Scholarship with Community Service Award | Financial Help For Higher Education
Plan Ahead to Pay For College | College Financing Resources |
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Scholarship with Community Service Award
Annual Presentation of this Award |
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Based not only on grades
but also on the community service given to Hicksville and
its citizens.
Criteria: Student must reside in Hicksville
and attend Hicksville Schools. Student must be accepted
to a two or four-year accredited trade school, college
or university. Must show active participation in community
service to Hicksville. If student is interested in this
scholarship, separate application is available in the Guidance
Office. |
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| 1988 |
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James Maloney |
| 1989 |
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Thomas Reilly |
| 1990 |
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Andrea Sharetta
Linda Davison |
| 1991 |
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Dora Santoli
Kalpa Udeshi |
| 1992 |
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Colleen Bartley |
| 1993 |
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Richard Walker |
| 1994 |
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Erin Bartley |
| 1995 |
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Jennifer Uihlein |
| 1996 |
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Jeannine Beneri
Carin Lefkowitz |
| 1997 |
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Payal Suchdev |
| 1998 |
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Suzette Rivera |
| 1999 |
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Salvatore Saguna |
| 2000 |
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Rubina Mathews |
| 2001 |
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Michelle Heidenfelder |
| 2002 |
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Shawn Perez |
| 2003 |
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Cassandra Kuch |
| 2004 |
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Anthony Lauro
Michael Lang |
| 2005 |
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Lauren Sala
Kristen Lang |
| 2006 |
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Lauren Morici
Tracy Kelly |
| 2007 |
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Laura Schreiber
Ashley Pereless
Shawn McKenna |
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| Financial Help For Higher Education |
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It is out there. Just fill out a FAFSA form to see if you are eligible.
Going to college to pursue a higher education is exciting but the thought of paying for it can be overwhelming.
That does not have to be the cause if you know where to find assistance. Did you know that the US Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid offers $80 billion dollars to students and families each year for education beyond high school?
To find out if you or family members are eligible, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFSA). The information will help determine your eligibility for different types of federal student aid.
Applying on line is easy at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Or, ask your high school guidance counselor or local librarian for help. Applications are accepted beginning January 1 for the following school year.
The FAFSA is also the qualifying document many state, regional and private financial aid programs, so make sure you submit the form as soon as possible to meet all deadlines. If you are a high school junior, take advantage of the FAFSA website to learn more about the financial aid process, gain early awareness of aid eligibility and much more. |
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| PLAN AHEAD TO PAY FOR COLLEGE |
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| By Chuck Green |
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Depending on the institution, the average total cost to attend a four year college during the 2005-2006 school year ranged anywhere from $12,000 to $30,000 according to the college board, a non-profit association of educational organizations.
While these figures might be staggering, a number of aid programs and tax deferred savings options are out there. The key is to plan ahead and do your homework to discover which ones best suit your needs. |
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| TAX DEFERRED SAVINGS |
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When it comes to saving, the earlier you begin, the better. There are several college-savings options that offer tax benefits.
•Coverdell Education Savings Accounts – Earnings grow tax-deferred and distributions are tax-free when used for qualified education costs. There are income restrictions and the investment is limited to $2,000 per year per beneficiary.
• U.S.Savings Bonds – Earnings from series EE and I bonds grow tax-deferred, and in some circumstances earnings are tax-free if used for tuition and fees. There may be income restrictions that apply.
• 529 Plans – These state-operated investment plans offer a federal-tax-free way to save for college. They’re available in two forms: college savings plans, which let people use funds for college expenses at any college, and pre-paid tuition plans, which let people lock in future tuition at in state public colleges at present day prices.
There are no income restrictions to qualify for 529 Plans, and many programs allow generous maximum contribution limits – some as high as $250,000 per beneficiary.
All fifty states offer at least one of the two options, and you can participate in the plan of your choice. “Each plan will have its own rules about early withdrawals, refunds, transfers, or using the money for purposes other than education,” says James Boyle, president of College Parents of America, a national membership association dedicated to advocating on behalf of college parents. Your own state’s plan may offer special benefits to residents, so you need to do more research to find the best plan for you. |
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| OTHER AID OPTIONS |
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When your child is nearing college age, it's time to begin checking into financial aid, scholarships and loan options. The U.S. Department of Education offers grant, work-study and loan programs. The application process generally begins by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The earliest a child can do this, January 1 of his or her senior year in high school. Eligibility is reconsidered every year, so kids must fill out the form each year they want to apply for aid. While many programs are based on financial need, some are not.
• Also be sure to contact your state’s higher education agency to find out about any available state financial-aid programs. And talk with high-school counselors and financial-aid departments at prospective colleges.
• Private scholarships are another source of education funding. The Internet offers a number of scholarship “search” services. If you are not online, local libraries can also help.
• And do not forget to check with employers, foundations, fraternities and sororities, religious and civic organizations, for any financial-assistance programs. |
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| BE CAUTIOUS |
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As you check into programs, beware of companies that falsely promise or guarantee scholarships, grants or fantastic financial-aid packages for a fee. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), these unscrupulous operations use high-pressure sales tactics at seminars, and you are required to pay on the spot or risk losing out on the “opportunity.”
Visit www.ftc.gov or call toll free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) for advice on dealing with these operations. |
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| COLLEGE FINANCING RESOURCES |
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www.savingforcollege.com
A website where you can check out specifics on 529 Plans and find other college planning information.
www.collegeparents.org
College Parents of America’s Web Site offers information on a range of going-to-college issues.
www.collegesavings.org
Web site of the College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) where you can check out each state’s 529 Plan. Or call the appropriate office in your state. Typically, that's the state treasurer’s office.
www.studentaid.ed.gov
Offers information on available financial aid and how to apply. Or call 1-800-4fed-aid (433-3243) to request a FAFSA or a free copy of “Funding Your Education.”
www.finaid.org
Offers information on funding a college education. |
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| SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ENGINES TO TRY: |
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www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com
www.srnexpress.com
www.apps.collegeboard.com |
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