What's New in College Financial Aid?

The college financial aid system rivals only the IRS in its complexity. But change is on the way. This week, we've asked visiting blogger Sandy Baum, professor of economics at Skidmore College and special consultant to the College Board, to bring us up to speed on college financial aid. Here are the six most important developments:

1. More generous Pell grants. The Pell grant is the cornerstone of federal student aid: The government provides grants to dependent students with family incomes up to about $50,000 and to independent students with low incomes. The maximum grant is set every year by Congress and has not kept up with the price of college. In 2008-09, the maximum grant was $4,731; in 2009-10, it will be $5,350.

2. Income-based repayment for federal student loans. As of July 1, the federal government has a new system that will limit monthly payments on federal student loans to a reasonable percentage of the borrower's income. Those whose incomes are below 150 percent of the poverty line for their family size will not have any payments due; others will owe no more than 15 percent of the amount by which their incomes exceed this level.

This system is not perfect. The government will pay the interest for some borrowers whose payments don't cover it, but others will see their debts grow as interest accrues. After 25 years, remaining debt will be forgiven, but unless Congress makes a change, this will be a taxable event. And it's important to remember that only federal loans—not loans from private lenders that don't come with a federal guarantee—are covered by this important new program.

3. A simpler FAFSA form. In order to be eligible for federal financial aid—or for need-based financial aid from states, colleges, universities, or other sources—students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Department of Education has announced that this process will become simpler with increased reliance on "skip logic": Students will no longer have to sort through questions that do not pertain to their circumstances. The Obama administration is also requesting that Congress reduce the amount of information required to compute federal aid eligibility so that the form can become even shorter and easier to complete.

4. Transfer of income tax data. Students who apply for aid late enough in the calendar year for their previous year's income tax data to be available will be able to have data transferred directly to the FAFSA. Until and unless the program is expanded, it will not help students applying for aid for the fall semester. However, many people believe that if this experiment is successful, future students will not have to complete separate financial forms at all but will be able to rely on tax data to apply for financial aid.

5. Changing sources of college loans. Many students have to rely on loans to finance part of their college education. Borrowing for college is sensible, since education is an investment that usually pays off for a lifetime. Reasonable amounts of debt can be paid off out of future earnings.

In many cases, it makes sense for parents to take Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), diminishing the amount of debt students will have when they graduate. But when students themselves borrow, the most important thing to know is that federal Stafford loans are a much better bet than private loans. Private loans are widely marketed on the Internet, often with a boast that students can borrow as much as they need without completing the FAFSA, but the interest rates on these loans are likely to be much higher than those on federal loans. Also, the protections for economic hardship that come with federal loans are absent from private loans.

It's easy to get confused about what is actually a private loan. This is because, at least for now, the same private lenders (such as Sallie Mae and banks) provide both private loans and federally guaranteed Stafford loans. Congress is currently debating doing away with private sources of federal loans, but in the meantime, students should be clear about what they are getting.

6. Increasing financial aid (in some cases). Even as colleges and universities, both state and private, are struggling with financial realities, many are nevertheless increasing their financial aid budgets. The school with the highest price tag might actually be the least expensive to attend when financial aid is taken into consideration. And almost all states provide their own grant aid. Even in California, where pervasive stories about the state budget crisis include predictions of the demise of the generous and well-established Cal grant program, valuable state grants are quite likely to remain available to students. Students should be sure to get information about aid from all sources and to find out what they have to do to qualify.

The Obama Administration Gives Mothers Federal Funding For College

Who would have thought in a few short years the economy would have went from one of the most amazing spurt of economic growth and to the recession that we have now. No one could have predicted its occurrence, just like no one could have predicted that the stimulus package was going to help single mothers go back to college.
If you would like to avoid the backlash of this current recess of time, this time to consider making good choices that will lead you in a direction of financial security. Single mothers should make a decision to earn a college education that, despite our economy, will be paid for in full by the federal government.


You have heard the saying that we need to be thankful for what we have. This is also true in regard to what is available for college students today. The Pell Grant has been increased to over $5000 per student allowing most students, male or female, to go to college without any concern or need to pay back a long because this grant money is 100% free. Think about that. A complete two-year college education but you don’t have to pay for.
The Obama administration wants to send the public back to school. Without an education, the future may not be as bright. That is why all students, specifically single mothers, are part of the unified front by this administration to send these women into the university system to earn your college degree. Now more than ever, more funding is available than ever before.
Through using scholarships and grants, you don’t have to pay for tuition, books, or unit fees. To take advantage of this aspect of the economic stimulus package, applied for this free grant and Scholarship money as soon as possible. Without any question, this is one of the best times in history to be a college student. Apply for college funds, and once you have received the government money, you will be on your way to success.

Visit our sites for more information on finding federal funding for single mothers or obtaining scholarships for college students through the Obama administrations stimulus package.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Thompsan

10 Tips for Getting More Financial Aid

Schools are approving a record number of appeals and giving more aid

By Kim Clark

Posted June 16, 2009

During the boom years, the nation's college financial aid officers used to swap tales about trivial, selfish appeals for more aid that students and parents occasionally filed, like the father who wanted more grants for his daughter because he'd just spent $25,000 on another daughter's wedding and the mother who demanded more scholarships for her child so the mother could spend her savings on a cruise.

Not this year. Colleges say they are being flooded with all-too-serious appeals for additional aid. And many colleges say they are scraping together extra grants or scholarships for the vast majority of appealers who can document a decline in income or an increase in expenses. But financial aid offices warn anyone with hidden income not to assume that appeals are risk-free: Appealers whose tax and other documents show that they falsified aid applications can lose all their aid and be fined or even sent to prison.


Mary Smith-Hammond, who retired from her job as a financial aid officer for the University of California-Berkeley in 2007, was called back this year to help with a big jump in appeals. She estimates that she has approved more aid for about 85 percent of the appeals she has processed so far, up from a historical average of about 50 percent. "The unemployment rate wasn't as high back then. And we had different standards," she says. Smith-Hammond, who long ago denied the appeal from the mother who wanted to save her money for a cruise, says she is even approving appeals for students whose parents last year reported incomes of about $400,000 but this year are collecting unemployment insurance. "Their stocks are gone, their 401(k) is gone. They may only keep their house for another year," she says. Some have seen their industries get wiped out, reducing the chances they'll find another high-paying job. "I have not seen an appeal that was frivolous" yet this year, Smith-Hammond says.
Normally, colleges award financial aid for each academic year based on a family's financial situation in the previous year, as reported by the family on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. But the U.S. Department of Education this spring asked colleges to help those whose parents have lost their jobs or suffered a pay cut in 2009 by estimating a family's need for aid based on this year's lower income instead. Aid officers are also taking into account expenses that aren't reported on the FAFSA, such as medical bills.
Students or parents who feel they have a real need for extra aid will have more luck if they follow these Dos and Don't's suggested by Smith-Hammond and several other veteran aid officers.

Do:

• Make sure you've filed all the necessary aid applications. If you haven't done so already, fill out the FAFSA. If your college is one of the 300 or so that also requires the College Board's CSS/Financial Aid Profile, fill that out as well. If you have filed the aid applications, check them to make sure they accurately represent last year's finances.

• Check your college's financial aid Web page. Some have instructions or forms for filing an appeal. If you don't see any instructions, call the office and ask for help.

• Send a letter to your college's financial aid office asking for a "professional judgment" review of your award. Give specific reasons why you need more aid. "Give actual numbers. Don't just say, 'My medical expenses are high,' " explains Patricia Williams, director of financial aid at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md. "Detail what the medical costs are, how much insurance paid, and how much you paid. We work with formulas that require real numbers."

• Provide documentation for your claims, such as copies of W-2s, tax forms, hospital bills, and the like.

• Send the appeal and documentation as soon as possible. Some aid is first come, first served. "When the money has been committed, the school may not be able to offer (latecomers) any assistance," says Pat Watkins, director of financial aid for Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Don't:

• Lie or shade the truth. Most aid officers demand lots of corroborating evidence, and they scrutinize it. And the government can take back your aid, fine you, and even send you to prison for lying on the FAFSA.

• Let shame, embarrassment, or ego stop you from filing a legitimate appeal. You've got lots of company right now, notes Smith-Hammond. "It is your right. You are a taxpayer. You need help, and we are here to help you," she adds.

• Demand grants to replace student federally backed Stafford and Perkins loans or earnings from a work-study job. Although a handful of schools are promising enough grants to allow low-income students to graduate debt-free, the vast majority of schools can't afford to give out that much aid. "The basic premise of financial aid is that the student and family will do all they can first. Taking out loans is how the student does his or her part," McDaniel's Williams says.

• Expect a bankruptcy filing to guarantee you more aid. Since bankruptcy typically wipes out debts, colleges may conclude that you now have more money to spend on tuition, notes Eckerd's Watkins.

• Have your appeal filed by your accountant. Financial aid officers say the most persuasive appeals are filed by students themselves. Letters from parents also are often rewarded. If you can still afford to pay an accountant big bucks, aid officers may suspect you can afford more tuition, too.

Grads to Get a Break on Student Loan Payments

Mark Kantrowitz / Publisher of FinAid and FastWeb

May 26, 2009

If you’re struggling to make your monthly student loan payments on your measly first-job salary, you’re not alone. The good news is, the government is taking notice — and changing the game to make sure monthly payments don’t cripple college grads.

Even better, whatever you haven’t paid off after 25 years may be forgiven.

With this new option, instead of calculating monthly payments on the total amount a borrower owes, payments will be based on a percentage of the graduate’s discretionary income. It’s called Income-Based Repayment (IBR), it’s available for federally-guaranteed student loans and direct student loans, and it starts July 1, 2009.

If you’re looking for the lowest monthly payment for low and moderate-income borrowers, you’ve found it.

Payments Based on Income, Not Debt

Income-based repayment is similar to “income-contingent repayment” (ICR), but with some key differences.

• First and foremost, IBR is available to more grads. Income-contingent repayment is only available to borrowers in the direct loan program, while income-based repayment is available in both the federally-guaranteed student loan program and the direct loan program.
• IBR uses a smaller percentage of discretionary income and a smaller definition of discretionary income — that means they’re taking a smaller chunk out of the cash you have left over after your other bills are paid. In fact, IBR payments will be as much as 30% to 50% lower than ICRpayments.
• Borrowers do not have to consolidate their loans to get access to this plan.

With IBR, you won’t have to shell out any more than 15% of your discretionary income in loan payments.*

For example, if a borrower owed $40,000 in federal education loans and made $30,000 a year, they’d wind up making the following monthly payments under the different repayment plans:

• $171.94 a month with an IBR plan
• $277.63 a month under an extended 25-year repayment plan
• $319.50 a month under income-contingent repayment
• $460.32 a month under standard 10-year repayment plan

Under IBR plans, monthly payments are adjusted annually, based on the prior year’s federal income tax returns and any change in the family size. Borrowers can also request mid-year adjustments due to changes in financial circumstances, such as job loss. A borrower who is married to a spouse with high income can file as married filing separate in order to have the monthly payments based on only the borrower’s income instead of the combined income.

*Discretionary income is defined as the difference between adjusted gross income (AGI) and 150% of the poverty line for the family size. The example above is based on a single borrower who has $40,000 in federal education loans and an AGI of $30,000 a year, taking into account that the 2009 poverty line in the continental US is $10,830 (plus $3,740 for each additional family member), and 150% of that is $16,245.

Single Parents In College – How to Successfully Pay for College

Beth found herself in a hopeless situation. She was divorced, the sole provider for her family, and the mother of three little kids. Although she was determined to make it, every step she took ultimately meant trouble. Beth knew that a college education would afford her with more opportunities. She didn’t have the money. She wondered if her life would change.


Impossible Dream
Are you pursuing your own dreams or the pipe dreams of someone else? Do you want a college education but it appears impossible? Do you feel it is already too late? If you answer “yes,” this report can assist you in fulfilling your dreams by completing college. As a personal coach and online advisor to families, I frequently get questions from single parents on paying for college. However, it is really more than getting the money. How does a single parent get the emotional and physical support for completing college? The college experience is a challenge in itself; single parents also have to consider their children and in many cases, working a day job to make ends meet.
This article provides single parents with a proven method of getting financial and emotional support for obtaining a college degree. This strategy will be helpful to most individuals. However, if you want more details, I highly recommend you review my special books for a more comprehensive analysis. I have spent countless hours reading books, searching websites, and reviewing past advice to clients to provide my readers with credible solutions to paying for college. Let’s explore this matter more closely.
The Financial Aid Mystery
Understanding the process of federal financial aid can appear like a jigsaw puzzle. The first step for most federal financial assistance begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at your local college or high school. You can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You should complete this form even if you feel you don’t meet the financial need requirement, based on your income. The U.S. government Financial Aid program includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal Stafford Loans, Plus Loans, Federal Consolidation Loans, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Perkins Loans. Scholarships and grants are not paid back by the student; however, loans are expected to be repaid by the student to the lending institution. It is important to work with the financial aid office where you plan to attend college. Remember, the process can appear to be difficult. However, it is to your benefit to be patient and follow through with the process.
The Single Parent Strategy
To be successful in obtaining free money, single parents need to develop a strategy. However, the problem is that many single parents get discouraged in the face of their hectic life and the additional stress of embarking on a college education. If a person had his or her own personal planner, life would flow a lot easier! In the absence of this assistant, having a strategy for college becomes even more crucial. After conducting extensive research and providing personal coaching, I have come up with a simple strategy for addressing these problems:

• Check out www.fastweb.com to set up a profile for possible scholarships.
• Contact your potential online college or a local college in your area for financial aid advice.
• Check out the latest college scholarship books at your library, such as Peterson’s Scholarship.
• Check out more non-traditional colleges. Go to Jonnie’s Distance Learning Website at http://www.geocities.com/liu_jonathan/dluniv.html.
• Submit at least 100 scholarship applications.
• Send letters for financial help to friends, co-workers, and other key people.
• Write a letter or call local community groups in your area and ask them about scholarships.
• Be persistent and patient.

The Path Forward
Paying for college is possible for the single parent if he or she is committed to his or her goals. The process of attending college is not an easy one. However, you have determined that you need additional education to improve the quality of life for yourself and your child or children. This is one of the biggest decisions that you will make. With my approach you have a simple strategy for success. Do you have the energy and the desire? This is the critical question you must ponder now. Start today and improve the quality of your life.

Daryl and Estraletta Green, who have been noted and quoted in USA Today and AP, provide personal advice all around the country. Want a better life? Get a copy of FREE copy of Paying for Single Parents College at http://www.lulu.com/content/892452
You can also contact them at http://www.darylandestraletta.com

Free Government Grants For College

As you look around and notice the skyrocketing college costs, do you wonder how so many people are getting their education paid for by free government grants? The federal government allocates over $30 billion every year to give away as free money.
These programs are a lot like Student Loans, except you never have to pay them back. In other words, it’s free money from the government that you can use to pay for your education expenses. This money can be used to pay for tuition, cover the costs of your textbooks, and many other expenses that you incur as a student.
Money is available for all types of students as well. Returning adult students, new students, and even students currently enrolled in college can obtain education funding. This is money that must be given out, and since most students are unaware that this assistance exists, it can be pretty easy to have a check sent to cover your college expenses.


It’s part of the government’s effort to “Keep America Strong.” If you can’t afford college, the economy suffers, so it is in the nations interest that you earn a degree.
While there is a significant amount of money available, it is your responsibility to ask for it in order to receive these funds. This is as simple as signing a form and dropping it in the mail. In a couple weeks you could receive a check in the mail for several thousand dollars.
This free money will be given away to those who know where to go and ask for it, and it doesn’t end with just education grants. You can apply for as many grants as you like, including free government funds to pay off your debt or to start a business. There are over 3,000 grant programs to choose from.

If you don’t claim some of these grants for students someone else will. Secure this free money now http://www.govfunds.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Austin_Warty

Obama's Funding For Moms

You should not feel that since you are now mom, you cannot study. This is certainly not true. Yes, it is quite true that as a mom, you have a lot of burden on you. But you can still study. This is what our president Obama has pointed out. He has made it quite clear to the authority that they should do something for the moms. He feels that the moms should not be forgotten and they should be rewarded for the pain they bear.
As per the Obama's stimulus plan, around $10000 has been fixed for each mom in America. Thus all the moms are entitled to get this money from the government. Hence, they can now sit back and then continue their study.
It is really quite sad that most of the single moms cannot continue their studies. They have to put their studies on hold. Hence the president Obama has certainly made it quite clear that they are quite important. They need some sort of compensation. We all know that his stimulus program has definitely become quite popular. It has something for all the people. He has not forgotten the mom as well. The amount of $10000 is not a small one. All the moms can use it to pay back their fees and also spend something on their family. In this way she will be able to take care of her studies as well as their families.


There is none other point. However, the survey suggests that most of the moms want to go to their college. We have seen in the past that so many ladies have done such a good thing for the country. You can find young ladies in almost every field. But do you feel that without studies they will be able to do what they are capable of doing. They will definitely not be able to do anything. This is certainly a big concern. If I am not wrong then around 30% of the populations are moms.
All of them are definitely quite capable of doing something extra ordinary. But most of them lack higher education. Generally they are married at the age of 21 and they still lack the higher education. Then question hence arises that how will they be able to continue their studies. This is a very big question and you need to solve it. This is what our president Obama has actually done.

Did you know you can get a $10,000 scholarship for Moms just for registering? Apply right now for free: Scholarships for Moms.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Parker_II

Tip to Scholarship Success: Master the Basics

Patti Ross knows what makes a successful scholarship application. It’s
not necessarily the intricacies of a scholarship application essay.
Rather, it’s mastering the basics of applying. Ross highlights the
following essentials:

• Research—know the DEADLINES
• Personal awareness—take a personal survey
• Accuracy on application
• Feedback from others

Ross can’t stress deadlines enough. Nothing looks worse for an applicant
than to turn in their materials too late. Also, make sure your students are on
top of all the required materials. Oftentimes, it helps students to create a
folder for each scholarship they’re applying for and to place the name of
the scholarship as well as the amount and deadline on the cover. Encouraging
your students to stay organized will keep them better focused and less
stressed during the college and scholarship application season. It’s also
a great time to teach them valuable time management skills.

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  FeiruzA2
  

  26 days ago
  
  My interest now is to obtain a Master Degree in mechanical engineer .My heart's desire is to obtained this Degree. Further, obtaining an advance degree will allow me to have opportunities to improve my life and situations.
  
  
  
  
  
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  IhsanB
  

  about 1 month ago
  
  Hello
  

  My interest now is to obtain a Master Degree in Human Recourse Management or Human Recourse Development . My heart's desire is to obtained this Degree. Further, obtaining an advance degree will allow me to have opportunities to improve my life and situations. I envision my role as a Human Recourse Officer, journey through various programs for services and resources in order that they receive the very best with care. I will ensure people are not allowed to wander simply because they have come to believe no one cares about them or their well being. I will serve as an Advocate for People when necessary to ensure they receive the services and programs best for them.
  2. Academic Qualifications:-
  Bachelor Degree in Organizational Management – Ahfad University for Women In 1997.
  * March 1997 – December 1998
  Women Development Officer
  Enhoud Cooperative Credit Project (IFAD)
  Duties and responsibilities:-
  • Prepare the manual plans for the WID rural council.
  • Formation and organizing the women in- group.
  • Training the contact farmers and jubaraka extensionist and extension agents.
  • Improve the women skills (hand – craft, saving, food processing soop making, and cheese making).
  • Monitoring the loans for income generating activities and working group and repayment.
  • Organization of health education training.
  * April 1999 up to April 2000
  (Volunteer) Community Development
  Area Development Scheme - Elobied- UNDP/GOS
  Specific duties and responsibilities:
  Preparing /organizing workshops, seminars and community audit (visit) sessions.
  Empowering of community groups.
  * April 2000 up to October 2000
  Women Development Officer
  Specific duties and responsibilities:
  • Mobilize women to play an active role in rural development.
  • Assist village community in identifying their needs, which can be implemented through sandoq system.
  • Assist monitor on-going sub-project and sandoq activities through reports.
  • Assist women in addressing their social and economic problems.
  • Prepare revolving funds loans payment.
  • Advice & assist CBO & VDC members in preparation of visibility studies.
  • Drug revolving fund (UNICEF).
  • Schooling revolving fund (UNICEF).
  • Improved lavatories (UNICEF).
  * 10 October up to 2003
  (Team Member)
  DAT (Development Action Team)
  Specific duties and responsibilities:
  • Draw village maps.
  • Village movement maps.
  • Village daily routine.
  • Village economic activities.
  • Village problems.
  • Living conditions analysis.
  • Future vision analysis.
  • Problems analysis.
  * November 2003 up to date South Kordofan Rural Development Programmer (SKRDP)-IFAD- Kadugli
  Assistant of women development officer
  * 1 January 2003 up to 1 November
  Coordinating Activities – Hand in Hand for Peace and Development
  Specific duties and responsibilities:
  • Mobilization of war – affected communities.
  • Integration of marginalized groups.
  • Mobilization of resources.
  • Emphasize the effect of gender culture on development.
  • Improve productive capacities of communities.
  3. Employment Records And Experience:-
  * 25 July to Friday 29 Ministry of Social and Cultural Affairs - UNICEF Kadugli
  Working With Adolescent Girls To Address Their Concerns ( As Facilitators )
  Specific duties:-
  • Assist in the identification and recruitment of up to 12 Adolescent Girls, seeking relevant permissions for their participation.
  • Actively participate in both orientation and debrief sessions to increase their own knowledge of protection issues and participatory research methodology.
  • Assist in translation as necessary, particularly during the orientation and debrief sessions.
  • Accompany the peer Advocate teams to their daily group discussions and meetings in the community , providing technical and emotional support and guidance.
  • Assist peer Advocates with note-taking and reporting.
  • Participate in meeting held at the end of each day during the exercise with the consultant and peer Advocate to address any problems that arose that day and provide assistance, guidance and support to to those who required it.
  • report any conflict or concern the consultant.
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
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  michaelknudsen
  

  2 months ago
  
  Patty's great, I like her a lot...
  
  
  
  
  
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  tz2elohim
  

  2 months ago
  
  This is some great stuff. ;-) Super excitedd to have known about it. :-)
  
  
  
  
  
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  Avaden
  

  2 months ago
  
  Good advice to consider.
  
  
  
  
  
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  toddandtoby
  

  3 months ago
  
  Thank you for your time and the opportunity to share my thoughts with all of you. I appreciate you immensely as you receive and accept my need for financial support for college.
  

  My name is Pecola Colby. I will begin my second year at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington, September 21, 2009.
  

  I will have all requirements satisfied with South Puget Sound Community College, Fall 2010 for an Associate of Arts Degree. From there I will transfer to the University of Washington - Tacoma my ultimate goal is a Doctorate Degree in S ocial Work.
  

  I am unemployed. I lost my home five years ago to foreclosure.
  

  As a single/divorced, head of household, African American woman and sixty-four years old, I am testimony to the challenges and yes resilience related to me being socioeconomically and ethnically challenged when comparing me to the dominant culture. My observation and/or perception with social services programs is that of a system at times, lacks fairness, responsiveness and accountability to some of the families they serve. I believe it is imperative that social workers remain accessible to families for support, to establish at all costs, courtesy with integrity and respect for all people regardless of race or culture. Trust is essential and that is one way to build trust. Further, it is necessary to take appropriate and necessary steps to become as proficient as possible on cultural beliefs with protocol, respect, sensitivity and with care, to recognize cultural barriers, to embrace cultural differences and to learn how to best develop the relationship in order to provide the best possible service care.
  

  My interest and passion then and now is to obtain a Doctorate Degree in Social Work. My heart's desire is to become a Social Worker because I am caring, compassionate, sensitive, and believe all families/people are significant, their voices count and should be heard. Further, obtaining an advance degree will allow me to have opportunities to embrace all families and cultures including attending to their needs and providing multiple levels for services with care. I envision my role as a Social Worker to be a voice for families as they journey through various programs for services and resources in order that they receive the very best with care. I will ensure families are not allowed to wander simply because they have come to believe no one cares about them or their well being. As a Social Worker, I will serve as an Advocate for families when necessary to ensure they receive the services and programs best for them. I will work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources; to support family development and to make certain families are on solid grouind; to allow for flexibility; and to recognize emerging family needs and community issues.
  

  I began my educational pursuit with Fort Steilacoom Community College, now Pierce College in 1981-1982. It was an honor and privilege to begin my educational journey with Fort Steilacoom Community College. The instructors were personal, engaging and worked as closely as necessary with students to ensure successes in the classrooms. However, without family support, eventually I became overwhelmed in my attempt to carry alone all the family and household responsibilities and I had to place my educational dream pursuit on hold until NOW. At this time in my life, however, there are no obstacles to deter or distract me from achieving a Doctorate Degree in Social Work. My vision is clear. I am determined to succeed AND I know I will be an asset as a Social Worker to any organization or organized structural body.
  

  From May 2004 to July 2008 I was employed with the Family Support Center in Olympia, Washington. I served as the Family Resource Specialist and assisted in meeting the needs of low-income families. My responsibilities were to work with families and support them in identifying and prioritizing their needs. I helped them identify the most appropriate resources to meet those needs and empowered them to follow through in accessing those resources. I also served as an Advocate for families when necessary and worked with case managers from other agencies to ensure a complete network of services.
  

  My volunteerism also demonstrates my commitment to families and communities. I serve as a Volunteer with my church, New Life Baptist Church in Lacey, Washington in many roles and functions. I have successfully brought for five years with the assistance and support of medical and non-medical volunteers, multiple services and programs to the immediate and surrounding communities in Thurston County, e.g. The Smilemobile, a mobile dental unit for children in low-income families and for children fifteen years old and younger, a "FREE" Back to School Physical Examination Day, Health Fairs, Walk-a-Thons, etc. I served as Chair-person for the Unity for Excellence Tutorial Program. I also serve as Chair-person for the Senior Adult Ministry. I am an Usher.
  

  My efforts were recognized in the community. In April 2004, I received the Making a Difference in The Life of a Child Award from Thurston County and in June 2004, I received the Unique Achievement Award from the Thurston County Council on Cultural Diversity.
  

  Again thank you for your time and the opportunity to share my thoughts. Please note I am available to respond to any queries you may have for clarification. Further, please note any amount of financial support is most appreciative.
  

  Please contact me if necessary at: 9225 Windsor Ln., NE
  Apt E-103
  Olympia, WA 98516
  

  OR my email address is: pediandsons@comcast.net
  

  Respectfully,
  

  Pecola L. Colby
  
  
  
  
  
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  bslangow
  

  3 months ago
  
  Matt2009, talk the school's financial aid office and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid aka FAFSA, that awards grant money and federal loans. Fill out your profile through this website and apply for all your scholarship matches!
  
  
  
  
  
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  matt2009
  

  3 months ago
  
  Hello, I'm Matthew Knight. I think I deserve a scolarship because I'm very smart and diligent, and anything that people give me to do I do it. I'm hoping to go to El Camino College in less than a month, to major in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Me and my family are in a financial wreck. My Dad has been laid off since summer of last year, and my mom only works 4 nights a week at a dead end job. So I was wondering if you will please help me, it would just be a blessing. Trust me, you wont regret it.
  
  
  
  
  
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  AnnaG167
  

  3 months ago
  
  I agree well-preparation, good presenation, self-confidence and approval by others is important.
  
  
  
  
  
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  lafemmeartiste
  

  3 months ago
  
  I dream of qualifying for one of these... the videos help delineate what information details are important, in order to get one's self organized. Thank-you for taking the time to provide this access!
  
  
  
  
  
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  ccswasey1994
  

  3 months ago
  
  Thank you; thank you; thank you!!! This will help so much, not only with scholarship applications but with college ones too! Thanks again! These videos are probably going to become my Bible in the next couple of years! :)
  
  
  
  
  
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  YaotseTettehN
  

  3 months ago
  
  It is so wonderful taking a look at your vidios, thank for those motivational messages.