
Counselors: Wanda Bird and Amy Gogas
March - April 2010
THE
KANAWHA VALLEY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE CONTINUING
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
– is offering ACT Review classes in English, Math, and
Reading/Science for the ACT exam on April 10. Classes begin
March 8-March 26. There is a fee of $45 involved for each
section. Online registration is available at
www.kvctc.edu.
More information is available at
workshops@kvctc.edu
or 304-766-5113.
STUDENT CONSERVATION
ASSOCIATION ---sends nearly 1000 students, ages 15-18,
to our national parks and forests to give back to the land.
As part of a team of six to eight students, high school
Conservation Crew members spend a month on a conservation
project where they work on and conserve public lands. They
complete such projects as building trails, shelters, and
bridges, restoring habitats, and maintaining historic
sites. Log on and learn more
www.thesca/org.
Thomas Memorial Hospital’s Volunteer Services
Department is now accepting applications for the Junior
Volunteer Program for the summer of 2010. Teens (boys or girls)
who are 14 by December 31st, 2009, up to 17 years of
age, are eligible. Full time students who are interested in
healthcare as a career and who are sincerely interested in
helping others will be considered. For more information, you
may call the Volunteer Services Department at 304-766-3787. Ask
Ms. Bird for an application.
Juniors—Bezos Scholars
Program@the Aspen Institute seeks applications from public high
school juniors. To be eligible, applicants’ schools must be
public high schools (including charter and magnet schools) where
at least 25 percent of students are eligible for the
free/reduced lunch program. Potential scholars must be legal
U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents in their junior year with a
GPA of 3.5 or higher and be taking Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate classes. Scholar applicants should
demonstrate leadership in school and community and have scored
exceptionally well on PSAT/SAT/or ACT. Twelve top public high
school juniors and twelve dynamic educators from their
respective schools to receive seven-day, all-expense-paid
scholarships to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival, July 5-11,
2010. For more information contact:
www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/scholars/eligibility.html.
Deadline: February 12.
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY—Are
you an incoming WVU Freshman interested in a Science,
Engineering, or Mathematics related major? Earn up to 7-credit
hours before your first semester at NO COST TO YOU! The WVNANO/LSAMP
Summer Launch will be held July 12-July 30, 2010. Who may
apply? Females, Black/African Americans, Native Americans,
Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics
or Latinos, First Generation College Students, Students with
Physical Disabilities, and Students from Disadvantaged Regions
(i.e. Appalachian Counties, Mississippi Delta). How many will
be selected? Up to 20 Students that apply and qualify will be
selected. Application review begins April 15, 2010.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are
filled. Notification of acceptance will be sent immediately
upon review of your application. Apply today at
http://wvnano.wvu.edu/LSAMP.
BEST BUY @ 15 SCHOLARSHIP—9-12
grade students living in the U.S. & Puerto Rico are eligible to
apply for the $1000 scholarship. Students need solid grades.
Students involved in volunteer community service or work
experience. Visit our websites to apply on-line at
www.bestbuy.com/scholarships or
www.at15.com. Deadline:
Apply Dec. 28, 2009-Feb. 15, 2010.
SCHOLAR
ATHLETE MILK MUSTACHE OF THE YEAR (SAMMY) 2010 AWARD—Recognizes
Outstanding Scholar Athletes In Grade 12 From High Schools
Throughout The Contiguous United States. 25 winners will receive
the following: $7500 scholarship, an invitation for winners,
parents and/or guardians to attend a SAMMY 2010 weekend at the
Disney World Complex in Orlando, FL AND an opportunity to be
pictured in a special congratulatory Milk Mustache ad in an
edition of USA TODAY. Deadline: All high school senior
athletes can apply at bodybymilk.com until March 5, 2010.
2010 LITTLE GENERAL STORE INC. SCHOLARSHIP
– amount: $1000. Deadline:
all applications must be postmarked no later than
Friday, April 2, 2010.
BOONE COUNTY FRIENDS OF MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP---Amount:
$500. Detailed requirements are listed on the application.
Deadline: must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2010.
MADISON ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP—The
purpose of the MADISON ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP is to provide Boone
County high school seniors financial assistance to attend the
college of their choice. Deadline:
April 30, 2010.
THE BOONE
COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM---The
scholarship program has two scholarships funds now. They are
the Dora Jo Byrnside Scholarship and the BCCF Rotary
Scholarship. Students apply to the program and, if
eligible, may be awarded a scholarship from one of the
scholarship funds. Additional information is available on the
application. Deadline: must be received or postmarked by
April 2, 2010.
JAMES “JIM” BAILEY SCHOLARSHIP—in
1999, the Jim Bailey Scholarship Fund was formed to provide
assistance to the youth of WV who will be attending an
accredited vocational or technical school program of no more
than two years issuing a degree or certification.
Deadline: postmarked by April 15, 2010.
ALBERT YANNI SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2010-2011
– for outstanding Secondary
Vocational-Technical education graduates wishing to pursue
additional education at the postsecondary level in the same or
related career field. Amount: $2,000.
Deadline: must be postmarked by March 31, 2010.
WEST VIRGINIA FEDERAL CREDIT
UNION SCHOLARSHIP—Amount: $4000. All graduating high
school seniors attending school in Boone, Cabell, Kanawha,
Lincoln, Putnam or Wayne counties may apply by establishing a
membership ($1 investment), if not currently a member.
Scholarship requirements include completion of entry form,
resume, and one essay (1200-1500 words). For details and to
access entry form, go to
www.wvfcu.org. Along with
submitting the entry form. please attach your resume and essay
as a Microsoft Word document in an email to
anna.campbell@wvfcu.org. Please
include your name on your essay. Deadline: All entries must
be received or postmarked by Friday, April 2, 2010.
BOONE COUNTY SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSOCIATION
–Amount $500. One scholarship will be
presented to a graduating senior from each of the three high
schools in Boone County. Deadline:
April 1, 2010.
BOONE COUNTY
SCHOOL SERVICE PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION “SERVICE AWARD 2010”—Applicant
must be a graduating senior and have a family member that
is employed by the Boone County Board of Education and is
currently a member of the Boone County School Service Personnel
Association or a retired Boone County employee who was a member
of the BCSSPA when they retired. (Family member will include:
Father-Mother-Grandparent-Brother-Sister-Uncle-Aunt) The
applicant must be enrolled in one of the following. Accredited
college, accredited Junior college, or accredited Trade school.
Amount: $400. Deadline: Application
must be received/postmarked by Monday, April 12, 2010.
THE WEST VIRGINIA PUMPKIN FESTIVAL---is
open to any senior graduating this year from a WV high school
and planning to attend a Public WV college or university and
needs financial assistance to complete his or her studies.
Amount: $2000. Deadline: March 31.
2010 WEST VIRGINIA DESK AND DERRICK
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM—High school
seniors planning to attend a four-year West Virginia college or
university are eligible to receive a one-time only $1000
scholarship. Other eligibility requirements are found on the
scholarship application. Deadline:
must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2010.
GARNET CAREER CENTER—Is
accepting application through April 7, 2010 for their LPN
Program. Go to
www.actstudent.org for review
and preparation. Go to
www.garnet.edu for information
about the LPN program and other programs.
SPENCERIAN COLLEGE—There
are 2500 reasons you should attend Spencerian College’s
Scholarship Testing Event on Saturday, April 3 from 9AM-1PM.
You could earn up to a $2500 scholarship in one of these
fields: Computer Graphic Design, Computer Aided Design
Drafting, Computer Engineering Technology & Computer Information
Systems Management, Electronic engineering, and Allied Health.
Students not participating in one of the above areas are
eligible to compete by taking a standardized exam.
Deadline: RSVP by Thursday, April 1st.
You may email:jcarpenter@spencerian.edu or call 800-456-3253.
WV WESLEYAN COLLEGE—2010
CULPEPPER SCHOLARSHIP. To be eligible for the award, candidates
must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.75
or above and a strong extracurricular record along with a
minimum ACT score of 27 or a minimum SAT verbal and mathematics
combined score of 1200. Applicants must be accepted for
admission at WV Wesleyan College. Applicants must be a resident
of Boone, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Putnam, or Roane Counties.
Deadline: A completed application must
be submitted before March 1.
JACKSON-NEWCOMB SCHOLARSHIP
– Include page one of your parents 1040 for 2009
tax year, from the parents(s) who claimed the student. If
parents do not file a 1040, a copy of the summary page from the
student’s completed FAFSA must be attached. A complete list of
criteria is to be found on the application.
Deadline: March 31.
Parents of Seniors may get help filling out
either the online version of the FAFSA form or the paper version
of the FAFSA form---FAFSA on the
Web is once again being offered at SWVCTC, MT Gay Campus in
Logan County. At this time, parents may ask questions
that they have in regard to filling out the FAFSA form.
Parents receive help in filing the FAFSA online. Parents
who want to file the FAFSA on paper may do so by bringing
the paper version with them. Bring proof of your income for
2008 with you. Cindy Whitlock is available Monday-Thursday
between the hours of 7AM-5:30PM. Parents may call Ms. Whitlock
at 304-896-7382 to make an appointment.
THE DIVISION OF FINANCIAL AID AND OUTREACH
SERVICES—will have Saturday hours in
January and February to assist students and parents with the
FAFSA.. Assistance, by appointment only will be available
beginning on January 23 and continuing through February 27.
Appointments will be available from 9AM to 2PM. Appointments
may be made by calling Vickie Hairston at 888-825-5407 or
304-558-4417. Monday through Friday, parents and students may
get assistance, by telephone or in person. An appointment is
not necessary during regular business hours.
ALTERNATIVE LOAN GUIDE
What is an alternative loan? An alternative
(aka: private) loan is a loan through a commercial lender (e.g.,
a bank). Unlike most government aid, eligibility is based on
your credit history and not financial need. Consider an
alternative loan only if you’ve maxed out on free aid
(scholarships and grants) and low-interest government loans.
While alternative loans might be the difference between
attending college or not, use them only as a last resort.
Why you might want an alternative loan…
Variable interest rates: Because private loan
providers offer variable rates, you may find a more competitive
rate between other providers. If interest rates are low, a
variable rate might be preferred. If interest rates rise, you
may be better off with a fixed-rate loan.
Cost: While the cost of private loans generally
won’t be able to compete with a fixed-rate government loan,
their cost is generally cheaper than credit cards or even the
rate of a personal loan that would be offered by your local
bank.
Credit-based, not need-based: You qualify for
alternative loans based on credit history and credit score (a
measure of creditworthiness), not financial need. Generally
speaking, the better your credit history, the lower your
interest rate.
Higher loan limits: You may be able to borrow
more through an alternative loan vs. a federally-funded student
loan.
In-school deferment: Many private education loans
allow you to defer the repayment obligation until after
graduation, but the catch is that the interest is
capitalized—that is, the interest becomes part of the principal
loan balance, which means a bigger loan and more to repay.
Pay for more: Use an alternative loan to pay for
ineligible federal loan expenses, such as a laptop, study
abroad, etc. Federal student loans can only be used for
educational expenses (tuition, fees, room and board, etc.).
Deductible interest: Deduct up to $2500 on your
federal tax return. This benefit covers both alternative and
government education loans.
Student obligation: Alternative loans are
consumer loans, meaning you must repay (however, a parent
co-signer would be come liable if you can’t pay). Shared
responsibility may be more appealing than the Parent Loan for
Under-graduate Students (PLUS), where only the parent pays.
…and why you might not.
More expensive: Government loan interest rates
are so low, private loan providers might not be able to offer a
competitive rate. Alternative loans also charge fees that
government loans do not, further increasing the cost of
borrowing.
Tougher terms: While you can defer payment on an
alternative loan until after graduation, you must still pay the
interest. If the interest is capitalized (see above), you may
end up paying even more. Subsidized government loans cover the
cost of interest while you’re in school.
Hard to compare offers: All things
being equal, which is a better offer, the 7% interest loan with
4% fees, or the 6% interest loan with 6% fees? (Answer: the
second one costs less.) Understanding the relationship between
interest, fees, number of years and discount rates can be
confusing. (Check
www.collegegold.com/toools for
info on how to analyze these numbers!)
Good credit is key: The advertised rates are
generally for customers with excellent credit records. If you
or your family’s credit history is poor, the interest and fees
you pay could be more than the advertised rate.
Comparing Financial Aid Award Letters
You may receive award letters from different
colleges. Keep the following in mind when making your final
decision:
Look Carefully at your award letters: Letters
from different schools will probably have their figures and
costs in different formats. Compare award letters to see how
their offers measure up. Ask if outside scholarships will
affect your aid.
Compare loan offers: Interest rates, how interest
compounds, repayment terms and cancellation provisions can vary
widely from loan to loan.
Compare affordability of aid offers over time:
Ask how your financial aid package will change over time. The
aid package made available to you in your senior year may look
very different from the one you were offered freshman year.
Look beyond the “sticker price”: The school with
the lowest cost of attendance may not be the most affordable.
The amount and type of aid offered will influence affordability.
Don’t accept an offer just because it has the
lowest “unmet need”: You may save more by accepting an offer
with a higher unmet need, if the aid package offers
scholarships, grants and work-study instead of loans. Unmet
need is equal to the Cost of Attendance less the total of
expected Family Contribution and total aid amount.
Compare like terms: How do the schools determine
cost of attendance: Do they all include direct costs as well as
indirect costs? How do they handle outside scholarships? What
work-study options are available? What are wages like? Can you
substitute work for a loan?
***THE WEST VIRGINIA STATE POLICE JUNIOR
TROOPER ACADEMY—is pleased to announce the 15th
WV State Police Junior Trooper Academy to be held July 12-16 at
the West Virginia State Police Academy. The Junior Trooper
Academy is designed to familiarize participants with the WV
State Police and the criminal justice community in general
through relevant classroom lecture and interactive participatory
programs. Students 14-17 years of age are urged to apply. All
applicants accepted to the program will be required to submit a
doctor’s statement indicating that they can participate in the
physical conditioning program associated with the Junior Trooper
Academy. Each nominee selected must write a letter (maximum 250
words) expressing why he/she believes they should be selected to
attend this Academy. One student will be nominated.
Deadline: Nominations are due to the West Virginia State
Police Academy April 30. Therefore, Interested students must
submit their letters to Mrs. Bird by April 1.
VFW VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S.—Amount:
$500. Scholarship money will be sent to the West Virginia
College or University of your choice upon receipt of a copy of
your acceptance letter. One scholarship will be awarded for
each Boone County School. Deadline: Return to VFW Post 5578
no later than April 16.
MICHAEL DAVID HALL WVU MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIP—This is a $500 non-renewable scholarship awarded
to a student who is attending a high school in Boone County.
Requirements are a 3.0GPA and acceptance to WVU with a copy of
the acceptance letter attached. Deadline: April 1.
CEDAR OF SOUTHERN WV, INC., 2010
SCHOLARSHIP PORGRAM AT SWVCTC—Ten $1000 scholarships will be
provided to students from the CEDAR participating counties
(Mingo, Logan, Boone, McDowell and Wyoming). All applicants
must be citizens of the United States of America on the date the
application is filed. Additional requirements are found on the
application. Deadline: April 17.
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