SENIOR BULLETIN #6
Scholarship and College Information
February, 2012
ADMISSION DECISIONS
· As Tom Petty said, “The waiting is the hardest part.” While some schools like Cal State Fullerton and APU have rolling admissions and have already notified many people of their admission status, most other schools will not announce until at least a month from now. Yale and Stanford, for example, will announce admission decisions by 4/1/2012, and the UC’s will notify students between March 1st and March 31st.
· You will never know for certain why you did or didn’t get into any particular school. Every March, I hear students explaining to each other why they didn’t get into a school or why another student did get in, but they don’t really know. My AP Chemistry grade was a B-, he was in orchestra for three years instead of four, I got a 3 on the AP Calc test, she is the Girls League secretary, I volunteered at the animal shelter instead of the library, he played baseball instead of running track. These are all just guesses. Even if you talked to two admission officers from the same school, they could take educated guesses about why you did or didn’t get in, but you’d probably get two different guesses. Cal State decisions are easier to figure out because they only consider grades and SAT scores, but the UC’s and most private schools consider such a wide variety of factors that it’s very difficult to pinpoint one reason for a decision. So don’t waste your time dwelling on possible reasons for a decision – spend your time looking more closely at the schools that have accepted you and trying to figure out which will be the best fit for you.
FINANCIAL AID
· The FAFSA has been open for a full month. If you haven’t filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov yet, you’re behind several other people. There are Pell Grants and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants and other types of aid that financial aid offices can help you receive based on financial need. The sooner you get the FAFSA filled out, the better your chances for receiving financial aid.
· Cal Grant forms have been available in the Guidance Office for a full month. If you haven’t filled out a form and turned it in to Mrs. Taylor, you’re behind several of your peers. When she returns the form to you, you must mail it yourself to the California Student Aid Commission. No forms will be accepted by Mrs. Taylor after February 29th, 2012.
· Future teachers can apply for the Federal TEACH Grant. This grant (free money you don’t have to pay back) can be up to $4,000 a year if you sign an agreement to serve as a paid full-time teacher in a high-need field serving low income students. Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov or contact the financial aid office at the college or university you plan to attend.
· If you need a loan for school, look into federal student loans before going with a private bank. With a federal loan, you’ll get a fixed interest rate, more flexibility in repayment plans, and you won’t have to start repaying the loan until six months after you graduate.
o Federal Stafford Loan – This is a loan for students at all types of colleges who attend at least half time. The interest rate is fixed at 6.8 % for the 2012-13 academic year.
o Federal PLUS Loan – This is a loan that allows your parents or grandparents to help pay for college costs. The PLUS loan is currently fixed at 7.9%.
SCHOLARSHIPS
· The Gary Duenas Memorial Scholarship – Mr. Duenas was the GLC for the DBHS Class of 1985, and his former students created a scholarship in honor of his memory. This is a great opportunity because this scholarship is only open to DBHS seniors! Any DBHS senior can apply and use the $1000 award for the university, community college, or trade school of his or her choice. You can find more information at www.facebook.com/groups/MrDScholarship (mention that you are a DBHS senior). You can also pick up application instructions in Mr. Desmond’s office. Applications will be accepted from January 30 – March 30, 2012.
· Brea Community Hospital Women’s Auxiliary Scholarship – Wow, this is another great scholarship that is only available to DBHS seniors. There will be two $270 awards. If you are planning on going into the medical field, write a brief explanation of your future aspirations and submit your Senior Profile to Mr. Desmond by March 30th, 2012.
· Taiwanese-American Citizens League Scholarship – The Los Angeles chapter of this organization is offering at least ten $500 awards in LA County. This scholarship is open to all seniors regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, or financial needs. They are looking for well-rounded college bound seniors who have demonstrated leadership skills, extracurricular activity involvement, community service, and academic achievement. A few copies are available in Mr. Desmond’s office, or the entire application package can be downloaded from www.tacl.org. Application deadline is March 31st, 2012.
· Future Accounting Professional Scholarship - $1000 award for students interested in pursuing an accounting career path at a post-secondary school or college. Go to www.accountingcareersfordummies.com for more information.
· Eclipse Scholarship – Eclipse is an organization that is totally committed to assisting and encouraging African-American high school students in successfully completing higher education goals. To apply for one of their $1000 scholarships, African-American seniors must write an essay, have a minimum GPA of 2.0, a letter of recommendation from faculty/staff, and proof of acceptance to a four year college or university. Pick up applications in Mr. Desmond’s office. All of the items for the application package must be mailed to: Eclipse Inc, ATTN: Ms. Lynn Wirt, 20889 E. Apache Way, Walnut, CA 91789 and postmarked by March 10th, 2012.
· Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship – This is a scholarship for senior girls of African-American descent, who plan to attend an accredited college or university. Several scholarships will be awarded in varying amounts, and students need at least a 3.0 GPA, an essay, and two letters of recommendation. Pick up applications in Mr. Desmond’s office. The complete application package must be mailed or delivered in person to: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Epsilon Eta Omega Chapter, ATTN: Andrena G. Dancer, Esq., 400 N. Mountain Avenue, Suite 229, Upland, CA 91786-5193. Application packages must be received by April 26th, 2012.