Scholarships and financial aid (paying for college) Why Should I financeCollege?

State Funded Scholarships

• Regents Scholarship:
• Base Award (one time payment of $1000)
• Must Take ACT , have a 3.0 GPA and complete the following High School courses with a C or higher:
• 4 credits of English
• 4 progressive credits of mathematics
• 3.5 credits of Social Science
• 3 credits of lab-based Science courses (Bio. Chem. and Physics)
• 2 progressive credits of same World or Classical Language
• Exemplary Award ( $900 per semester for up to 4 semesters) Must attain at least on the ACT, have a cum. GPA of 3.5 or higher and complete required regents courses with a B grade or higher

Scholarships Awarded by University

• Academic Scholarships
• Majority of scholarships come from University/College Endowment funds
• Majority of academic scholarships are available to incoming freshmen only
• Good grades + high ACT/SAT score = $$$$
• Department Scholarships
• Can apply once you have been accepted to University
• Check diversity or multi-cultural departments
• Check with dept. you wish to major in (math, arts, engineering etc.)
• Work, Volunteer or Club based-Scholarships
• Join a club within the college (multi-cultural club)
• Join a volunteer organization within the college (Key Club)
• Apply for Ambassador position

Academic Scholarship Steps

• Select colleges – recommend 3-4
• Visit websites
• Visit the campus if possible
• Talk with department reps
• Online Applications – cost $30-$50
• Can start applying as soon as available
• Avoid fees by attending College application nights or taking campus tour
• Meet deadlines
• Early registration – Dec. 1st
• Late registration – Feb. 1st or March 1st (depending of University)
• Send Transcripts
• Official transcripts must be sent from counseling office

• Understand: Universities and Colleges are businesses.

Academic Scholarship Steps cont.

• Take the ACT or SAT
• Apply for ACT at act.org - $35.00 fee – administered at High School
• SAT is offered at local colleges or universities
• Plan on taking test 2-3 times
• STUDY! STUDY! STUDY!
• Practice tests available at
• utahfutures.org
• act.org
• Google ACT practice exams
• WHS Prep Classes
• Select Colleges for ACT Scores

Helpful Tips

• Apply early – watch deadlines
• Each school evaluates the student differently
• Read all materials issued by the school
• Inform your school of any “special circumstances”
• Always keep copies

Writing Scholarship Essays (Create a Portfolio)

• “Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” A.A. Milne

• Service/Extra-curricular Activities
• Create resume (leadership, athletic, performing arts, volunteer, jobs, awards etc.)
• Be specific, Be Complete (list all hours of service and all activities)
• Me in 30-seconds
• Brief personal intro. that lists reasons for applying
• list of 3-4 qualifications that show you meet the requirements
• character traits or personal skills that set you apart from other applicants
• Letters of Recommendation – 3 to 5 letters
• Ask for electronic version
• Complete Letter of Recommendation form and give to recommenders

Private Scholarships

• www.whsalpineschools.org
• Counseling link
• https://www.utahfutures.org/
• http://www.zinch.com/
• http://www.fastweb.com/

Types of Private Scholarships

• Burger King, Coca Cola, Rotary Club, Key Club, Wendy’s Heisman, Jiffy Lube, IM Flash
• Sterling Scholar
• Hoby Scholarship
• Congressional Award

It Takes Time and Effort

• First scholarship is the hardest
• Verify qualifications
• You will sort through hundreds of scholarships
• Be Diligent
• Set goals
• Set time to work on finding and applying
• Find a mentor and helpers
• someone who will follow up with you, encourage
• you, and support you
• Someone who will help research and sort

Student Employment

• Part-time employment
• on campus
• designated off-campus locations
• Student Ambassador (U of U)
• Questions to Ask
• When are jobs available?
• How does a student secure a job?

College Classes in High School

• AP Classes
• Classroom in High School
• Taught by High School teacher
• Test required for college credit
• Credits earned dependent on test score ($75-$85 fee per test)
• Distant Education
• Enroll with UVU (one time payment of $35)
• Classroom in High School
• Taught by UVU professor
• Live Interactive Setting
• Earn 3 college credits per class
• Concurrent Enrollment
• Enroll with UVU (one time payment of $35)
• Classroom in High School
• Taught by High School teacher
• Earn 3 college credits per class

Questions?