Please see Mr. Aaron, Mrs. Ward or Ms. Tinney in the Counseling Office if you have scholarship questions. Scholarships may come from a variety of sources. The largest source of academic scholarships is from the specific colleges. Most colleges have scholarship funds for students with particular skills and abilities as well as demonstrated academic excellence. Inquire at the specific institution for more information. Most colleges prefer you apply online.

Watch the daily announcements to find out about any new scholarship offers we receive. These will also be added to the Scholarship bin in the Counseling office, as well as the website on a weekly basis.

HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS AT SPECIFIC COLLEGES:

• Contact the Financial Aid office at the college/university you are planning to attend

• Schedule an appointment if necessary

• Ask for any list of scholarships and/or other aid available to students

Financial assistance may be available if you have a disabling condition--whether a learning disability or physical disability. Disabling conditions such as orthopedic disability, diabetes, epilepsy, learning disabilities, visual impairment, and speech/hearing impairment may qualify you for college tuition, books, supplies or technical school tuition/tools or job placement assistance. Contact Mr. Aaron for more information.

q u i c k t i p s

Common Application: You may apply online at www.commonapp.org. We encourage seniors to use this form when applying to colleges. The Common Application saves you and your school lots of time! COLLEGES DO NOT PENALIZE YOU FOR USING THE COMMON APPLICATION - MOST NOW PREFER IT!

Disciplinary Actions: Many college applications now ask whether the applicant has ever been suspended or otherwise disciplined by the school, recognizing that such students are often at risk in a college environment. If either the student or the counselor is asked specifically, all must respond truthfully. However, disciplinary files at Vestavia Hills High School are not a part of the student's academic file. Therefore, the school will not initiate information to colleges about individual disciplinary actions occurring during the freshman through junior years unless they reflect a trend which, if withheld, would betray the school's obligation to report a student's intellectual and emotional preparedness for college. Seniors are generally expected to report disciplinary action to the college on their own within two weeks of the occurrence.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): The FAFSA application is available beginning October 1st at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. This is also the application to be completed if you are applying for Pell Grants, SEOG Grants, Stafford Loans, SLS Loans, Perkins Loans, or Federal Work Study.

Scholarships and Family Connection: You can access a National Scholarship Search through your family connection. Once you have logged into your account, go to Colleges tab and then click on the National Scholarship Search button.