Author Archives: Steller Parent Group

FAFSA INFO

The new FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form for the 2020-2021 academic year will be available on Tuesday, October 1.  Students who are interested in attending college or job training programs of approximately 2 years should fill out the form to find out how much Pell Grant (free money), Federal Work Study, and federal student loan aid they will be eligible for.  Filling out the FAFSA does not obligate anyone to take out a loan, but it can reveal eligibility for Pell Grants and Work Study aid that many are not aware of.  Did you know that there are far more Alaskans who are eligible for a Pell Grant than the number who actually apply for one?

Do you have questions about how to fill out the FAFSA?  Go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/help for help.  More questions are answered at https://studentaidhelp.ed.gov/app/home/site/fafsa.  Remember – this is the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid.  No one has to pay to fill out or file the FAFSA .

If you know a student who has been in foster care or who is homeless, specific information about accessing federal student aid for these groups is available at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/eligibility.

Those who would like to get a free early estimate of their eligibility for Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, and federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans can find out by using the U.S. Department of Education’s FAFSA4caster.

FAFSA filers no longer have to wait to fill out the FAFSA until they’ve filed their federal income tax forms in April.  Due to a change in the law, FAFSA filers should use their “prior prior” tax returns.  So on October 1, use the 2018 federal tax and income information to fill out the 2020-2021 FAFSA. The FAFSA also has the Data Retrieval Tool that will fill in the federal tax information automatically.

For those interested in the Alaska Education Grant or the Alaska Performance Scholarship, they must file their FAFSA as soon as they can after October 1 but no later than June 30th and select at least one Alaskan institution of higher education.

Looking for scholarships?  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships can help students find them and explains how scholarships can affect other student aid.

Don’t know what school offers the best education for the money?  Try the College Navigator.  Using data gathered by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, it allows comparisons of different kinds of schools and programs in different locations.  Another great tool is the College Affordability and Transparency Center, also by the U.S. Department of Education.  This is a one-stop-shop for price and quality information.

And don’t forget – there are tax benefits for education, including tax credits for higher education expenses, student loan interest deductions, Qualified Tuition Programs (529 Plans), and more.  Learn more about these opportunities at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/tax-benefits and https://www.irs.gov/individuals/students.

Have more questions?  Contact the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education’s Success Center for one-on-one coaching on career exploration, career training information, help filling out the FAFSA and other aid applications, scholarship searches, and more.  They also provide group presentations on a variety of important topics and various printed materials.  To contact them, call toll-free to 1-800-441-2962 opt 4, e-mail ACPESuccessCenter@alaska.gov, or if in Anchorage, check out their brick and mortar locations at the Dimond Center Mall or the University Center Mall.

Northwest Liberal Arts College Info Nite – Oct 15, 7-8:30

Tuesday October 15, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Service High School Theater
(entrance behind school next to gym)

All A.S.D. students and families are welcome to attend this event to hear about the excellent
options for high-quality liberal arts education close to home. Learn about admission
requirements, financial aid, how to become the best applicant, and answer any questions you
may have. We will have a panel presentation, followed by questions and answers, then time for families to meet with each school individually.

NW Liberal Arts College Night flyer

AHD Flu shot clinics available – FREE

Hello parents,
Now is the time to start thinking about getting your family flu shot. Attached is a listing of clinics that the Anchorage Health Department is partnering with ASD schools for FREE and the vaccine information sheet. This is open to anyone –  adults and children.

AHD Flu Shot Clinic Schedule
Flu vaccine information sheet

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older adults, young children, and others with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

In addition to washing your hands, covering your cough, and staying home from work or school when sick, getting your annual flu shot is the best thing you ​can do to protect yourself and others.

Thank you,
Annette Johansen, M.Ed., BSN, RN, NCSN
Steller Secondary School Nurse
Phone: 742-4963 Fax: 742-4966
Office hours: M-F 0730-1500

 

Merit Scholarships at Gettysburg College

I am delighted to share exciting news about scholarships at Gettysburg College.
Starting with next year’s incoming class, students will be able to apply for the Eisenhower Scholarship–designed to recognize outstanding applicants who are positively transforming their communities. The College has a long history of civic engagement with students and alumni making a difference in their communities and around the world.

The Eisenhower Scholarship is Gettysburg College’s most selective scholarship–$160,000 for four years of full-time study ($40,000 per year). It is awarded to top-performing applicants within a most challenging curriculum who have demonstrated a high level of civic engagement locally, nationally, and/or internationally. More information about the Eisenhower Scholarship including application requirements and process is on our website.

Additionally, Gettysburg College recognizes students’ academic achievement in high school by awarding four categories of academic merit scholarships under Early Decision and Regular Decision.

  • Abraham Lincoln Scholarship–$32,000 per year
  • Presidential Scholarship–$27,000 per year
  • David Wills Scholarship â€“$24,000 per year
  • 1832 Founders Scholarship–$15,000 per year

Decisions on merit scholarship recipients are made as part of the admissions process. A separate application is not required. All students, including those who apply test optional, are considered.

I hope that you will share with your students that Gettysburg College accepts self-reported SAT and ACT scores. Please visit our webpage for more information about applying test optional or with self-reported scores.

I wish you and your students a wonderful start to the academic year! As always, please feel free to reach out to me or my staff with questions about Gettysburg College and our application process.
Sincerely,
Gail

Gail Sweezey
Dean of Admissions
Gettysburg College | Office of Admissions
300 North Washington Street | Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: 717.337.6100 or 800.431. 0803| Fax: 717.337.6145