Money for College – where is it and how do I get it? Written by Vanessa McHooley
Money for College – where is it and how do I get it? College is expensive – but money is available to help you pay way! By doing a little research and filling out a few forms, you can find money through scholarships, grants, loans, and tuition assistance such as work study. Scholarships There are more than one million scholarships available each year to reward students who have distinguished themselves academically, athletically, musically, or in some other way. Scholarships pay for some or all of a student's college costs through cash or tuition reimbursements. The primary government counterpart for scholarships is Reserve Officers' Training Corp (ROTC) program. Through ROTC, military branches offer full scholarships to students who agree to serve in military for a certain number of years after graduation. Religious groups, professional associations, and civic organizations are other sources of scholarships. Grants Grants are financial aid awards that do not need to be repaid. There are Federal, state, and private grants available. Federal: There are two main types of Federal grants: -The Pell Grant is largest federal grant program. It provides up to $3000 per year based on financial need -The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant provides from $100-$4,000 per year, depending on when you apply, your level of need, funding level of school you're attending, and policies of Financial Aid Office where you attend school Special grant programs through National Health Services Corps and Armed Forces are available for students entering health and medical field. State: All states provide some type of grant, scholarship, or tuition assistance programs. Your state's higher education agency can give you information about state grants, including State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) Program. This program is funded jointly by individual states and U.S. Department of Education. Private: Many private grants are available. Your university may offer institutional grants from its own resources. Loans Once you have exhausted all scholarships and grants available to you, it is time to look at loans. Federal loans are largest source of financial aid available. Check information below for information about major types of Federal loans: A Perkins Loan is need-based and you must be at least half-time student. The interest rate is fixed at 5 percent and you can borrow up to $3,000 A Subsidized Stafford Loan is need-based and you must be at least half-time student. The interest rate is variable with 8.25% cap. You can borrow up to $2,625 year 1, up to $3,500 year 2, and $5,500 for years 3-5
| | Healthy Habits for Winter Teaching TipWritten by Freda J. Glatt, M.A.
During winter, when colds are plentiful and absentee rate is high, reinforce appropriate healthy habits.1. Have children use their dictionary skills to look up word 'contagious.' Then use a thesaurus to locate synonyms and antonyms. 2. Brainstorm a list of contagious diseases and write them down. 3. Divide class into groups for them to come up with suggestions to avoid getting sick or lessen effects if they do. Each group will need a leader to make sure everyone participates and a secretary to write down all suggestions. Make sure they understand that no idea is too frivolous to be counted...stretch their thinking skills to think outside box, so to speak. 4. As a class, write list of all ideas without duplicating any. If habits you know to be healthy are left off list, suggest some of your own and let class vote for their inclusion. Some would be covering their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze, throwing away used tissues instead of hiding them in desks, frequently washing their hands, and using different towels at home when they are sick. Make a bulletin board or a class book for your library. Perhaps your students can do typing and artwork. 5. As an Art project, have your children use paper plates, markers or crayons, yarn or construction paper, glue, and tissue. Draw facial features on plates and glue tissue on tip of nose to cover nose and mouth. These would also make an appropriate bulletin board inside classroom so children will have a visual reminder of what to do.
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