November/December, 2004                                                                                                     Volume 2

 

I            FINANCIAL AID FORMS

           Who should complete the two Financial Aid Forms (FAFSA and GPA Verification Form)?

           A.  Any Senior planning on attending a 4-year College or University, a 2-year Community

                 College or a Trade or Vocational School should apply.

 

            B.   The California Student Aid Commission which processes applications for financial

                  Aid is encouraging all high school seniors in California to complete the Free

                  Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Grade Point Average (GPA)

                  Verification form.  Both are to be postmarked no later than March 2, 2005.

1.      The GPA Verification form will be submitted for you electronically this year, which means you will not have to complete a separate form.  However, your Social Security number is needed to do this. If you complete the Cal Grant Information Release Form and turn it into the Counseling Office by Friday, Dec.3, your Cal Grant application will be sent electronically.  If you miss this deadline, you must pick up a Cal Grant GPA Verification form and submit it yourself.

2.      The FAFSA form cannot be sent before January 1, 2005

a.                   You are encouraged to apply on-line for the FAFSA.  Right now, you and your

parents can prepare for this by getting a FAFSA PIN.

1.1.                        Log on to the Internet and go to www.fafsa.ed.gov . Then click on the

“Getting Started” button and follow the prompts.

                              2.2.     To file a FAFSA online, students need a PIN and parents or guardians

                                         need a PIN too.  So get a PIN for you and your parents or guardians

                                         NOW!!

 

            C.     Continued Push for “FAFSA on Web”

         1.   Use paper FAFSA as a worksheet.

   2.   FAFSA on Web – It can edit errors; much more efficient. 

   3.   It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY  to complete the FAFSA form by March 2, 2005.                           

            D.     Once your GPA is submitted electronically, you are eligible for Cal Grant Awards.

                     1.  Cal Grant A Entitlement Award –

a.  Must have financial need

b.                         Must have 3.0 GPA

c.  Must file a FAFSA, preferably on line. (beginning January 1, 2005 and

 no later than March 2, 2005). 

d.                         Must file GPA Verification form.  Yours will be submitted electronically for    you if you meet the Dec. 3 deadline.  If not, you must submit the form          

 yourself.

e.  This award pays full fees at CSU and UC campuses.  It also provides

                                        tuition support at private California colleges and universities.

 

                  2.  Cal Grant B Entitlement Award –

a.   Must have financial need

b.   Must have 2.0 GPA

c.   Must file a FAFSA, preferable on line (beginning January 1, 2005 and

no later than March 2, 2005).

d.                        Must file GPA Verification form.  Yours will be submitted electronically for   

you if you meet the Dec. 3 deadline.  If not, you must submit the form yourself.

e.   This award provides up to $1551 for books and living expenses for the

                                       for the first year.  Beginning with the second year, this award also helps

pay for tuition and fees at public or private 4-year colleges.

3.      Cal Grant A, B and C Competitive Awards

         a.  These awards are similar to Cal Grant A and B Entitlement Awards except that

              they are not guaranteed.

         b.  Cal Grant A Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 3.0 GPA

              from low to middle income families.

         c.  Cal Grant B Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 2.0 GPA

              and are from disadvantaged and low income families.

         d.  Cal Grant C Competitive Awards assist students with tuition, fees and training

              costs for occupational and vocational programs. 

         e.  It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY complete the FAFSA form by March 2, 2005

                                  

II.              DEADLINE DATES FOR PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SCHOLARSHIPS AND

                   AWARDS

                           

A.       CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, CHICO – MUSIC DEPARTMENT  

          SCHOLARSHIP

           1.  Application due January 26, 2005 for audition on February 5, 2005.

   B.    THE ROY L. SPLAWN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP GRANT       

                        PROGRAM

        1.  Deadline Date:  November 22, 2004 (This is not a postmark deadline.  It must be                 RECEIVED by this date.)  

   C.   THE STOKES EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (NATIONAL SECURITY            AGENCY)

                1.  Deadline Date:  Postmark no later than November 30, 2004.

D.   GATES MILLENIUM SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP

                1.  Deadline Date:  January 15, 2005 (Application must be submitted either on-line or

                     postmarked by this date.)

E.    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS – CAL AGGIE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

                LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

         1.  Deadline Date:  The mailing must be postmarked by January 31, 2005.

    F.   THE CHRISTERMON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

         1.  Deadline Date:  February 1, 2005

            G.    BANK OF AMERICA 2004-2005 FINANCIAL AID SWEEPSTAKES

                   1.  Deadline Date:  August 2, 2005

 

III.       NEW SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS (More information and the

            applications regarding these scholarships are available in the Counseling Office.)

 

A.        AXA ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

             1.   AXA, in association with US News & World Report, will award $670,000 in college

                   scholarships.

             2.   Eligibility:

                   a.  You should be well-rounded, determined to do your personal best and have demonstrated

                        achievement at a job, sport or extracurricular activity.

             3.   Students must visit the AXA website at www.axa-achievement.com and download the application.

             4.   DEADLINE DATE:  December 15, 2004.

 

B.        ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION “2005 MOST VALUABLE STUDENT” 

            SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION 

1.       Open to all graduating seniors.  Students who apply for this scholarship have the opportunity to    

compete for awards at the local, district, state and national levels.

             2.   Two national scholarships are given to a male and female student in the amount of $60,000.

            3.   Eligibility:

                   a.   Must be a U.S. citizen.

                   b.   Must submit SAT or Act test scores.

             4.   DEADLINE DATE:  Application must be returned to the Chico Elks Lodge, 1705 Manzanita

                  Ave., Chico, CA  95926 on or before January 14, 2005.

            5.   Students with questions, please contact either the Chico Elks Lodge, 343-1431, or Scholarship Chair

                   Erin Junge, 570-5140.

 

C.        ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION – LEGACY AWARD 2005 APPLICATION

            1.   Available to children, grandchildren (or step-children and step-grandchildren) of Elks Lodge 

                   members.

            2.   Eligibility:

                   a.  Must submit SAT or Act test scores.

            3.   DEADLINE DATE:  Postmark deadline January 14, 2005.  Must be sent to the Elks National

                   Foundation, 750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL  60614-1889

            4.   Students with questions, please contact either the Chico Elks Lodge, 343-1431, or Scholarship Chair

                   Erin Junge, 570-5140.

 

D.                CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATIONAL OFFICE PROFESSIONAL

                     (CAEOP) 2004-2005 STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

1.   The CAEOP Student Scholarship is provided to assist business education students who wish to

    continue higher education and pursue a career in business administration or education.  One or

    more scholarships of $1000 will be awarded.  This is a “tuition-only” scholarship.

2.   Eligibility:

   a.   Must be a graduating high school student who has made application to continue his/her

        education.

   b.   Must have a GPA of 2.0 or better.

   c.   Must have applied for admission to post high school accredited institution and plan to enter

        following the granting of the scholarship.

   d.   Must be a resident of the state of California.

   e.   Must intend to continue his/her education in the field of business administration or education.

             3.  DEADLINE DATE:  January 14, 2005 (Postmark deadline)

 

E.                  CALIFORNIA STATE PTA - GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR

                  SCHOLARLSHIP (To recognize volunteer service in the school and (community)     

           1.   Scholarships in the amount of $500 each are available.

             2.   Eligibility:

      a.   Must attend a public high school that has a PTA/PTSA unit in good standing.

      b.   Must have worked as a volunteer in the school and community.

      c.   Must also be a member of PTA/PTSA (A copy of applicant’s PTA/PTSA

            membership card for 2004-2005 must be submitted with application.)

      d.   Must plan to attend a college, university, trade or technical school

            3.   DEADLINE DATE:  February 1, 2005 (must be received by this date).

 

F.       13^TH DISTRICT PTA – GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP

           (TO RECOGNIZE VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY)

1.       Scholarships in the amount of $500 each are available.

2.       Eligibility:

a.   Must attend a public high school that has a PTA/PTSA unit in good standing.

b.   Must have worked as a volunteer in the school and community.

c.   Must also be a member of PTA/PTSA (a copy of applicant’s PTA/PTSA membership

      card for 2004-2005 must be submitted with application.

d.   Must plan to attend a college, university, trade or technical school.

             3.   DEADLINE DATE:  February 1, 2005 (must be received by this date).

 

G.       CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, CHICO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

1.    CSU, Chico offers merit and scholarship awards to deserving students in amounts

ranging from $100 to $3000.

                     2.   Eligibility:

                           a.   An overall GPA of 3.0 or above is generally required to qualify for scholarships,                                                 however all applicants with a GPA of 2.0 or above will be considered.       

                           b.   Consideration is also given to financial need, specific fields of study and other

                                  special criteria.

                           c.    Must be admitted and enrolled as a full-time student at CSU, Chico.

             d.    Access the online application and instructions at www.csuchico.edu/scholarships and also

                    print a pre-application worksheet.

             e.    Submit your cover sheet and all supplemental materials to the scholarship office by

                    midnight, February 1, 2005.

3.   It is emphasized for this On-line Scholarship Application that you CAREFULLY

READ how to apply.

1.      DEADLINE DATE:  Applications must be submitted electronically by midnight,    

 Pacific Daylight Time, February 1, 2005.

 

H.        U.S. BANK INTERNET SCHOLARSHIP

    1.   Thirty (30) $1000 scholarships will be awarded.

    2.   Eligibility:

          a.   Must plan to attend a two or four-year college full time Fall, 2005.

                      b.   Recipients are selected through a random drawing process.

                     c.              No essays and no minimum GPA required.

                     d.   You must apply on-line at www.usbank.com/studentbanking .

                 3.   DEADLINE DATE:  February 28, 2005

 

I.          DE VRY INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIPS

            1.   200 scholarships will be awarded valued at nearly 10 million dollars.

                  a.   Each President’s scholarship is valued up to $40,000.

                  b.   Each Dean’s scholarship (partial tuition) is valued up to $1500 per term.

            2.   Eligibility:

                  a.   Must pursue training in business administration, biomedical engineering technology, computer

                        engineering technology, computer information systems, electronics and computer technology,  

                        electronics engineering technology, health information technology, network and communications

                         management, network systems administration and technical management at any of the 22 U.S.

                         DeVry Institute campuses.

                  b.   President finalists will be determined on the basis of official ACT/SAT scores which must be

                        submitted by March 11, 2005.

                  c.   Dean’s scholarship winners will be chosen on the basis of ACT/SAT scores.  ACT composite

                        score of at least 24 or an SAT combined score of at least 1100.

            3.   For more information, access DeVry’s web page at www.devry.edu .

            4.   DEADLINE DATE:  March 11, 2005

 

 

J.            WRITING AND SCHOLARSHIP PLANNING FOR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS

            PROGRAM

1.       More than $35,000 in student scholarships will be awarded.

2.       Eligibility:

a.   Must be in Grade 11 or 12.

b.   Must write a 2 page essay answering the question:  “In what way does money and the act of

      saving money present a challenge to today’s youth?”

c.   Download entry form:  http://message.scholastic.com/r/?ZXU=115602&ZXD=16666804 .

            3.   DEADLINE DATE:  Entries must be postmarked by March 11, 2005.

 

K.            BLOOD SOURCE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

            1.   One $500 scholarship will be awarded.

            2.   Eligibility:

                  a.   Available only to graduating seniors who were active blood drive committee members at their

                        school during the 2004-2005 school year.

                  b.   Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

                  c.   Must plan to attend a community college or a 4 year college/university or technical school within

                        one year of high school graduation.

3.       DEADLINE DATE:  April 1, 2005

 

L.            TRUMAN D. PICARD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

            1.   Four (4) $1200 scholarships will be awarded to Native American students pursuing an education in

                  Natural Resources.

            2.   Eligibility:

                  a.   Must be Native American/Alaskan to apply.

                  b.   Must submit letter of application demonstrating interest in Natural Resources, commitment to

                        education, community/culture, academic merit and financial need.

                  c.   Must submit a resume.

                  d.   Must submit three letters of reference.

                  e.   Must show validated enrollment in a federally recognized Tribe or Native Alaska Corporation.

                  f.   Web site – www.itcnet.org .

            3.   DEADLINE DATE:  April 1, 2005 (must arrive no later than this date).

IV         MOST IMPORTANT REMINDER:

            A.   Financial Aid Forms are due March 2, 2005

1.   Whether you are going to a 4-year college or university, or a two-year community                                      college or a trade or vocational school, it is to your advantage to complete these forms.

                   2.   FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is to be mailed between January 1,

                         2005 and March 2, 2005.

                   3.   GPA Verification deadline is March 2, 2005

                         a.   This form will be submitted electronically for you if you meet the December 3

                              deadline in the Counseling Office.

   b.  If you miss this deadline, you must pick up a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form and

 submit it yourself.

 

V            FINANCIAL AID PARENT/GUARDIAN/STUDENT INFORMATION NIGHT

            A.   Financial Aid Information Night will be held Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 7:00 P.M.

B.   All seniors and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend.

 

VI            BUTTE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS/REG-TO-GO PROGRAM

            A.   Reg-To-Go Four-Step Process:

                   1.   Orientation at Butte College:  February 24, 2005 or April 26, 2005

                   2.   Assessment Test at OHS for placement in Butte College classes:  March 31 or May 5

                   3.   Conference with Butte College Counselor to select classes and register for Butte classes:

                         May 16, 17 and 18

      4.   Payment of Butte College fees:  usually due by the first week in September after Fall

                             Semester, 2005 begins.

             B.  Butte College Applications should have been submitted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004.

                              1.   If you have previously completed a Butte College application, you must submit another

                         application for the Reg-To-Go Program.

      a.   On the front page of the second Butte application, please print “2^nd Butte Application”

 

VII            LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

           A.   Applications will be available during Spring semester.

           B.   Applying is the student’s responsibility.

 

VIII    LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

            A.   College applications and scholarships may require letters of recommendation.

                   1.   You should give the person you are asking to write a letter of recommendation for you

                       at least a two week notice.

      B.    It is suggested you use the “Student Fact Sheet” to give to the person you want to write a

     letter for you.

            C.   The “Student Fact Sheet” is available in the Counseling Office.

 

IX     UPCOMING EVENTS

A.       ASVAB Test to be given at OHS January 26 and January 27 – periods 1-4.

1.  You will take the test on ONE DATE ONLY.