Getting Help
 
 
What is Financial Aid? (FA)
 
FA is funds to help pay the expenses of post-secondary education.
FA can be used at four year colleges and universities, two year technical and community colleges, and private career schools
FA is money for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses
 
There are three main types of FA:
 
Grants and Scholarships: aid that does not have to be repaid.
Loans: available to both students and parents.
Work Study: part of the FA package, work study jobs are on-campus and the money earned can be used for tuition or other college expenses.
 
 
The Formula to determine FA:
 
Cost of Education (at the college)
-- Family Contribution
= Financial Need
 
The Cost of Education includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and some personal expenses.
Family Contribution is determined from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (the FAFSA form). This amount is the same regardless of which school you attend.
Financial Need is calculated from the above formula. Your financial need will change depending on the cost of the school.
 
 
How do I apply for FA?
 
Step 1: Apply for admission to colleges you are considering. Most colleges will not work with you on your FA package until you have been accepted for admission.
 
Step 2: Apply for FA after January 1 for the following academic year. NOTE: colleges award money on a "1st-come, 1st-served" basis so apply before March 1 (check your college's deadline).
 
Step 3: Complete the FAFSA form. The FAFSA is available from the Guidance Office in late November each year. It may besubmitted with a paper copy or electronically at the EPC.
 
Step 4: Four to six weeks after submitting your FAFSA, you will receive your SAR (Student Aid Report). Make corrections if needed.
 
Step 5: In April or May students will receive an "Award Letter" from each college, detailing the financial aid package of loans, grants, work study, and scholarships. Review each "package" carefully!
TIP: MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SUBMIT!!!
 
Financial Aid Resources:
 
Educational Planning Center (EPC)
108 and Center
Omaha, NE (391-4033)
 
Financial Aid Night, Gretna High School
Date: January 5, 1999 (7:00 p.m. Vocal Music Room)
 
Gretna Career Center Resources
 
What are Scholarships and Where do I find them?
 
Scholarships:
 
Are monies offered for students with certain abilities (merit-based awards) or with financial need (need-based awards)
 
Are sponsored by colleges; private organizations; business, fraternal, and community organizations; churches; parent groups; and local and regional groups
 
 
Scholarships can be found:
 
 
Monthly Guidance Newsletter
Career Center Resources (books, software, internet)
Educational Planning Center (free scholarship search)
Colleges and Universities
Parent or guardian employers
Church or other civic groups (American Legion, Eagles Club, etc.)
Family, neighbors, friends
 
Warning!!!
 
Avoid paying a fee for a scholarship search. The companies that advertise this service often use the same database as the EPC and theresources available in the Gretna Career Center. Why pay money when you can do a search for free?
 
Tips for filling out Scholarship Applications:
 
Read and follow all directions.
Type all scholarship applications (unless otherwise specified). At the very least print neatly in black ink.
Bring all applications to the Guidance Office to be proofread or if they need an official transcript. TIP: CHECK HOW THE SCHOLARSHIP MAY BE USED!!!
 
If you are required to write a scholarship essay:
 
The essay should be clear and concise.
Limit your essay to the space or number of words required.
Write a rough draft first. Correct your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Have a teacher or counselor proofread your essay.
Suggestion: Prepare a basic essay that can be adapted to most applications. Save the essay on a disk.
 
 
ROTC/Military Information:
 
Fact: The military can be an excellent source of college scholarship and career training.
 
Fact: Military ROTC scholarships may have a value exceeding $40,000 over four years (and they also offer two- and three-year awards).
 
Fact: Military academy appointments may be worth over $100,000.
 
Fact: The application process for these scholarships or appointments begins in the spring of your junior year.
 
Fact: The deadline for receiving application material is in November of your senior year.
 
WHERE TO LOOK: Brochure Rack in Guidance Office; Recruiters visit GHS every month.
 
NCAA Information:
 
Steps to be eligible to compete athletically at a Division I or Division II college:
 
Complete an NCAA Clearinghouse Form available in the Guidance Office: This form should be submitted by the fall of your senior year. Cost: $18.
Athletes must meet core course and minimum test score requirements:
a. Core Courses: include English, math, social science, science. Youmust have a minimum GPA of 2.0 or above in 13 core classes.
b. Test Score: On the ACT you must have a minimum combined testscore of 68 (the sum of the four test scores).
 
 
How to Choose a College: Key Factors
 
To help select a college, students should identify the College Characteristics important to them from the following list:
 
Programs of
Length of Program (1 year, 2 years, 4 years or more)
Location of School
School Type (public or private)
School Setting (small town, suburban, urban)
School Size (number of students)
Admissions Requirements (open, minimally difficult, very difficult
Special Programs or Activities
Cost
 
NOTE: The best way to make a decision on a college is make a visit!