With the cost of a college education increasing each year, some people might say that a degree is no longer worth the time or the money it takes to earn one. It’s not uncommon to hear the horror stories about students who are drowning in student loan debt. Some students are leaving college with as much as $20,000, $40,000, or more in debt. Our economy has definitely not helped the situation, either. It’s no wonder many high school students are re-considering the value of a college education.
But for those who think an education doesn’t matter, consider this – Read the rest of this entry »
Those who know me can attest to the fact that my closest is comprised of mainly two colors: teal and black. Why? I am a die-hard Jacksonville Jaguar fan (let the London Jaguar and other jokes commence). Regardless of their record on the field (it’s been a rough year so far), I remain true to my team. I may not be your typical football fan, as I do not attend the games for the gridiron action. Instead, I am a season ticket owner because I choose to support a team that has given so much to my community. Like many major league teams, the Jaguars provide financial support to local hospitals, charities and educational programs. Whether it’s the National Football League (NFL) or Major League Baseball (MLB), sports organizations across the country are stepping up to help local students achieve their dreams of a college education. Here’s a sample of how some of the teams are giving back. Read the rest of this entry »
In the world of scholarships, winning a full-ride or ‘Big Money’ scholarship is akin to capturing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Similar to that goose, finding and keeping one of these awards can be a little tricky. You have to know where to look and you have to possess the right ‘tools’ to win. Although many of the largest, most prestigious awards are merit-based, there are several programs that offer big rewards for other skills and talents, such as writing or artistic abilities. And surprisingly, not all of the programs are just for high school seniors; some cater to middle school students and non-traditional students. So, where are these elusive ‘Big Money’ awards? Grab your net and get ready, as we go on the hunt for scholarship programs that offer BIG rewards. Read the rest of this entry »
Over the last few weeks, I have been receiving several questions on Facebook, Twitter and other forums from parents and students about financial aid. Many of the questions were about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which I addressed in Part 2 of this series, but an even greater number of questions were submitted about scholarships. Many students voiced their concerns about the pressure they feel from their parents to locate scholarships and win awards. I got the impression that these students felt like they were drifting in the ocean without any way of staying afloat. Fortunately, they were not alone in their fears, as I received several similar questions. Here are some of the most common concerns students shared regarding the scholarship process. Read the rest of this entry »
The second part of this series focuses on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as many parents and students often find this to be one of the most confusing aspects of the college financial aid process. Students often miss out on free money for college because they feel intimidated by the form or don’t understand how the information is being used by colleges. The following questions, which were submitted by our followers on Facebook, Twitter and other forums, will hopefully shed some light on the subject and help you understand the importance of completing the FAFSA each year. Read the rest of this entry »
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping many parents and students navigate through the world of college financial aid. It’s always a pleasure to steer people in the right direction. In fact, it’s what I love most about my job. Let’s face it; figuring out where to find financial aid and how to get it can seem like an impossible task sometimes. Who’s eligible? What makes one scholarship essay better than another? How much is available? These are all are great questions that repeatedly come up, but in the world of financial aid, there are no stupid questions. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be answering many of the questions I have received on Facebook, Twitter and other financial aid forums this year. I hope that sharing these responses will help make your experiences with financial aid a little easier and a lot less intimidating. Read the rest of this entry »
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. was named after the 19th century author Horatio Alger, Jr., who captivated readers with tales of how he overcame adversity through perseverance and moral conviction. Association members believe that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer any obstacle. Through the organization’s scholarship program (one of the largest in the country), members encourage students to pursue their own version of the American Dream, as well as help students realize the importance of service to others. The members of the Horatio Alger Association also work directly with students to provide the support, education and confidence needed to attain their goals.
Each year, 104 students receive a $20,000 scholarship through the national program, and hundreds more receive assistance through the various state programs. Students must meet the following eligibility to be considered for either a state or national award:
♦ Must be a high school senior planning to graduate in the spring/summer of 2013
♦ Plan to enroll in college in the fall of 2013
♦ Must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher
♦ Show critical financial need (family income of $50,000 or lower)
♦ Must be involved in community or co-curricular activities
♦ Demonstrate the ability to overcome adversity
♦ Must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher
♦ Must be a U.S. citizen
To learn more about this program and other scholarship opportunities that may be perfect for you, register for your free account with ScholarshipExperts.com today!
October has always been one of my favorite months; the temperature starts to cool, the leaves begin to change color, and my favorite pumpkin treats starting popping up everywhere! It’s also one of the busiest months of the year for charity fundraisers and awareness events. October hosts Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lupus Awareness Month, National Diabetes Month, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Phew! That’s a lot of walks and runs. Of course, most children (and some of us adults too!) are also interested in another celebration this month…Halloween! Everywhere I turn, a Reese’s peanut butter cup or Sugar Daddy is staring me in the face. Good thing I have all those charity events to help burn off the calories. With everything that is going on this month, it’s pretty easy to get sidetracked and neglect some of the other important tasks in our lives…like finding scholarships. So, consider the following list of October scholarships my treat to you! Read the rest of this entry »
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