Holston High School

Senior Newsletter

February, 2012

Decoding the SAR (Student Aid Report)

The SAR comes from the FAFSA.  It is a letter detailing what the federal government calculates after you’ve completed the FAFSA. 
    If you provided an email address on your FAFSA, you will receive your SAR in your email inbox within 3-5 days after your FAFSA is processed..
    If you did not provide an email address, you will receive your SAR in the mail within 7-10 days after processing.

    Okay, you’ve got your SAR.  But what does it mean?  

° EFC (Expected Family Contribution)

Perhaps the most important number on the SAR.  This is the amount of money the federal government thinks
    your family can contribute annually to your education. 
    You cannot protest this number or change it. It is like a credit score, and it will be reported to the schools you listed
    on the FAFSA.
    You can think of the EFC as an index colleges use to determine how much financial aid you would receive if you
    attended their school.
    The EFC will be in the upper right-hand corner of the SAR. It may be zero or a number. It should not be blank.

° Pell grant

The bread and butter of federal education grants. 
    Maximum amount = $5,550. May be awarded less than this amount. Does not have to be repaid.

° FWS (Federal Work Study)

Provides hourly part-time jobs, usually on campus. Your school pays you directly at least minimum wage.

° Direct Subsidized Loan

Type of Stafford loan made to the student based on financial need. You are not charged interest while you are in school, and the interest rate
    is lower than one charged by a private bank (but rate is getting higher). Money is borrowed directly from the US Dept. of Education,
    but the amount you may borrow is determined by your school. Must be paid back.

° Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Type of Stafford loan made to the student, but not based on financial need. Interest accrues while you are in school, and you may
    choose to make payments on the interest while you are in school, grace periods and deferment. If you do not pay interest during these periods,
    it will capitalize when you enter the repayment phase of your loan. (The amount you must pay back will be significantly larger than the loan amount.)
    Money is borrowed directly from the US Dept. of Education, but the amount you may borrow is determined by your school.

° Direct PLUS Loan

    Direct loan made to the parents of a dependent student. A credit check will be done. The Dept. of Education will send the payment to
    the student’s school. The maximum amount a parent can borrow is equal to the student’s cost of attendance (COA) minus any other
    financial aid the student receives. Example: The COA is $6,000, and the student receives $4,000 in scholarships; the parent can
    request up to $2,000. Interest rate is fixed at 7.9%. Interest accrues from first disbursement (from your first semester in school).
The parent also pays a fee of 4% of the loan amount.

Free financial aid workshops for students and parents at VHCC in LRC 605 (Kelsey-Aday Theatre)

· Sat., Jan. 28 9:00am—11:00am

· Mon., Mar. 12 6:00pm—8:30pm

· Tues., Apr. 17  6:00pm—8:30pm

Last chance testing!

The last SAT of the spring will be held March 10. Register by Feb. 10.

The next-to-last ACT of the spring will be April 14. Register by Mar. 9.

You can find *free* practice tests at www.march2success.com

Don’t forget to alert the College Guide of your completed scholarships! The students who complete the most will get cake!

       Where did you apply?

      Come let us in Guidance know where you’ve applied.  Then come back and tell us when you’ve been accepted!  We’ll give you a high-five!

            Scholarships

Believing in Home Ownership Scholarship

        Awarded by the Bristol Tennessee-Virginia Association of Realtors. Seniors must write a 500-word essay on what home ownership means to them. Ten winning essay writers will be awarded $500.
        Application available at www.btvar.com. Deadline Mar. 10.

Virginia Mayflower Society

        Essay answering the question: “Why couldn’t the spirituality of the Pilgrims be accommodated within the religious mores of 17th century England?” Deadline Mar. 15.
        Sponsorship by a member of the Society required.  Winner will receive $1,620 scholarship. Minimum 3.0 GPA.

Virginia Tech Pamplin Leader

        One-year merit-based $1,000 tuition scholarship. One winner from every public high school. Student must apply, be admitted and accept admission to VT. Application due Feb. 10;
        visit: www.univhonors.vt.edu/html/scholarships_pamplin.html.

Granville P. Meade

        Awarded by the Virginia Dept. of Education for high-achieving students who are financially unable to attend college. Award good for any Virginia college or university. Award amount $2,000/year for four                  years. Applications due to high school principal Mar. 2. SAT or ACT score and four letters of reference required. Applications available in Guidance.

Buick Achievers

        Available to students planning on attending a four-year school and major in engineering, technology, design or business, with an interest in the automotive industry.
        Awards up to $100,000. Deadline Feb. 29. Visit www.buickachievers.com.

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

        For children or grandchildren of Marine Corps members who are currently serving, were honorably or medically discharged, or were killed while serving. Income guidelines apply.
        Minimum 2.0 GPA. Deadline Mar. 1.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

        Elks membership not required. Applicants judged on scholarship, leadership and financial aid. Students must be pursuing a 4-year degree. Awards up to $60,000.
Applications due Mar. 23.

American Welding Society

        Students enrolled in a welding-related educational program. Personal statement required. Apply online by Mar. 1 at www.aws.org/foundation/district_scholarships.html.

ETEAC Engineering Scholarship

        Students planning to major in engineering may apply for this $1,000-$2,000 scholarship. GPA, school activities, SAT/ACT scores and essay considered. Applications in Guidance. Deadline Mar. 4.

SAMMY Got Milk Scholarship

        Scholar athletes can apply for this $7,500 scholarship and a chance to attend a weekend in Disney World.  Applications online at bodybymilk.com until Mar. 4.

Announcements

ETSU Scholarship Deadline Approaching

        Students planning on attending ETSU should visit the department website of their major of interest to look for scholarship opportunities.
        Deadline for many of these is Mar. 1.

        ASVAB testing at the Neff Feb. 10.

        Scholarships for Members of the American Legion Auxiiary

        The American Legion Auxiliary offers a number of scholarships for youth members. Check them out here: http://www.alaforveterans.org/.

        Get your Gear Up packets done ASAP!

        FALSE: Money will magically rain down from the heavens when you are ready to write the check to your school next fall.

        TRUTH: If you do not complete the Gear Up packet, you will not get the money.

         A completed Gear Up packet includes an essay, resume and letter of recommendation.