Specifically for Moose Lake High School Graduating Seniors Planning to Further Their Education Beyond High School
To Apply:
· Go to Mooselake.dollarsforscholars.org > Students and Parents.
· After reading the “students” introduction, and opening up the help document, click on: Click to Login.
· Create your Profile.
· Once your Profile is complete, match to local and national scholarships. (Creating a profile does not automatically match you to scholarships. You must search for and match to scholarships that you qualify for.)
. Be sure to match to the Moose Lake Dollars for Scholars scholarship which opens January 1 and closes March 31 of each year.
Local, State and National Scholarship Opportunities
*Follow the links below for a list of scholarships you may qualify for. I suggest you begin with local scholarship applications, followed by state and than national. It is also a good idea to create a spreadsheet to keep track of which application you intend to apply to, what the due dates are and when the application has been completed.
1. Apply for admission to the post-secondary school of your choice. Applications are available online.
2. Complete the FAFSA online. If you are planning to attend a post-secondary institution in another state, you may need the College Scholarship Financial Aid Form (FAF). With the FAFSA or FAF form, you are determining your financial need for all financial aid (federal, state, and institutional).
3. FAFSA applications are for state and federal financial aid/scholarships and can be submitted beginning in October. Colleges and scholarship agencies often have priority deadlines in April, and some grant programs are on a first-come, first-served basis.
SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID Federal Programs
Pell Grant—Everyone is eligible to apply. The maximum award amount for 2015-2016 is $5,775.00. Fill out that FAFSA form. Priority deadlines at each school will vary.
College Work Study—Some students are eligible for working at a part-time job on or off campus under either the Federal or the Minnesota Work-Study Program. Most schools offer work-study as part of the total financial aid package. To be eligible, contact the financial aid administrator at the school you plan to attend.
Federal Supplemental Grants—Campus-based program designed for the student with high financial need. Included in ACT Needs Analysis (FAFSA). Student can receive up to $4,000 per year depending upon need. Apply to campus financial aid office.
Perkins Loan—A need-based program where undergraduates may borrow up to $5,500 a year. Repayment begins six or nine months after graduation; ten years to pay back. Apply to campus financial aid office.
Stafford Loan—Subsidized loan is based on need, and government pays the interest. Unsubsidized loan is not need-based, and student pays interest while in school. This is a long-term, low-interest loan. Apply to private lenders. Maximum amount you can borrow for the first year of college is $5,500.00.
Plus Loan (Federal Parent Loan)—Parents may borrow up to annual price of attendance less other aid received for each dependent child. Repayment of principal and interest begins 60 days after disbursement. Interest rate is variable, changes annually, maximum interest is 9%. Students may apply for deferment of principal and capitalization of interest while in school if enrolled full time.
Student Educational Loan Fund (SELF)—Long-term loan designed for students who are ineligible for the federal guaranteed student loans. Undergraduate students may borrow up to a total of $20.000 per year. Co-signor required. Interest rates vary, and borrowers are required to pay interest while in school. School must approve application.
State Programs
Minnesota State Scholarship and Grant Program—All students are eligible to apply. Complete FAFSA. The amount of scholarships and grants depends upon student need. Applications must be submitted between January 1 and May 1.
Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program—Award up to $4,000 per year, based on need. Call (800) 657-3927 or E-mail clf.indianeducation@sae.mn.us.
Military options
For those interested in scholarships and debt free education offered through the US military go to https://nolan.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations or call 612-355-7096 or 218-464-5095 for further information.
Scholarships from Various Sources
***Check with your employer, parents’ employers, churches, and any clubs or organizations you may be involved in, for available scholarships.
Below are links to several sites that provide information about financial aid:
FAFSA online: Your free application to federal student aid - this should be completed in the spring of your senior year, as soon as parents have filled out their taxes.
The US Department of Education Student Guide to Financial Aid is the most comprehensive resource on student financial aid. Grants, loans, and work-study are the three major forms of student financial aid available through the Department's Student Financial Assistance office. Updated each award year, The Student Guide tells you about the programs and how to apply for them.
Student Loan Information - This site is sponsored by a group of guarantee agencies that participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). Be sure to visit the Web sites of each of them to learn more about the services and programs they offer.
Minnesota Saves - Information for the student and parent on college savings programs in Minnesota
