So Many Scholarships!

Check out this link for a list of 50 scholarship opportunities:  Spokeo Top 50 Scholarships

The scholarships are listed by deadline and amount.  There is the potential of a lot of money here - don't miss out on this opportunity!

South Carolina Honors College Writing Contest

Cash Awards: $1000, $500, $250

All finalists will receive

• lunch with the judges and tours of USC Libraries' Special Collections
• autographed books by SC writers
• editing by professional and academic editors
• publication in a USC Press young writers anthology

Judged by

• Pat Conroy, New York Times best-selling author
• Marjory Wentworth, SC Poet Laureate

How to Enter

In 750 words or less, writing in any genre or combination of genres (essay, short story, poem, etc.), answer the following question:

"How should we improve the state of South Carolina?"

Eligibility

• Open to South Carolina high school juniors and seniors
• Must be a resident of South Carolina

Deadline: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2014

For more information, visit SCHC.sc.edu/writing-contest.

 

College Visits this Week

College Admissions Counselors from Anderson University and Bob Jones University will be at SFCS on Thursday, October 16th.  Stop by the Library during 7th Period to meet the representatives and learn about these schools.  (Bob Jones is bringing donuts!)

Also, don't forget to check out the Scholarships Page on the blog.  We update this page with scholarship opportunities all the time, and there is a lot of available money out there to help fund your college experience.  If you need more information about any of the scholarships, visit us in the Student Services Office, and we can help you out!

Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarship

The Watson-Brown Foundation, a Georgia nonprofit corporation, operates one of the larges college scholarship programs in the state.  Students from eighteen counties in Georgia and South Carolina are eligible to apply for the Watson-Brown Foundation scholarship, including Greenville county!

Individual awards range from $3000 to $5000 a year and are given on the basis of merit and need to students who attend 4-year, accredited, non-profit colleges.  Watson-Brown Foundation Scholars attend over 120 different colleges and universities throughout the United States.  Scholarships are renewable for a student's first four years of undergraduate education.

Students must complete and submit this online application by February 15, 2015.  The 2015-2016 Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarship Application is available on their website: www.watson-brown.org/scholarship.

EVERY Shannon Forest senior should apply for this scholarship!  This is a great organization and an amazing scholarship, and we highly recommend that everyone apply.

Please feel free to stop by Student Services for more information about this scholarship or with questions about the application process.

Applying to Charleston Southern?

Charleston Southern University is waiving the online application fee through December 31, 2014!  If you are looking for another school to apply to, this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

Admissions Counselor Visits for Week of September 22

Monday, September 22

Appalachian State University @ 7th-8th Period

Berry College @ 7th-8th Period

Georgia State University @ 7th-8th Period

Liberty University @ 7th-8th Period

(US Library)

Tuesday, September 23

Montreat College @ 4th & Lunch (Student Services)

Oglethorpe University @ 7th-8th Period (US Library)

Belmont Abbey College @ 8th Period (US Library)

Thursday, September 25

Catawba College @ HS Lunch

St. Andrews University @ HS Lunch

(Lunchroom)

Leadership Opportunity for Sophomores

Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership

Empower ~ Lead ~ Excell

Leaders are not simply born.  They're chosen, nurtured, and developed.

HOBY's flagship program, the State Leadership Seminar, is designed to empower high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, and community.  Your high school's selected student attends our three- or four-day seminar to participate in hands-on leadership activities, meet leaders in your state, and explore personal leadership skills, while learning how to lead others and make a positive impact in the community.  

Every spring, nearly 10,000 high school sophomores from across the country are chosen to represent their high schools in HOBY State Leadership Seminars.  Your student will have a life-changing experience and develop leadership skills which will serve him/her long into the future!

Register at www.hoby.org or call 818-851-3980x400.  Log in to see your seminar date, location, and registration fee.

Guaranteed Acceptance date of DECEMBER 5, 2014.  (Registrations submitted after this date are accepted on a space-available basis.)

If you are interested in being considered for this leadership experience, please stop by the Student Services Office to pick up more information.

Desired Leadership Characteristics:

• outstanding oral and/or written communication skills
• critical and/or creative thinking
• creative problem solving
• strong decision-making skills
• sensitivity to the needs or concerns of others
• charismatic personality (others gravitate towards him or her)
• courage to speak out for one's beliefs
• courage to challenge authority
• participation and/or interest in community service activities

College Visits for Week of September 15th

Monday, September 15

Presbyterian College @ 4th Period & Lunch

University of Alabama @ 4th Period & Lunch

(Room 113)

Tuesday, September 16

Texas Christian University @ Lunch

(Room 102)

Thursday, September 18

Southern Wesleyan University @ Lunch

(Room 102)

Military Academy Day 2014

Saturday, September 27th

National Advocacy Center  ~ 1620 Pendleton Street ~ Columbia, SC

9:30am - doors open and registration begins

10:30am-12pm - official program

Students in grades 8th-12th are invited to attend and learn more about life at a Service Academy as well as the application and nomination process.

No cost to attend - dress is business casual and JROTC cadets are welcome to wear their uniforms, if they wish.

Program includes the following presentations - 

US Air Force Academy

US Coast Guard Academy

US Merchant Marine Academy

US Military Academy at West Point

US Naval Academy

ROTC

Afterwards, visit information tables and meet with the various representatives.

RSVP by September 19th - militaryacademyday2014@lgraham.senate.gov

Seating is limited so you must register to attend.

Please call (803)933-0112 with any questions.

Hosted by US Senator Lindsey Graham in partnership with the SC Congressional Delegation

College Admissions Counselor Visits to SFCS

This year, the Office of College Counseling has lined up quite a few visits from college admissions counselors.  The majority of these visits will be in the month of September with a few in October and November.  This is a GREAT opportunity for you to learn about a bunch of colleges and universities and meet the admissions counselor who may be reading your application.  We will notify you before their visit and direct you to where they are set up.

Please, please, please come to meet these admissions counselors.  They are friendly people who truly want to get to know you.  (And, they often have free give-aways...)

Here is the schedule for this week:

Tuesday, September 9 

Columbia College @ 11:30 am

Wednesday, September 10

Wofford College @ 11:30 am

Furman University @ 2:00 pm

**As an additional incentive, we may be giving away prizes to the Junior and Senior who stop to talk to the most number of college admissions counselors.

September College Information Sessions

Exploring College Options

Duke - Georgetown - Harvard - Penn - Stanford

Sunday, September 28, 2014

7:30 PM

Greenville Marriott 

1 Parkway East

Greenville, SC 29615

864.297.0300

RSVP at www.exploringcollegeoptions.org.

________________________________________________________________

Savannah College of Art and Design

Explore your future at SCAD.  Attend an information session in your area to learn more about our programs, engage in a hands-on workshop, and meet one-on-one with an admission adviser.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Register to attend at SCAD.edu/yourarea.

Admissions Information Session

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions invites prospective students and their parents to attend a presentation about Washington University in St. Louis.  We will acquaint you with academic programs, life on campus, and how to apply for admission and financial assistance at Washington University.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

4:00-5:00 PM

Greenville Marriott

1 Parkway East

Greenville, SC 

No reservations are needed.  For additional information, please call us at (800) 638-0700 or (314) 935-6000.

There may be other information sessions in your area.  Please visit admissions.wustl.edu for details.

USC's Application Requirements Update

Our office received the following letter from the admissions office at the University of South Carolina.  We want you to be up-to-date on admissions policies, and thought we would pass the information along.  

_____________________________

Dear College Counselors, 

The University of South Carolina admissions office has changed its high school transcript policy. Our primary reason for this is to encourage students to take greater ownership of the application process. We also expect this change will increase transparency in the process while reducing the administrative burden imposed on college counselors throughout the college application season.

High school seniors who complete the freshman application for the University of South Carolina are now required to self-report their high school academic record for grades 9-12. Additionally, they must upload an electronic copy of their high school transcript in JPG, PDF or Word formats. This may drive an increase in requests from your students for their transcripts, particularly near deadlines (October 15, November 15 and December 1).

We no longer require an official high school transcript during the preliminary application evaluation phase. If we need an official transcript, we will instruct the student to contact you about forwarding an official copy. In the meantime, please provide an electronic copy to each of your students who request one so they can complete their online application. We will continue to request official, final high school transcripts from your office after May 1, once we know which students have confirmed their plans to attend USC.

To help you and your students better understand the USC application process, we’ve prepared a How to Apply guide. You may download a PDF version athttp://sc.edu/admissions/admissionspdfs/how_to_apply_guide.pdf. For questions about how students should self-report their transcripts online, watch this brief and informative video:http://youtu.be/kYji1WTs3i4 -- and please share these links with your students.

Thanks for your help and let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

University of South Carolina

Wendy's High School Heisman

Wendy's is looking for the next class of remarkable students who excel in academics, athletics, and community involvement.  The 2014 Wendy's High School Heisman award application process is underway.  Now through October 3, 2014, class of 2015  graduating seniors can apply at www.wendyshighschoolheisman.com.

To be eligible, a student must have maintained at least a 'B' grade point average, participated in one of the 27 sports officially sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations, and demonstrated active involvement in his or her community.

National Winners receive:

• Recognition during ESPN's national telecast of the college Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation in New York City
• A Wendy's High School Heisman trophy and Heisman Patch
• $10,000 for their high school
• $500 Wendy's gift card

The Wendy's High School Heisman program is truly a stepping stone toward high achievements, and with college admissions growing more selective, a national award of this caliber can help students stand out.  You may also 'like' Wendy's High School Heisman on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wendyshighschoolheisman for program updates and to connect with alumni!

DEADLINE:  October 3, 2014

**Added bonus: the first 25,000 completed applications will receive a $10 Wendy's gift card!

Scholarship Opportunity

Are you an actor, artist, dancer, filmmaker, designer, musician, photographer, singer, songwriter, or writer, age 15-18 or in grades 10-12?  YoungArts has changed the lives of more than 20,000 young artists like you.  How?

Cash awards up to $10,000 with $500,000 given annually - more than $150 million in college scholarships facilitated - Exclusive path to US Presidential Scholars in the Arts - Master classes with renowned artists  - Opportunity to appear in HBO YoungArts MasterClass - Lifetime of professional support and networking

For more information, visit: youngarts.org/apply2015
Deadline: October 17, 2014

Discover Duke University

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

Pratt School of Engineering Open House
Are you interested in robotics, energy conservation devices, signal processing, designing the next generation of skyscrapers or integrating biology and engineering to treat human disease?

Learn more about the unique engineering education we provide at Duke.  Events will include:

• discussions with faculty from our four engineering departments
• tours of campus and engineering facilities
• opportunities to interact with current students and learn about student research
• information on admissions and financial aid

Arts & Humanities Open House

Do you love thinking, creating, and writing?  Do subjects like English, history, foreign language and the arts capture your imagination?  Are you curious to know where a liberal arts degree can take you?

Visit Duke to learn more about our arts and humanities programs for majors and non-majors alike.  Events will include:

• discussions with faculty about arts and humanities programs and how they are integrated into our liberal arts curriculum
• tours of campus, with a special focus on East Campus and our arts and humanities classrooms, studios, and workshops
• opportunities to interact with current students
• information on admissions and financial aid

**For more information, please visit admissions.duke.edu.

Scholarship Opportunity

Danforth Scholars Program honors students who embrace high ideals and whose life choices are guided by personal integrity, selflessness, a commitment to community, and a dedication to leadership and academic excellence.  Danforth scholars may receive full or partial tuition scholarships, renewed each year provided they progress academically and uphold their high standards of character.  This program is open to prospective undergraduate and graduate students applying to Washington University.

Undergraduate students must be nominated to participate in the scholarship selection process. If you are interested in attending Washington University in St. Louis and being considered for this scholarship, please contact Kathryn Taylor in the Student Services Office (ktaylor@shannonforest.com).

Deadline to be nominated: October 10, 2014

Personal Statements

By now, you may be starting your Personal Statements for your college applications.  It's probably everyone's least favorite part of the application process - you have to brag about yourself without sounding too arrogant, too humble, too cliche, or too boring.  And sometimes the essay questions just don't seem to apply to you or your life.  Despite these challenges, the personal statement is one of the most important components of your introduction into college and "real" life.  It is good to have an introspective look at yourself and your accomplishments before you jump into life after high school.  This is also a practical skill that you will use for years to come.  Job interviews will ask you to know your strengths and weaknesses, to give examples of overcoming challenges or conflicts, and how you would be a valuable asset to their company.  These are basically the same questions that a personal statement asks, and, unlike in a job interview, you can take all the time you need to revise, revise, revise.

The Admissions Blog for Vanderbilt University recently posted about the importance of the personal statement.  I have included the blog written by David Lazo below.
_________________________________________________________________________________
#selfie, Old School Style

Even though the age of the #selfie encourages self-promotion, I believe it is still very difficult for most people to write about themselves. When I have the opportunity to share my observations about reading personal statements in Vanderbilt information sessions, I always make time to ask the audience how many of them keep a written log of their internal thoughts. Few do. Unfortunately, I find that many applicants to college wait until the last minute to compose an essay that can be important in a holistic process like ours.

If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, we should be able to write an essay as easily as we take a selfie. In fact, mastering the ability to advocate for oneself through the written form remains difficult, although it is a critical life skill. I believe that the personal statement serves as one of many ‘firsts’ as you enter the adult world. For example, when applying for jobs, I always slave over my cover letter. Word placement. Tone. Brevity. It all matters.

Certainly the stakes surrounding your personal statement may seem high now, but this exercise is just the beginning of many statements to come. It may start with describing your distinctive fit for a college community, but next you’ll find yourself writing a statement for an internship or your first job after college graduation. Or perhaps you’ll decide to pursue graduate school, and, speaking from personal experience, it is just as important for that process. Composing a distinctive personal statement may always be difficult, but with practice, you can get much better at it.

If you are a high school senior, you have many drafts ahead of you. Your summer months should be used to give yourself the time and flexibility to allow your personal statement to evolve. The first draft of your personal statement SHOULD NOT be the one we see. Much like a seedling, personal statements must sprout and grow. With ample watering (read: editing and revisions), your statement will be one that I remember. And if you happen to be in the midst of college searches but still have some time before you compose an official application for admission, just start writing. About anything. Ultimately, it is not just what you say that will impress any admissions officer, but also how you say it that will distinguish you.

A selfie is unique because it is a one-of-a-kind visual of who you are (or would like to be). However, before the selfie there was the good old-fashioned personal statement. You owe it to yourself to stand out in a competitive process like ours. Here is my challenge to you: Put down the camera phone and pick up a pen this summer – it’s time for a selfie, old-school style.

http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/vandybloggers/2014/07/selfie-old-school-style/

How To Attend an Out-of-State University for In-State Tuition

What is it?

The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a tuition-savings program for college students in the 15 SREB member states who want to pursue degrees that are not offered by their in-state institutions.  Students can enroll in out-of-state institutions that offer their degree program and pay the institution's in-state tuition rates.

What states participate in SREB's Academic Common Market?

Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia

Who qualifies?

To qualify, a student must be a resident of an SREB member state, select a participating program that is approved for the Academic Common Market for their state, be admitted unconditionally into that program, and be certified as a resident of his or her home state.

What colleges and universities participate in the Academic Common Market?

More than 100 colleges and universities from all 15 SREB states offer undergraduate and graduate opportunities.  Your home state has determined which institutions and specific programs are available through the ACM.

What programs are available through the Academic Common Market?

More than 1,900 programs are available to eligible students. For a complete list of programs available to residents in your state, visit http://home.sreb.org/acm/choosestate.aspx.


For more information about the Academic Common Market, visit http://www.sreb.org/page/1304/academic_common_market.html.

2014-2015 SAT & ACT Dates

SAT

October 11

November 8

December 6

January 24

March 14

May 2

ACT

September 13

October 25

December 13

February 7

April 18

**Don't forget to bring your #2 pencils!**

What is your favorite book?

So honestly, how many of you genuinely love to read?  Or even like it, for that matter?  I've heard all the excuses...English class ruined reading for me; I just read too slowly; books are boring; and so on.  

I was thinking about what topics could be helpful to you rising seniors as you move towards your final year of high school and the college admissions process looms large, and I thought books would be a great place to land.  So I started hunting, and I came across several articles about how reading really should be a part of your lives.  One article from the Washington Post included a interesting anecdote by the author:

It was late June 1991, and I sat upright on the edge of the plush chair in the admissions office, pictures of brick buildings and cheerful coeds adorning the walls.  Nervously I fidgeted with my hands, being sure to make eye contact as my counselor had instructed.  The admission dean fired off softball questions about my high school in attempt to put me at ease.  I was on Day 5 of my first college tour and every campus was starting to look the same.  As I sat in that office, much like the others before, my mind wandered.  Was I in New York or New Hampshire?

I was jolted back to the moment, as the interviewer smiled and delivered the question.  It was the one question that I still remember 20 some years later.  “What is your favorite book?”  A simple inquiry, but one that stopped me in my tracks.  My mind raced.  ’What does she want to hear?’ ‘Should I go the intellectual route?’  'Should I try and be unique?’  'Does this college count a famous author among their graduates?’   ‘Which college am I at anyway?’ I paused for what seemed like an eternity.  “Mama Day” by Gloria Naylor, I offered.  A story of race, family, tradition and relationships, it was the last book we had read in junior year before school let out for the summer, so weeks later it was the only one stuck in my mind.  It is with great clarity that I recall the answer I gave that summer day.  Maybe because it is when I suddenly realized that college would be about books and studying, not just independence and fraternity parties.  Or perhaps it was the first time I started considering what it means to be a thoughtful reader and when I appreciated the opportunity that the space and time that summer provides to explore fine literature.

"I suddenly realized that college would be about books and studying, not just independence and fraternity parties."  Yes, you actually have to learn while you are at college.  The great thing is that everyone is learning together, so you get to have interesting conversations spanning majors, topics, beliefs, and ideas all the time.  Starting the habit of reading now will aid you in these types of situations.  Reading will help you become more articulate, it will improve your vocabulary, and make you a better writer.  It will open your mind to new ideas and different ways of viewing the world and the people in it.  And, in all honesty, it will help you become a well-rounded, knowledgeable, and interesting person (and who doesn't want that?).  


Where to start?  I always ask my friends, family, and coworkers what they have read recently and enjoyed.  They have given me lots of ideas, and I just keep track of their suggestions so when I go to the library (getting a library card is step #2), I can remember what I want to read next.  I also like to look at the New York Times bestseller lists, or those overly dramatic lists you see about the "Top 100 Books You Must Read Before You Die!".  Scan through the descriptions and pick out the ones that seem most interesting to you. 

All that being said, here are some suggestions for places to start reading:

A summer reading list from college admissions counselors
28 Summer Reading Suggestions from College Admission Experts
My Summer Reading List #dukereads
New York Times Bestsellers
Time Magazine's All-Time 100 Novels
30 Books Every Christian Should Read

Now when you are asked in your college interview or application about your favorite book or the last several books you've read, you will have something interesting to say...proving that your dream school would be lucky to have such a thoughtful, well-rounded person like yourself attend their university.

You Did It!

Congratulations to the Class of 2014!  

We are so proud of all you accomplished and cannot wait to see what God has in store for your lives!

Fun facts about the Class of 2014:

Number of Service Hours logged by the Class of 2014: 9,000

Percentage in National Honor Society: 74%

Percentage as Honor Graduates: 61%

Percentage that participated in athletics: 81%

Number of college acceptances: 67

Furthest Distance: Louisiana State University, 676 miles
Shortest Distance: North Greenville University and Spartanburg Methodist College, 20 miles
Total miles traveled: 2,074

Duke Open House

Duke University is hosting an Open House on Saturday, June 14, 2014.  

Visit admissions.duke.edu for more information.

Summer Program: 2014 Emory Pre-College Program

Discover College Life This Summer!

The Emory Pre-College Program gives rising juniors and seniors in high school an exciting glimpse of academic and residential life at a top-ranked national university.  High school students may enroll in classes with college students, earn transferable college credit, and explore topics with professors who are the leading experts in their fields.  

Students live away from home and experience the independence and responsibility of college life in a safe, secure, and supervised environment.  Students live together in an air-conditioned residence hall on the main Emory campus.  Experienced residence life staff provide supervision and help students make the most of their summer academic experience. 

Credit Courses (six weeks)

• Session 1: May 19-June 27 (commuter only)
• Session 2: June 29-August 9 (residential and commuter)

Non-Credit Courses (two and three weeks)

• Session A: June 29-July 12 (residential and commuter)
• Session B: July 13-July 26 (residential and commuter)
• Session C: July 27-August 9 (residential and commuter)
• Three-Week Institute: July 13-August 2 (residential and commuter)

Apply online at www.precollege.emory.edu. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis.

For more information, contact precollege@emory.edu or 404-727-9279.

Congrats!

Savannah West - Clemson University

Elizabeth Ellis - Wake Forest University and Washington & Lee University

Congratulations!

Madison Allen - University of Georgia and College of Charleston

Elizabeth Ellis - Clemson University and Sewanee: The University of the South

Adam Long - University of South Carolina

Colin Maier - Clemson University, The Citadel, and University of South Carolina

Summer Programs: South Carolina Business Week

Are you interested in going into business?  This might be the summer program opportunity for you!  And it's FREE!  South Carolina Business Week is the premier youth program of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.  The timely and customized curriculum encourages participants to excel as individuals while becoming integral team players.  Learn skills from leaders in business, education and government; CEOs from some of South Carolina's largest corporations; and experts in economics, diversity, communications, international business, management, and research and development.

THE DETAILS
Who: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors (top 1/3 of their class)
When: July 13-18, 2014
Where: Presbyterian College
Cost: $50 application fee (program attendees are sponsored by the business community)
Deadline: APRIL 11, 2014

BONUS
Each year, South Carolina Business Week presents four college scholarships totaling $12,000 to deserving students.  The scholarships are: the S. Hunter Howard, Jr. Business Week Scholarship ($5,000), the Ron McNair Leadership Scholarship ($3,000), the Rawl Family Scholarship ($2,000), and the Chelse Ward Elliott Scholarship ($2,000).  Students who receive one of the first three scholarships must attend an in-state college or university in order to receive the scholarship money.  Students are required to submit a separate scholarship application, which will be mailed to them once they are accepted into the South Carolina Business Week program.

If you are interested in learning more or applying for this program, stop by the Student Services Office in the 100 building.  Or visit http://www.scbusinessweek.com/.

Summer Program: Emerging Public Leaders

Are you a rising senior in high school and interested in getting involved and making a difference in the world?  The Emerging Public Leaders program might be for you!  And it's FREE!  This exciting and innovative program features sessions with local, state, and national governmental leaders as well as members of the faculty of Furman's Department of Political Science.  Students attend lectures, participate in off-campus trips, and interact with speakers and faculty individually and in small-group sessions.  Campus lectures and special sessions will address topics such as community activism, working with the media, international politics, and issues surrounding poverty.  Throughout the week, each student also participates in activities and workshops designed to help them identify a problem or need in their own community and to develop a student-led project addressing this problem or need.

THE DETAILS
Who: rising Seniors
When: June 22-28, 2014
Where: Furman University
Cost: free
Deadline: APRIL 11, 2014

Application: http://riley.furman.edu/
For more information, contact Program Logistics Coordinator, Alexis Sprogis (alexis.sprogis@furman.edu; 864-294-3696).

Summer Programs @ Stanford

Summer Institutes
At Summer Institutes, students ages 14-17 will engage in a 3-4 week intensive study single-subject courses with instructors and peers who share their talents, passions, and interests.  Coursework is tightly integrated with the social experience in academically themed houses.  Courses in areas ranging from biotechnology to entrepreneurship and creative writing are customized to give students deep exposure and hands-on experience.

Summer College
At Summer College, students from around the world ages 16-19 will choose from more than 125 college courses in 30 academic departments, earning undergraduate course credit and an official Stanford University transcript.  Students in the residential and the commuting Summer College programs credit their own course schedules and experience what life is like as undergraduate students at Stanford.

For more information, visit http://spcs.stanford.edu/explore.

...plus you'll get to spend your summer on this beautiful campus!

Preview Days

On April 3rd-4th, Columbia International University is hosting their Preview Days for prospective students.  If you are interested in visiting or someday attending CIU, this is a great place to start!  You will get to spend the night in the dorms, participate in student-lead activities, and see what it’s like to sit in on classes and chapel as well as meet with professors from different degree concentrations.  

For more information or to register, visit http://www.ciu.edu/become-student/how-apply/undergraduate/preview-days. 

For Parents, On Financial Aid

After being accepted by a college or university, the next big hurdle is financial aid.  The Financial Aid process can feel like a maze of details and forms - merit scholarships, need-based scholarships, FAFSA, additional applications, tax information, grants, loans, and on and on.  So how to maneuver through this mess?  Every year, Amber Thompson our registrar, hosts a financial aid meeting with Senior and Junior parents.  This meeting is led by an admissions counselor from a local college and has proved very helpful in years past.  One of the major topics covered at this meeting is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  The federal government and many colleges use the FAFSA as a measurement to determine the amount of financial aid your family would need in order to send a student to college.  Below I have included an article from College Make Simple, a website with tips and tricks for the college application process.  This particular tip is about the importance of filling out the FAFSA even if you think it won't make a difference in your financial aid package.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Dear College Made Simple reader,

Every year, a number of families make a huge mistake.

They don’t fill out and submit their FAFSA.

Some are guilty of simple mistakes – waiting too long to submit their application, not correcting errors in an application – but the majority who make this mistake do it on purpose.

They figure they’re not eligible for financial aid, due to income or savings they think is too high. Why bother doing the application, when there’s no money that will come your way?

If you choose not to fill out a FAFSA – no matter what your situation – you could be shooting yourself in the foot. In today’s College Made Simple report, we explain why…

- Scott

Financial Aid Eligibility: Why It’s Always a Good Idea To Submit the FAFSA

Most people who don’t fill out the FAFSA think they won’t be able to get the money. They could be wrong.

Situations change. Jobs are sometimes lost, health issues sometimes arise that prevent work (or drain savings). A new baby might come into the picture – or, unfortunately, a bread winner might pass.

The future can’t be known – but one thing you can know, if you don’t file a FAFSA, you can’t adapt to changing circumstances. Even if you won’t be eligible for aid today – you might be tomorrow.

Further, many merit scholarships require a FAFSA. So even if you don’t qualify from need, you might qualify thanks to achievement.

Of course, if you don’t fill out a FAFSA, you’ll never find out.

Finally, any student loans you might take out require a FAFSA as well. Even if you’re perfectly capable of affording school – sometimes it makes sense to take out a loan anyway.

In some cases it’s to avoid running down retirement savings – or, perhaps, to give a student a fine lesson in financial life as well, even if just with a token loan.

In short, there are a few good reasons to fill out a FAFSA that have nothing to do with need. And, as a type of insurance, everyone should fill out a FAFSA, just in case a family’s financial fortune takes a sudden turn south.

To your college funding & admissions success,

Scott Weingold

Co-Founder, College Planning Network LLC

Publisher, CollegeMadeSimple.com – The free educational resource of College Planning Network