SENIOR BULLETIN #6
Scholarship and College Information
February, 2013
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. Stanford, for example, will announce admission decisions by 3/27/2013, Yale will mail decisions 4/1/2013 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 for 3 years instead of running track for two. 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 GPA Verification 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 27th, 2013.
· 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
· Asian Pacific Fund Scholarship – This foundation facilitates 12 scholarship programs ranging from $1,000-$20,000. For information about the different scholarships and how to apply, go to www.asianpacificfund.org/scholarships.
· AT&T Asian Pacific Islanders for Professional and Community Advancement (APCA) Scholarship – AT&T is funding this scholarship, which provides fifteen $2,000 awards for the 2013 school year. “Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their scholastic and personal achievements, leadership, community involvement, work experience, a letter of recommendation and personal essay.” For more information, go to www.apca-att.org/scholarship.html. Applications need to be submitted online by Friday, February 15th, 2013, 5:00 pm.
· Student-View Scholarship Program – One $4,000 scholarship, two $1,000 awards, and 9 $500 scholarships are up for grabs through this website. Just fill out the 15-20 minute survey about colleges in the area – scholarships will be awarded via a random drawing of all completed applications. For more information, go to www.student-view.com. Application deadline is April 21, 2013.
· Buick Achievers Scholarship – If you plan on majoring in something like engineering or design & business AND you’re interested in a career in the automotive industry, this scholarship is for you. Up to $25,000 a year for 100 students and $2,000 awards for an additional 1,000 students. Applications will be judged based on what students have done “both inside and outside the classroom.” For more information, go to www.buickachievers.com. Applications must be submitted online by February 28th, 2013.
· Miss any scholarships from the last Senior Bulletin? Go to the Guidance Office – all past scholarships will remain on display until their deadlines have passed.
· Don’t forget that you can research scholarships on your own!