The Financial Aid Scholar

Transcription

1 The Financial Aid Scholar Financial Aid Director: Rochelle King Associate Director: Linda Sledge Assistant Director: Sherlock McDougald Editor: Zakiya Middleton Co-Editor: Yvonne Joyner Volume VII1, Issue VI1 March 2015-Spring Edition Inside this issue: UNCF Scholarship Opportunities Scholarships listed for High School Seniors (Continued) UNCF Scholarships Opportunities Outside Scholarships Opportunities (Continued) Outside Scholarship Opportunities Senior Exit Counseling Process Work-study payment schedule & job opportunities Night Vision Scholarship Award & Student Testimonials Pell Grant Limit- the maximum Pell Grant award for the Award Year is $5,775, an increase of $45. The corresponding maximum Pell Grant eligible expected family contribution (EFC) for is NC Need-based scholarship award has been reduced by $ The maximum amount that can be received for a zero EFC has changed from $4,100 to $4,000. New Use of Federal Student Aid (FSA) Personal Identification Number (PIN) ID: FSA is adopting the best practices of using a username and password instead of personal information. The FSA ID (username and password) will replace the PIN for students, parents and borrowers accessing FSA systems beginning April 25, Spring 2015 UNCF Scholarship Day Workshop Learn of available UNCF scholarship opportunities, gain knowledge of the scholarship process and apply for scholarships! Date: Tuesday, March 31st Time: 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Location: Yancy Building, Lab 130 DONATE TO UNCF! HELP STUDENTS PAY FOR COLLEGE! Make checks payable to Shaw University UNCF and forward to: Reekitta Grimes, Shaw University United Negro College Fund 118 East South Street Raleigh, NC 27601

2 Page 2 The Financial Aid Scholar UNCF SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES First Church of God College Scholarship 2015 Scholarship Amount: Up to $2,500 to $10,000 GPA Requirement: 2.5 or higher Eligible Locations: Ohio Eligible Majors: STEM Majors Only Classifications: High school seniors, College Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors Application Deadline: April 1, 2015 Oracle Corporate Scholars Program 2015 Paid Internship/ Scholarship Award: Up to $10,000 GPA Requirement: 3.0 or higher Eligible Locations: Open Eligible Majors: Accounting, Business, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems Classifications: College Juniors & Seniors Application Deadline: April 3, 2015 and apply online visit, The Lee Summytt Scholarship Program 2015 Scholarship Amount: Not Listed GPA Requirement: 3.0 or higher Eligible Locations: Missouri Eligible Majors: Open Classifications: High School Seniors Application Deadline: April 3, 2015 Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation Scholarship 2014 Scholarship Amount: Up to$5,000 GPA Requirement: 2.5 or higher Eligible Locations: Michigan Eligible Majors: Open Classifications: College Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors & Graduate Students Application Deadline: April 13, 2015 and apply online visit, SCHOLARSHIP TIP#01: File a FAFSA. File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible and verify with the Financial Aid Office that it has been received. Upon approval, you ll find out how much free aid you qualify for and what types of scholarships you may be able to qualify for.

3 Volume VII1, Issue VI1 UNCF SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Fort Worth Independent School District Scholarship 2015 Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000 GPA Requirement: 2.7 or higher Eligible Locations: Texas Eligible Majors: Open Classifications: High school seniors, College Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors Application Deadline: April 17, 2015 Voya African American Male Initiative 2015 Page 3 Scholarship Amount: Not Listed GPA Requirement: 2.5 or higher Gender: Male only Classifications: College Sophomore Application Deadline: April 17, 2015 and apply online visit, Voya Stem 2015 Scholarship Amount: Not Listed GPA Requirement: 3.0 or higher Eligible Locations: Open Eligible Majors: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics Classifications: College Juniors Application Deadline: April 17, 2015 NBMOA Hospitality Scholarship Program 2015 Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000 GPA Requirement: 2.8 or higher Eligible Locations: Open Eligible Majors: Accounting, Business, Hospitality Management Classifications: College Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors Application Deadline: April 24, 2015 and apply online visit, SCHOLARSHIP TIP#02: Stay organized. Keep track of all application deadlines by using a calendar to mark important dates. Remember that most scholarship requirements include sending letters of recommendation, transcripts, financial records, and other documents. You ll need to prepare these items several weeks in advance of the due date and take the time to ensure everything is ready to go well before the deadline.

4 Page 4 The Financial Aid Scholar UNCF SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES McDonald s Academic Excellence Award 2015 Scholarship Amount: up to $3,000 GPA Requirement: 2.8 or higher Eligible Locations: Illinois, Missouri Eligible Majors: Open Classifications: High School Seniors Application Deadline: April 24, 2015 UNCF/KOCH Scholars Program Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000 GPA Requirement: 3.0 or higher Eligible Locations: Ohio Eligible Majors: Accounting, Business, Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science Classifications: High school seniors Application Deadline: May 1, 2015 Walt Disney Co. Corporate UNCF Scholars Program Scholarship Amount: Up to $10,000 GPA Requirement: 2.5 or higher Eligible Locations: Open Eligible Majors: Open Classifications: High school seniors Interest in: film, television, journalism, media production Application Deadline: May 15, 2015 Jack & Jill of America Foundation 2015 Scholarship Amount: Up to $2,500 GPA Requirement: 2.5 or higher Eligible Locations: Open Eligible Majors: Open Classifications: High school seniors Application Deadline: June 1, 2015 SCHOLARSHIP TIP#03: Read & Complete Application. Many students simply fail to follow directions and complete their applications on time. Give yourself a competitive advantage by reading & following the directions carefully and enough time to complete the application by the deadline.

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6 Page 6 The Financial Aid Scholar Outside scholarship opportunities Shaw University National Alumni Association Scholarship Up to $1,000 Application Deadline: April 2, 2015 Must be enrolled full-time at a sophomore level or above (equivalent to 30 or more earned semester hours) Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above Must demonstrate non-academic achievement Community Service, Sports, Drama, Music, Extra Curricular Organizations Must have a financial need as verified by the Financial Aid Office For applications visit: Please submit completed applications via at [email protected] or via fax at (919) Business and Professional Women of North Carolina Up to $1,000 (2 awards will be given) Application Deadline: April 10, 2015 Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above Must be a currently enrolled full-time student (male or female) Must be a NC resident in Wake, Durham, Orange or Johnston counties Must have a definite career plan after completion of schooling For applications visit: Please submit completed applications via at [email protected] or via fax at (919)

7 Volume VII1, Issue VI1 Outside scholarship opportunities 2015 Southeast Raleigh Assembly Always A Scholar Scholarship Up to $2,500 Application Deadline: April 10, 2015 Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above Must be a graduating high school senior Must be a participant or agree to be a participant of SERA, Inc. Youth Ambassador program. For information and to apply visit: SERA Inc. Contact Persons: [email protected] at (919) or James.todd@southeastraleigh. org at (919) White Oak Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Up to $1,000 Application Deadline: May 29, 2015 Page 7 Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above Must be NC resident in Alamance, Johnston, Chatham, Lee, Durham, Orange & Wake counties Must be a second semester freshman and beyond Must submit proof of enrollment for the University Must submit proof of financial need Must submit two recommendation letters For applications visit: Please submit your completed application to the attention of [email protected] or via fax at (919)

8 Page 8 Dear Prospective Graduate, The Financial Aid Scholar The financial aid staff congratulates you on completing a major milestone in your life. The time has come for you to begin the process of obtaining official clearance in perspective offices for graduation. In order for you to obtain a signature from the Financial Aid Office, you must complete a mandatory LOAN EXIT COUNSELING SESSION. You need to complete an Electronic Exit Counseling Session and schedule a one-on-one appointment in 30 minute intervals (phone appointment for CAPE Students outside of the Raleigh/Durham area) with the Default Prevention Administrator. During the Exit Counseling Session you will gain knowledge on loan consolidation, re-payment options, grace periods and how to manage your total student loan debt. Please click the link below to schedule your one-on-one appointment. After scheduling your one on one appointment, follow the Electronic Exit Counseling Steps below to complete the online exit counseling. Electronic Exit Counseling Steps: This will take approximately 20 minutes of your time. Date: Loan Exit Appointment@ Log onto (you need you SS#, last two letters of last name and your PIN) 1. Click Exit Counseling (bottom/center) of page 2. Click blue Exit Counseling Tab 3. Click Start then Next 4. Complete the session 5. At the end of the session, take the quiz and print out the Exit confirmation to bring to the your one on one appointment. If you received loans during your attendance, you must complete the loan exit counseling process. The exit counseling session is designed to give you strategies regarding loan default prevention, deferment, forbearance, loan consolidation, and other principles that will assist you in your loan repayment efforts. Please be aware that you can monitor your entire financial aid profile at SA/. Note: The loan exit process does not apply to you if: a. You did not receive loans. b. You were a cash paying student and did not receive loans. c. You received scholarship funding during your attendance and did not receive loans. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Valentino Bryant at or via at [email protected] You may also contact Wanda Joiner at (919) or via at [email protected] for further assistance.

9 Volume VII1, Issue VI1 Page 9 Pay Period Timesheet Due to Financial Aid Office Pay date January 7 -January 31, 2015 February 5, 2015 February 13, 2015 February 1- February 28, 2015 March 6, 2015 March 16, 2015 March 1-March 31, 2015 April 7, 2015 April 15, 2015 April 1-April 17, 2015 April 24, 2015 May 1, 2015 *Last Day for Work-Study Students is April 17, 2015* Interested in Working at the Marble Museum? Seeking students for work-study positions at the Marble museum located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Students must have a 2.0 GPA or better and must be interviewed by the Work-Study Coordinator prior to receiving position. Candidates must also be a sophomore, junior or senior to be considered for this position. Students will be paid $10.00 an hour. For additional information or details, please contact Cherelle Richardson at (919) or via at [email protected].

10 Page 10 The Financial Aid Scholar Night Vision 2015 Scholars Highlight On July 12, 2014 twelve Shaw University students accompanied by Shaw University alumnus, Pastor Joe Jackson, attended a scholarship event hosted by the Reconciliation Community Church of Manassas, VA on the grounds of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. Each student received a $5, scholarship award to assist towards their educational cost for the academic year. Select scholarship recipients share their testimonials as to how grateful they are to receive this prestigious award. Photo Left to Right: George Sinkler, Shateria McLean, Shakita Smith, Ebony Johnson and Na eem Wilkins Receiving the Night Vision Scholarship has been very beneficial for me. It has allowed me to focus on performing my best in the classroom and not worrying about taking out more loans. - George Sinkler, Senior, Sociology: Criminal Justice major The Night Vision scholarship award has assisted me with paying off my outstanding balance owed to the University. I am very grateful to receive this scholarship award. -Shateria McLean, Sophomore, Communication Science Disorder major

11 Volume VII1, Issue VI1 Page 11 Night Vision 2015 Scholars Highlight Opportunities present themselves very rarely. Therefore, I am privileged to have received this scholarship which represents my hard work, dedication and sacrifices that I have made towards my college education. - Na eem Wilkins, Senior, Elementary Education major I am thankful to receive this scholarship because it helped eased the financial stress on my parents for funding my education. I'm very grateful for the help of The Reconciliation Church and others who participated. - Shakita Smith, Sophomore, Business Administration major I am truly, truly grateful for the opportunity to receive the Night Vision scholarship. It is a great honor to receive this award. - E b o n y J o h n s o n, S o p h o m o r e, Computer Information Systems major I am thankful for the Night Vision scholarship because my family lacks the resources to support me financially and with this money I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. - Sonjia Colson, Sophomore, Elementary Education major

12 Shaw University: Celebrating 150 Years of History, Leadership & Service! Each April Shaw University celebrates the academic success of its students during the annual Awards Day program. Students are recognized for their academic averages, initiation into honor societies, and scholarship receipt. This year the Awards Day Ceremony will be held on THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 11 A.M. IN THE CHAPEL. For more information, please contact Dr. Kim Leathers via at [email protected] or at (919) Shaw University Commencement Ceremony!! When: Saturday, May 9, 2015 Time: 10:00 a.m. Location: Raleigh Convention Center