THE DYNAMICS OF FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS What is Financial Aid and how to search for scholarship opportunities through Naviance CMHS Guidance Department Presents:

OVERVIEW-WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAY 1.What are the costs of college? 2.What is Financial Aid? 3. What is FAFSA? 4. Who Wins Scholarships? 5. Basic Strategies for Winning Scholarships 6. Searching for Scholarships using Naviance 7. Being Aware of Scams 8. Key Scholarship Resources

YOU’VE BEEN ACCEPTED TO COLLEGE!! THAT IS GREAT!!!! NOW IT’S TIME TALK ABOUT HOW YOUR TUITION, ROOM & BOARD, AND EXTRA EXPENSES ARE GOING TO GET PAID FOR!!!

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID? Financial aid is money that can help you pay for college. Some aid needs to be PAID BACK EARNED, and some aid is A GIFT. It is intended to make up the difference between what your family can afford to pay and what college costs. More than $185 billion in aid is available to all kinds of people!!

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE

LET’S TALK ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS!!! FREE $

WHO WINS SCHOLARSHIPS & WHERE CAN I FIND THEM? Scholarships are available to students for many reasons: Sports Community and Volunteer Service Academics After-school or summer jobs Talents (artistic) Unusual criteria (left/right handed, eye color, ethnicity) Special Interests (hobbies, club membership, activities, etc.) SEARCHING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! Utilize Naviance for your scholarship search ◦ Local Scholarships ◦ National Scholarships Who to ask about scholarship opportunities:  High school guidance counselor  Employer connections  Community organizations Scholarships are awarded by: Foundations Corporations and labor unions Churches, clubs, and groups Individuals Government Colleges

STRATEGIES FOR WINNING SCHOLARSHIPS You can’t win if you don’t apply ◦ One in four students never apply for financial aid ◦ Make sure you read the qualification requirements. Only spend time on applications you actually qualify for. Apply early and often ◦ Search for scholarships early so you have enough time to gather all required documents ◦ Allow plenty of time It gets easier after your first 6 applications ◦ Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application Meet the deadline and be organized ◦ Prioritize your applications by deadline and the expected value of the scholarship ◦ Use a calendar and checklist ◦ Late applications are not considered Answer all questions Write “does not apply” if not applicable Do not leave blanks Read and follow the instructions Be truthful-scholarships can be revoked

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TIPS Use a professional address, such as Clean up the content of your Facebook and twitter account, or any other social media source, by removing inappropriate and immature material Google your name to see what shows up Make a photocopy of your application before mailing it Send the application by certified mail, return receipt requested or with delivery confirmation

MOST COMMON APPLICATION MISTAKES Missing deadlines Failing to proofread the application Failing to follow directions (essay length, number of recommendations) Omitting required information Applying for an award when you don’t qualify Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor

BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS If you have to pay money to get money, it is probably a scam Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships or to apply for a scholarship Sites that tells you "We'll do all the work“ Legitimate companies never guarantee scholarships Do not give out personal information like bank account numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers

KEY SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES Connection.naviance.com/cretemonee Collegeboard.org Zinch.com ScholarshipPoints.comCheck out these nine scholarship website s in more detail below Cappex.com ScholarshipExperts.com SuperCollege.com NextStudent.com StudentScholarships.org Utilize Twitter and Facebook usefully

Turn in all scholarship award letters to the guidance office. Seniors will be acknowledged in the graduation program for all scholarships awarded.