Perry County High School Seniors Dash for Cash
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Times are tough all over and likely to get tougher in the coming months. Funding cuts and a recessionary economy mean that fewer college students have received grants for the coming year. At least in Illinois, the outlook for the 2010-2011 budget is equally grim.
High school seniors need to get their college and financial aid applications in as early as possible. Many of the scholarship and grant programs are first come, first served. Students who do not submit their FAFSA applications for the early deadline may not get their name into the pot.
"They need to fill out every single scholarship application they find on the internet and local scholarships," said PCHS guidance counselor Roxie Palmer. "Check out apprenticeship programs and sponsorships too. There are a lot of sponsorships for nursing students, especially if they already have their LPN."
FAFSA applications, like IRS tax forms use information from W-2 Forms. Both Pinckneyville and Du Quoin High School have information meetings about FAFSA applications. PCHS holds their meeting in December and DHS holds theirs in November.
Palmer recommends parents get the earliest possible appointment to have their taxes done.
DHS Guidance Counselor Carolyn Sorrows said that their FAFSA meeting features a speaker from John A. Logan each year. She reminds parents and students that FAFSA is something they have to complete each year. After the first year, a renewal application is sent. The only thing that needs to be filled in is the financial information.
Even if parents believe they make too much money to qualify for financial aid, they should still complete the FAFSA application. Not every scholarship is need-based, but most require a FAFSA application, Sorrows said.
Student workers must also have a FAFSA application on file to get a job.
Both PCHS and DHS guidance departments put out newsletters alerting parents to deadlines and offering information on scholarships. Collegezone.com is a good starting place for parents and students. Keep an eye out for the newsletter from your school's guidance department.
Sorrows recommends that seniors attend college fairs and open houses and have their applications sent in by November 1.
In addition to scholarships, parents should look into the Hope Credit, which was expanded under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. Those with younger students can research College Illinois, a 529 prepaid tuition program.
"I always tell students that filling out scholarship applications is like a part-time job," Sorrows said. "It's hard work." Both Rend Lake College and John A. Logan offer scholarships and hold annual college fairs. Visit your local community college's web site for more information.