ARE PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH IT? WHEN TO APPLY
APPLYING DOESN’T HURT
This is shaping up to be a banner year for our students! Last year, the self-reported tuition awards from the families we help totaled over $18 million. That’s a lot of savings! But this year, if our early numbers are any indication, we’re on track to reach $20 million. We’ll know once the award letters finish coming in for our seniors. Meanwhile, our juniors and sophomores are hard at work getting those grades up before summer. The combination of grades and athletics is a great way to qualify for merit-based scholarships at the colleges they apply to. While you can’t do your child’s schoolwork for them, you can take a look at another avenue of funding: private scholarships.
However, much like the lottery, “you gotta get in it to win it!” So a little legwork is recommended. These scholarships never have to be repaid and can be a great way to supplement the awards your child already qualify for. Private foundations and organizations offer them to students based on their ethnic background, religious affiliation, talents, hobbies, skills, interests, athletic abilities, etc.
START EARLY
You can only get these sources of funding if you apply for them, and you can only locate and apply for them if you start looking in your child’s junior year of high school . Since most parents procrastinate, you will be competing for these dollars against a smaller playing field!
DON’T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME
We aren’t big believers in allocating a whole lot of time searching for private scholarships, since they only make up approximately 1 percent of all the funds available for a college education. Most award money comes from the federal government, the state you live in, and the universities your child applies to. Focus on financial aid forms and college-specific scholarships before turning your attention to private avenues of funding.
THINK LOCAL
Have your child ask their high school guidance counselor what local scholarships are available, and grab any and all applications for all the programs they think they have a shot at. Then, fill ‘em out, even if you think you don’t have much of a chance. You never know!
HAVE A LAUGH
ZESTY ZUCCHINI ENCHILADAS
INGREDIENTS
• 4 large zucchini • 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee
• 2 teaspoons cumin • 2 teaspoons chili powder • 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken • 2 cups shredded cheese
• 1 large onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat oil. Add onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt to taste. Stir to combine. Add chicken and 1 cup enchilada sauce. 2. Use vegetable peeler to thinly slice zucchini. Lay out three slices, slightly overlapping, and spoon chicken mixture on top. Roll the zucchini “tortilla” and place on baking sheet. Repeat until all zucchini and chicken is used. 3. Cover the enchiladas with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 20 minutes, and enjoy!
[ Adapted from delish.com ]
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