College Scholarship Application for 2009
Turner Construction Company, the nation's leading builder, announced its New York City YouthForce 2020 Scholarship Program is accepting college scholarship applications for 2009. This marks the program's 20th successful year in guiding minority students towards a career in the building industry. Since the program's inception, Turner has awarded over 60 scholarships to students living in the five boroughs.
This year, Turner's New York business unit will select five graduating high school seniors from New York City schools to be recipients of the scholarship in the amount of $2,000 each year, a total of $8,000 after completing four years of college. As a scholarship recipient, students must maintain a 2.80 grade point average and complete a four-year summer internship at Turner that begins immediately following the first full year of college.
In addition to mentoring these students throughout their college education, Turner extends full-time employment to the majority of its scholarship recipients upon graduating from college.
YouthForce 2020 was created by Turner, first as a company-wide program in 1989 and then brought to the New York business unit in 1992, to provide employee opportunities to minority students attending college to study Electrical, Civil, Occupational, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management or Architecture. The scholarship program has been established to encourage minorities and women who have a strong, sincere desire to pursue an education that will result in a career in the Building Industry.
The deadline for submission of the application is Monday, May 4, 2009. The applications must be mailed to Turner Construction Company, attention Stephanie Burns at 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014.
For additional information please visit the website: www.turnerconstruction.com/newyork.
College Scholarship Application for 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
College Costs are Funded by Savings, College Scholarships, Loans and Current earnings
College Costs are Funded by Savings, College Scholarships, Loans and Current earnings
By Robert Fredrikson
Fredrikson Financial Advisors
Research FAFSA and aid formulas determine your "contribution and need." Assets and income that determine contributions are treated differently based on the source, type and owner.
Apply for acceptance and financial aid as soon as possible at several schools. Enrollment, scholarship and grant money are limited and often awarded to the first to qualify.
Save as early as feasible but not at the expense of financial goals. Build in flexibility as the amount of "need" may not be known until the first semester.
Keep money out of the child's name, by avoiding UTMA/UGMA accounts except for the child's own money. The Indiana 529 plan offers a generous 20 percent matching tax credit (up to $1,000) per year for Indiana residents, including other family members.
Have a frank conversation about commitment and repayment expectations. You would be amazed at how many parents are paying their working kids' loans and not funding their own retirement.
Be flexible. If the aid package is not enough, consider a different school with a more generous offer. Community college also can be cost-effective.
Advisory services provided through Creative Financial Designs, a registered investment adviser; securities are offered through CFD Investments, a registered broker/dealer and member FINRA & SIPC. Fredrikson Financial Advisors is not owned or controlled by the CFD Companies.
College Costs are Funded by Savings, College Scholarships, Loans and Current earnings
By Robert Fredrikson
Fredrikson Financial Advisors
Research FAFSA and aid formulas determine your "contribution and need." Assets and income that determine contributions are treated differently based on the source, type and owner.
Apply for acceptance and financial aid as soon as possible at several schools. Enrollment, scholarship and grant money are limited and often awarded to the first to qualify.
Save as early as feasible but not at the expense of financial goals. Build in flexibility as the amount of "need" may not be known until the first semester.
Keep money out of the child's name, by avoiding UTMA/UGMA accounts except for the child's own money. The Indiana 529 plan offers a generous 20 percent matching tax credit (up to $1,000) per year for Indiana residents, including other family members.
Have a frank conversation about commitment and repayment expectations. You would be amazed at how many parents are paying their working kids' loans and not funding their own retirement.
Be flexible. If the aid package is not enough, consider a different school with a more generous offer. Community college also can be cost-effective.
Advisory services provided through Creative Financial Designs, a registered investment adviser; securities are offered through CFD Investments, a registered broker/dealer and member FINRA & SIPC. Fredrikson Financial Advisors is not owned or controlled by the CFD Companies.
College Costs are Funded by Savings, College Scholarships, Loans and Current earnings
College Admission Help: College Costs Rise Much Higher Than Average Annual Rate Of Inflation
College Admission Help: College Costs Rise Much Higher Than Average Annual Rate Of Inflation
By Dennis J. Meyer
Meyer Financial, Strategies
According to the College Board, the tuition and fees last year increased an average of 6 percent and over the past five years rose 35 percent. Web sites such as www.ed.gov and www.collegeboard.com are full of calculators, current costs and sources of funding.
For example, ed.gov lists grants that you can apply for online. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, this Web site should be checked periodically because grants are listed as they become available, and each grant has an application closing date.
If you're a year or more away from having to pay college costs, consider the Indiana 529 college savings plan. This plan has various enrollment date portfolios that range from a blended mix of funds proportionately allocated from a conservative cash and bond position to an aggressive all equity/ stock position.
For example, if the student is entering college 10 years from now, you could allocate contributions to the moderately aggressive Enrollment 2019 Portfolio. Likewise, if college entry is next year, the conservative Enrollment 2010 Portfolio should be the considered funding vehicle. Plus, Indiana households that contribute to the Indiana 529 College Choice Savings Plan receive a 20 percent tax credit on up to $5,000 of annual contributions. Because there are many variables that may affect a college fundraising effort, a financial and tax adviser should be consulted.
College Admission Help: College Costs Rise Much Higher Than Average Annual Rate Of Inflation
By Dennis J. Meyer
Meyer Financial, Strategies
According to the College Board, the tuition and fees last year increased an average of 6 percent and over the past five years rose 35 percent. Web sites such as www.ed.gov and www.collegeboard.com are full of calculators, current costs and sources of funding.
For example, ed.gov lists grants that you can apply for online. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, this Web site should be checked periodically because grants are listed as they become available, and each grant has an application closing date.
If you're a year or more away from having to pay college costs, consider the Indiana 529 college savings plan. This plan has various enrollment date portfolios that range from a blended mix of funds proportionately allocated from a conservative cash and bond position to an aggressive all equity/ stock position.
For example, if the student is entering college 10 years from now, you could allocate contributions to the moderately aggressive Enrollment 2019 Portfolio. Likewise, if college entry is next year, the conservative Enrollment 2010 Portfolio should be the considered funding vehicle. Plus, Indiana households that contribute to the Indiana 529 College Choice Savings Plan receive a 20 percent tax credit on up to $5,000 of annual contributions. Because there are many variables that may affect a college fundraising effort, a financial and tax adviser should be consulted.
College Admission Help: College Costs Rise Much Higher Than Average Annual Rate Of Inflation
Introducing: Patrick O'Connor – a Great College Counselor
Introducing: Patrick O'Connor – a Great College Counselor
Patrick O’Connor is the author and creator of COLLEGE ADMISSION SUCCESSWARE, a complete college application and admission toolkit.
COLLEGE ADMISSION SUCCESSWARE is an all-in-one package which will provide students and parents alike with the tools and knowledge to effectively make it through the application process. That's right, not only will you gain the knowledge and insight, but also the tools and a PLAN to succeed.
Patrick O'Connor is an Author and one of America's most effective admissions counselor.
O’Connor is on the Political Science Faculty of Oakland Community
College and is Director of College Counseling at The Roeper School, both
in Metropolitan Detroit. Born and raised in Detroit, he has been a college
counselor since 1984, serving students in rural, urban, and suburban high
schools, as well as community college. He has worked as an independent
college consultant, and is one of the counselors who assists students
through the Ask the Counselor column on MyFootpath.com.
The first generation in his family to go to college, Patrick has served as
president of the Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling,
and the National Association for College Admission Counseling. He is a
recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award from Oakland Community
College, the Margaret Addis Service to NACAC Award, and the William
Gramenz Award (for outstanding contributions to college counseling in
Michigan.) He holds five college degrees, including a Ph.D. in Education
Administration.
Introducing: Patrick O'Connor – a Great College Counselor
Patrick O’Connor is the author and creator of COLLEGE ADMISSION SUCCESSWARE, a complete college application and admission toolkit.
COLLEGE ADMISSION SUCCESSWARE is an all-in-one package which will provide students and parents alike with the tools and knowledge to effectively make it through the application process. That's right, not only will you gain the knowledge and insight, but also the tools and a PLAN to succeed.
Patrick O'Connor is an Author and one of America's most effective admissions counselor.
O’Connor is on the Political Science Faculty of Oakland Community
College and is Director of College Counseling at The Roeper School, both
in Metropolitan Detroit. Born and raised in Detroit, he has been a college
counselor since 1984, serving students in rural, urban, and suburban high
schools, as well as community college. He has worked as an independent
college consultant, and is one of the counselors who assists students
through the Ask the Counselor column on MyFootpath.com.
The first generation in his family to go to college, Patrick has served as
president of the Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling,
and the National Association for College Admission Counseling. He is a
recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award from Oakland Community
College, the Margaret Addis Service to NACAC Award, and the William
Gramenz Award (for outstanding contributions to college counseling in
Michigan.) He holds five college degrees, including a Ph.D. in Education
Administration.
Introducing: Patrick O'Connor – a Great College Counselor
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Experts: Pell College Grant Hike Will Be Big
Experts: Pell College Grant Hike Will Be Big
Boston Business Journal - by Jesse Noyes
Friday, February 20, 2009
The stimulus package signed into law by President Barack Obama earlier this week includes increases to grants for needy college students that will provide millions of dollars more in student aid at Massachusetts campuses this fall, experts said.
But financial officers are still in the dark on exactly how the money will be distributed.
The maximum amount a student can receive from a Pell grant, which goes to the most needy students, will increase by $500 to $5,350 for the 2009-2010 academic year. It will go up to $5,500 the next year.
That’s a huge increase, financial aid officers said, and will be helpful in holding up retention rates as student need rises in a terrible economy.
“It’s a win-win for the school and the student because the student gets more money and the school in turn is able to retain more students” said Bernie Pekala, director of student financial strategies at Boston College. About 1,000 students received pell grants at BC this past year.
But Pekala said it’s not clear whether the additional funds will be spread out to a greater number of students or whether eligible students will get more money at this point.
Each year the U.S. Department of Education provides colleges with what’s called a “Pell grid” outlining what students are eligible for the grants and how much they are eligible for. Typically, universities will have already received the grid by now, but there’s been a delay as the recent stimulus actions are factored in, financial aid officers said.
It’s unclear whether the eligibility requirements will be changed to give more students access to the funds, experts said.
“Will start packaging students estimated awards in the next couple of weeks,” said Dan Forster, chief financial aid officer at Simmons College, which said about 20 percent of students there are usually eligible for pell grants.
Whether eligibility requirements are changed or not, experts said more students will be eligible for pell grants as family incomes drop because of lost jobs and declining investments.
“Times are tough for students and the more grant money we can offer them to help them afford the cost of education is a plus,” said Joyce McLaughlin, director of financial aid at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Experts: Pell College Grant Hike Will Be Big
Boston Business Journal - by Jesse Noyes
Friday, February 20, 2009
The stimulus package signed into law by President Barack Obama earlier this week includes increases to grants for needy college students that will provide millions of dollars more in student aid at Massachusetts campuses this fall, experts said.
But financial officers are still in the dark on exactly how the money will be distributed.
The maximum amount a student can receive from a Pell grant, which goes to the most needy students, will increase by $500 to $5,350 for the 2009-2010 academic year. It will go up to $5,500 the next year.
That’s a huge increase, financial aid officers said, and will be helpful in holding up retention rates as student need rises in a terrible economy.
“It’s a win-win for the school and the student because the student gets more money and the school in turn is able to retain more students” said Bernie Pekala, director of student financial strategies at Boston College. About 1,000 students received pell grants at BC this past year.
But Pekala said it’s not clear whether the additional funds will be spread out to a greater number of students or whether eligible students will get more money at this point.
Each year the U.S. Department of Education provides colleges with what’s called a “Pell grid” outlining what students are eligible for the grants and how much they are eligible for. Typically, universities will have already received the grid by now, but there’s been a delay as the recent stimulus actions are factored in, financial aid officers said.
It’s unclear whether the eligibility requirements will be changed to give more students access to the funds, experts said.
“Will start packaging students estimated awards in the next couple of weeks,” said Dan Forster, chief financial aid officer at Simmons College, which said about 20 percent of students there are usually eligible for pell grants.
Whether eligibility requirements are changed or not, experts said more students will be eligible for pell grants as family incomes drop because of lost jobs and declining investments.
“Times are tough for students and the more grant money we can offer them to help them afford the cost of education is a plus,” said Joyce McLaughlin, director of financial aid at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Experts: Pell College Grant Hike Will Be Big
College Costs Are Rising. Do You Have Advice on How To Get College Grants or College Scholarships?
College Costs Are Rising. Do You Have Advice on How To Get College Grants or College Scholarships?
Indianapolis Star
February 22, 2009
The prospect of paying for a college education for yourself or your children is a daunting consideration. Continually rising costs mean people should carefully research grants and scholarships and consider saving money in a tax-free savings plan, such as the Indiana 529 College Choice Savings Plan.
It is a fact that the cost of sending your child to college is rising at a greater rate than other things. Many wonder what to do. This question can be answered by looking at what stage of life your future college student now is in.
If you have a young child, begin by putting money into a college savings plan. This money will grow tax-free, and as long as the money is used for qualified college expenses, it will come out tax-free, too.
Assist your child with schoolwork, when needed, to help him or her earn good grades, and consult with school counselors to learn about available grants and scholarships.
If you have a child in high school right now ,and your savings are not going to cover the cost of college, there are many programs that might be of benefit to you. First and foremost, it is advisable to always complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form by March 10. Without this form being filed on time, a student will not be eligible for state or federal student aid. Additionally, there are many loan programs that might be of assistance. These programs include:
Perkins Loan, for low-income students.
Stafford Loan, for dependent undergraduates with a $5,500 yearly maximum.
Parent Plus Loan, which has higher borrowing limits; however, parents need to pass a credit check.
Many programs can help with the rising costs of higher education. The key is to start planning early, get involved and get informed. Advice from a financial adviser can assist in this planning.
College Costs Are Rising. Do You Have Advice on How To Get College Grants or College Scholarships?
Indianapolis Star
February 22, 2009
The prospect of paying for a college education for yourself or your children is a daunting consideration. Continually rising costs mean people should carefully research grants and scholarships and consider saving money in a tax-free savings plan, such as the Indiana 529 College Choice Savings Plan.
It is a fact that the cost of sending your child to college is rising at a greater rate than other things. Many wonder what to do. This question can be answered by looking at what stage of life your future college student now is in.
If you have a young child, begin by putting money into a college savings plan. This money will grow tax-free, and as long as the money is used for qualified college expenses, it will come out tax-free, too.
Assist your child with schoolwork, when needed, to help him or her earn good grades, and consult with school counselors to learn about available grants and scholarships.
If you have a child in high school right now ,and your savings are not going to cover the cost of college, there are many programs that might be of benefit to you. First and foremost, it is advisable to always complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form by March 10. Without this form being filed on time, a student will not be eligible for state or federal student aid. Additionally, there are many loan programs that might be of assistance. These programs include:
Perkins Loan, for low-income students.
Stafford Loan, for dependent undergraduates with a $5,500 yearly maximum.
Parent Plus Loan, which has higher borrowing limits; however, parents need to pass a credit check.
Many programs can help with the rising costs of higher education. The key is to start planning early, get involved and get informed. Advice from a financial adviser can assist in this planning.
College Costs Are Rising. Do You Have Advice on How To Get College Grants or College Scholarships?
Two Myths and One Sure Truth About Financial Aid and College Grants
Two Myths and One Sure Truth About Financial Aid and College Grants
By BECKETT HOWORTH
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
Today's column covers two common myths and one sure truth about college financial aid. That truth? The early bird catches the worm: The "worm" in this case is any type of limited-fund need-based financial aid or scholarship. The most dollars are available to those who apply at the earliest possible date. The key document in determining need is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Go online today with your tax return in hand and complete the FAFSA. If you haven't done your taxes, use last year's to estimate and then update later.
Which brings us to those myths:
1: "You make too much money to get financial aid so there's no need to fill out the FAFSA."
Since you cannot really know without filing the FAFSA, it is far better to go ahead and cover your bases. Keep in mind that the number of dependents in the home and especially the number who will be in college can greatly increase the calculation of a family's financial need. Some families, perhaps those who farm or own businesses, may be cash-poor and show need despite the potential liquidated value of what they own.
Since the official estimated Coast of Attendance can vary tremendously from college to college, a family's relative need for financial assistance can change greatly depending on where the student goes. The COA includes tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and some amount for "miscellaneous" expenses.
For example, this year a well-known private university in a contiguous state estimated annual COA for a first-year student living on campus at "$50,200 + transportation"; a nearby public university estimated $16,797; and a local community college calculated $10,350. The greater the COA, the greater the potential need.
When comparing costs, make sure you are getting the official COA. Every college has one.
2: "If you do well in high school, you won't have to pay for college."
College is free for very few students. We generally think of varsity athletes playing high profile sports as getting "free rides," but they have regular expenses not covered by their athletic scholarships. Yes, a few top academic students do win scholarships that cover everything, possibly including summer travel, research support, a computer - the works - but those who win those most generous scholarships 1) have demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills, 2) have consistently excelled in all classes, including the most challenging their high schools offer, and 3) almost without exception have eye-popping standardized test scores.
There are a huge number of very good reasons to do well in high school, starting with building a foundation you can rely on in the future and including earning at least a partial academic scholarship, but, sorry to say, getting to go to college free is rarely one of them.
A note on the FAFSA: If you Google "FAFSA," you will get many sites, some asking for fees. The FAFSA is free, so be sure you go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Beckett Howorth, M.Ed., former director of admissions and a past president of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling, has 33 years of admissions experience. He now guides students and families as an independent college counselor. To contact him or to read more information on college, go to www.howortheducationalplanning.com. Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 2/23/2009,
Two Myths and One Sure Truth About Financial Aid and College Grants
By BECKETT HOWORTH
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
Today's column covers two common myths and one sure truth about college financial aid. That truth? The early bird catches the worm: The "worm" in this case is any type of limited-fund need-based financial aid or scholarship. The most dollars are available to those who apply at the earliest possible date. The key document in determining need is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Go online today with your tax return in hand and complete the FAFSA. If you haven't done your taxes, use last year's to estimate and then update later.
Which brings us to those myths:
1: "You make too much money to get financial aid so there's no need to fill out the FAFSA."
Since you cannot really know without filing the FAFSA, it is far better to go ahead and cover your bases. Keep in mind that the number of dependents in the home and especially the number who will be in college can greatly increase the calculation of a family's financial need. Some families, perhaps those who farm or own businesses, may be cash-poor and show need despite the potential liquidated value of what they own.
Since the official estimated Coast of Attendance can vary tremendously from college to college, a family's relative need for financial assistance can change greatly depending on where the student goes. The COA includes tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and some amount for "miscellaneous" expenses.
For example, this year a well-known private university in a contiguous state estimated annual COA for a first-year student living on campus at "$50,200 + transportation"; a nearby public university estimated $16,797; and a local community college calculated $10,350. The greater the COA, the greater the potential need.
When comparing costs, make sure you are getting the official COA. Every college has one.
2: "If you do well in high school, you won't have to pay for college."
College is free for very few students. We generally think of varsity athletes playing high profile sports as getting "free rides," but they have regular expenses not covered by their athletic scholarships. Yes, a few top academic students do win scholarships that cover everything, possibly including summer travel, research support, a computer - the works - but those who win those most generous scholarships 1) have demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills, 2) have consistently excelled in all classes, including the most challenging their high schools offer, and 3) almost without exception have eye-popping standardized test scores.
There are a huge number of very good reasons to do well in high school, starting with building a foundation you can rely on in the future and including earning at least a partial academic scholarship, but, sorry to say, getting to go to college free is rarely one of them.
A note on the FAFSA: If you Google "FAFSA," you will get many sites, some asking for fees. The FAFSA is free, so be sure you go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Beckett Howorth, M.Ed., former director of admissions and a past president of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling, has 33 years of admissions experience. He now guides students and families as an independent college counselor. To contact him or to read more information on college, go to www.howortheducationalplanning.com. Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 2/23/2009,
Two Myths and One Sure Truth About Financial Aid and College Grants
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