BlackBoard Re-vamped!

Many of you may have noticed the Blackboard software has been updated!  The link below is a brief overview of the new features found in Blackboard.  The overview is student focused, but helpful for anyone navigating the BlackBoard system.  

http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/721952/uiconf_id/16418181/entry_id/1_2wdd0ay6/embed/auto?&flashvars[streamerType]=auto

Financial Aid Assistance

If you need assistance or have questions about completing the Federal Financial Aid form (FAFSA) or other financial aid forms, check out these events:

*District Financial Aid Night
Thursday, January 16 at Lee High School at 6:00 p.m.
During this event, an experienced Financial Aid Officer will present information regarding how to complete the FAFSA.


*BEACON
Monday,  February 3^rd- 8:00-8:30 a.m. & Tuesday, February 4^th- 1:00-1:30 p.m. in Lee HS Cafeteria
This event is designed for students, but parents are welcome to attend. During these meetings, students work in small groups with volunteers to answer questions about the financial aid application process. There will be time set aside for students to complete their Florida Financial Aid form (Bright Futures application). The same information is presented during these two sessions.

*College Goal Sunday
Sunday, February 23 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
at Florida State College at Jacksonville Advanced Technology Center
This event is designed for parents and students to learn more about the financial aid process. Information is presented in a workshop style with "breakout sessions" for participants to choose to attend. This event draws a lot of people, so plan on arriving a little early to get a good seat in the first presentation!

Financial Aid Process Information

Seniors should be completing financial aid forms during the next few weeks. The process may be unique to some schools, but the primarily the steps outlined below should be followed (steps do not have to be followed in consecutive order). Note: No one should assume they will not qualify for financial aid! Scholarships and university programs consider a wide range of factors when awarding money for education. The forms below capture this information for these organizations, not just financial information.

Complete the Federal Financial Aid Form (FAFSA). This form takes some time, requires information about income, and is required by many schools in addition to their forms. The form is FREE and the website has a lot of information regarding the different types of financial aid. This form can help determine scholarships, grants, work study, and many other types of aid eligibility. For more information, click https://fafsa.ed.gov/ 

Complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/bfmain.htm) This is the Florida Bright Futures Application! Once submitted, this application is reviewed by over twenty other state-level scholarship award programs for eligibility. The application is a bit easier than the FAFSA, but will certainly take time and careful attention to detail.

Complete the Institution's Financial Aid application. This will be unique to every school, as each school will  have it's own process for awarding their Foundation money. Everyone should check out their school's financial aid process, because this application process usually includes reviews for multiple awards.
Once a student has submitted an application to a college/university, check out that school's Financial Aid website.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns about any of these forms, please contact your school counselor. We will do our best to answer your question or find someone who can!

Duval County Public Schools Scholarship Website

The DCPS website was updated over the holidays.The DCPS Scholarship eBook is now located here:

From the School Counseling department page: http://www.duvalschools.org//Domain/4416  

Click on:

High School Students

Financing your Future.  

The ebook is titled Local, State and National Scholarships.

FAMU Scholarship & Recruitment Program

Thursday, January 16, 2014 

Andrew Jackson High School
3816 North Main Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
6:30 p.m.
 

Please RSVP at 850.599.3183
 

11th and 12th Graders Are Welcome!
 

          Onsite Admissions & Scholarships Awarded

Life Gets Better Scholarship
Incoming freshmen designated National Achievement, Hispanic, or Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Corporation, having a 3.50 high school GPA and having a 1950 on the SAT or 29 on the ACT. Tuition and fees, room, board, books, $500/semester stipend, internships and a laptop will be awarded. Awardee must major in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Mathematics or Physics in order to be eligible for this scholarship. Students must take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) in the junior year of high school to compete in the National Merit Corporation programs.

Distinguished Scholar Award
Incoming freshmen who have scores of at least 1800 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT and a 3.50 high school GPA. A National Achievement Semifinalist will receive double occupancy room rate and board. Students who are Pell Grant eligible will receive a stipend not to exceed $500/semester.A National Achievement Finalist will also receive a laptop.

Order Sons of Italy in America Lodge Scholarship

Amici D'Italia Lodge 2791    
Sons of Italy in America Lodge Scholarship 
This scholarship program, with multiple levels of awards is set aside for seniors with a GPA of 3.0+. Applications are due March 31st.

Note: Association with the Order Sons of Italy in America is not a prerequisite; however the applicant must be of Italian descent. 

If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please email your school counselor.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Scholarship Announcement

This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a female senior with a 3.0+ higher GPA. Applications are due March 1st and available on the SGO website.

Buick Achievers Scholarship Program

If you have the passion to succeed—especially in fields of study important to the automotive and related industries—the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is looking for you. This year, we will award 100 renewable scholarships of up to $25,000 per year.

The application period is now open and will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on February 28, 2014. Please see the website for more information.

FSU Service Scholar Program

Florida State University is pleased to present the application for the Service Scholar Program.  The Service Scholar Program recognizes select incoming students with an outstanding record of community service and leadership, and who want to continue that commitment at FSU. Program benefits include a scholarship valued at $2,400 per year for up to four years, participation in a service-learning academic curriculum, exposure to a diverse group of individuals and social issues, and support by an assigned faculty mentor.

For more information about the benefits, requirements, and application process please visit the Center for Leadership and Social Change online at http://thecenter.fsu.edu/service-scholars. 

Complete applications and recommendation forms must be submitted electronically by 5:00 PM EST on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

Ron Brown Scholarship Application Due Jan. 9th!

The Ron Brown Scholar Program seeks to identify African-American high school seniors who will make significant contributions to society. Applicants must excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need. The applicant must be a US citizen or hold a permanent resident visa card.

Each year, ten to twenty students will be designated Ron Brown Scholars and will receive $10,000 annually for four years, for a total of $40,000. The recipients may use the renewable scholarships to attend an accredited four-year college or university of their choice within the United States. Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 9th!

Click here for access to the application!