Reusable Materials 36: Questions About Interviews & Good Recordings

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials you WOW committees and save time

Bart works for a nonprofit community organization that helps low income students find and apply for scholarships. He specializes in helping students complete their master applications. He donates hours each week working with students to gather, edit, and perfect their information. He meets with students 4-6 times. Many students recognize his contribution to them receiving thousands of dollars in scholarship funds. He saves them hours in applying for financial aid and admission to school.

Q: Do scholarships still require interviews to get scholarships?

A: Many scholarship committees require interviews as part of the application process. While the committee may conduct the interview themselves, many committees use high school guidance counselors, teachers, or others to conduct the interviews. Local scholarships frequently ask for an interview. For example, many times Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs require an interview for local students. In addition, some scholarships given by a specific college may ask for an interview.

In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in interviews using Skype or another online meeting software. We anticipate this trend will increase over the next few years.

Q: What do you think about contests that require video clips?

A: Generally, we advise students and their parents to avoid contests. They typically reflect scams to gather email addresses which they sell to others. However, there are several types of contests that we recommend. They include:

• Musical performance contests such as music recitals or concerts
• Drama performances, sketches, and skits
• Photo, sculpture, and art contests
• Poetry and writing contests

Many of these contests require you send a video clip as part of the application. Too many students send in poorly produced video clips. You may wish to consider the following tips as you produce your video clip for the scholarship committees:

• Use a good quality digital camera—not the camera on your phone or tablet
• Set up lighting using backlights, key lights, and fill lights (see diagram)
• Record with an external microphone for good sound

Saturday we share a tip about using YouTube to earn scholarships and financial aid

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 36: SRN Express Powered by Edvisors (Go Higher)

Tuesdays we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Rueben attended one of our workshops with his sister when he was in the 8th grade. He began recording his accomplishments immediately. He looked for opportunities for leadership, service, athletics, and academics. He joined as many clubs as he could possibly manage when he started high school. He started applying for scholarships in the 10th grade and earned his first scholarship (of $500) in 10th grade. He maintained a 4.0 GPA and served as class officer all through high school. He worked hard and graduated valedictorian of his high school. He had earned $310,000 in scholarships.

Characteristics of SRN Express

SRN Express describes itself as “Search for College and University Student Scholarships. SRN Express' database of awards for college students. A free database, with search capabilities, that lists scholarships and awards for college students. SRN Express.”

The site advertises “With the largest database of scholarships online and a speedy scholarship matching tool, StudentScholarshipSearch helps students find scholarships that are most relevant to their background, field of study, sport, skill, interest, achievement, or other attribute. Whether you're in grad school or were just accepted into college, we'll have a match for you.

College scholarships and grants are the best place to start financing your education. Our goal is that students use this database to invest more wisely in school, prior to relying on alternative resources and loans…(See more at: http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/#sthash.g8tpJCz1.dpuf)”

 

Disadvantages of SRN

The web site suffers from several disadvantages. The site:

• Contracts its scholarship searches to www.StudentScholarshipSearch.com
• Offers minimal scholarship matching based on grade level, GPA, state of residency, gender, or ethnic heritage
• Only allows students to list high school grade levels on the “Grade” matcher
• The site provides very little help for students already in college or graduate school
• It provides about 40 scholarships for all the states we tested, and most of those were duplicates of the Elks National Foundation, Coca-Cola, etc.
• Featured scholarships only listed 5 links to other sites

Wednesday we will answer questions about interviews and other uncommon requirements

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware 23: Today’s Challenges to College Funds

Saturdays we share tips or cautions to facilitate getting scholarships or avoid problems

Jessica planned on going to college since she was a little girl. Her parents started saving money in a high yield mutual fund. She half-heartedly applied for a few scholarships, but only received a couple thousand dollars. She applied for a Pell Grant, but her parents earned too much money. Luckily, she had the mutual fund savings to help her get through college. Unfortunately, Jessica graduated from high school in 2010, just two years after the recession eliminated 75% of the investment. Jessica’s dream of going to the university of her choice evaporated with the savings. Instead, she started at the local community college and living at home.

Challenges Related to Rising Education Costs

You may encounter several challenges when you enroll in college. Many of these challenges will relate paying for college and its related costs. The rising costs related to getting an education include:

• Rising tuition costs in most private and public colleges
• Increasing costs for textbooks, online subscriptions, and research materials
• Higher housing costs especially as college students demand more amenities
• More expensive transportation costs cause many students to study close to home
• Fewer students cook from scratch, they prefer restaurant and premade meals

All of these reasons and more make going to school more expensive than ever.

Challenges Related to Less Money Available

In addition, you find less financial aid to pay for college.

• Fewer students qualify for Pell Grants because of changes in income requirements and number of semesters you may receive a grant
• Congress increased interest rates on student loans and started the interest clock on graduate loans from the date you receive the loan, not after graduation
• Less scholarship money is available through donors and other sources
• Reduced return on educational savings plans create less money available
• Lower home values eliminated the ability to refinance or pull equity out of the home

Rising costs and less money turn the dream of education into a nightmare.

Tuesday we share SRN Express from Edvisors as a source of financial aid for college

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 35: Questions About Quantifying Value Statements

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

Ricardo sought financial aid to attend a community college. He came to the United States with his parents when he was two years old. They did not possess legal visas or passports when they crossed the border. Ricardo attended elementary, junior high, and high schools in the United States. He also took concurrent enrollment classes while in high school. A year before he graduated, the state legislature passed a bill denying undocumented students who graduated from state schools resident tuition. The bill forced students like Ricardo to pay international student tuition. Ricardo’s tuition costs jumped $18,000 for the community college.

Q: How can I identify numbers for my value statements?

A: Each type of theme will require a different type of number. Some of the number may be in public records. Others will not. For example, each of the following themes would be represented by the following numbers:

• Academics: grade point averages, hours credit, test scores, and more
• Athletics: win/loss records, competitive standings, championships, or improved performance
• Leadership: increased participation averages, number of participants, increased donations or revenues, or size of the organization you led
• Creative talents: number of recitals or attendees at performances, awards received for creative talents, or scores in competitions

You can translate implied numbers into specific numbers using some of the following formulas:

• Identify the beginning statistic, identify the ending statistic, then…
  • Divide the difference by the beginning number for a percentage
    • 120 participants –100 participants =20/100=20% increase in participation
  • Use the difference to show the actual increase
    • $130,000-$90,000=$40,000 increase

Q: What if my numbers are not completely accurate?

Creating your value statements as you do them allows you to use real-time data. However, you may not have created the statements when the information was current. In that case, modify your numbers with the words: approximately, estimated, or about. They will allow you to state the approximation.

We restate—NEVER EXAGERRATE, LIE ABOUT, or MISLEAD people about your numbers in value statements.

 

Saturday we share a caution about challenges in funding today’s educational pursuits

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 35: American Heart Association Undergrad Research

Tuesday’s we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Susan planned a career working as a chemist or chemical engineer. She completed her sophomore year of college in her mid-30’s. She still needed to find money to help pay for her junior and senior year of college. She worked with a couple of mentors in her church after attending one of our workshops. She earned enough scholarships to pay for the tuition, books and housing for the rest of her undergraduate program.

Characteristics of the American Heart Association’s Program

The American Heart Association sponsors an Undergraduate Student Research Program:

“The purpose of this undergraduate research training program is to encourage promising students from all disciplines, including women and members of minority groups underrepresented in the sciences, to consider research careers while supporting the highest quality scientific investigation broadly related to cardiovascular disease and stroke.”

Requirements for the Program

“At the time of application, undergraduate student with legal ability to study in the United States and:

• Enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program in either a four-year college or university, or a two-year institution with plans to transfer to a four-year college or university by the fall semester immediately following the summer program.
• Junior or senior academic status in the fall of given year.  Students who will graduate in September or before are not eligible.
• Completed at least four semesters or six quarters of any combination of the following courses by May preceding the summer fellowship; biological sciences (biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology or lab) and/or physics and/or chemistry (inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry or lab).
• Completed at least one quarter of college level or AP credit calculus, statistics, computational methods or computer science
• Attending an institution in, or be a resident of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah or Washington.”

Disadvantages of the Program

• Limited to one $6,500 award
• Limited to certain western states
• Direct use of award funds to pay tuition is prohibited
• AHA will not pay dependent allowances.

Thursday we answer questions about reusable quantifying your value statements

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware 22: Scholarship Books in a Digital World

Saturdays we share tips or cautions to facilitate getting scholarships or avoid problems

Brooke worked every method she knew to get money for college—except taking out a loan. She studiously avoided going into debt. In fact, she did not go to school one semester because of a lack of funds, rather than take out a loan. She worked a part-time job. She applied for a Pell Grant. She applied for scholarships. She got involved in a student work-study programs. She found a paid internship during both summers between her sophomore/junior and junior/senior years of school. She spent only $4,500 of her own money during the entire course of her Bachelor of Arts program.

Are Scholarship Books Effective in Today’s Digital World

Many people wonder if hardcopy books of information remain relevant in a digital world. They list several reasons, some valid and some invalid:

• Printed books become obsolete before they even get published
• Publishers do not update books as frequently because they lose money on them
• Most of what you find in scholarship books are already listed on the Internet
• Internet sources remain more current, cost less, and are easier to access
• Search engines and search fields are easier to use than looking through a book
• Very few scholarship books are available as e-books or Kindle versions

Nevertheless, we encourage you to use all sources to find financial aid—including scholarship books. You will waste time, however, using scholarship books that were published more than three years ago.

Recommended Books

College Scholarships.org and SavingforCollege.com provide an excellent list of books with summaries about each one. We’ve used many of the books on their list, but especially recommend the following:

• How to Go to College Almost for Free outlines great methods for applying for scholarships. We used this book to research our methods when we began offering scholarship coaching years ago.
• The Scholarship Book by Daniel J. Cassidy
• Scholarship Handbook by College Board
• Peterson’s Scholarships, Grants and Prizes by Thompson Peterson’s (We don’t recommend this book anymore. They stopped updating it)

Tuesday we share the American Heart Association Undergraduate Student Research Program

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 34: Questions About Changes in Student Loans

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

Becky enrolled in a private for-profit college in her community. She wanted to get a certificate as a medical assistant. The school would not tell her the total cost of the program. They only listed how much she would pay per credit hour. They claimed that you could total the amount of money you would have to pay, by multiplying the hours required per program by the cost per hour. They offered a free computer if she signed the contract. They also offered to help her get financial aid to attend. They helped Becky get a Pell grant and take out $9,000 in student loans.

Q: What is the current status on interest for student loans?

A: On August 8, 2013 President Obama signed a bill setting interest rates for federal student loans. Prior to this bill, Congress set the interest rates for student loans. The Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013 changed how rates will be determined.  The new bill is tied to market-based rates and changes each year.

The confusion arises from back-and-forth changes in student loan rates during the months of June through August. One year ago, Congress set a deadline for student loans rates to double for undergraduates on July 1, 2013. During the last week of June 2013, Congress delayed a vote on a proposal to delay the interest hike. As a result, the rates doubled on July 1. Public uproar drove the House of Representatives to pass lowering the rates.

Q: Will interest rates on loans increase after I get the loan?

A: The rate remains fixed once the loan is issued. It will not increase after you receive the loan. Of course, if your student takes out a new loan each year, the rates on each loan will differ.

We encourage you to manage how your loan funds carefully to borrow the least amount of money possible. Avoid extravagances!

Saturday we share a tip about using scholarship books in a digital world

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 34: Chegg Sources of Money, Textbooks, & More

Tuesday’s we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Erika helped her son apply for scholarships. She used search engines, scholarship books, high school guidance counselors. She discovered that Chegg, like Zinch for high school students, provides information about organizations that will match, dollar-for-dollar, money you earned from other scholarships.

Characteristics of the Chegg Scholarship Section

Chegg (www.Chegg.com) advertises itself 

“Chegg, the student hub, is transforming the way millions of students learn by connecting them to the people and tools needed to succeed throughout their high school and college career.”

In addition, Chegg encourages philanthropic efforts. They state “As a part of the company's philanthropic efforts, Chegg is dedicated to its Chegg for Good program, which empowers students to be catalysts for change while on campus, in their communities and around the world.” You may access several channels from the Chegg for Good:

• For Good Blog
• Spotlights around town
• “Are you the ONE?” Interns
• It all started with trees
• Our for good partners

Access the scholarships section of the web site by clicking on scholarships at bottom of each page or clicking on Personalized Scholarships icon at the top of the home page. Using the link at the bottom of the page provides many more options than clicking on the icon.

The Scholarships on Chegg offer several advantages:

• Links to upcoming scholarships with amounts and deadlines
• Matching scholarship funds based on money you win through other sources
• Free Sign-up which leads you to a very simple profile

The web site listed 50 matches worth over $187,000 based on the simple profiler. We found no gimmicks, email spam, contests, or surveys.

Disadvantages of the Chegg Web Page

We did not find too many disadvantages:

• You must list a school—and they mean college—to use Chegg
• The profile uses a lot of pop-up fields that do not respond to typed prompts
• You must provide titles of at least 3 courses you are taking
• Chegg offers a lot of their own scholarships like “CheggMeOut”, “Chegg Lesson Learned Scholarship”

Thursday we answer questions about recent changes with student loan programs

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware 22: Avoid Unimportant Distractions

Saturday’s we share a tip or caution to facilitate getting scholarships or avoiding problems

Gerry wanted to go to college, but couldn’t afford tuition without some financial aid. He came to our staff for assistance. The search engines indicated that Gerry qualified to apply for more than 150 scholarships. The number surprised him. The staff helped him begin preparing his reusable materials. At this point, Gerry’s excitement waned. He began missing scheduled appointments. He delayed 5 months before completing his master application and another 8 months finishing his reusable essays. He didn’t start applying for scholarships until over a year later. His list of qualifying scholarships decreased to less than 80 because of the delay.

Unimportant Distractions Unrelated to Applying for Scholarships

Many students, in high school and out of high school, begin seeking scholarships, but become easily distracted. The source of distractions may be related to applying for scholarships. Still other sources of distractions may not have relationship to applying for scholarships.

Sources of unrelated distractions include:

• Family, friends, and school mates
• Video or computer games
• Work and civic responsibilities
• Texting and social media
• Homework and other school assignments
• Extracurricular activities like sports, performing arts, and service clubs
• Television, movies, etc.

Unimportant Distractions Related to Applying for Scholarships

Many students allow the process of finding scholarships and preparing reusable materials to delay them from submitting applications. Examples of unimportant distractions that delay people for applying for scholarships include:

• Review search engines without completing profiles
• Overwhelming feelings that the whole process requires too much work and effort
• Doubt that you will be successful, or that the process will get you money for college
• Continually editing your master application, correcting it, and never using it
• Constantly changing your themes and value statements
• Procrastinate asking  people to write letters of recommendation on your behalf

You can avoid these distractions by

• Setting goals for how many scholarships you will find each week
• Establish a deadline for completing your reusable materials
• Report your progress to a coach or counselor each week or month

Tuesday we share Chegg as a source of money for college

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Reusable Materials 34: Questions About Letters of Recommendation

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

Shannon was applying for jobs while she went to college. She needed additional money to help pay tuition. She came to us seeking help finding scholarships. She prepared her master application. She developed her themes with 36 value statements. She wrote and refined her reusable essays. She identified 6 people who wrote letters of recommendation. Unfortunately, she failed to prepare the letter writers adequately. They wrote very bland and generic letters that did not impress scholarship committees.

Q: Can I really write the letter for the person I ask?

A: We have discovered that many people you ask to recommend you prefer that you draft the letter. You drafting the letter helps them because you:

• Save them time and effort
• Do it quicker because you write more of them
• Understand your themes and value statements better than the letter writer
• Possess a vested interest in making it right
• Reduce their possible discomfort for not finishing it in time

If you draft the letter, ensure that the person you asked understands that he or she may

• Edit your draft in any way they see fit
• Write an entirely new letter if they wish
• Choose not to give you a letter of recommendation

Q: What formats do scholarship committees want for letters?

We have seen a variety of methods committees want to receive letters. While most want an electronic copy, enough scholarship committees still ask for a hardcopy that you need to request hardcopies to send through snail-mail.

• Hardcopy versions of your letters may be sent in regular envelopes
• Some committees may request the author seal the envelope and sign it across the sealed flap of the envelope

We’re finding more applications ask you paste a letter in a field, rather than attaching letters to applications. Electronic versions should show official stationery. Scan the letter to preserve the logo type, trademark and especially the signature in:

• PDFs
• Rich Text Format (RTF)
• MS Word
• Google drive

Saturday we warn you about unimportant tasks that can distract you from getting money

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.

Sources of Money 33: Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)

Tuesday’s we review a source of financial aid to help you pay for college

Caspar worked in construction for 5 years after high school before deciding to go to college. He saved money from his construction work to enroll in school. He needed more money to finish his program. A member of the Associated General Contractors told him about their scholarship programs. Caspar received an undergraduate scholarship that helped stretch his money.

Characteristics of the Associated General Contractors (AGC)

The AGC web site states:

“The AGC Education and Research Foundation offers undergraduate and graduate level scholarships to students enrolled in ABET or ACCE-accredited construction management or construction related engineering programs. Over $8 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 3,000 students attending colleges and universities across the country. The criteria to apply for undergraduate and graduate scholarships outlines the eligibility to apply. Below are answers to some commonly asked questions.”

They offer:

“Undergraduate Scholarships: Rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time, two, four or five-year ABET or ACCE-accredited construction management or construction-related engineering program are eligible to apply. High school seniors are not eligible. Students enrolled in accredited junior college programs or who have plans to transfer to a four-year institution may apply.

Graduate Scholarships: College seniors enrolled or planning to enroll in a graduate- level construction management or construction-related engineering degree program as a full-time student are eligible.”

Money Available through AGC

More than 130 people received AGC awards in 2013:

• 100 renewable undergraduate scholarships worth $2,500 per year for each year of undergraduate study, up to a maximum of $7,500
• AGC Education and Research Foundation scholarship is a national scholarship, open to students across the country
• Check the AGC chapters for both your state and the state in which your school is located to find chapter-level scholarship programs
• The Saul Horowitz, Jr. Memorial Graduate Award and the Heffner Scholarships for Graduate Students are $7,500 over two years, paid in annual installments of $3,750.
• Also 1-year Horowitz or Heffner graduate scholarship

Thursday we answer questions about reusable letters of recommendation

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.