Sources of Aid

Listed below are specific sources for information on financial aid.

1. The college of your choice

In the search for financial aid there are many alternatives to explore. You should prioritize your search so you will have a better chance of being successful. An analysis of the sources of funding nationally and the procedures to apply for that funding indicate that the single best source of funding is the college of your choice. The "financial aid pie" is cut into seven major pieces.

90% of all financial aid comes either from directly or indirectly through college financial aid offices, as is most of the state and federal funding indicated previously. This brings the actual total aid handled by colleges to 92.2%!

Obviously, the most effective strategy to follow is to write to the financial aid officer at the college of your choice and request information concerning all types of financial aid including scholarships, grants, loans, and college work study. Addresses are available in the counselor's office. These letters should be written early in the fall semester so application deadlines may be met. Many schools will send an institutional application and instructions. The student should also complete a "need analysis" form, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CSS Profile Form. These forms will not be completed until late January or early February. Each individual college requires or prefers a specific form so be certain that you complete the proper form. This information, the forms, and information on how to complete the forms will be available from the student financial aid specialist and counselors in individual high schools. Please note that even if you are planning a apply only for merit based aid, many institutions will require a completed need analysis form before considering a student for scholarship programs.

Writing to the college of your choice is not only the most effective strategy for locating the majority of all aid, it has been the most effective method for Barbers Hill students in locating the largest dollar amount scholarships. Even though there is a large amount of local scholarship money available, the largest amount of money for scholarships is awarded through college programs. Make the college of choice your primary effort in applying for merit and need based aid. Keep you financial aid officer advised of your status as you go through the school year.

2. Federally sponsored grants and loans

• Federal Pell Grants - These grants are strictly need based and do not have to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students should complete the proper need analysis applications (FAFSA) as specified by the college of choice. Students may also complete the FAFSA on-line. Approximately six week after mailing the application, the student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) which will allow the college financial aid officer to determine a student's eligibility for the Pell Grant and other programs and the dollar amount of the award, which varies from college to college depending on the cost of attendance. A copy of your SAR must be sent to the financial aid officer at the college of your choice for determination of eligibility. Some institutions, such as Lee College, will use "electronic SARs" to eliminate paper flow (also called the Institutional Student Information Record or ISIR).

3. College Work/Study Program

A program which allows the student to work to earn a part of expenses. This employment may be on the college campus or off campus in private business or industry, but the college placement agency helps locate the job. There are maximum limits placed on the number of hours worked and on the total amount of money earned. Apply through the financial aid office at the college of your choice.

4. Barbers Hill Homecoming Association Scholarship Committee

Every year there are scholarships from local organizations and other sources which are administered by this committee. Make application for all of these scholarships on one application which is made available in April.

Since this one application is the preliminary application for a number of scholarships, it is one of the most important to be completed. Other scholarships such as those awarded by local civic organizations and school affiliated clubs also frequently use this method to select either nominees or recipients for scholarships. A sample of the Homecoming Association Application Packet is located in the "Barbers Hill Homecoming Association" section of this handbook.

5. Institutional / Departmental Scholarships

This type of scholarship is announced on a regular basis throughout the school year by the senior counselor. Announcements are through senior level classes, the school's website (Counseling Center page), and the school televised announcement system. Applications are made available to interested seniors.

1. Institutional Scholarships -Many colleges and universities offer academic scholarship to qualified students. Barbers Hill I.S.D. students have received scholarships from such schools as The University of Texas, The University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Lamar University, Baylor University, Lee College, Stephen F. Austin State University, and various out-of-state universities. Students should apply to the college of choice. Institutions are the major source of scholarship funding for Barbers Hill students.
   
2. Departmental Scholarships -These scholarships are individual scholarships for specific areas of study. Inquiry should be made to the specific academic departments of the chosen college. The Southland Paper Mills Foundation scholarship for students planning to major in forestry at Stephen F. Austin is a good example.

6. State sponsored programs

There are several State sponsored or affiliated programs. These State programs include scholarships, loans, grants, work study, and tuition exemptions. Most of these programs require students to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) which is available in the Counselors' Office each year in January. Applications for state financial aid are made through the financial aid office at your chosen college NOT the high school.

• Texas Public Education Grants
• Texas Tuition Equalization Grants
• State Student Incentive Grant
• Texas Tuition Assistance Grant
• College Access Loans

Two of the most recent financial aid programs offered by the State of Texas are described below.

TEXAS GRANT PROGRAM [TOWARD EXCELLENCE, ACCESS, AND SUCCESS GRANT]
Available to Texas residents with financial need who complete the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement High School graduation plan and enroll in a Texas college or university within 16 months of high school graduation, and have not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving a controlled substance.

TEXAS GRANT II
Texas residents with financial need who enroll in a public two-year college and are not eligible for the traditional Texas Grant.

For information go to www.CollegeForTexans.com or call the Texas Financial Aid Information Center at 1-877-782-7322. Details and criteria for these can also be found in the pamphlet "Financial Aid for Texas Students" (see "Resources" section).

TEXAS B-ON-TIME STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

Texas high school graduates who completed the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement graduation plan, are enrolled full-time in college, have completed a FAFSA and been designated by the college financial aid officer as eligible may apply.  Students must complete their degree within four years and maintain a 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale.  Students meeting  the above requirements would not have to repay the loan.

7. Specialized Scholarships

1. Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) -These scholarships pay a substantial amount in return for an obligation to military service. Students should contact a local recruiter for an application. Students should have an interest in military service and must apply early. Deadlines are in November and December of the student's senior year. Ideally, students should begin the application process in the spring of the junior year.
   
2. Service Academy Scholarships - Appointments to the service academies are very prestigious and valuable and therefore very competitive. There are five academies:
   
• United States Air Force Academy -Colorado Springs, Colorado
• United States Military Academy -West Point, New York
• United States Naval Academy -Annapolis, Maryland
• United States Merchant Marine Academy -Kingspoint, New York
• United States Coast Guard Academy -New London, Connecticut
  
Procedures for application vary from academy to academy, but generally require a nomination which the applicant must obtain from his or her congressman, senator or other official nominating source. After acquiring the nomination, the student must receive an appointment, which is tendered by an academy after evaluating a nominee's qualifications. Academic ability, physical aptitude, high test scores, leadership ability and character are used in determining appointments to the academies. Students should work closely with their counselors beginning in the spring of the junior year to go through the application process.

3. National Merit Scholarships - These scholarships are extremely competitive. The route of entry is through outstanding performance on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) when taken in the fall of the junior year of high school. The students who score in the top half of 1% are designated as National Merit Semifinalists. These students are sent applications and move to finalist standing and to award winners on the basis of SAT scores and the contents of the application, which includes school recommendations and a high school transcript. The National Achievement Scholarship Program is a similar scholarship for Afro-American students.
   
4. Athletic Scholarships - Notify your coach of your interest in a scholarship. All athletic scholarships are coordinated by the athletic department.

8. Community Scholarships

There are several Chambers County organizations which provide scholarships that are earned by Barbers Hill students. Examples are:

• West Chambers County Chamber of Commerce
• Mary Cecile Chambers Scholarship Trust
• First Methodist Church Mothers Day Out
• Chambers County Youth Project Show
• Order of the Eastern-Star - Anahuac Chapter 640
• Anchor Club
• Pilot Club
• Barbers Hill Food Service
• Texas Exes Association

9. Scholarship Search Services - Students are advised to not pay a fee for a commercial scholarship search. Remember, no one can guarantee that a student will receive a scholarship. Students who are considering paying for a scholarship search are advised to check with the senior counselor for information on how to proceed in each individual situation.  Scholarship information is available on the Internet and at the library at no cost.