Navigating scholarships and financial aid can be an overwhelming and sometimes tricky process.  Here are some tips and resources that can assist you in successfully earning financial aid for your future!

1.  Understand that your cumulative GPA starts freshman year.  When you begin applying for scholarships that are specific for senior year, you will be reporting your cumulative grade point average (GPA) which is the average for freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year combined.  Students that do not take their grades seriously at the beginning of high school sometimes struggle to improve their GPA to scholarship levels once they are an upperclassman and recognize the impact that grades have on their cumulative GPA.  

2.  Ensure that you have the required ACT/SAT or other standardized testing scores required to qualify for the scholarships you are interested in applying for.  Academic scholarships in particular often require that you have a certain GPA and ACT score.  It is important that you research the schools you are interested in early on in high school.  What is the GPA & ACT score required for admissions?  What are the different levels of GPA & ACT score required for school-based scholarships?  Then set your goals and work to achieve them!

3.  Invest the time in searching and applying for additional scholarships.  There are a lot of scholarship search websites out there and once you sign up you will receive a lot of emails with scholarship opportunities that may be overwhelming at first.  When using scholarship (and college search) sites you may want to consider using a "professional junk email".  This will allow you to isolate your scholarship offers to one location and keep it separate from your day to day personal emails.  Most scholarship sites will have a questionnaire when you sign up.  Complete this as accurately as possible as it will prioritize scholarships that meet your criteria.  Finally, most sites verify the validity of the scholarships, but you should still stay mindful that there are scams masking themselves as scholarships.  A good rule of thumb is if it is asking for too much personal identifiable information (like your social security number or date of birth) or seems too good to be true, then you should check the validity of the scholarship or move on to the next opportunity.

4. Check scholarship postings in your Class of ... Google Classroom.  The counseling department maintains a counselor google classroom for each grade level.  The ... is the year you graduate from high school (ex. Class of 2025).  Once students are in high school, a scholarship topic will appear on their classwork.  When counselors receive scholarships, they will be posted here first!  Most of the scholarships that counselors receive are senior specific, but there are lots of opportunities that can be found on the scholarship sites mentioned above prior to senior year.  Also check local organizations that you are a part of like your job, electricity company, bank/credit union or other organizations to see if there are scholarships offered to their members. 

5.  The only way to get scholarships is to apply!  The most important step in getting scholarships is to complete your FAFSA and scholarship applications on time!  Identify scholarships you can complete and make a plan in your calendar/agenda to complete the application requirements and submit it by the deadline.  Some scholarships are as simple as responding to a question or topic, others can be to upload a video, or simply an entry for a random drawing such as the LELA $1000 FAFSA Completion Scholarship Drawing. 

Grants

Grants are generally income-based funds that are available to students that qualify based on financial need.  The most commonly know grant is Federal Pell Grants.  There are also grants available such as service grants and grants for students pursuing a degree in education.

Loans

There are two main types of student loans: federal student loans and private loans.  Loans are funds that you can apply for to pay for college that you have to pay back with interest.  When you begin paying back your loan and how much interest you will be charged, depends on what type of loan you receive.  It is important that you educate yourself on the different types of loans and which one best meets your needs.  It is also important that you try to earn enough scholarships so that you can avoid taking out student loans.

Work-Study Program

Work study jobs are an option for students to work a part-time job at the university while they are in school.  When you complete the FAFSA application, there is a question that ask if you are interested in a work study job.  We recommend that you say "yes" to this question so that you can take advantage of this opportunity if you qualify.  It is also important to check with your financial aid office at the college to see what opportunities are available.