Preparing for Scholarships and Financial Aid – Gladewater High School

Financial Aid Financial Aid means grants and loans. Grants do not have to be paid back. Loans have to be paid back. To receive Financial Aid you must complete the FAFSA. This is completed the SPRING semester of the SENIOR year. Parents must have completed their income tax to complete the FAFSA. It is recommended that you contact Marilyn Richardson with the East Texas Educational Opportunity Center in Longview at for assistance. This is FREE!

FAFSA Do on-line at This is free. Parents must file their income tax prior to completing the FAFSA. Electronically is best and fastest! Register for your PIN # prior to completing the FAFSA. This can be done a few months ahead of time.

FINANCIAL AID Everyone should apply for financial aid even if you think you will not receive anything. MANY SCHOLARSHIPS REQUIRE THIS. Remember, for help, contact Marilyn Richardson or the Financial Aid office at your college/university. You should (and must) reapply for the FAFSA each spring (for the following year)!

SCHOLARSHIPS How do I get a scholarship? The best answer is to apply for them. Apply for every one that you qualify. Keep a scholarship folder. Keep copies of your transcript ready at all times. Get several types of letters of recommendation: educators, business, personal. Keep copies handy at all times. Do a resume NOW. Keep it updated at all times.

Scholarships By having transcripts, letters of recommendations and resumes handy you are ready for scholarship applications at all times. Keep a record of the scholarships for which you apply. If you apply for a scholarship that requires an essay, keep a copy of the essay. The next essay may be similar, or you could use one essay as an introductory paragraph or conclusion for another.

Scholarships Where is the best place to find scholarships? There is no magic source. Never pay someone to find scholarships for you. It should not cost anything to find money. Start with where you plan to attend college. Look at their scholarships. Do you qualify for anything: Academic, Leadership, Athletic, Choir, Band, Cheer, Dance, Yearbook, Newspaper, etc. Can you work on campus?

Scholarships Have your parents inquire at their place of employment. Often there are scholarship opportunities there. How about your church? Many churches offer scholarships to their members. Are you or your parents members of a community organization that provides scholarships? Check into it.

Scholarships What about school activities? There are many school activities at GHS that offer scholarships for their members. Look into that. Be a good solid leader. Are you involved in any organization in school that has scholarship opportunities such as AG, TSA, VICA, UIL? Talk to your sponsors. Find out when the applications are due. Learn what kind of projects are required.

Scholarships Athletic scholarships require registration with the NCAA clearinghouse. Have you done this? (eligiblitycenter.org) Have you spoken with your coach about a highlight tape? How are your grades? What about your behavior and attitude? Choir, dance, cheer, band. There are lots of scholarships opportunities for these activities. They require auditions. You must prepare in advance!

Local Scholarships Local organizations contact the high school on a regular basis, although more often in the spring. A newsletter and scholarship list is provided for you during your senior year. You will receive it in your English or Government class. The information will be posted on the high school website with direct links to the applications and/or websites.

Scholarships Generic Scholarship Application: All senior students should complete a Generic Scholarship Application. These applications are used for local scholarships that do not have their own application.

Scholarships A few free state and nationwide scholarship searches are: – Collegeforalltexans.com – Fastweb.com – Scholarships.com

Loans Sometimes it will still be necessary to get a loan to continue college. There are numerous things to consider before taking out a loan to go to college. Is the loan larger than your first year salary will be? If so, would starting at junior college then transferring help save money?

Loans How certain are you about your career choice? If you are not certain, a junior college for the basics would certainly be a less expensive route to start. Save the loans until you are certain. Basically, be wary of accumulating so much debt that you are still paying off student loans twenty years after college graduation!

College EVERYONE can and does deserve to go to college. There is always a way when there is a desire. Sometimes there just needs to be a bit of creativity and a little sacrifice to get to the big reward at the end! By working together we can make your dreams come true!