Financial Aid Scholarships Awards

What is Financial Aid?  

Gift Aid

• Grants and Scholarships(free money)

Self-Help Aid

• Work-Study(job opportunity to earn money)

• Loans(money borrowed that must be repaid)

• Parents have the primary responsibility to pay for their dependent children's education.

• Students also have a responsibility to pay for a reasonable portion of their educational expenses.

• Evaluation of family circumstances should be consistent and equitable.

Categories of Financial Aid 

Need-based

• Aid based on your financial situation

Merit-based (or non-need)

• Aid based on your grades, test scores, hobbies and special talents (artistic, athletic, etc.)

The Application Process?  

 

All Schools
Free Application for federal Student Aid(FAFSA)

• Required for federal and state aid.

• Deadlines vary from school to school

• Several filing methods:
• Paper version

• FAFSA on the WEB (www.fafsa.ed.gov)

• FAFSA Express (800-4-FED-AID)

Some Schools
Institutional Aid Application

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE - Available in September

Filed earlier than the FAFSA

Not all schools require

$6 registration fee

$15 fee per school

• Student and school receive Student Aid Report (SAR) from federal processor

• School matches admissions record with financial aid application and determines eligibility

• School mails award letter to student

• Student mails award letter back to school  

Determining the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

   

• Income

• Asset Equity (excluding home equity)

• Family Size

• Number of Family Members in College
  
  
• Age of Parents

Financial Aid Timeline  

 

• Apply for Aid (January-February of senior year)

• Receive Award Letter (April-May of senior year)

• Comply with Information Requests (April-May of senior year)

• Verification and Aid Coordination (Summer following senior year)

• Financial Aid Disbursed (Start of first term of college)

• Re-apply for Aid (January-February of the freshman year of college)

Free Internet Scholarship Searches

• FastWEB

• SRN Express

• ExPAN Scholarship Search

• CollegeNET MACH25

Rules of Thumb

 

Debt Guidelines

• Repayment of undergraduate loans should not exceed 8% of gross monthly income after college graduation.\

• The combined repayment of graduate and undergraduate educational debt should not exceed 15% of gross monthly income after graduation.

Budgeting Guidelines

• The traditional rules call for a student or new graduate's take-home pay to be spent as follows. Students should scrutinize their expenses if they exceed these percentages.

PIN Registration

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Scholarship	Amount	Criteria
Marjorie Eaton Snow Award (donated by the Stafford Education Association for excellence in math)	$50.00	Senior with the highest academic average in mathematics
Farber Award for Excellence in Writing	$100.00	Determined by the English Department
***SHS Athletic Booster Club Scholarships in memory of:	Peter Durnakowski $100.00 Dave Grieve $100.00 Steven Levinthal $100.00 Attilio Frassinelli $150.00 Terry Deary $200.00 Edward Bastolla $200.00	Awarded to one male and one female student in each category Students complete a form indicating the sports they have participated in, any awards received, and the names of their coaches Coaches fill out evaluation sheets, and a committee makes selections based on this information quantity and quality of participation
****Stafford Music Booster Scholarship	$100.00 $200.00	Number and amount of scholarship varies from year to year Recipients selected based on involvement in the music area
Initiative Scholarship	$150.00	Awarded to a graduating member of the initiative club based on active participation with club activities and the completion of an application and essay
Ionic Lodge #110 AF & AM Grant Program	$1,000.00	Presented to a senior who demonstrates outstanding academic effort, good character, and community service Special consideration is given to students who have overcome adversity
****Stafford Band Booster Club Scholarship for outstanding performance in instrumental music	$200.00 $200.00	Number of recipients varies from year to year Awarded to outstanding students in the instrumental music area
Stafford Youth Softball Scholarship	$200.00	Awarded to a senior who has participated in Youth Softball. Based on years of participation as well as academic record and future goals Students submit name to guidance for consideration
Stafford Junior Women’s Club	$250.00	All seniors are eligible to apply and selection is based on academic record, future goals and standardized test scores Students submit names to guidance for consideration
Stafford Drama Club Scholarship	$200.00	Selection based on two years membership in the Thespian Society and on a judged essay
Stafford High School Doghouse Scholarship	$300.00	Awarded to a senior who has demonstrated service to others, as well as a positive school attitude and performance Selected by a high school committee
William Howard Orcutt Award	$300.00	Presented to a senior with a commendable high school record and involvement in extra-curricular activities Selected by a committee at the high school
Stafford Rotary Vocational Scholarship	$300.00	Awarded to a senior planning to go on to study in a vocational area. Selected by a committee of Applied Education teachers
***Stafford Education Association Scholarship	$500.00	Presented to two students who have demonstrated a positive attitude towards academic, have met with academic success and been involved in extra-curricular activities Weight is given to students planning to pursue study in the field of education
***Daniel Sarkisian Stafford Bulldogs Youth Football Scholarship	$500.00	Awarded to a student who participated in the Youth Football scholarship program as either a football player or cheerleader

 

The Stafford Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation granted $48,000 in scholarship assistance last June. Twenty-two Stafford High School students received scholarship awards. These scholarships are given through the generosity of various businesses and residents of the town, and are based on an anonymous process. This process combines an analysis of financial need (based on the FAFSA), with points awarded for academic standing, activities, work experience, SAT scores and a statement of future goals. Students may also indicate any unusual circumstances for consideration

Every senior planning to go on to school after graduation should apply for a Citizens’ Scholarship!

What is Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Stafford?

Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Stafford was founded in 1962 by a group of concerned citizens for the purpose of awarding scholarships to assist students residing in Stafford and Union to obtain education beyond secondary or high school level; such scholarships shall be awarded on the basis of the needs and relative merits of the applicants without regard to their race, color, creed, or sex.

What Types of Funds Can Be Established?

• Funds may be established in memory of a loved one who has passed away
• Funds may be established to recognize the commitment of your business, club, or organization to education.
• Funds may recognize the retirements, major events, or for any reason to help area students fulfill their educational needs.

How is a CSF of Stafford Fund Established?

To establish a CSF of Stafford Trust Fund, contact either of the following people: Gary Shearer, President at 860-684-3644 or Rose Roszczewski, Treasurer at 860-684-6321 or mail your request to CSF of Stafford, P.O. Box 25 Stafford Springs, CT 06076. If, however, you wish to start a fund at the time of bereavement it is not necessary to contact CSF right away. At the request of the next of kin the funeral directory will include in the obituary notice, "Donations may be made to CSF of Stafford, P.O. Box 25 Stafford Springs, CT 06076" This will quickly notify family and friends of your wishes. When ready, (usually after a few weeks) the family may contact Mrs. Roszczewski or Mr. Shearer directly. The family's wishes as to the type of memorial desired can be determined at that time.

Permanent Fund Memorials

If you would like to perpetuate the memory of a loved one in a way which would provide a scholarship award each year to a local student in the name of a loved one, consider creating a Permanent Memorial Trust Fun in the endowment of CSF of Stafford. Donations totaling $2,000 are required to establish a permanent memorial fund. The donated money will be invested by CSF of Stafford, and the income will be used to provide a scholarship each year awarded on behalf of the fund bearing the name of loved one.

How does the Permanent Fund Work?

The endowment program works on a simple concept. The original money gift is invested in a non-interest bearing instrument. Each year the interest generated by the investment is awarded as a scholarship. The original amount, or "principal"  remainsin the interest bearing instrument to generate more interest, which in turn will be awarded next year. Fund must total $2,000 before they generate a yearly scholarship.

My Fund Does Not Equal $2,000

Funds that are started and do not reach the $2,000 goal may be allowed to grow over a few years. if it appears that the fund will not reach the $2,000 plateau the fund originators may decide to award the entire amount the following year as a scholarship or turn the money over to the CSF of Stafford General Fund to be used for continuing scholarship.

How Do Funds Grow?

A fund grows when additional principal monies are contributed directly to the Fund. Many individuals, clubs, organizations, and businesses earmark their Annual Appeal contributions to a specific fund. Some fund sponsors conduct fund raising activities. Some businesses match their employees' contributions.

Awarded through a trust, this scholarship is given to the senior male and female student who has attained the highest academic average in their senior year courses. While the amount of the scholarship varies from year to year, depending on the return which the investment of principal brings, the scholarships averages between $1500 and $2000 annually for a total of between $6000 and $8000 for four years.

***APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE IN GUIDANCE

****APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE IN THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Awards and scholarships vary from year to year, but student recognition is an important part of the high school’s mission. Below we have provided an overview of numerous awards that have been available and the criteria for the selection of award recipients.

All New England Music Festival Medal

• Instrumental – students prepare solos with private teachers from required list of music, audition in December and perform at a 3 day festival in March
• Choral – students prepare solo with a private teacher and audition as a soloist or rehearse with Mrs. Dillon in a quarter and audition as a group

• Audition in a fashion similar to All New England Category, but can only audition as a soloist

• Presented to the junior which as attained the highest Scholastic standing in science subjects

• Selected by a vote of the staff
• Basis for selection is demonstrated leadership ability, character and academic performance

• Presented to a Junior who displays ability in the Field of Mathematics, selection based on cooperation, industriousness, and the ability to work independently

• Presented to two academically qualified seniors
• Chosen by the Art, Theater, and music staff members based on achievement in the arts (art music, theater, and dance)

• Presented to an outstanding senior student leader
• Selected by the Principal in conjunction with the staff

• Presented to one female and one male member of the senior class
• Recognizes excellence in both scholarship and athletics
• Recipients chosen after a review of academic and athletic performance by the director of athletics and the guidance department

• Presented to the students who have maintained a consistently high academic performance in French while demonstrating a positive attitude toward language and culture

• Selected based in the submission of an essay to UConn
• Coordinated by Mrs. Witkowski

• Selected by the music director under the guidelines of the John Philip Sousa Foundation

• Presented to an outstanding leader of the sophomore class

• Presented by the high school faculty to the senior who is most outstanding in the areas of scholarship, leadership, and service to Stafford High School

• Presented to a student in the top 20% of the class who has demonstrated leadership
• Selected by the principal in consultation with the staff

• The music director selects based in criteria of the National Choral Association

• High Scorers/Commended Students/Finalists/Recipients
• Awarded to students who score within the top 5% of students throughout the U.S. on the PSAT/NMSQT

• Presented to a senior who has demonstrated good citizenship
• Determined by a vote of the staff and the senior class

• Presented to two sophomores who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential
• Selected by the guidance department

• Recognizes academic excellence and performance in Math, Science and Computer Science

• Sponsored by the Yale Club of Hartford
• Presented to a male and female senior
• Determined by a vote of the staff

• Presented to a senior
• Chosen based on academic performance throughout high school

• Awarded to all seniors enrolled in the UConn Co-op program through the AP England or AP Biology courses

• Presented to the highest ranked senior planning to attend the University of Connecticut

• Selection is based on outstanding scholarship, leadership, service and character
• Juniors and Seniors are eligible for induction
• Induction ceremonies are held in the fall of each year
• Students must have a cumulative average of 85 or better to be considered for induction
• Students have the opportunity to proved the faculty with insight into their activities and achievements
• A faculty evaluation process weights this information provided by students on a 1-5 scale with a 4.0 as the recommending average
• Recommendations are reviewed by the faculty advisory council which makes final induction decisions