STOP LEAVING MONEY ($$$$) ON THE TABLE (A Working Guide to Scholarships 2017-2018) The High School Academic Support Program Team Lyndon Brown Cheryl Crawford Erika Jackson Wilhelmina Holder Dear Scholar: This guide was written to support you in your search for money to go to college. Scholarships and grants are available for traditional college-bound students (those entering college directly upon high school graduation), those currently in college, returning adults, non-traditional students (35 years or older), and those attending technical and/or trade schools. Millions of dollars are left unclaimed because no one applied for them. Historically, the number one reason students drop out of college is the lack of financial support. The High School Academic Support Program Team wants you to take the time to position yourself for scholarships and grants which is money that does not have to be repaid and to remain faithful to the process: researching writing, following directions, and meeting deadlines. Some scholarships may change throughout the year and may even discontinue altogether, but we strive to offer you the most updated information. The Team provided articles on writing effective essays, essay prompts from the 2017-2018 Common Application and scholarship links for your review. You should supplement your online scholarship research by visiting their websites to find the most up-to-date scholarship and financial aid information. Before submitting your essay or personal statement, ask a teacher, guidance counselor, and/or trusted friend to review it. The Team acknowledges this process can be challenging; thus, we share a few inspirational stories of students who won scholarships and are going to college debt free. Good luck to you! The Team Wilhelmina Holder, Editor TABLE OF CONTENTS Students of Color Who Won Millions in Scholarships .................................................................................... 12 10 job skills worth six-figure salaries ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.15 Student Eligibility Requirements for Federal Student Aid............................................................................. 18 Applying for Student Aid ................................................................................................................................... 18 Federal Programs................................................................................................................................................ 18 State Programs (New Jersey) ............................................................................................................................. 18 University of Bridgeport NJ Promise ................................................................................................................ 18 Scholarship Scams Warning Signs .................................................................................................................... 18 Common Scams ................................................................................................................................................... 19 Reporting Scams ................................................................................................................................................. 19 Federal Trade Commission ................................................................................................................................ 19 State Attorney General's Office ......................................................................................................................... 19 Office of the Attorney General .......................................................................................................................... 19 United States Postal Service ............................................................................................................................... 19 Better Business Bureau....................................................................................................................................... 19 Scholarship Web Resources .......................................................................................................................... 19-21 How to Fill out the FAFSA as an Undocumented Student ............................................................................. 21 10 Questions to Ask College Financial Aid Administrators ........................................................................... 21 Problems and Pitfalls with Financial Aid Award Letters .............................................................................. 22 Types of Federal Student Aid: Grants, Work-study, and Loans .............................................................. 23,24 President Obama Announces Changes to 2017-2018 FASFA......................................................................... 24 NJ Deadlines for 2018-2019................................................................................................................................ 25 Writing Tools ....................................................................................................................................................... 26 11 Grammatical Mistakes ................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.26 The 2017-18 Common Application Essay Prompts ......................................................................................... 27 Tips and Guidance for the 7 Essay Options on the New Common Application ...................................... 29-30 Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay ........................................................................................ 29-30 AG Bell College Scholarship Awards ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.31 The Dream.US Scholarship ................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.31 Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf ........................................................................................... 32 Newark Bronze Shield Inc. Scholarship .......................................................................................................... 32 UNCF Merck Science Initiative ......................................................................................................................... 32 Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program ................................................................. 33 Jeanette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund for Low Income Women ........................................................ 33 $5,000 Easy Scholarship: Keep Friends and Family Safer in the Car ........................................................... 33 CVS Health Foundation Scholarship ................................................................................................................ 33 Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship ............................................................................................................... 34 Young Scholars Scholarship .............................................................................................................................. 34 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program ......................................................................... 34 Harold Wetterberg Foundation Scholarship.................................................................................................... 35 Disney Dreamers Academy/Steve Harvey ........................................................................................................ 35 AVMA Headquarters Externships .................................................................................................................... 36 Colgate-Palmolive Haz La U Scholarship Program ........................................................................................ 36 Ron Brown Scholarship Program ..................................................................................................................... 36 Create A Greeting Card Scholarship ................................................................................................................ 37 Healthcare Tylenol Scholarhips........................................................................................................................ 37 Walmart Achievers Scholarship ........................................................................................................................ 37 APIASF W ells Fargo Scholarship .................................................................................................................... 38 Wells Fargo Team Members Dependent Children Scholarship Program .................................................... 38 Wells Fargo College Steps Sweepstakes ............................................................................................................ 38 National Amputation Foundation Scholarship ................................................................................................ 38 Marist College NSF Scholarship........................................................................................................................ 38 Minnie Pearl Scholarship Program - Ear Foundation .................................................................................... 38 National Association of Plumbing - Heating Cooling