Financial Aid & Scholarships - Irvine High School · 2019. 9. 27. · Tips for Writing Winning Scholarship Essays Start by going through all the scholarships you’re planning to

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Financial Aid & Scholarships

IRVINE HIGH SCHOOLCLASS OF 2020

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“Making College Affordable”

Financial Aid Steps

▶ Search for Scholarships▶ FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)▶ Cal-Grant GPA Verification (automatic)▶ CSS PROFILE▶ Supplemental Financial Aid Forms▶ Net Price Calculator

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Scholarships-Where to find them…▶ Naviance▶ IHS School Counseling Website▶ Local & Regional Organizations▶ Parent’s/Student’s work▶ Religious, service, cultural community

organizations▶ Family▶ On the internet

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Naviance

Select Scholarships and Money from the Colleges tab

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Naviance

Select National Scholarship Search to link with the Sallie Mae free Scholarship Search

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IHS Advertised ScholarshipsFrequently visit www.irvinghigh.org, > Counseling

> Financial Aid & Scholarships > Scholarship List

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Tips for Writing Winning Scholarship Essays▶ Start by going through all the scholarships you’re planning to apply for and determining if an essay is required. If you’re

not sure, contact the institution awarding the scholarship.

▶ Make a list of deadlines for the applications, giving yourself a minimum of three to four weeks to work on the essay component.

▶ Read the essay requirements carefully.

▶ Approach the essay like you would any major writing assignment, developing a complete outline that includes the key points you want to make and addresses all requirements.

▶ Compose your essay by detailing each of the key points you’ve included in your outline.

▶ It’s always difficult to write about yourself. One suggestion is to tell your story out loud to yourself or to someone else who might even jot down notes for you as you speak.

▶ Write in complete sentences using clear language, watching punctuation and grammar. Never use abbreviations or other shortcuts used in texting or social media.

▶ Include your academic accomplishments as well as your contributions to your school life and community (including student council, leadership and volunteer activities). Make this more about the services you provided and the personal rewards rather than a bragging session.

▶ Recite your essay to someone who has also reviewed the criteria so they can help you spot any mistakes or anything you’ve missed.

▶ Have someone you know that has a good eye proofread the essay before your submit it. This is one case where your grammar and spelling need to be perfect.

▶ Do a final check to make sure your essay addresses each requirement.

▶ Ensure the essay and accompanying materials (application, envelopes, etc.) are all correctly addressed and postmarked.

▶ Save the essay and adjust it as needed so you can re-use it for other applications. Be sure that relevant, key points are added for each application and remove others that aren’t applicable

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FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Is the MAIN application for financial aid!▶ Required for state and federal aid▶ Highly recommend filling it out online at

www.FAFSA.ED.GOV▶ Submission begins October 1st of the senior year▶ Information on how to prepare to fill out the FAFSA will be

presented at Financial Aid Night on Thursday, September 27th at Northwood HS (Theater 6:00pm)

▶ It is FREE to fill out; be aware of private companies who offer to fill it out for you for a fee

▶ FAFSA Forecaster and other resources▶ Deadline – March 2nd – however, check with your colleges

as to potential earlier deadlines

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FSA IDThe FSA ID is the username and password you will use when your visit certain US Dept. of Ed. websites. This is also how you sign your FAFSA electronically.

Visit: studentaid.gov/fsaid

Flex Time Workshop on Oct 8th to create FSA ID.

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Cal-Grant-Free money for college!

● The Cal Grant Guarantee: Every high school senior who has at least a 2.0 GPA, meets the basic requirements and applies on time is guaranteed a Cal Grant award to support attending a California college

● GPA verification is required for Cal Grant consideration (students applying to any school in California should submit this form, in addition to the FAFSA)

● Information is used in conjunction with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to evaluate whether a student qualifies for a Cal Grant

● Submission of your GPA is done automatically for you by IUSD unless you “opt out.”

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CSS PROFILE▶ Used by many private or independent

colleges, in addition to the FAFSA, to determine financial need

▶ Available on the web at www.collegeboard.com

▶ Check the list of schools to see if any of the colleges to which you are applying require completion

▶ Check with each individual campus for deadlines

▶ Begin submission online on October 1st

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Supplemental Financial Aid Forms▶ Private and/or out-of-state colleges

may ask you to fill out their own forms

▶ Contact the campus financial aid office for more information

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Net Price Calculator

Visit schools website and search for Net Price Calculator.

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What can you do now and in the upcoming months?

▶ Log into your NAVIANCE account and the IHS Scholarship List frequently to see updated scholarship information

▶ Search & Apply for Scholarships!▶ Attend Financial Aid Night on Thursday,

September 26th at 6:00 pm in the Northwood High Theater

▶ Talk with your family about how college costs will be covered

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Deadlines to Adhere to …

▶ October 1st FAFSA opens ▶ October 1st CSS Profile Available Online▶ Note & Meet All Scholarship Deadlines▶ Individual Campus Deadlines will vary▶ Apply early!▶ March 2nd FAFSA Deadline – Make sure

you check with individual campuses to see if they have an earlier deadline!

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