Scholarships pave way for financial needs
by Sherilyn Neudauer, reporter

    Financial aid advisors encourage TCC students to apply for scholarships for alternative funding.

   “Scholarships, which are also known as grants or gift aid, are a great way to pay for school cost, and they do not have to be paid back,” Lisa Seals, NW Campus financial aid director, said.

   Each campus has printed information for students interested in applying for scholarships. Any college student can receive scholarship funds.

   In addition, scholarships are offered by many organizations, including government, business and non-profits.

   Scholarships may be based on academics, achievements, hobbies, talents, organizational affiliations, academic performance, financial need, religious affiliation, minority status, heritage affiliations or a unique set of criteria that is important to the organization providing funds and/or career aspirations.

   “When applying for scholarships, students should note the requirements,” Seals said.

   Students should always check the guidelines for scholarships. If they do not receive a particular scholarship the first time they apply, they may be able to apply the following year.

   Dana Abert, NE Campus financial aid assistant, said that, in most cases, funds are paid directly to the college financial aid department and may be broken up to be dispersed for each semester.

   “Rarely do students receive funds directly from the scholarship program. A student may receive the left over funds by mail from the college once all fees have been paid to the school,” she said.

   Seals and Abert agree that failure to meet certain requirements, such as maintaining a minimum GPA, could jeopardize a student’s ability to keep the scholarship.

   In addition, athletic scholarships are renewed annually. Recipients must usually continue to play the sport while maintaining a passing GPA.

   “Do your research on scholarships,” Abert said.

   Students will not get 100 percent free money. However, with all the self-help and gift-aid programs available, students can probably find the help they need to make their financial aid packages grow.

   Students can visit the local libraries as well as counselors or financial aid offices for information on how to apply and where to find information on scholarships.

   Students should start in advance and do research to find out where the best money is.

   Many scholarship programs are looking for students who have set goals and take college seriously.

   “They want to know their funds are being well used,” Seals said.

   “Once you have found sources to pursue, get organized. Make sure that you qualify for the initial criteria,” she said.

   Students should not apply for a scholarship if they know they do not qualify, Seals said.

   “Some scholarship programs may ask you for references,” she said.

   Counselors, friends and previous bosses can write letters of reference. The letters should include anything that may be exceptional about the students and their accomplishments. In applications, students should take time to be neat, accurate and creative.

   Seals also said that students should pay close attention to timelines or deadlines for scholarships.

   Many scholarship programs ask for an essay about the student’s goals and major field of study.

   Students should carefully follow instructions. If the application asks for a 500-word essay, the applicant should not exceed the word limit.

   Students should talk to other students to find out what scholarships may have worked for them and should always be completely honest about grades.

   Abert also said scholarships, grants or any kind of other aid or funds cannot exceed the institution’s scholarship budget account.

   “If the limit is $10,000 for the institution’s budget, students cannot go past that limit,” she said.

   “Any funds that are over the limit will be returned to the scholarship program from which you have received funds,” she said.

   Students should also follow up with telephone calls to make sure the application was received.

   Thank you notes are a small effort that can have a great effect, especially if re-applying or renewing a scholarship.

   Abert said the Internet is a great source for information.

   Unfortunately, scholarship seekers must watch out for scams.

   “Don’t pay for anything,” Abert said.

   “If you have to pay money to get money, it’s probably a scam,” she said.

   Students should be wary of scholarships with an application fee, or scholarship matching services that guarantee success.

   Students should also be aware of sales pitches disguised as financial aid seminars and advance-fee loan scams.

   Many scholarship scams encourage students to send money up front, but provide nothing in exchange.

   Students are encouraged to go to TCC’s student financial aid office to obtain a copy of the TCC scholarship brochure.

   Both advisors agree that as long as students apply for scholarships they know they qualify for and meet the guidelines and criteria, they should have great success finding and receiving financial aid for college.