Financial Aid Night Scholarships

1. Financial Aid Night Scholarships

2. Four Scholarship Areas • Local Scholarships • North Hunterdon High School Scholarships • College- and University-based Scholarships • Gifted & Talented Program Scholarships and Opportunities

3. Local Scholarships • Seniors only • Scholarships offered by local businesses and organizations • Dollar amounts vary—close to $100,000 awarded • Students must complete an application process • Local scholarship packets will be available on the guidance website in January and are due back in guidance by March 8.

4. North Hunterdon Scholarships • Seniors only • Awarded by subject-area departments for students who excel in academics and who show strong leadership in the classroom • Awarded by activity clubs • Students must be NOMINATED by faculty and staff—they may not apply for these awards

5. College- and University-Based Scholarships • Seniors only • Information available from each institution through admissions information, financial aid information, and college websites. It is a good idea to call early and get the information. • Apply directly to the university. • Where to get information? • admissions and financial aid offices • college websites • Good websites: www.fafsa.gov & www.fastweb.com

6. Gifted & Talented • Local, state, and national scholarships and opportunities are offered to students in all grades through the Gifted & Talented Office

7. Local Scholarship Timeline • Scholarship materials will be available on the Local Scholarship in January. • Listen for announcements and check the scholarship link on the North Hunterdon website: http://www.nhvweb.net/NHHS/localscholarships/ • Directions will be online. Please read all of the directions carefully so that your application is eligible. • Everything must be NEAT and ORGANIZED • Students must submit a separate application for each scholarship. • Students must sign in and file the applications in Mrs. Slowinski’s filing cabinet. They CANNOT leave the applications in her mailbox! • Return to Mrs. Slowinski no later than 3 pm. On March 8th • Hand them in early! There is a long line the last day.

8. Local Scholarship Application Procedures • Be sure to read the requirements of each scholarship carefully. • Check to see if the scholarships require a separate application. These can be downloaded online. • Complete Local Scholarship Application for each scholarship. • Include any extra essays that are necessary for the scholarship. • Please use a black or blue pen to complete the application. • Be sure to complete all information and return application and/or essays etc.

9. 4 Scholarship Procedure Types: • The Local Scholarship Application only, and return to guidance • The Local Application PLUS an additional application, and return to guidance • The Local Application PLUS an additional application, and mail to sponsoring organization

10. Helpful Hints . . . • Refer to essays written for college applications • Start the essays early! • Prepare in a neat, professional manner. • Do not skip a part of the application! • If you don’t have enough time to write an essay, then the scholarship committee doesn’t have enough time to read your application. • Students need to contact me directly with any questions. Parents should not be filling out application packets! It is painfully obvious to the scholarship committees when a parent has done this. • Helpful to add financial aid information when applicable, but not mandatory - Many scholarships are need based. • Apply! Apply! Apply! • You have to be in it to win it! • Certain scholarships have very few applicants, so you never know.

11. Scholarship Notification • Some sponsoring organizations will contact you directly • All scholarship and recognition award recipients are invited to the Senior Awards Night. • Please do not call the office asking if you won any scholarships. • Everyone is welcome to attend and support our students! • June 4th at 7 p.m.

12. Gifted & Talented Program Coordinator: Carol Crawford-Jones

13. Gifted & Talented • Local, state, and national scholarships and opportunities are offered to students in all grades • One-of-a-kind scholarships • Contests • Special Interest Areas

14. One-of-a-kind Scholarships • Applicants selected to apply by nomination, invitation and/or application. Some examples are: • Star Ledger/Mort Pye • Robert C. Byrd • DAR Good Citizenship • Principal’s Leadership Award • Toyota Community Scholars

15. Contests • Voice of Democracy • Essays • Poetry • Public Speaking • Artistic

16. Special-Interest Areas • College and university merit scholarships • First-generation student scholarships • Community service recognition such as AXA and Sam Walton (Wal*Mart) Scholarships • Ethnic, disabled, athletically talented, etc. • Ronald McDonald House Scholarships • All Students • Ethnic: Asian, African American, Hispanic

17. Applying for Gifted & Talented Scholarships and Opportunities • Check the website for information: http://www.nhvweb.net/nhhs/GiftedandTal/Index.aspx • Visit the G/T office (located inside the Guidance suite) for application materials if not offered online • Comply with instructions and deadlines

18. Summary • Plan ahead • Read all instructions – please! • Procure necessary documentation • Prepare legibly – type if possible • Submit prior to deadline • Applications received after the deadline will be marked as late.

19. Remember . . . • Your application is YOU on paper! • All deadlines apply!! • Be sure to provide Financial Aid information if you will be needing a scholarship. Many of the scholarships are based on need.

20. Contact Information Tiffany Slowinski Guidance Counselor Local Scholarship Coordinator tslowinski@nhvweb.net (908) 713-4138 Carol Crawford-Jones Gifted & Talented Coordinator ccrawford-jones@nhvweb.net