• Paying for College

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    ARIZONA PROMISE PROGRAM

    The Arizona Promise Program provides financial assistance for students whose federal Pell grants or other financial aid don’t cover the cost of college tuition and fees. The award amount is up to the actual cost of in-state tuition, mandatory fees and program fees after other financial aid. Qualifying students are guaranteed their tuition, mandatory fees and program fees will be fully covered.

    Who is eligible for the Arizona Promise Program?  To qualify, a student must:

    • Be an Arizona resident
    • Graduate from an Arizona high school with a minimum 2.5 GPA
    • Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 of senior year of high school
    • Qualify for the maximum federal Pell Grant; timely complete the FAFSA application each year for renewal
    • Be admitted and enroll as a first-time, full-time, on-campus degree seeking student at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, or the University of Arizona, in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation. (Some gaps in enrollment, such as for military service, may be allowed. Please check with the universities.)


    Pay Less for Education:  Take Charge of your Financial Aid 

    Watch this Video for Guide on Paying for College OR read this useful guide to financial aid

    Tip:  Create a separate dummy email just for "Scholarships" to best manage SPAM

    1. Prepare for college as early as possible - check out 80 Colleges with Full-Ride Scholarships
    2. Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), Opens Dec 1st in 2024!
      • Both the student and the parent(s) need to create their own FAFSA ID
      • Request your FAFSA be sent to the schools you are interested in (10 max)
    1. Apply to local community scholarships, e.g., Chandler/Gilbert/Phoenix/AZ-based vs national scholarships
      • The Arizona Community Foundation allows high school seniors and current college students throughout Arizona to apply for more than 100 scholarship awards online with one general application. Applicants are matched with all awards for which they qualify. Applications open in January and are due in March!
      • Arizona Elk Society provides scholarships to High School Seniors and College students. The AES desires to support students pursuing a degree in wildlife sciences or other closely related fields.These scholarships are available to students who will attend or are already attending accredited colleges and universities. Applications are due in February!
      • Chandler Education Foundation (CEF) Scholarships and IMPACT (Opens January, due March!)
      • The Dorrance Scholarship is a need-based award that aims to instill college-going traditions in future generations of Arizona families, to provide financial access and academic support for recipients, and to enhance college persistence through unique enrichment experiences. You may be eligible if you:  Are an Arizona resident and current graduating senior attending a public, private, charter, or home school; will be a first-generation college student (neither parent, stepparent, or legal guardian holds a four-year degree from any country); Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (weighted or unweighted) AND one minimum test score of 1110 SAT, 22 ACT, 72 CLT, or 1050 PSAT (PSAT scores taken during your sophomore or junior year); demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA; plan to attend one of Arizona’s public universities (ASU-Tempe, NAU-Flagstaff, UA-Tucson) and agree to live in on-campus housing during freshman and sophomore year. The application usually opens in October and closes February 1.
      • Neely Foundation Scholarship (Due March 31!) -The Neely Foundation awards scholarships to students who aspire to obtain a bachelor's degree at an approved college or university in Arizona. Seniors at selected high schools are eligible for a $4,000 renewable scholarship. The basic qualifications are: must be a citizen of the US; must be a resident of the state of Arizona; must have and maintain a semester and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better; must enroll as a full-time student and complete 12 hours or more each semester. For an application click here. The deadline is March 31 - please turn in your application to Ms. Kim in F219!
      • East Valley Women's League Anything is Possible Scholarship (Due February!) - The EVWL Scholarship Committee is looking for three female high school students graduating from a high school in Maricopa County, AZ. They must exhibit service to the community, participate in extracurricular activities, demonstrate financial need and are in the academic middle, preference given to those with a GPA between 3.2-3.8 – unweighted. Three scholarships for full-time attendance at an Arizona university will be awarded over 4 years in the amount of $5,000 each year beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year and ending in 2026-2027. To complete this application, please provide a copy of your transcripts, your FAFSA document, two (2) letters of recommendation, any relevant extracurricular activities/community service, offices or leadership positions held, and work experience.  
      • The Flinn Scholars Program (Due October!) - The Flinn Scholarship is a competitive, merit-based scholarship for Arizona high-school seniors. The scholarship—valued at more than $130,000—covers tuition, fees, housing, and meals at one of Arizona’s three public universities, plus study abroad. To be awarded the Flinn Scholarship, an applicant must be a be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) by time of application; be an Arizona resident for two full years immediately preceding entry to the university; attain at least a 3.5 GPA (unweighted); rank in the top 5% of their graduating class (if the school reports class rank); and participate and demonstrate leadership in a variety of extracurricular activities.  Flinn Scholarship applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores, but there is no minimum score needed to apply.  

     Check out these AZ Scholarships and do a general search on the internet for "local scholarships in my area"

    1. Apply for scholarships that are available to "accepted" students at the college/university you plan to attend 
      • These are found in your student portal (ASU->myasu, UofA->Scholarship Universe, NAU->MyLouie, etc.)
    1. Scholarship Programs
      • Earn to Learn  is a revolutionary “savings to scholarship” program that empowers low- to moderate-income students in Arizona to successfully complete college through matched-savings scholarships, financial education, success coaching, and workforce development programs. Eligible students complete personal finance training and commit to a savings plan to reach a goal of $500. They then receive an 8:1 match on their savings, up to $4,000 per year for tuition and related costs at Arizona universities and community colleges. 
      • RaiseMe - Earn micro-scholarships as early as 9th grade and discover your path to the best college for you. Whether you are a high school student looking to attend a 4-year college or a community college student, looking to transfer to a 4-year, college just got a lot more achievable. 1. Discover Colleges 2. Add Your Achievements 3. Earn Scholarships for Your Achievements! 

    2. Look for workplace and community service scholarships

              Network and ask your friends and family for other scholarship ideas 

    1. Apply to National Scholarships - below are just some that have come across your CUSD College & Career Advisors' and counselors' attention

      • Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarships - is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors.  Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. The timeline for these scholarships normally runs between August until late November each year. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.  Click on the above link and you will see eligibility requirements and much more. 
      • Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship Program - Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational experience – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships they may receive. This highly competitive scholarship includes: Up to (40) $55,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school. To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must: be a high-achieving high school senior; have financial need and plan to attend a four-year college; have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Deadline is in November each year.
      • The NHS Scholarship - Since 1946, more than $19 million in scholarships has been awarded to outstanding NHS senior members. The scholarship program is supported by the parent organization of NHS, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Award distribution is normally: 1 national winner - $25,000; 24 national finalists - $5,625; 575 national semifinalists - $3.200. About $2 million per year. The timeline for scholarship applications opens in September and the deadline to submit is December 1st. To learn more, just click on the above link.
      • The Gates Scholarship - is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for exceptional, Pell-eligible, minority, high school seniors. Basic eligibility: HS senior, from at least one of the following ethnicities (African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American), Pell-eligible, a US citizen, national or permanent resident, and 3.3 out of 4.0 scale. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance*that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university. *Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation, and may include other personal costs. Applications usually open up in July, with a deadline in September.

              Check out this PDF with many more potential scholarships located here - CUSD Consolidated Scholarship database 

    1. Search on National Databases, remember to create a separate dummy email just for "Scholarships" to avoid SPAM
      • Going Merry - Bundled scholarships - 1 application applies you to multiple opportunities
      • Big Future by The College Board 

              Don't fall for scholarship scams: https://www.cappex.com/articles/money/beware-of-scholarship-scams

    1. If you/your parent(s) have a Facebook account, there are many FB sites which are a big help in the College Admissions and Scholarships process. These resources are extremely insightful! Examples include the below plus many more! 

      • College Admissions Expert - 45K members
      • Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents – 41K members
      • College Talk – 18K members
      • How to Find Scholarships – 5.5K members
      • Paying for College 101 - 194K members
      • Paying for College for High-Income Families 101 – 58K members
      • Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College – 10K members
      • College Admissions Corner – 38K members
      • Scholarship Opportunities 2023-2024 – 40K members
      • College Admission Advice for Awesomely Average Academic Kids - 7.3K
      • College Application Essay Discussion for Parents - 4K members
    2. Can't get any scholarships?  Here's how to pay for college!