Sue Scheff: College Financial Aid - FRAG Deadline Approaching

Are you a Florida resident with a student in an eligible college for the FRAG scholarship? The deadline for FRAG (Florida Resident Access Grant) for 2010 spring semester is February 17th.

What is FRAG?

The William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) Program provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduate students attending an eligible private, non-profit Florida college or university. FRAG is a decentralized state of Florida program, which means that each participating institution determines application procedures, deadlines, and student eligibility.

FLORIDA RESIDENT ACCESS GRANT
$ 2,511* ANNUAL GRANT

Eligibility Requirements

1. High School Graduate or GED
2. One year bona fide resident of state of Florida, as of the first day of classes. ***A dependent student's residency is based on his/her parent(s) permanent state of residence.***
3. Cannot already have a college degree.
4. Be enrolled for a minimum of 12 hours per semester.
5. Be making satisfactory academic progress(SAP)

NOTE: SAP includes maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.0. There is a grace period allowed if student's CGPA falls below a 2.0.

For renewal, a student must earn 24 hours in the previous academic year. Summer school hours earned do not count.

Maximum eligibility is nine (9) semesters.

*NOTE: The FRAG is paid on a semester basis. Each semester's grant is subject to reduction by the state of Florida, depending on the availability of funds.

2009-10 Florida Resident Access Grant program eligible institutions, click here.

Apply here.

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Sue Scheff: College Application Tips

College applications are a lengthy process that requires time and dedication. If your teen is in their junior year, the time is now to start learning about the college admissions process. Learning about scholarships and financing college is also a priority, especially in today's economy. If you have a High School Senior, please take the time to also review last minute tips for college applications.Here are some great college application tips to help you and your teen get started today:

•Start early – Being prepared can help you perfect your College Admissions Application.

•Apply to more than one school. You should apply to 3 to 5 colleges just in case you don't get accepted to your first couple of choices. Many students have their wish list of colleges, however you need to be prepared with a backup plan such as a community college or one that is easier for you to be accepted in to if your desired schools don’t work out.

•Career and College Counseling – Some teens and parents prefer to meet with a college career counselor to go over any college admissions questions you may have. In many High Schools, your guidance counselor can be of great assistance to you and your child.

•Common Application – Become familiar with the Common Application. This can help you easily apply to more than one school at a time. •Proofread the Application - Make sure you fill out the Application for Admission completely. Whether you are filling it out online or sending it in, always double check it. It is also beneficial to have a second pair of eyes (whether a parent or friend) read it also for typos or errors.•FAFSA – This is for financial aid. If you will require this, get it in on time. Take the time to review grants and scholarships. They can help can reduce your tuition costs.

•Deadlines for Admission – Be aware of the deadline for each individual application. There are different deadlines for admission applications, financial aid and transcripts. Take the time to learn about Early Decision and Early Action. This may benefit you if you are confident on the school you would like to attend.
•Apply Online - Many colleges give the option of applying for admission online. This is a great way to speed up the college application process. Again, be sure to double check your information before you hit the “send” button.

•Admission Application Fees - Remember to include any application fees, if required. Most schools have application fees, some are waived. Check the school you are applying to for their cost and be sure you include it with your application. Online application fees are usually accepted with a credit card.

•College Admissions Essay - Write about something you are enthusiastic and passionate about. Proofread many times and revise. Use your own words, rather than picking words out of the thesaurus.

•Letters of Recommendation - Have your best teachers write you letters of recommendation.

•Follow Up - Always make copies of your application and follow up with the school to be sure they have received all the necessary documents.

•SAT - You can take the SAT as many times as you like. A higher score will increase your chances of getting accepted. To increase your SAT Scores be sure read about SAT test tips.

•Stay in contact - If the college admissions department contacts you for more information, respond as soon as possible.

•College Evaluation - Thoroughly evaluate the college you would like to apply to. Prepare a list of questions, visit the campus, research articles on the school and talk to other students that have attended or graduated from there.

For more information on college applications and what college may be right for your child, resources and more visit College Board, College View, and Campus Grotto.

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Sue Scheff: Parenting Looking for Their Teens Athletic Scholarships

As a parent, I had one athletic child that had the ability to get a scholarship in college athletically, however that doesn't mean your grades can slip. There is more to acquiring an athletic scholarship than just being good at your sport. Read these great tips through Education.com.

Scoring an Athletic Scholarship

by Rose Garrett

Source: Education.com

Sports Pressure and Competition

Your teen has been balancing academics, athletics, and high school social life for years now. But all her hard work is about to pay off: as most kids and parents know, the more accomplished teens are in a variety of fields, the better their chances of getting into the college or university of their dreams.

But for some, high school sports aren't just an extra on the college application. In fact, for many accomplished all-stars, sports can mean a free ticket to the college of their choice, and a chance to play with the big boys. But hard work on the field isn't all it takes, according to Nancy Nitardy, former ivy league head coach and author of a scholarship guide for student-athletes called Get Paid to Play. Here is Nitardy's list of do's and don'ts for scoring that athletic scholarship:

•Do take research to the next level. Sure, you know you want to study psychology and play volleyball, but how do you know if you have what it takes on the court? “The best way to determine what it might take is to go on the school website and look at the roster,” advises Nitardy. Most team rosters will list the height and weight of their players. So, if all the girls on the volleyball team are over six feet tall, and you're 5'9'' on a good day, chances are you won't get on the team, let alone off the bench.

•Do make a tape that shows your best. Coaches use stats and scores to scope out athletes, but seeing really is believing. High school athletes should plan to make a videotape of themselves playing, but make sure to keep the focus on the game, not your computer's graphic design program or your favorite pump-up music. “They don't have to be fancy,” says Nitardy. “Most coaches just want to see you compete.” She advises athletes to make sure it's clear which team, position, and jersey number to look out for, and try to keep at least a few other players in view.

•Don't just sit there waiting to be found. “Kids are used to being stars in high school,” says Nitardy. “Especially with the boys, they sit there waiting for coaches to find them.” But no matter how many home runs you hit last year, coaches want to see real interest in the school and the team their recruiting for. This can indicate how dedicated a player will be in the long run.
•Don't let your grades slide. Being a superstar on the field and keeping your eye on the ball academically is tough, and colleges know it. So why not impress them with a great record all around? Even if school isn't your strong suit, studying hard to turn a “C” into a “B” can put you ahead. “I'm probably recruiting more than one athlete for one spot, and I'm going to take the ones with better grades,” says Nitardy.