PROJECT TOPICS: August 2016

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Advice To Students Applying For College Scholarships And Financial Aid

School guidance counsellors and university financial aid experts say it is never too early to start planning

Private schools often have more money available for academic aid than public schools

All college-bound students are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).

The beginning of a new school year for most students means catching up with friends after the long summer break and returning to a busy routine of juggling school, homework and an array of extracurricular activities.

But for many high school students, it should be a time to look ahead a year or more, to when back-to-school will mean starting college.

With the rising cost of higher education and the growing prevalence of recent college graduates smothered by debt, school guidance counsellors and university financial aid experts say it is never too early to start planning. Taking the time to write scholarship essays and fill out the necessary paperwork could make the difference between reducing the cost of a college education or paying retail.

While scholarships are regarded as the gold standard to help pay for college tuition, they are not the only way — and may not even be the most lucrative. Students and their families who take the time to explore the options to paying for college are the ones who are most likely to score the biggest bonanza, according to experts.

“We encourage our students to start this process early,” says Jennifer Fleming, director of guidance and counselling for the Keller school district. “We tell freshman and sophomores that it isn’t too early to start looking. Filing out scholarship applications can be a full-time job.”

While many websites provide information on scholarship information, the Keller school district subscribes to a site called College Guidance Consultants that lists of hundreds of scholarship opportunities that are often not found on other sites, particularly scholarships just for Texans. The district provides its login code to every student in the district, Fleming says.

Many scholarship applications require an essay, but some prefer a poem or a video. The scholarship opportunities range from the $500 “Race to Inspire” essay contest for runners who have participated in a 5K, 10K, half marathon or marathon to the “VFW Voice of Democracy Contest” that awards up to $30,000 for an audio essay on a patriotic theme.

script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"> There are also scholarships for students from every ethnic or religious group as well as scholarships for students pursuing just about every career path from law to medicine to manufacturing and mortuary science.

Beyond these scholarships, local organizations such as the Keller Rotary Club and the Keller Education Foundation give scholarships to Keller students.

While these scholarship opportunities are abundant, most award up to about $1,500, which doesn’t go far in paying for a college education — much less a first semester of tuition, Fleming says.

But a more lucrative approach is to be flexible and consider options that offset the cost of college rather than finding extra money to pay for it.

The top college destination for Keller school graduates is Tarrant County College, followed by the University of North Texas, Fleming says. Some students complete two years at TCC and then transfer while others choose UNT to commute or because it is reasonably priced compared to other colleges and universities.

“Many of our students are looking to save money and this is the way to do it,” she says.

Many budget-minded students rule out schools like Baylor or Texas Christian University because of the sticker shock of about $60,000 a year for school.

But students might be wise to consider a private school because those students often have more money available for academic aid than public schools.

“Private schools generally have large endowments from generous alumni and donors,” says Mike Scott, TCU’s director of financial aid.

TCU awards about $10 million a year in state and federal aid and has a budget of about $100 million a year in private money to award, Scott says. By comparison, UNT awards about $39 million a year in scholarships, according to financial aid advisors for the school.

Recognizing that TCU is very expensive and beyond the reach of students from middle-class families who don’t quality for federal aid, the university created a grant program specifically for middle-class students, Scott says.

“We tell prospective students, ‘Don’t make a decision that you can’t afford it,’ “ he says. “Make a decision to apply for admission and scholarships.”

Often times, grants and scholarships from private schools can reduce the cost to the price of a public university education, Scott says.

Fleming says she helped a former student in his college search that resulted in a full scholarship to a small private college in Kansas — a school that wasn’t even on his radar.

“It can pay off to be flexible and consider different options,” she says. Guidance counsellors in all Keller high schools can help with these searches.

Although UNT is one of the more affordable options in higher education, it still can be a financial stretch for many students. As a result, the university offers many opportunities for students, including federal aid, school administered scholarships and a vast work-study program with many different types of on-campus jobs.

And like other Texas schools of higher education, UNT has an incentive that reimburses some tuition money to students who graduate within four years.

The best chance to land scholarship money from UNT is to “apply for admission early and fill out a really simple scholarship application,” says Lisa Goodwin, assistant director of scholarships at UNT.

Experts also advice all students seeking scholarships, financial aid or loans to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA). Even students not seeking financial assistance are encouraged to complete the FASFA as insurance in case of an unforeseen.

Ed Turney, director of customer service and scholarships at UNT, recalls a student whose father lost his job mid-semester, leaving the student unable to meet financial payments. Because the student had an FASFA on file, UNT was able to quickly help the student obtain financial assistance.

Experts says another helpful way for students to offset the cost of college is by taking advantage of opportunities such as advancement placement and dual credit classes in high schools. Because of changes in state laws, it is easier than ever for students to obtain college credits this way and the Texas Education Agency requires every public high school in Texas to offer students the opportunity to earn at least 12 dual credits. Dual credits simultaneously apply toward high school graduation and college credit.

“We have students come here with the equivalent of an associate’s degree,” Turney says. “Dual credit classes help students bridge the transition between the expectation of high school and college classes so they have a benefit beyond saving money.”

Expert tips for paying for college

• Explore scholarship opportunities early using tools such as the College Guidance Consultants website with login access available to every Keller ISD student.

• Apply for school admission early and fill out school scholarship forms.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).

• Keep your options open and consider private colleges and universities that have abundant financial resources.

• Employers such as American Airlines offer scholarships to children of their employees. The University of North Texas and other schools offer tuition assistance to employees and their children.

• Take advantage of opportunities such as dual credit and advanced placement to earn college credit in high school. Financial aid is also available for dual classes offered through community colleges.

• Consult high school guidance counselors and college financial aid advisors for help and to identify resources.

• Avoid paying for scholarship searches; high school guidance and college financial aid offices can provide the same information — or more — for free.

>>Marice Richter is a freelance writer from Grapevine who has a son in college herself.

Source: http://www.star-telegram.com/living/keller-magazine/article97592857.html#storylink=cpy

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

7 Great Pieces of Scholarship Advice for Current College Students

Look into various scholarship sources; visit with your high school guidance counselor; plead with your school's financial aid office; track your education costs religiously; and consider student loans and part-time jobs. These are some of the most helpful tips that ValuePenguin received from current college students regarding the financing of a college education. While noting that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to figuring out how to pay for tuition and other expenses, the following seven students shared with us their experience and made a recommendation to their future classmates. Read on to learn more.
1. University of Notre Dame business major Benjamin Fouch had promised his parents that he would pay for college by himself.

"As a result, I spent most of my senior year applying for scholarships. I was fortunate enough to receive enough funding to attend free of charge." I highly recommend that students take a very strategic view to applying scholarships. Look for local, high school and county scholarships as they have less competition. Then look to scholarships to the top schools that you are applying to so as to make very detailed and focused applications. In doing so, you dramatically increase your chances of receiving aid."

2. Manhattan College Mechanical engineering major Antoneta Rukaj mainly financed her schooling through scholarship.
"And something to note: If you feel as though your hard work merits more scholarship, write a letter to the financial aid committee explaining all of your accomplishments and what you bring to the school. You may be awarded more money."
3. Brooklyn College audiology major Christie Leung is a first-generation student studying in America.
"As an international student, I have to worry about my living expenses in addition to the alarmingly high out-of-state tuition. Thus, I applied to various scholarships which can help ease the financial burden on my parents.

"Furthermore, since I came to the U.S., I got into the habit of recording my monthly expenses so I can keep track of what I spend and how I spend it. Keeping a monthly record also encourages me to save up. It does not have to be a lot but the purpose of saving up is to remind myself not to overspend my budget."
4. Warner University biology major Victoria Stevenson took a piecemeal approach to applying for scholarships.

"I am a recipient of Warner’s Presidential Scholarship and several Florida state grants and scholarships including the Florida Resident Access Grant and Bright Futures. I also received several small local scholarships, such as the rotary club and a stipend for participating in the college band. I plan to tutor next fall at Warner and will receive a stipend from the school. My high school posted a list of scholarships that students could apply for, but I did not qualify for most of them so I looked at different places for scholarship money.
"My guidance
counselors in high school were instrumental in helping me find scholarships. They gave me a list of scholarships that I qualified for and told me how to apply for them. I definitely recommend seeing a guidance counselor if a student needs scholarship money."
5. Oxnard College dental hygiene major Shakari Russell has relied, in part, on student loans.
"Student loans are what most students use to help finance their education costs, along with financial aid, savings and scholarships. The financial aid office on campus can help you determine what you will need."
6. University of Iowa audiology major Kelsey Dumanch has discovered multiple ways to fund her tuition costs.
"I am financing my education through a variety of sources: scholarship as a research assistant; working on the weekends; student loans as necessary to cover the rest. The most helpful resources are talking to the financial aid department at your school. All universities have loan counselors, financial aid specialists that are able to help connect you to loans and to job opportunities at your university. I would also say that once you have been accepted to a program, network with people within your program, as they often opportunities available or connections to those who do."

7. Ohio State University dental hygiene major Lauren Dennis faced the battle of financing an out-of-state education price.
"This past year I was able to receive the Yardley Family Scholarship in dental hygiene. I cannot even begin to describe how much this has helped to relieve financial burden from me and my parents. I also work two jobs throughout the year, which definitely took some getting used to once I started the program.

"I think it is important for students everywhere to use online sources to seek out scholarships. You never know what you can find on the internet, and there are many schools that offer an online application that will allow you to apply for multiple scholarships that you are eligible for. Being a part of a professional program, such as the American Dental Hygienists' Association, has its perks as well when it comes to searching for scholarships."

Source: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/7-pieces-of-scholarship-advice-from-current-college-students-cm668648#ixzz4IAMrE9lA

related Articles:
1. http://findprojecttopics.blogspot.com.ng/2016/07/requirements-for-teaching-overseas.html

2. http://findprojecttopics.blogspot.com.ng/2016/03/scholarship-for-public-schools-in.html

3. https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2233218905014157635#editor/target=post;postID=2470524155478318076;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=0;src=postname

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Imparting On Nigeria Economy: David Oyelowo's Scholarship For Nigerian Girls

Importance Of Scholarship

1. College costs a lot more than it used to:

According to a 2010 Trends in College Pricing report by College Board US, since the year 2000, public four-year tuition and fees have increased more than 5 percent annually above inflation.

2. The economy stinks, and your parents have no money:

Well, hopefully that's not 100 percent accurate, but there's definitely some truth to that statement. While parents still very much value contributing to their children's college tuition, the amount that families can afford to contribute has declined. A study commissioned by lender Sallie Mae and conducted by Gallup found that the number of families who planned to cover few if any college costs had risen while the number of parents expecting to cover more than half of the costs had dropped.

3. The cost of college living is way to high:

Many students attend lectures from their parents or guardian home. this already has a lot of disadvantages. Unless you plan on living at home and commuting to school—a very good option for a lot of college students—plan on paying a lot more than your older brother or sister paid for your apartment, food, books and supplies. All of these things have gotten more expensive.

5. People owe a lot of money:

According to the Institute for College Access and Success, the average college graduate has acquired $24,000 in student loans by the time they graduate, and that figure is likely to increase.

Nigerian economy being what it is today is crumbling owing to corruption and crises from different region of the country. Hence, who care how the students are faring in this current state.

To that end, the “International renowned Nigerian born British actor, David Oyelowo” want to help spearhead a scholarship which aims to ensure that young Nigerian girls have the necessary requirements to excel in their endeavours. In partnership with the LA-based nonprofit organization, GEANCO, the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship for Girls will specifically support female victims of terror attacks (i.e. internally displaced persons) and gender-based inequality.
Oyelowo said that his scholarship was inspired by Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, and that he was propelled to action following the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, northeast Nigeria.

“For me, being of Nigerian descent myself, being a father to a daughter, I just feel so drawn to this particular group of girls in Nigeria who have been disenfranchised, who have been attacked, and having their very basic rights stolen from them,” Oyelowo said during an interview with The Huffington Post. “And so, forming this partnership to start this scholarship that is going to have actual direct impact to girls who have been displaced through these acts of terror, is something that was kind of a no brainer for me, because I’ve been looking for places to be effective rather than just be angry about some of the injustices that I see in the world.”
The scholarship, which started with preliminary plans in August 2015, has so far been funded by the likes of The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, Participant Media and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon.
This year three recipients will be awarded a full scholarship for the 2016-2017 school year at the Anglican Girls Grammar School in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
Afam Onyema, GEANCO co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, has high hopes for the scholarship, which is an extension of GEANCO’s dedicated work to support the vulnerable within Nigeria.
“My dream eventually is to have this scholarship be regarded in the same way that the Rhodes Scholarship is,” Onyema told HuffPost. “I want these girls to become the president of Nigeria, and I want their bio to be, ‘and she was a David Oyelowo Leadership scholar.’”

“I want to instill that sense of dignity into these girls and say, ‘whatever you wanna do we’re gonna help empower you to do it. And we’re gonna walk with you for as long as we possibly can to help you live the life that you deserve to live,’” Onyema added.
Oyelowo is committed not just to high-quality education for Nigeria’s next generation, but he hopes to address other pervasive issues in the African country that are close to his heart, including human trafficking and gender inequality.
“I have a daughter and I want the world that she goes on to grow up in to be a leveled playing field,” he said. “And so, those are the issues that are close to me and hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to do my part.”

A life worthy of Emulation. How I wished the likes of the "so-called rich politician" who are interested in embezzling the limited resources of the state for their selfish interest; will borrow a leaf from this young Nigerian.

Today, Oyelowo's name is being written in the sands of time; and posterity will continue to remember him and others that are imparting positively in the lives of young Nigerians and Africa at large.