Scholarships, Financial Aid and Student Loans just got easier

Finding your dream school can be tough... Finding a way to pay for it can be even more overwhelming...

At www.fastweb.com paying for school just got easier!

Own Your Own Future

Start owning your own future by exploring resources that will help you on your path to college. Why go to college? How to pay for college. Can you afford it? Find the college best for you. Prepare for college.
http://www.ownyourownfuture.com/

Salary Comparison

How much are you worth? What should you pay for what you want? Learn about pay strategies, College salary reports, and the 2013 tipping study at http://www.payscale.com/.

Seven High-Paying Jobs You Can Get with a Bachelor's Degree

"Want a high-paying job after you earn your bachelor’s degree? Take more technology, business or finance classes. Students who graduate with these degrees draw the highest starting salaries because they have skills in short supply and are entering fields where jobs are plentiful." Click here to learn what job may be perfect for you!

Find the 2014-2015 Freshman Application at

http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/apps/Publications/

This includes information about college application deadlines, fees, essays, codes, etc.

Help your students avoid these common college financial mistakes

Football rivalry games and all-night study sessions. Meeting new people and being exposed to new ideas. Learning more about who you are and choosing a future career.

When high school students think about what college life may be like, they often picture an exciting world full of opportunities to meet new friends, make great memories, and generally have a good time. They may also be eager to study in their chosen majors, learn from accomplished professors, and prepare for their professional lives after college. They may even daydream about the independence college brings - about making their own decisions free of parental supervision.

 

But they may not think about one of the most important aspects of college life, one that results directly from that independence: managing money and making financial decisions for themselves. Sadly, this lack of financial forethought often continues well into the college years, with unfortunate results. These results are predictable, but all too common. If you don't study, you get bad grades; if you don't budget, you lose money.

 

Help your students avoid this scenario. Here are some financial tips to help them avoid freshman financial mistakes and start college on a sound footing.

• Avoid the credit card trap
  Many credit card companies lure students with free gifts, but the T-shirts and pizza aren't worth the high interest rates and other fees. They also make it easy for students to spend more than they take in, getting them underwater financially before they even get their feet wet in a career.
   
• Budget before you buy
  The first rule of financial literacy is really very simple: If you can't afford something, don't buy it. Having a budget - a plan for spending based on your income - allows you to follow this rule.
  
• Avoid high roller syndrome
  Many students live beyond their means, a habit encouraged by the hectic pace and intense social demands of college. Too busy to cook? Order a pizza! Going to a party? Buy a new outfit! Students often end up using student loan money and credit cards to finance these spending habits, but they have to pay up eventually. Students should consider getting in the habit of looking for less expensive options like cooking, shopping for clothes on sale or at less expensive stores, and buying used books. When the bills start coming in after graduation, they'll be glad they did.
• Manage your credit history
  It's never too early to start establishing a good credit history; credit scores affect students' ability to rent an apartment, get car insurance, and even land the job they want after graduation. Paying bills on time and refraining from overborrowing will help students keep their scores healthy.
• Save now
  Even if they have part-time jobs, most college students have modest incomes. Saving is often the furthest thing from their minds. But getting in the habit now - even if they save just a few dollars each month - will provide a rainy day fund for unforeseen needs. This will make it easier for them to save when they graduate and have a more substantial income. And the earlier students start saving, the more their money will grow over time.

British American Foundation Scholarships

British American Foundation Offers Scholarships for Seniors

The undergraduate award is intended for low income families from Texas and is intended to alleviate the financial burden of funding those college fees. General Description of the Award Tuition only Scholarships awarded for up to one semester for the fall semester.

 

Scholarship Requirements

1. A resident of Texas. (proof of residency required, SSN number, Citizen status.)
2. Enrolled in full time education within the Texas or the UK education system.
3. Aged between 18 and above.
4. Consideration partially based on dependable and independent annual household income, FAFSA Report and Statement of Hardship Budget provided.
5. Maintain a GPA of 3.25 or above.
6. Be able to attend a 15 minute meeting/interview with a BAFTX panel, either in person, telephone or skype.
7. Provide a completed Application Form along with the requested attachments.
8. Be able to attend an Awards Dinner to receive scholarship. (Usually May of the Award year.) For students applying from the UK; you must be a permanent resident of the UK. Documentation required (proof of residency required.)
9. In possession of a valid passport or eligible to receive one.

 

Complete online application at website. baftx.org

Application information can be found in Naviance.

Apply for the Hamilton Award Today!

Leadership Opportunity for Students: The purpose of the Hamilton Award is to recognize high school juniors for their academic, personal, service, entrepreneurial and leadership achievements and to select students for the Hamilton Leaders Academy, where they take steps towards a college education. Enrollment in the Hamilton Leaders Academy is free to students and includes a $500 cash scholarship. Application opens December 4, 2013 and the Deadline is March 5, 2014.
 
The Hamilton Award

Winners of the Hamilton Award are automatically enrolled in the Hamilton Leaders Academy where they join a distinguished cohort of peers from across the US who learn from one another and grow together as they take steps towards a college education. Enrollment in the Hamilton Leaders Academy also includes the following: a $500 cash scholarship; an autographed copy of Richard Brookhiser's Alexander Hamilton, American; an autographed copy of William Chrystal's Hamilton by the Slice; proclamation signed by Doug Hamilton the fifth great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton; a Hamilton pin courtesy of the Hamilton family and letters of congratulations. Bio-sketches of winners appear on this website, and news releases are sent to city, state, and federal elected officials as well as local newspapers.

The Hamilton Leaders Academy

The Hamilton Leaders Academy is a no student cost program that helps students get into college, transition to college, succeed while in college and transition to the post college world. Currently the program is two years in length. Each year of the program includes an "academic-year" of curriculum, running from September to April, along with a week-long summer leadership camp we call "Leader Week." The academic year consists of individual support through email and phone calls and group support through conference calls. Each "Leader Week" takes place in a different location. The first year takes place in Seattle; the second year concludes with an international service experience.

Application will open on December 4, 2013 at following website:
http://www.hamiltonfriends.org/application.php

You're invited!

Join the Houston Hispanic Forum (HHF) for its twenty-eighth annual Career and Education Day (CED) hosted at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Saturday, February 8, 2014.

The event will feature panels of professionals in over 50+ career field workshops; and an exhibit hall with over 200 educational, nonprofit and business organizations that will distribute materials to students and their parents. Special panel session will be held for Middle School students and their parents that will discuss such topics as the importance of a four-year plan; academics; extra-curricular activities; and tips on how to have a successful high school experience.

http://hispanic-forum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/EN_28th_CED.pdf
http://hispanic-forum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SP_28th_CED.pdf

Paying For College 101

Film Instructor Michael Ortiz uses his own successful experiences in meandering through the financial aid system. His explanations are understandable, real and attainable.

Thanks to Mr. Ortiz for taking his own time to produce this must-see video. Students, watching this could be the best 16 minutes of your high school career.

This is an exceptional explanation of the parts and processes in finding and applying for financial aid for college. Click here to view the video.

Prepare for College

"Getting ready for college or career school can be easier than you think. Start by defining your goals and interests, understanding college costs, and planning financially and academically."

Find out more:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college

What Happens After FAFSA is Filled Out?

Myths About Financial Aid

How to Fill Out the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to apply for more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds.

FAFSA Overview