Financial Aid
Scary word “FAFSA” what does it mean? • Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • October 1st – This is when you can start filing the FAFSA. You must file it each year. • Your 2018 Federal Tax information will be used for the 20202021 FAFSA • Some colleges have deadlines and some grants/scholarships are awarded on a first come first serve basis. • Most colleges will not consider you for merit scholarships, until you submit a FAFSA
Getting Started • Student and Parent create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSAID) and password – fsaid.ed.gov • Gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and serves as your legal signature • Keep this is a safe place that you will remember
File the FAFSA online at fafsa.ed.gov or on the phone application myStudentAid
Federal and State Aid
(estimates)
• Federal Pell Grants are currently up to $6,195 • Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) up to $1,000 • Ohio College Opportunity Grant up to $3,500 • Federal Student Loans for students and parents • Federal Work-Study Program
Tiffin University Aid and Other Tiffin University • Academic Scholarships that range from $6,000 – $14,000 • Arts Scholarships – Choir, Band, Dance, etc. • Athletic Scholarships – We have 23 athletic teams • Endowment Scholarships Other • Military Benefits • Look for scholarships with parent’s employers, religious organizations, VFW, high school guidance counselor, city and county
2020-2021 Tuition, Room, and Board Costs Tuition: $27,210 Double Room: $5,560 (without air-conditioning) Gold Meal Plan: $5,520 (19 meals a week) Technology Fee: $400 Total Costs: $38,690 (does not include books or lab fees)
Strategies for Winning Scholarships Apply for everything but start local • Check community portals • Use geographical Internet searches, like “Cleveland scholarships” –do this with your city and your county • Use a personalized scholarship search tool like fastweb.com • If you hear about a scholarship through Tiffin University - apply!
Strategies for Winning Apply for scholarships with smaller award • The larger the prize could mean the lower your odds are of winning because the big dollar scholarships are usually the most competitive. • Small awards can add up fast!
The harder the scholarship-the better your odds • Students often avoid scholarships that require a lot of work whether it is from essays, videos, and projects. This results in a smaller applicant pool!
Strategies for Winning Get personal • Consider things that you enjoy or are passionate about as there may be a scholarship based on your interests that you can apply for! Your passion will likely show through which results in a better submission. • A great site to check out scholarships based on interests is https://www.discover.com/student-loans/scholarships/interests.html
Strategies for Winning Don’t introduce yourself or repeat a prompt in your essay • Many scholarship committees conduct blind readings so essays that include names or other personally identifying information could be immediately discarded. Further, a committee does not want to re-read a prompt over and over again so instead be sure to get to the point as quickly as possible.
Don’t use quotes • You should be original and use your own words-the best essays will stand out from others by being unique!
Strategies for Winning Satisfy all of the requirements • If the prompt asks you to give three reasons for something and you give two then you will most likely be disqualified! • If you only provide some of the documents needed then the committee may not consider your application-so if it asks for an application, letter of recommendation, and an essayprovide all three at the same time! • Also, be sure to answer every question and accurately meet every requirement.
Strategies for Winning Submit Early •
Do not wait until an application is due-you never know if there could be an issue with the site or your own computer!
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Some months will have more deadlines than others (March is the most common month for scholarship deadlines)
Stick to the word limit, Proofread •
Some committees will disqualify a submission for going over the word limit for failing to abide by the terms of the application process.
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Grammar and spelling mistakes are also likely to get you disqualified so be sure to proofread and do not be afraid to ask a staff or faculty member that you trust to look over it as well!
Strategies for Winning •
Apply for as many scholarships as you can & don’t give up!
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Treat it like a part-time job and set aside a set schedule each week to look for and apply for scholarships.
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You should continue applying for scholarships for as long as you’re in school.
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If you don’t win, don’t take it personally!
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Like most things in life, the most successful scholarship applicants are the ones who keep trying.
Common Mistakes •
If you have to pay money to get money, it is probably a scam
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Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships or to apply for a scholarship
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Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship
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Do not give out personal information like bank account numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers
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Missing deadlines
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Failing to proofread the application
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Failing to follow directions (essay length, number of recommendations)
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Omitting required information
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Applying for an award when you don’t qualify
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Failing to apply for an award for which you are eligible
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Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor
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Writing a boring essay
Improving Odds of Winning Get involved on campus •
Sports
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clubs/organizations
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honor societies
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Committees
Get involved in the community •
activities such as helping with a local festival or event or volunteer at the hospital, nursing home, community center, etc.
Improving Odds of Winning •
Seek to hold leadership positions in clubs, organizations, or lead other activities as this stands out more than membership or participation
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Network with others
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Interact with others in a positive and respectful manner-you never know who could be on a scholarship committee
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Re-apply for any scholarship you have had before every year if possible
Scholarship Websites • www.fastweb.com • https://www.facebook.com/TUFinancialAid/ • www.scholarships.com • www.chegg.com
Questions?