aid seminars are making attempts to get students and parents to pay for financial aid advice and scholarship searches. Financial aid advice is free, so never give in to their high pressure tactics or to any of the following claims:
Ø “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
Ø “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
Ø “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”
Ø “We’ll do all the work for you.”
Ø “The scholarship will cost some money.”
Ø “You’ve been selected by a National foundation to receive a scholarship”, or “you’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.
Ø “Buy now or miss this opportunity for available scholarships.”
Ø “Millions of dollars in scholarships go unclaimed every year. Don’t you want some of that money?”
Don’t pay for help filing the FAFSA.
There are several websites offering assistance in completing and filing the FAFSA for a fee. Don’t do it. Free assistance is provided by the financial aid offices at colleges and universities, by the US Government at www.fafsa.ed.gov and by me, your guidance counselor and a representative from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
The Federal Trade Commission urges you to avoid doing business with any possible fraudulent companies charging for financial aid advice.
SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY GUIDE
Master the Basics
Pay attention to details for a high quality essay.
Get Organized
Brainstorm to generate some good ideas and then create an outline to help you get started.
Demonstrate originality and creativity
To catch the attention of a panel of scholarship judges, find a hook that will get the reader interested right away.
Show, don’t tell
For example, if you’re describing an activity you participated in; don’t describe it in general terms. Be specific! What affect did it have on your life or the lives of others? What duties did you perform?
Develop a theme that fits the scholarship
What sort of student is the sponsor looking for? Include elements in your essay that complement the sponsor’s expectations (without pretending to be someone you aren’t).
Turn in a professional-looking essay
Write a second draft to catch mistakes and better organize your thoughts. Type and double-space your essay. Check spelling and grammar. Also, share your essay with a friend, family, or teacher for another proofread.
I don’t know what to write about!
Take the intimidation out of the writing essays by turning your achievements, goals and interests into topics:
· Personal Achievements
Remember to personalize your experience. For example, what makes the volunteer and community service you’ve performed unique? Do you still keep in touch with anyone you’ve helped? Talk about specific interactions you may have had with others. How did you influence their lives? How did your achievements reflect your values? Why are your achievements important to you? Remember that judges want to hear from you as a person, not your resume.
· Academic Plans and Possible Major
Instead of saying, “Math is my favorite subject,” discuss a specific assignment or project that you worked on that sparked your interest and why. Avoid saying that you selected a major or career path to “help people”. What specific actions can you take to improve the lives of others? Discuss specific values or ideas you want to develop once you get to college.
· Background and Influences
Is there a person you wish to emulate with your chosen major or career path? Someone who encouraged you to succeed? Focus on specific qualities or actions that the person has inspired in you. Think about your friends and family, community, and the things you’ve learned outside of the classroom. Pick specific people, incidents and learning experiences to write about that will let your personality come through.
SCHOLARSHIPS
LOCAL
Mt. Olive High School Academic Merit Scholarship
$3,500 each (2 will be awarded) April 15
Criteria: academic scholarship, majoring in engineering or medical field
Requirements: completed application, essay, 2 recommendation letters, transcript
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
Mt. Olive High School Memorial Scholarship May 1
$1,000 (2 will be awarded)
Applicant should rank in the top 10 of their senior class by the end of the seventh semester.
The primary purpose of this award is to recognize academic achievement, citizenship,
and career aspirations. The applicant must submit a completed application, an essay
describing career goals, interests, and reasons for choosing their field of study, a written
recommendation from the guidance counselor, principal, or a teacher, and an official
transcript.
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
James Roger Kernich Memorial Scholarship April 1
$500
Criteria: academic scholarship, community service, leadership, especially in church related
activities, biographical statement including purpose of attending college, vocation intentions,
and specific church related activities.
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
Elsie Hubert Band Scholarship
$400 April 15
Criteria: must be a senior member of the Mt. Olive High School band, demonstrate
outstanding instrument proficiency, dedication and service to the band.
Applications are available from the band teacher.
Edward & Rose Boettcher Education Trust Scholarship April 1
$500 - $1500
Preference will be given to a senior pursuing a degree in Home Economics, Mathematics,
Science, or Education and who demonstrates outstanding academic scholarship.
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
Mother Jones Jubilee Scholarship April 15
Tuition and fees
Preference will be given to the descendant of a coal miner.
Requirements: biographical statement including purpose of attending college and vocational intentions.
Criteria: academic abilities, leadership, community service
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
Walter E. Miller Memorial Scholarship May 1
$500
This grant will be given to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic ability, strong
character and who plans to pursue a career in the field of agriculture.
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
Mt. Olive Knights of Columbus Scholarship May 1
$500
Criteria: senior must exemplifies the principles of faith, charity and service. Judging will
be based upon academic performance, leadership abilities, and involvement in school,
community, and church activities.
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
Delta Tau Sorority Medical Scholarship April 15
Applicant must be pursuing a career in the medical field.
Criteria: academic abilities, community service, leadership, strong character.
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
Mt. Olive Veteran’s Scholarship May 1
2 - $500 renewable for 4 years
Preference will be given to a child/grandchild/sibling of a veteran.
Criteria: academic achievement and financial need. Attending 2 or 4-year college.
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
American Legion Post 436 George R. Hutton Scholarship April 15
$500
Criteria: school, community, church activities, and financial need
Applications are available in the Guidance Office.
Illinois Electric Coop Memorial Scholarship (MJM Electiric Cooperative) December 20
7 - $1,250
Parents must be receiving service from the Illinois Electric Cooperative and /or be the
child of an Illinois Electric Cooperative employee.
Criteria: GPA, ACT, work experience, volunteer experience, school and community
activities, biographical statement, essay “Electric Cooperatives”.
Applications are available in the Guidance Office, or visit www.mjmec.coop and click on
Programs and Services – Scholarships for more information.
Madison Communications Company Scholarship March 1
$2500
Applicant /parent must be a customer of Madison Communications’ services (phone, high
speed Internet, or cable tv) and complete an application form, provide 7th semester transcript,
write a 300-word essay, and provide a letter of recommendation. All forms and guidelines are
available by clicking on www.gomadison.com/scholarship