Counseling » Financial Aid/Scholarships

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Federal Aid: Aid is available from the federal government in the form of grants, work-study funds, and loans. Students use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply.

Grants - Financial aid that does not need to be paid back typically based on academic gpa.

Scholarships - Financial aid that does not need to be paid back typically based on achievement or talent.

 

BOHS Scholarship Book

We hope it will serve as a valuable resource for financial aid and scholarship information.  The first several pages will give you a general overview of the financial aid process.  Please read this information carefully, as the process can be complicated and overwhelming at times.  In addition, we offer a Financial Aid night in January, which goes into further detail about how to finance a college education.  We highly recommend that you attend.

 

The second part of this book is dedicated to scholarships.  Some of the scholarships included in this booklet are sent directly to the guidance office, please listen to your daily announcements and check the scholarship bulletin every month for more information.  Your guidance secretary and counselor can help you sign up for these scholarships as they have some of these applications on hand.  Deadlines vary on these scholarships from year to year, although the majority of scholarships are due in the spring.  Those scholarships that are not sent directly to the guidance office you must pursue yourself.  If an address is given, please send a request with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  In some cases, two addresses are listed.  We suggest you contact both in order to ensure you receive the materials in a timely manner.  If a website is given, you can usually download the application directly.  

 

It is important to know that the status of some scholarships may change throughout the year.  Some change their address or discontinue the scholarship altogether.  We do our best to update this book annually.  Please notify us of any changes that you become aware of so we can keep our information as current as possible.

 

Finally, with the increase in technology, a book such as this can only supplement the information available on the internet.  Please pay close attention to the websites listed in this book, as they are the best places to find the most up-to-date scholarship and financial aid information.  Good luck in your scholarship hunt.

 

The Brea Olinda Counselors

 

FAFSA INFORMATION

fafsa
 

An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). To create your FSA ID and find out additional information visit: FAFSA and FSA ID Information.

Cal Grant Information

There are three kinds of CAL Grants: Cal Grant A; Cal Grant B; and Cal Grant C. Cal Grants can be used at any UC, CSU, California Community College, almost all independent colleges, and many career and technical schools in California.

To be eligible for a Cal Grant you must:

  • Submit a FAFSA application.
  • Meet minimum GPA requirements (Your GPA will automatically be submitted to the California Student Aid Commission)
  • Be a US Citizen
  • Be a California Resident
  • Have a Social Security Number
  • Attend a qualifying CALIFORNIA college
  • Have financial need based on your college costs and your EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
  • Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
  • Be enrolled at least half time

To find out more about the Cal Grant program please visit the Cal Grants Website.

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®

Some private schools will require you to fill out the PROFILE in addition to the FAFSA. This is used to find financial info that is not provided on the FAFSA. The PROFILE has different due dates depending on the college so check your college/university financial aid websites to determine if this is required and when it is due. The PROFILE can be found at the following website:

Financial Aid Toolkit

WHAT ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS?

  • High achieving students may believe that charitable organizations, community groups and others will be anxious to recognize excellence by rewarding them with a scholarship.
  • Few scholarships will find their way to students unless they look for them first. While many scholarships are available, their requirements vary greatly.
  • Applying for scholarships may take some work. Some time has to be devoted to researching different kinds of scholarships. It’s seldom as easy as filling out one application such as the single form many universities require for financial aid.
  • Scholarships are often awarded on the basis of a combination of financial need and academic merit. OTHERS ARE GRANTED FOR ACADEMIC MERIT ONLY, such as CSU and UC scholarships which are awarded each spring to select seniors with highest gpa's.
  • Not all scholarships require a straight “A” average. Many scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a membership in service organizations or involvement in community and extracurricular activities.
  • Academic and athletic departments at colleges and universities often offer scholarships. Some departmental scholarships may be available to freshmen, while others are only for continuing students majoring in particular areas. Students should contact the coach of their particular sport or the department that includes a particular major.
  • Be aware that the deadlines for filing scholarship applications vary. There are different cycles for applying for scholarships. Usually, however, the filing periods for most are mid-January to mid-April with awards made the following fall.

Why isn’t it easier to find and apply for scholarships? Many organizations and groups are interested in students who show leadership abilities. Requesting an application, typing it instead of writing it, following directions—these efforts are often important to those awarding scholarships. They’re interested in students who TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND FOLLOW THROUGH. A student can be no less industrious in seeking and applying for scholarships than he or she was in vying for the top grades that qualify a student for most scholarships.