Financial aid, scholarship meeting set for Friday

Mar 3, 2010 — Goshen News

Monica Joseph

Mar. 3, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- GOSHEN, Ind -- The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Goshen is inviting high school seniors, middle school students and their parents to a College Night Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club to receive help with financial aid forms and to create awareness of "the best kept secret in Indiana."

Diane Woodworth, Goshen Community Schools assistant superintendent, is on the club's board of directors, which came up with the idea to host an event as the deadline looms for filling out Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms, according to Mike Smith, program director at the club.

Members of the club's Board of Directors, who are experienced with FAFSA, will be stationed at the club starting at 5:30 p.m. to provide assistance to high school seniors in filling out financial aid forms. Representatives of colleges will also be at the event if students want information on school choices. The event is open to all students, not just those attending Goshen schools. A meal will also be served for $1 per person from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

21st Century

The night will also focus on awareness of a state scholarship program for middle school students that pays for tuition for four years of college -- a program that is not nearly as well known as it should be, according to Elkhart County Community Foundation officials.

The Foundation, in partnership with Elkhart Community Schools, started a campaign last year to make more people aware of the 21st Century Scholar program. Statistics show that while 60 percent of students (4,600) in the county are eligible to apply, only 25 percent did so last year.

Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch also qualify for the scholarship program, and even families a bit above that income level may qualify, according to Shannon Oakes, coordinator for the 21st Century Scholars Elkhart County Awareness Campaign and ECCF office manager.

Why isn't this scholarship opportunity a household name by now?

"We asked ourselves that very same question and came up with several reasons, but primarily, parents simply aren't getting the message," Oakes said. "Yet no other state offers such an amazing opportunity."

Foundation representatives and Goshen College faculty will be on hand Friday at the Boys and Girls Club to help middle school students fill out the scholarship applications. The 21st Century program was started in 1990 by then Gov. Evan Bayh to address the low graduation rate in Indiana. The goal was to ensure children from lower income families have the opportunity to attend college and to help reduce drug and alcohol problems.

To qualify, students must be entering the 2010 academic year as a sixth-, seventh- or eighth-grader, maintain a 2.0 grade point average, live in Indiana, be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and meet the program's income eligibility requirements. Once a student reaches ninth grade, they lose eligibility to apply.

The application is available online or hard copy, and can either be turned in to the student's school or mailed to the 21st Century Scholars state office.

"Now, more than ever, as a result of the downturn in our economy, many families are looking to higher education as the pathway to a better lifestyle," Oakes said. "Here is the opportunity of a lifetime: a silver lining for many families who have been negatively affected by the economy, particularly those in Elkhart County."

Oakes said the scholarship opportunity is amazing. It cannot be taken away, even if parents' income rises, and the only stipulation for approval is the household income level. Graduating seniors have two years to take the scholarship and students can join the military and use it when they get out, as long as their discharge was honorable, Oakes said.

As part of the application process, which is simple, according to Oakes, the students must sign a pledge form stating the following:

--I will graduate with an Indiana High School Diploma from a charter school, freeway or other Indiana school recognized by the Indiana Department of Education.

--I will achieve a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

--I will not use illegal drugs or alcohol, or commit a crime.

--I will apply for admission to an eligible Indiana college, university or proprietary school as a high school senior.

--I will apply on time for state and federal financial aid.

If the conditions are met, the student's four years of college at an approved Indiana college or university will be paid. For more information, visit the Web site www.scholars.in.gov or call the Foundation at 295-8761.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0427-42528858