Humboldt State University Scholarship Opportunities

Humboldt State University is now offering two scholarships for first-time freshmen, transfer and graduate students entering Humboldt State University Fall 2012! The deadline for these scholarships is February 17, 2012.

HSU offers several different scholarships and has moved to a new scholarships system STAR, that allows students to apply online for multiple scholarships. 

You still have plenty of time to take advantage of these scholarship opportunities, don't let them slip by!

If you are interested in these scholarships, click on this link and apply today.

CollegeWeekLive Paying for College Event

Just a reminder to log in  for the CollegeWeekLive Paying for College event this Thursday January 12, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. This event will include financial aid experts from various colleges and institutions. You will be able to ask questions and there will be tons of information available to you.

Registration on the site is free and it is a valuable resource to use when planning for college.

To register and attend this live event, go to CollegeWeekLive

SAT Test Practice

Do you think you'd like to get some practice in taking the SAT test? This is a great resource to use for preparing for the SAT test and to find other college information.

SAT Test Practice

Seniors: Cash for College Night January 24, 2012

Seniors and their Parents: Save the date! January 24, 2012

We will be hosting the Cash for College Night. It will be from 5:30pm-8:00pm. There will be financial aid experts on hand to help with the FAFSA applications and to answer questions you may have about financial aid.

There will be more details soon, so watch the blog and the school bulletin for more information.

The counselors will be going into classrooms to talk to seniors about this event as well.

Scholarships Due in January

Now that we are in a new year, the scholarship season is really starting to ramp up. Now is the time to start getting your ducks in a row to be prepared to apply for as many scholarships as you can.

Have you applied for your FAFSA yet? The application period became open as of January 1 so if you haven’t applied for that, you should do it asap. Check the Senior Timeline and Newsletter posted on this blog for more details and links to the website.

Scholarships due in January:

Due Wednesday, January 11, 2012-The Gates Millennium Scholars Program- 

The Gates Millennium Scholars program will select 1,000 students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship The goal of the GMA is to promote academic  excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need. This is a truly awesome opportunity to help fund your college education. 

Qualifications:

Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian Pacific Islander American** or Hispanic American
• Are a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the United States
• Have attained a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or have earned a GED
• Will enroll for the first time at a U.S. located, accredited*** college or university (with the exception of students concurrently pursuing a high school diploma) in the fall of 2012 as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student. First-time college enrollees can also be GED recipients.
• Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities
• Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria
• Have completed and submitted all three required forms: the student’s application (Nominee Personal Information Form), an evaluation of the student’s academic record (Nominator Form) and an evaluation of the student’s community service and leadership activities(Recommender Form) by the deadline

For application and more information go to GMS

Due January 16, 2012- CAC Educational Scholarship Foundation:

For complete eligibility requirements, see the Apply page.

First award: $2,500  Second Award: $2,000  Third Award: $1,500

Candidates will complete the one page application and write an essay on

"Importance of Establishing and Maintaining

Good Financial Credit During Your College Years"

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RULES

Awarded to California High School seniors for their use as full time students at any accredited public or private college, university or trade school. Scholarship recipients must start attendance within 12 months of the award and show proof of enrollment in a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Essay subject is: "Importance of Establishing and Maintaining Good Financial Credit During Your College Years". Entries must be typed, 12 point font, double spaced, and be between 700 and 1,000 words (include word count at the top of your essay). Please DO NOT put your personal information on any page, and please do not staple your essay. Each entry must include the completed application and the essay, and must be submitted at the same time.

Entries must be postmarked by January 16, 2012
Pick up your application in the Counseling office before Winter Break so you can work on it during that time!

Due January 17, 2012-eQuaility ScholarshipsThe eQuality Scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community.

Eligible students fall into one of these categories:

• Resident of Northern or Central California who completed or expects to complete high school or equivalent between 1 Jul 2007 and 30 Jun 2012;
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited ADN or BSN RN program in California; or
• Attending an accredited medical school in California or a California resident attending an accredited medical school elsewhere in the United States.

Take advantage of the upcoming Winter Break to apply for these scholarships.

You will need official  transcripts to send along with your applications so be sure to stop by the Registrar's Office (M103) to pick up a request form today. Allow a 48 hour turn around time to get your transcripts printed and back to you.

Counseling Office Newsletter for Seniors

Dear Senior Parents/Guardians and Students,

The end of the semester and year are fast approaching and with that additional timelines for our seniors.  With the ring of the New Year comes some financial aid, scholarship and college application deadlines. 

Financial Aid Information:

College financial aid can come from multiple sources such as scholarships and federal student aid.

Scholarships

Scholarships usually refer to grants awarded to help pay for undergraduate college studies. Since scholarships are awards they do not need to be paid back.  There are merit based, need based and combination merit and need based scholarships.

Step 1:

 Scholarship Search:   Begin looking for scholarships by exploring free scholarship search websites, checking out the Scholarship Box in the counseling office and the Eureka High Counselor blog, http://ehscounselorblog.blogspot.com/. The counselor blog is continuously updated with scholarship application information.  You can also go to the local scholarship search sites at Humboldt Area Foundation, www.hafoundation.org, and the HSU site, www.humboldt.edu/banserv/finaid/schol.pl, as well as FREE national scholarship searches, such as www.finaid.org, www.fastweb.com, www.wiredscholar.com, www.ScholarshipExperts.com  and www.collegeboard.com.

Federal Student Aid

Federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education provides grants, work-study and federal loans for students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. There are multiple steps to submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The first three are listed below.   The first step is to apply for a PIN number and after receiving a PIN number the second step is to prepare for and submit a FAFSA application. Please note that it is best to complete the PIN application prior to January 1, 2012.

Step 1:

Financial Aid PIN number:   Apply for your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) PIN number online at www.pin.ed.gov.  Both parent and student need to apply for pin numbers in order to sign the FAFSA electronically and check application progress online.  Every high school senior is encouraged to submit a FAFSA to ensure access to both merit and need-based aid.

·         When requesting a PIN, you must give your name (as it appears on your Social Security card), your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address. After that information has been matched with the Social Security Administration's records, a PIN will be given to you. You have the choice of receiving your PIN by e-mail or regular mail.

·         Detailed steps in how to complete the PIN application are available on the Kuder Navigator site, kudernavigator.com, under the Plan for My Education tab or at the federal Student financial aid site, http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/funding.jsp

Step 2:  

     Collect Information to Complete the FAFSA

                  A FAFSA is a form that requests information that you’ll need to collect in advance. Here’s what you’ll need:

·         Student and  social security numbers

·         Student and parent driver´s license number if you have one

·         Student Alien Registration Number if you are not a U.S. citizen

·         Last year´s federal tax information or tax returns (including IRS W-2 information) for student and for parents

·         Records of untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits, welfare benefits for yourself, and your parents

·         Information on savings, investments, and business and farm assets for yourself, and your parents.

FAFSA Application continued

Step 3:    

Submit FAFSA application.

·   The window to submit an application is January 1, 2012-March 2, 2012.  The application is completed on line.

This link offers Instructions on completing the FAFSA, http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/funding.jsp.

Suggestions for things to do to be prepared the upcoming months:

•       Go to www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov to determine EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) portion of college    expenses.  The online calculator tool assists families in financial planning for federal student aid. Only biological, adoptive or step parent income information will be requested.  For students whose parents are divorced or living in separate households, the income of the parent that provides the most financial assistance to the student is used.

•       Plan to visit college and university campuses over the holiday break to help you decide on the best school for you.  See notes on making the most of your campus visits on the EHS Counselor’s blog.

•       Develop and update a resume.  The Kuder Navigator site has a great resume format on the Plan for Work tab.

Dates to mark on your calendar:

January 1, 2012             First day to apply for college financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, www.fafsa.ed.gov)

January 17-20, 2012   First semester finals week.  There will be an alternative bell schedule on Wednesday-Friday.

January 23, 2012        First day of the  Second Semester

January 24, 2012       Cash For College Night   5:30-8:00 p.m.  Financial Aid experts will be available to assist parents and students in applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Every high school senior is encouraged to apply for FAFSA to ensure access to both merit and need-based aid. All Students who attend Cash for College Night and submit their application will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $1,000 scholarship.

March 2, 2012              Last day to submit the FAFSA application for priority filing. 

Sincerely,

The Eureka High School Counseling Staff

                    Monica Rivera

Delores Haskamp

Audra Gosvener

Senior Timeline

Senior Time line

January

·         NOW is the time to complete financial aid forms - the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These forms must be submitted AFTER January 1st. In order to be considered for state-level financial aid (Cal Grants A, B, or C), the FAFSA must be sent in no later than March 2, 2012. After this time, the FAFSA may only be used to apply for federal-level financial aid, such as Pell Grants.

·    Take the free ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) Test. January 14, at 8:30 am in the Lecture Hall; sign up in the counseling office if interested. The ASVAB is designed to help you learn more about yourself and the world of work, identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations, and develop an effective strategy to realize your goals. Go to www.asvabprogram.com for test preparation and more information.

·    Cash for College Night- Tuesday, January 24^th, 5:30-8 p.m., starting in the Lecture Hall-

·    Apply for College of the Redwoods Honors Program. Visit www.redwoods.edu/Departments/Honors or check with your counselor for eligibility requirements. You will need to take an SAT test.

·    Check the scholarship box in the Counseling Office and watch for bulletin and blog announcements for scholarship opportunities.

·    Request seventh semester mid-year transcripts from our registrar, if required by colleges.

·    Check out www.assist.org to get information on majors available at all UC, CSU, and California junior colleges. Learn about transfer requirements for the major of your choice!

February

·    Deadline for filing FAFSA and to fill out GPA verification forms for Cal Grant A, B, or C is Friday, March 2, 2012.

·    Seniors applying to a California Community College will be able to register during a class workshop in the computer lab.

·    Be sure you have applied for housing at the college of your choice.

·    Plan to visit college and university campuses over the holiday break to help you decide on the best school for you.

·    Read bulletin online through PowerSchool and check the blog and scholarship box in Counseling for scholarships.

·    Review college & financial aid information on the EHS website: www.eurekacityschools.org.

·    Contact the Scholarship Office at the colleges and universities you have applied to for scholarships they may offer.

·    Ask your counselor if you are exempt from or need to sign up for the CSU ELM (Math) and EPT (English) placement tests.

March

·    March 2, 2012-priority deadline for filing your FAFSA

·    Review FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy and completeness. Check it out with senior and college counselors.

·    Check out college orientation information and campus preview dates.

·    Read bulletin online through PowerSchool and check the scholarship box in Counseling for scholarship announcements.

·    Registration process begins for CR

·    Begin registering for the math and English placement tests at 4-year and 2-year colleges and universities.

·    Most colleges and universities send notification of admission status this month.

April

·    Review financial aid packages with senior and college counselors.

·    Apply online to College of the Redwoods (www.redwoods.edu) and take the math and English placement tests at CR.

·    Be sure to attend informational meetings and visit college campuses to help you decide on the best school for you.

·    Read bulletin online through PowerSchool and check the scholarship box in Counseling for scholarship announcements.

May

·    May 1, 2012-Notify colleges of your intent to enroll by May 1st.

·    Complete any Adult Education (night school) classes for credit make-up by the middle of this month.

·    Schedule date for placement tests at CR, if not completed at EHS in April, prior to attending CR Redwood Days for registration and enrollment for fall semester.

·    Continue to check the scholarship box in Counseling Office and the online bulletin for possible scholarship opportunities.

·    Review Cal Grant CAR: California Aid Report for accuracy.

·    Fill out senior survey in your AP Government, Civics or Economics classes.

·    College of the Redwoods Students should attend “Redwoods Day” for class registration and academic advising. TBA

·    Saturday June 2, 2012 Senior Prom

June

·    Request final transcripts to be sent to your intended college.

·    Wednesday, May 30, 2012- The Top 10% Luncheon for academic recognition, hosted by Henderson Center Kiwanis,

·    Thursday, June 6, 2012- The EHS Honors Program, for presentation of senior awards and scholarships.

·    Safe and Sober Party for Class of 2012 TBA

·    Senior Picnic May 17, 2012

·    Sports Banquets TBA

·    Friday June 15, 2012 GRADUATION 2:00 at Albee Stadium!!!