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By Karen Stiles

CREATED 6:00 AM

Are looking for help with filling out financial aid forms for college?

You are in luck. There are 29 sites that you can go to this weekend to get more information and one-on-one help in applying for financial aid.

Applying for financial aid and scholarships can be a very confusing and daunting process, especially if you have never had to apply.

However, there is good news.

Whether you are a new or current student, you can get some help with this process, and maybe even win a scholarship if you attend one of the College Goal Wisconsin sessions being offered this weekend at multiple locatons in our area including UW-Waukesha, West Bend High School, Gateway Technical Insitute and others.

All sessions begin at 2:00 p.m. on either Saturday or Sunday, depending on location, and will feature one on one help in applying for financial aid as well as providing other information and resources in finding money for college and managing finances.

If you want help in applying, make sure to bring:

• A photo i.d.• Social Security number• Your most recent tax return• Financial records such as bank statements, or other records that detail your account balances or assets.

College Goal Wisconsin is sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and will be staffed by trusted professionals who are experienced in helping people in applying for financial aid.

For more information on specific days and locations, click here.

INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA plan to offer multiyear scholarships will go forward.

The NCAA said Friday that 62.1 percent of 330 Division 1 schools called for an override during an online vote this week, falling just short of the 62.5 percent majority needed. Some 90 percent of the Division I membership voted.

“I am pleased that student-athletes will continue to benefit from the ability of institutions to offer athletics aid for more than one year, but it’s clear that there are significant portions of the membership with legitimate concerns,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said. “As we continue to examine implementation of the rule, we want to work with the membership to address those concerns.”

The rule was put in place last October, giving schools the option to offer multiyear scholarships instead of those that need to be renewed annually. It took effect immediately and a number of schools confirmed on the Feb. 1 national signing day they would be giving out scholarships that no longer have to be renewed annually, including Ohio State, Auburn, Michigan, Michigan State, Florida and Nebraska.

Critics of the annual scholarships had said athletes were unfairly losing them for poor performance or after they had become injured.

Still, there was enough opposition to the multiyear scholarship plan to force the override vote. In January, NCAA leaders decided against making any changes, with board members saying it was intended to improve student-athlete well-being and noting that the rule wasn’t mandatory.

“I recognize the complexities of this issue. The impact of staying the course is relatively minor,” Emmert said in January. “If we err, it will be on the side of students.”

Middle Tennessee State President Sidney McPhee, who led the working group that proposed the multiyear grants, said his group will work to address any concerns.

Those opposed to the multiyear scholarships contend the change will cause multiple problems. Some say wealthy schools have a built-in recruiting advantage, particularly because each school could decide whether to keep the annual scholarships or adopt the new system.

Other schools, such as Indiana State, wrote to the NCAA that many coaches, particularly in the Football Championship Subdivision where the Sycamores play, don’t stay for five years. The school believes that by making longer commitments to athletes, new coaches could be forced to keep players that don’t fit their system for multiple years.

The new rule would allow scholarships to be awarded for as little as two years, for junior college transfers, or as long as four or five years for incoming freshmen.

Fifteen people were indicted Friday on charges they took out federal student loans to attend college for people who never intended to go to college.

The defendants were charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and financial aid fraud, according to the indictment from the U.S. District Court of South Carolina, Charleston Division.

More detailed information on those indicted was not available from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean Secor could not be reached for comment.

But the indictment states that beginning in 2006, some of the people helped others take out student loans to attend online programs at the University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University and Capella University.

Student loans are to be used for tuition, fees and educational expenses. Loan checks go directly to the schools, which in turn deduct tuition and fees. The schools then pass on the balances to students.

But the 15 people indicted caused loans and grants in excess of $400,000 to be distributed to individuals who were not eligible to receive them.

Balance checks ranging from $219 to $4,703 were mailed to undisclosed addresses in North Charleston, Walterboro, Green Pond, Ruffin, Fairfax, Yemassee and Cottageville.

Raleigh, N.C. — College financial aid officers will be at more than 100 locations across North Carolina on Feb. 18 to help high school seniors and their families complete and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms, also known as FAFSA.

Filing a FAFSA form is required for a student to be considered for all federal and most state financial aid programs for college.

“It is important to complete the FAFSA early to take advantage of all of the financial aid opportunities available,” Robbie Schultz, of the North Carolina Education Assistance Authority, said in a statement. “Students and parents don’t need to worry if they aren’t sure how to answer all of the questions on the form. That’s why we have arranged to have experienced financial aid specialists to help.”

Participants should bring completed 2011 tax forms for both parents and the student or W-2 forms and other income and asset documentation if the tax returns haven’t been completed.

The College Foundation of North Carolina also has financial aid experts available from 5 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday during February to answer questions by phone. They can be reached toll-free at 866-866-CFNC (2362).

The list of FAFSA Day locations statewide can be found at the CFNC website.

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

By Steve Wieberg, USA TODAY

Updated

Colleges are free to offer multiyear scholarships to athletes after a repeal effort within the NCAA narrowly fell short, by two votes, Friday.

By Darron Cummings, AP

NCAA President Mark Emmert is happy multiyear scholarships survived a close vote.

Opponents needed 207 of 330 votes by schools and conferences – a five-eighths majority – to overturn the measure approved by the association’s Division I board of directors last October. They got 205.

Twenty-five institutions and leagues weren’t heard from as online balloting was conducted Monday through 5 p.m. ET Friday.

“I am pleased that student-athletes will continue to benefit from the ability of institutions to offer athletics aid for more than one year,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said, “but it’s clear that there are significant portions of the membership with legitimate concerns. As we continue to examine implementation of the rule, we want to work with the membership to address those concerns.”

The multiyear measure was sought by Emmert, the Division I board and others as an athlete-welfare enhancement.

But it drew formal objections from enough schools to force reconsideration. They argued, among other things, that coaches were using multiyear grants as a recruiting enticement. The measure merely gives schools the option of making multiyear rather than one-year offers, and they can choose to which athletes those scholarships are given.

The Division I board stood firm, throwing the matter to a division-wide vote.

The issue had drawn the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice, whose antitrust division informed the NCAA a little less than two years ago that it was looking into the single-year restriction and whether it restrained competition among schools for top players. NCAA officials said the agency was monitoring the multiyear referendum.

Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said in October that multiyear grants “should expand opportunities and choices for student athletes.” She declined further comment Friday.

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by Sandra Kelly on February 17, 2012

in News

The Uncommon Friends Foundation recently announced it is now accepting applications for its college scholarship program.  The Foundation aims to assist deserving students who have the potential succeed in the classroom when earning a higher education with their financial need.  Students in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties are encouraged to apply.

There are seven different scholarship categories that the Foundation plans on recognizing as a part of this scholarship program.

The Special Recognition Scholarship – Awarded to a student that demonstrates financial need, desire and potential to excel in the classroom, and posses positive character traits.
High Tech Center Scholarship – This scholarship provides students with financial assistance so that they can afford their tuition, books, and supplies for one term at High Tech Center.
Florida Prepaid College Foundation Scholarship – Provides scholarship money for college tuition to students who enroll in the program as high school freshman.  Students are required to sign a contract stating they will succeed in high school, stay clear of drugs and crime, and fulfill other conditions.
The Boy Scouts of America Scholarship – Awards a scholarship to deserving students to help pay for their books for the first semester of college.
The Edison College Single Parent Scholarship – Awarded to single parents who have overcome great adversity to further their education and improve their workforce skills.
The Future Teacher Scholarship – Reserved for students enrolled in a college program that will result in them earning an education degree.
The Lee County Bar Association Scholarship – Provides students seeking a law degree with financial aid to help pay for their tuition, books, and other supplies at any Florida college or university.

Students have until April 1, 2012 to submit their application for these outstanding college scholarships.  The winners will be announced at the foundation’s “Uncommon Evening” event that is slated to be held at the Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers on June 7, 2012.

Tagged as: College Scholarships, education scholarships, Financial Aid, Scholarships for Students in Florida, Uncommon Friends Foundation

Audio for this story from All Things Considered will be available at approx. 7:00 p.m. ET

February 17, 2012

Enlarge Mel Evans/Getty Images

Harvard University forward Kyle Casey in an NCAA game against Princeton on Saturday. Casey says financial aid from Harvard makes the school more attractive to student athletes.

Mel Evans/Getty Images

Harvard University forward Kyle Casey in an NCAA game against Princeton on Saturday. Casey says financial aid from Harvard makes the school more attractive to student athletes.

February 17, 2012 from WBUR

New York Knicks guard and Harvard University alumnus Jeremy Lin may be a sudden NBA sensation, but the men’s basketball team at his alma mater is making its own mark on the national scene.

Harvard is currently on top of the Ivy League basketball standings. And with a 21-3 overall record and some impressive nonconference wins, the Crimson spent part of the season in the Top 25 in national polls for Division I.

There’s a palpable buzz about the team, as well — even a late January road game against the struggling squad from Brown University was a sellout.

To those who follow the Ivy League teams closely, some of that success is attributable to two powerful Ivy League recruiting tools: academic reputation and a big increase in financial aid.

Unlike most Division I college conferences, the Ivy League does not allow athletic scholarships. But over the past several years, member schools have dramatically increased the grants for need-based financial aid for all low and middle-income students. And that aid often allows the students to completely avoid loans.

The Freedom Of A Free Ride

At a news conference at Harvard’s home court on Monday, fifth-year head coach Tommy Amaker said eliminating loans has made it easier to compete with other schools for recruits.

“It’s money. Educational opportunity here and other places in our league is a wonderful opportunity and a wonderful thing, but it also can be a great deal of expense. And you have other places that can provide something completely free.”

According to Harvard, over 60 percent of all of the university’s students receive aid, including most of the school’s football and basketball players.

Harvard forward Kyle Casey was recruited by several other programs, including Stanford and Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-7-inch junior says financial aid from the Ivys gives academically talented athletes more choices.

We’ve seen a shift in the past four or five years in the caliber of players in the Ivy League.

- Pete Thamel, New York Times college-sports reporter

“A lot of kids,” Casey says, “not just in basketball, but just in general with sports, feel like, ‘If I can go to a pretty good school and go for free, I’d rather do that than go to a very good school, and have to pay and put that burden on my parents.’ “

Casey says knowing that attending college won’t leave you in debt makes Harvard and other Ivy League schools much more attractive.

Pete Thamel, who covers college basketball for The New York Times, says the effect of the Ivy League’s efforts is noticeable.

“The recruiting process in the Ivy League has always been competitive, just because there’s always been a finite number of kids who have the academic qualifications and who are good enough to play Division I basketball,” Thamel says. “I think we’ve seen a shift in the past four or five years of the caliber of players in the Ivy League. The Ivy League is as good as it’s been in this generation.”

Money Just One Recruiting Tool

Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris says no-loan aid has broadened the pool of potential recruits, but that national success is nothing new for the league — including the Cornell men’s Sweet Sixteen berth in the 2010 NCAA basketball tournament.

“But we’ve been competitive for longer than that,” Harris says. “And so even if you look at the Cornell team, I don’t know if very many — if any — of those players would have benefited from the changes in the financial aid policy. Our lacrosse teams have long been very competitive nationally; ice hockey wrestling, soccer.”

Sports Illustrated reporter Pablo Torre, a Harvard alumnus, says graduates playing in the NBA, NFL and other pro leagues provide a critical boost to Ivy recruiting. But in the end, he says, academics will always be the schools’ best closing argument for attracting talent.

Ivy League schools will never have the resources that schools like Ohio State and the University of Michigan have, “in terms of all the accouterments that are part and parcel with a big-time program,” Torre says. “But they’re going to try to make up for it on the back end when they say, ‘Even if you don’t make it, you’re going to have this degree — and that’s pretty useful.’ “

Right now, the Harvard players are focused on their more immediate future. Ivy League degrees can open a lot of doors, but so can conference victories — and the team that eventually finishes first in the Ivy League gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Enlarge Mel Evans/Getty Images

Harvard University forward Kyle Casey in an NCAA game against Princeton on Saturday. Casey says financial aid from Harvard makes the school more attractive to student athletes.

Mel Evans/Getty Images

Harvard University forward Kyle Casey in an NCAA game against Princeton on Saturday. Casey says financial aid from Harvard makes the school more attractive to student athletes.

February 17, 2012 from WBUR

New York Knicks guard and Harvard University alumnus Jeremy Lin may be a sudden NBA sensation, but the men’s basketball team at his alma mater is making its own mark on the national scene.

Harvard is currently on top of the Ivy League basketball standings. And with a 21-3 overall record and some impressive nonconference wins, the Crimson spent part of the season in the Top 25 in national polls for Division I.

There’s a palpable buzz about the team, as well — even a late January road game against the struggling squad from Brown University was a sellout.

To those who follow the Ivy League teams closely, some of that success is attributable to two powerful Ivy League recruiting tools: academic reputation and a big increase in financial aid.

Unlike most Division I college conferences, the Ivy League does not allow athletic scholarships. But over the past several years, member schools have dramatically increased the grants for need-based financial aid for all low and middle-income students. And that aid often allows the students to completely avoid loans.

The Freedom Of A Free Ride

At a news conference at Harvard’s home court on Monday, fifth-year head coach Tommy Amaker said eliminating loans has made it easier to compete with other schools for recruits.

“It’s money. Educational opportunity here and other places in our league is a wonderful opportunity and a wonderful thing, but it also can be a great deal of expense. And you have other places that can provide something completely free.”

According to Harvard, over 60 percent of all of the university’s students receive aid, including most of the school’s football and basketball players.

Harvard forward Kyle Casey was recruited by several other programs, including Stanford and Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-7-inch junior says financial aid from the Ivys gives academically talented athletes more choices.

We’ve seen a shift in the past four or five years in the caliber of players in the Ivy League.

- Pete Thamel, New York Times college-sports reporter

“A lot of kids,” Casey says, “not just in basketball, but just in general with sports, feel like, ‘If I can go to a pretty good school and go for free, I’d rather do that than go to a very good school, and have to pay and put that burden on my parents.’ “

Casey says knowing that attending college won’t leave you in debt makes Harvard and other Ivy League schools much more attractive.

Pete Thamel, who covers college basketball for The New York Times, says the effect of the Ivy League’s efforts is noticeable.

“The recruiting process in the Ivy League has always been competitive, just because there’s always been a finite number of kids who have the academic qualifications and who are good enough to play Division I basketball,” Thamel says. “I think we’ve seen a shift in the past four or five years of the caliber of players in the Ivy League. The Ivy League is as good as it’s been in this generation.”

Money Just One Recruiting Tool

Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris says no-loan aid has broadened the pool of potential recruits, but that national success is nothing new for the league — including the Cornell men’s Sweet Sixteen berth in the 2010 NCAA basketball tournament.

“But we’ve been competitive for longer than that,” Harris says. “And so even if you look at the Cornell team, I don’t know if very many — if any — of those players would have benefited from the changes in the financial aid policy. Our lacrosse teams have long been very competitive nationally; ice hockey wrestling, soccer.”

Sports Illustrated reporter Pablo Torre, a Harvard alumnus, says graduates playing in the NBA, NFL and other pro leagues provide a critical boost to Ivy recruiting. But in the end, he says, academics will always be the schools’ best closing argument for attracting talent.

Ivy League schools will never have the resources that schools like Ohio State and the University of Michigan have, “in terms of all the accouterments that are part and parcel with a big-time program,” Torre says. “But they’re going to try to make up for it on the back end when they say, ‘Even if you don’t make it, you’re going to have this degree — and that’s pretty useful.’ “

Right now, the Harvard players are focused on their more immediate future. Ivy League degrees can open a lot of doors, but so can conference victories — and the team that eventually finishes first in the Ivy League gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Editor’s Choice
Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 17 Feb 2012 – 13:00 PST

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A recent study published by The Lancet, indicates that an effective way of reducing the prevalence of HIV and HSV-2 infections among young women, is through providing financial aid to them and their families. The study was led by Dr Berk-zler, The World Bank; Prof Richard Garfein and Dr Craig McIntosh, University of California at San Diego; and Dr Sarah Baird, George Washington University, USA.

Some of the principal risk factors for HIV infection among women are lack of education and economic dependence on men; these gender inequalities are suggested to be a main cause of their sexual decision-making. This study analyzed the effectiveness of a crash transfer program in reducing HIV infection rates among a population of never-married women aged 13-22 years, in the Zomba district of Malawi.

A total of 1289 schoolgirls from 176 enumeration areas in the Zomba disctrict were included. The areas were randomly divided into three different groups based on the terms of the financial aid given; one intervention area offered unconditional cash payments, another offered conditional cash payments (school attendance required), and the control area did not give any financial support whatsoever. Those receiving cash transfers (conditional or unconditional), were randomly assigned to be given any amount from US$1 to $5 each month, with their families receiving an additional range of $4-10 each month as well. The researchers conducted behavioral risk assessments of the participants at baseline and 12 months later, and a serology test after 18 months. They measured and compared the prevalence of HIV and herpes simplex virus 2 in the groups.

A total of 88 areas received the financial aid intervention – conditional or not – with the other 88 as controls. The rate of HIV in the intervention groups was far lower than the control group, with only 1·2% (seven of 490 participants) developing the infection compared to 3·0% (17 of 799 participants). In terms of HSV-2 prevalence, the intervention groups also had a far lower rate, of only 0·7% (5 of 488 participants) compared to 3·0% (27 of 796 participants). They found that there was hardly – if any- notable difference of HIV and HSV-2 prevalence between the conditional versus unconditional intervention groups.

  The authors say:

“Poor education, poverty, and gender inequalities are postulated to be important determinants of young women’s vulnerability to HIV infection. However, to date, no randomised controlled trial of a structural intervention has shown a significant effect on HIV incidence. The Zomba cash transfer programme reduced the prevalence of HIV and HSV-2 infection at 18 month follow-up in school-age girls who were enrolled in school at baseline. These effects are supported by changes in self-reported sexual behaviour. The findings suggest that financially empowering school-age girls and their families can have substantial effects on their sexual and reproductive health.”

  Dr Nancy Padian, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA and colleagues comment:

“These results add to the increasing evidence suggesting that economic development and anti-poverty programmes can alter the context of sexual decision making and, thus, HIV infection risk. These findings also warrant more collaboration with economists and those who work in development to more completely test the effects of social protection…livelihood-based and economic development programmes, on the sexual and reproductive health of young people.”

Written by Joseph NordqvistCopyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Visit our hiv / aids section for the latest news on this subject.
Paying to prevent HIV infection in young women?
Audrey Pettifor, Sandra I McCoy, and Nancy PadianThe Lancet , Feb 2012, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60036-1
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Joseph Nordqvist. “Financial Aid To Young Women In Poor Nations May Reduce HIV And HSV-2 Rates.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 17 Feb. 2012. Web.17 Feb. 2012.

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The College of Marin announced sweeping changes in financial aid regulations last week, rules that will affect both full-time and recreational students.

New federal and state regulations will affect students applying for financial aid this year. Those who will be affected include students who repeat courses, some Pell Grant recipients, adult students without a high school diploma or GED and those who receive a Board of Governors Fee Waiver as part of their financial aid packets.

“We expect this to have a big impact,” said Andrea Hunter, COM financial aid specialist, noting that the cuts are part of the state’s overall attempt to curb its budget.

The changes in financial aid are an attempt to clean up the system.

For instance, the new regulations will target students who are receiving financial aid but are routinely registering for classes out of amusement — such as taking recreational sports or cooking classes every semester. Hunter said that some students would repeat the same class as a lark, rather than trying to advance their education.

On the other hand, the new regulations are affecting students who need a boost — kids who needed to get out of high school via an equivalency exam.

The changes come at a time when College of Marin students are applying for and receiving financial aid in record numbers. Financial aid applications have nearly doubled in the past four years at COM, from 2,037 applications in 2006-07 to 4,026 in 2010-11. In part due to an increase in need related to the ongoing bad economy, the number of financial aid applications is expected to increase again significantly this academic year.

Hunter noted that the most-needy students might need to secure jobs to pay for tuition and books, but having an income could jeopardize their financial aid.

Students can work on campus without hurting their financial aid, but those jobs are scarce. It’s a Catch-22, wherein students most needing financial aid are penalized for having an income.

At COM, midyear applications have already topped 3,500 in the third quarter, with hundreds more expected in the fourth, fifth and sixth quarters.

The increase in the number of financial aid recipients also has resulted in an increase in the number of students who have been denied financial aid due to unsatisfactory academic progress.

According to the College of Marin financial aid office the number of students being denied financial aid due to a lack of academic progress has almost quadrupled since fall 2008, from 103 to 390 students. Many of these students will not return to classes this spring due to a lack of funds.

Other financial aid changes have also gone into effect. According to COM Financial Aid Director David Cook, students previously were allowed to repeat a class an infinite number of times and receive financial aid.

New regulations have eliminated this practice. Beginning this spring, students will not be allowed to repeat courses and continue to receive financial aid. COM students now will receive federal financial aid funding for only one repetition of a previously passed course.

Pell Grant recipients will also be subject to new restrictions. In 2010-11 approximately 2,100 COM students received $6.6 million in Federal Pell Grants.

The House and Senate announced an agreement on Dec. 12, regarding fiscal year 2012 funding for the U.S. Department of Education as part of an omnibus spending bill that covers multiple federal agencies, and includes changes to the Pell Grant program.

The agreement worked out by Republicans and Democrats in the omnibus bill maintains the maximum Pell Grant award of $5,550 per year, and includes changes to the program to offset the $1.3 billion funding shortfall left over from fiscal year 2011.

The major changes to the Pell Grant include:

• Elimination of the Ability to Benefit provision to establish eligibility for Title IV funds, which means new financial aid applicants without a high school diploma or GED will be barred from the Pell Grant program.

• A reduction of the number of years a student can use Pell Grants from nine to six years.

• A reduction of the income allowable to qualify an applicant for a maximum grant under the “automatic zero” expected family contribution calculation from $30,000 to $20,000 a year.

Contact Chris Rooney at chris_marin@yahoo.com.

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