Financial Aid Tips/Reminders:
1. Your student must have their FAFSA information sent to the school they plan to attend. The school will not allow them to receive any scholarships or loans without having their FAFSA on file.
2. The RiseUp MS website has lots of state aid-MTAG, MESG, HELP. These grants, along with the FAFSA, must be filled out every year.
3. Get organized! Start a folder with documents from FAFSA, MTAG, and tax returns. Keep this and update it yearly.
4. You will need a PIN to access your FAFSA. You can create this PIN by going to the FAFSA PIN website. The PIN is a four digit number (you can decide the four digits). Your student must have one and a parent must have one as well. You will use this PIN each year to renew your FAFSA.
5. If your student plans to attend summer school, you will need to fill out the 2013-2014 FAFSA and use your 2012 taxes. Additionally, you will need to fill out the 2014-2015 FAFSA for the fall and use your 2013 taxes.
6. You can send your FAFSA information to a maximum of 10 schools-narrow it down to three. Send your FAFSA information to Northwest or another local community college as a backup plan. Sending your information to the school does not require attendance but will make things easier for you if your original plans do not work out the way you hoped.
7. 2 out of 3 students will be asked to verify the information provided on FAFSA. Sending your information to numerous colleges increases your chances of being selected.
8. Full Pell (aka the maximum amount given by FAFSA) will not cover full tuition at a university.
9. When planning your financial needs, budget approximately $1000 for books.
10. Do not make a hasty decision because you are overwhelmed. Compare the cost of attendance for each institution and scholarship/grant money from each to determine your out-of-pocket expenses. Ask your admissions counselor if you need more assistance.
Types of Financial Aid
1. Grants/Scholarships
Do not have to be repaid.
Available through the Federal Government, State Government, companies, small businesses,
private organizations, community groups, and the colleges themselves.
2. Work Study
Job opportunities at the school
Work around your class schedule
Paid minimum wage/monthly
Can put your pay toward your school debt
Must mark "yes" on the FAFSA to be considered
Most schools have an additional application and jobs are filled before school starts in the fall
3. Loans
Last option! Do not take out a loan "just for fun."
Average student loan debt $23,200
Must be re-paid; the government will seize your tax return if you default on your student loans after graduation.
If you have to take out a loan, only borrow what you need.
State Aid
1. MTAG
15 ACT
2.5 GPA
Must be a MS resident and attend MS school (student and parent driver's license # required)
Pays up to $500 per semester
Must reapply each year
2. MESG
29 ACT
3.5 GPA
Pays up to $2500 per year
Must reapply each year
3. HELP
Deadline March 31
20 ACT
2.5 GPA
Must meet income requirements
Pays up to full tuition
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Scholarships
Buick Achievers Scholars Program is awarding 100 scholarships to students interested in Engineering/Technology and a few other select programs of study. Interested applicants must meet the following requirements....
- Be high school seniors or graduates or be current undergraduate students
- Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university based in the U.S. or Puerto Rico for the entire 2014–15 academic year (excluding proprietary and online schools)
- Plan to major in a specified course of study that focuses on Engineering/Technology or select Design and Business-related programs of study. See the list of eligible majors.
- Be interested in pursuing a career in the automotive or related industries
- Be U.S. citizens and have permanent residence in the United States or Puerto Rico
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Interested in summer programs at some of the top colleges in the nation?
Check out the programs offered through JSA....for more information go to The JSA website.
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If you are interested in taking a Dual Enrollment class at Career Tech East in Olive Branch you will receive a high school student discount. The cost is $190 per class.
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Guys-don't forget to register for Selective Service! Not registering will keep you from receiving financial aid and could prevent college acceptance. Go to sss.gov to sign up.
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Keep your calendars clear for Feb. 4 or 5. Get2College will be at Center Hill to help students and parents with the FAFSA. More information to come.
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Want to use your artistic abilities to get money for college? Enter the Olive Branch Arts Council Scholarship. Submissions can be photography, video, or original artwork. Applications can be picked up in the Guidance Office or with Mrs. Clayton or Mrs. McGaughy.
The deadline is April 15.
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Seniors, are you interested in going to Delta State? Sign up for one of their student days and experience what it's like to be a real Delta State student. Register online at deltastate.edu/studentforaday.
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The DeSoto County Junior Auxiliary is awarding three $1000 scholarships to students interested in a child related field of study. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA and must be enrolled as a full time student. Applications can be picked up in the Guidance Office. The deadline is March 1.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Financial Aid Workshop--- 1-22-14 Next Wednesday 6:00 PM
Who: Senior Parents
What: Financial Aid Workshop
How to complete the FAFSA and
Apply for MTAG
WHEN: Wednesday, January 22nd at
6:00 PM
Where: Center Hill HS
Multi-Purpose Room/Computer Lab
Northwest Financial Aid
Department will be conducting the
workshop to help you navigate the process of completing the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and how to apply for Mississippi Tuition
Assistant Grant (MTAG).
This is the last financial
aid workshop planned for this year's seniors. Please make plans to
attend.
Frequent Questions About Financial Aid
FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) – Financial aid
How can I pay for college?
v To whatever extent is possible, work toward paying for
your college expenses by earning scholarships, obtaining grants and using campus
work-study opportunities. Many sources are available for finding these types of
financial aid, free of charge. Some of
the best FREE places we have found to seek financial assistance include:
§ www.Get2College.org (MS-based non-profit organization offering free financial
aid services)
§ www.mississippi.edu/financialaid (state-funded grants and scholarships)
§ www.riseupms.com (see scholarship finder tab)
§ Local scholarships and contests (posted in Guidance Office)
§ www.ms.bridges.com (see scholarship finder tab)
v Most importantly, contact the financial aid offices at
the various colleges that you plan to attend.
At least once per semester while you are in college, you also should
check with your financial aid office to inquire about additional scholarships,
work-study opportunities and internships that may be available for the upcoming
semester/year. Stay ahead of any deadlines the college sets for financial aid
applications!
v If you have exhausted all other opportunities for
scholarships or grants and still have more college expenses that must be
covered, carefully examine options for requesting reputable student loans
through your college. Be aware that all student loans must eventually be
repaid, with interest, and that college-related debts can accumulate quickly
and require many years of being in debt.
Speak personally with financial aid representatives at your college to
find out about the most economical and manageable student loan options for your
situation, always thinking ahead to what your other financial obligations may
include during future years.
How do I apply for financial aid?
v Complete all applications for scholarships and/or
financial aid for each college or technical school you are considering. Most
can be found online at their websites. Make sure you meet all the deadlines.
Check their Net Price or True Cost Calculators to help estimate your financial
aid options at each school. Some schools may require a CSS/PROFILE in addition
to the FAFSA.
v File FAFSA documentation a.s.a.p. after January 1 each
year that you will be in college. FAFSA
information is automatically forwarded to the financial aid departments at
whatever college(s) you specify, so list all colleges you might possibly be
interested in attending. Usually within
a few weeks after your FAFSA information is completed, you should begin
receiving letters and/or emails from the college financial aid office(s) about
the specific amounts of aid they can make available for you. NOTE: Be sure that you are using www.fafsa.ed.gov,
NOT fafsa.com. This can help avoid unnecessary delays or possible “fees” that
some sites may attempt to charge.
v If you will be attending college in Mississippi, apply
for state grants and scholarships (MTAG, HELP, or MESG, etc.) a.s.a.p. after
January 1 each academic year that you will be in college. Stay ahead of deadlines, which are different
for each scholarship. Call the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid at
800-327-2980 or 601-432-6997, or visit www.mississippi.edu/financialaid.
v Request information about work-study, scholarships, co-op
and internship opportunities – check with educators, administrators, and
department bulletin boards at your college.
v Remember, if you work hard on your academic studies
and keep in good communication with professors and department heads during your
freshman year, you likely will be able to learn about additional scholarships
and financial aid sources for each year you are in college. Also visit www.get2college.org for more scholarship options.
v If you begin your studies at a community college and maintain
good grades and academic standing, you may become eligible for substantial Transfer
scholarships (such as Phi Theta Kappa) offered by four-year colleges and
universities. Check with financial aid representatives and transfer
coordinators at each school to find your best options.
v Apply for as many scholarships and grants as you can! Your goal is to have a minimum of student
loans, to be as debt-free as possible, when you finish college or technical
school.
Scholarship and College Websites to Visiti
Seniors: Financial Aid
SENIORS
Apply for Federal financial aid:
File your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Need help? FREE FAFSA workshop
Wednesday, January 22nd at 6:00pm at CHHS
Apply for State Financial Aid:
File MTAG, HELP and other Applications at
www.mississippi.edu/financialaid
Juniors and Sophomores:
Apply for Summer College Programs
Visit Colleges
Stop by the Guidance Office to Pick Summer Opportunities
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Senior Info...
We are hosting a Financial Aid Workshop for Seniors and their parents. Students and parents will get help with completing the FAFSA on Wednesday, January 22nd at 6:00pm at Center Hill. The financial aid representatives from Northwest Community College will be present to provide hands on help with completing the FAFSA and MTAG.
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WANT TO GET FREE MONEY FOR COLLEGE????
Go to Rise UP Mississippi.com for detailed info about the online application process for MTAG, MESG, and HELP. For many of these all you have to do is sign up in order to reap the benefits!
Below you will find a brief overview of these programs:
Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
Requires a 2.5 GPA and a 15 on the ACT. Students must be a MS resident for at least 1 year prior to applying and enroll in an approved Mississippi college or university. Awards can be up to $500 per academic year for freshman and sophomores and $1,000 per academic year for juniors and seniors.
Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
Requires a 3.5 GPA and a 29 on the ACT. Students must be a MS resident for at least 1 year prior to applying and enroll in an approved Mississippi college or univeristy. Awards can be up to $2,500 per academic year but cannot exceed tuition and required fees.
Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP)
Requires a 2.5 GPA and a 20 on the ACT. Students must complete a specific high school core curriculum and meet certain income limitations. Additionally, students must enroll in an approved Mississippi college or university.
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Guys-make sure you register for Selective Service. This is a requirement to attend college and receive financial aid. Go to sss.gov to register. You will need your Social Security number.
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Memphis Area College Fair
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
6:00p - 8:30p at the Memphis Agricenter
FREE admission!
FREE academic and financial aid counseling!
FREE information sessions will be offered during the evening program.
100+ colleges/universities will be in attendance.
Students should register by going to www.gotomyncf.org.
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