By Shelby Devitt
IV Leader Staff, Feb. 4, 2010
February has been designated Financial Aid Awareness Month, and IVCC students have several resources available to them to get the financial help they need.
The Free Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA, is an online form to help determine the expected contribution of a student towards his or her college education, and based on this information, federal Pell grants and state grants can be awarded to help defray the cost of tuition.
Almost everyone could use a little help paying for school, whether you plan to attend a community college or transfer, so it is recommended that all students apply.
You can apply at www.fafsa.ed.gov, and IVCC’s school code is 001705. Funds will run out, so apply as soon as you can for the 2010-2011 school year.
The FAFSA is also required to apply for IVCC’s Foundation Scholarship, which are due by Feb. 26. In addition to meeting the Feb. 26 application date, all applicants also need to file the FAFSA by March 31.
The IVCC Foundation Scholarship is available to any incoming freshman or any current student who plans to return to IVCC for Fall 2010. It consists of one application containing between 120-150 scholarships.
Some of these are open to students in all programs of study, but many are divided into specific majors, such as music or nursing. There are two scholarships available to transfer students, one to NIU for Accounting and one to ISU for Education. These require separate applications and can be found in the Foundation Office in Room C-202.
In addition to filling out one application for the Foundation Scholarship and filing your FAFSA by March 31, an essay is required.
Director of Community Relations Fran Brolley explained, “the key part of this whole thing is the essay.” The essay helps the Foundation determine the best candidate for scholarships.
A few of the scholarships require an Addendum. Details are included in the Scholarship packet.
One scholarship of particular interest is the 21st Century Scholar Society Award, which is for full-time students going into their second year at IVCC in the fall of 2010. The winner will receive $2,000, and four finalists will be awarded $1,000 each. A separate application and letter of faculty recommendation is required.
On average, students who win scholarships from the Foundation are awarded $600. Notification letters will be mailed to the winners at the end June. All scholarship applications can be found in the Foundation Office in Room C-202.
New this year at IVCC is the presence of two ISAC Corp representatives. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission send representatives to community colleges in Illinois to help “students with college choice or financial aid assistance,” said Director of Financial Aid Patty Williamson.
The IVCC representatives are Laura Rogers and Dustin Zimmerman. Students can set up appointments to see them in their office by the Counseling Center, or contact them by e-mail at lrogers@isac.org or dzimmerman@isac.org.
The sooner students take advantage of the financial aid opportunities offered, the better. Illinois state funding is low for grant programs, so students should get applications in early. Any further questions, contact the Financial Aid office in C-223 or the Foundation Office in C-202.