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Scholarships

Financial decisions for your education can be complicated and difficult. We make no warranty for the information contained in this site and provide it for your research and consideration of your educational needs.

Scholarshhips

Masonic Scholarships

Grand Lodge of Florida

We, as Masons, elect to assist those engaged in this process of attaining knowledge to make a significant impact on future generations. We do this by supporting public education and championing the cause of our public school systems. To accomplish these goals in Florida, the Grand Master appoints a Committee on Public Education and Citizenship, which serves to promote and aid students of our public school system. Specifically, the Grand Lodge of Florida offers all graduating High School seniors the opportunity to be awarded a scholarship that may be used at any State of Florida supported Institution.


Supreme Forest of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon N.A.

The Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America will award three $1,000 Scholarships for a one-year period, to outstanding students who have been accepted to a college, university, junior college, community college or technical school on a full-time basis. Previous recipients are not eligible.

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  • This publication has been created at the direction of Mr. William A. Marti, an Active Member of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay (a.k.a. DeMolay International), who is the Executive Officer for DeMolay International in the Jurisdiction of Florida. This year 2000 revision of the previous edition of the Scholarship Guide has been reviewed and authorized by him.

    This publication is intended to assist you in understanding the forms and amounts of Financial Aid that is available to you in pursuing your educational goals at the college and university level or in accredited vocational education programs. It is prepared especially for members of the Order of DeMolay, the International Order of Jobs Daughters, and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

    The Scholarship Guide contains much material that is compiled from other sources, and can not hope to be all-inclusive. It is provided as a convenience for students seeking Financial Aid. It is meant to supply help and to supplement other sources of information. Such information is commonly available through high school Guidance Offices, college and university Financial Aid Offices, libraries, commercially available scholarship guides, and World Wide Web postings on the Internet. The seeker of Financial Aid would be remiss in overlooking any of these sources of information.

    Throughout this document, we have inserted printouts from various sites on the World Wide Web. The particular sites printed are meant to demonstrate only a sample of the material available on the Internet. The WWW has revolutionized the delivery of information in the last few years. It makes possible the delivery of current information instantly available to anyone with Internet access. We can not hope to keep this printed documentation current. Please refer to the indicated web sites, and use current information. No one else can do this for you.

    In addition to compiling generally useful information and providing starting points for your own financial aid campaign, we are including two “value added” items in this revision. From our own Dad Donald Crowley (formerly a Professor at Yale University), and from a guest commentator Mrs. Elizabeth Carter (a current college Financial Aid Officer) we have solicited recommendations, and thoughts on the matter of Student Financial Aid, and any advice they would give to a prospective college student. We offer our many thanks for their kind assistance.

    We hope this Scholarship Guide will prove useful to those teenagers (and their families) who need Financial Aid to make college education a possibility. In the DeMolay Order, support of Education is a Cardinal Teaching, and any assistance we can offer, to anyone, is a duty we gladly undertake. And, yes, on a “downer” note, we will include some excellent tips on avoiding being scammed, while looking for the bucks you need to make college a reality. Con artists live, and you are always their favorite meal.

    We have provided links to some of the web pages you should consult. These are only a small fraction of the web sites available. We strongly suggest you consult MORE than the sample we have included here.

    Fraternally yours,

    Dad Dale Dietzman, Chev, LOH,
    Honorary Member Supreme Council

    Dean Emeritus, John W. Bates DeMolay University

  • How to Handle the Financial Aid Process? Confused by the financial aid maze? Never fear — here’s the low-down on acing this obstacle course. Most of these points will be repeated a number of times throughout this document.

    Tips:

    • Check out “FAFSA on the Web”. It’s a great site from the U.S. Department of Education that lets you fill out, submit, and check the status of your FAFSA — all from your computer! You and your mouse can get things moving. Yes, ‘customer service’ is available to help if you encounter trouble.

    • Remember that there’s always more aid available than meets the eye — and the student who does the most legwork is most pkely to win the game!

    • Don’t just fish in the “mainstream”. A great way to find scholarships “outside the box” is to visit your favorite Web search engine. I typed in “chess scholarship” (without the quotes) and I found that the University of Texas at Dallas is actively recruiting talented chess players via scholarships and has offered scholarships to several players in the past. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County also has an extensive chess scholarship program.

    Here’s the ‘$even $teps’ to win the “Dollar$ for $cholar$ race:

    • Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss possible financial aid availability during your sophomore year of high school. Many private scholarships have early deadlines. (If you’re already later than this, don’t despair, but get moving!)

    • Use what you learn — apply! When your counselor gives you application forms, fill them out. Yes, and mail them, too! They won’t win you any money gathering dust in your desk drawer!

    • Don’t overlook regional and local scholarships — because the applicant pool is much smaller, you may have a better chance of success.

    • Consider scholarships targeted toward a specific niche — for example, scholarships for cellists, chess players, or Chinese-Americans might net you better results than the open-to-all Coca-Cola Scholarship. [On the other hand, don’t neglect the Coca-Cola Scholarship, or any other for which you are eligible.

    • Fill out that FAFSA as early as possible. The U.S. government and most colleges use this form to determine your eligibility for federal aid. The new (revised) FAFSA is available on January 1 of each year that you will be attending college. Do remember to submit a new FAFSA every school year. It doesn’t carry over.

    • Wait. Wait patiently. This can be difficult, but you’ll enjoy life more if you’re not stressed out constantly. When you receive acceptance letters from colleges, you’ll also receive financial aid notices detailing each college’s aid offer.

    • Never stop looking — you can apply for new forms of aid each year (while always remembering to reapply for existing aid). Most scholarships require some form of renewal paperwork, even if it is minimal, every year. Don’t overlook school-specific scholarships funded by rich alumni, corporations, and other benefactors.

  • Advice from “The Grumpy Old Man”

    Dad Donald W. Crowley, Chief Engineer (Retired)
    Formerly “Professor of Micro-biological Physics” at Yale University

    You probably wouldn’t believe the amount of money available for your assistance at the big name, super-expensive schools. Harvard has in excess of $40,000,000,000.00 in endowments for student financial aid.

    Yes that was 40 billion, with a “B”. I taught at a poor school down the road; Yale survives on only $21,000,000,000.00+ in student aid endowments.

    Any money manager can always get a minimum guaranteed return of 10% on a large amount of capital. Harvard has well over 4 billion dollars in student aid available, to give away every year. Yale has over 2.1 billion. That is without touching the principle of the endowments, so that they produce a new “cash crop” of the same (or bigger) size to harvest each year. Other big name, big price tag schools have very deep endowment pockets, too. That doesn’t, however, mean they are necessarily anxious to give it away to untried freshmen.

    Getting accepted is itself a good trick. Harvard and Yale each have more students that have 1600 (‘perfect’) SAT scores AND a 4.0 (or better) GPAs apply every year than they have room for in the freshman class. Some of those “super students” are turned down. Meanwhile, some students with merely good academic credentials get accepted, because they also have some other talent (say in music, or art, or poetry) that the school desires to have in it’s student body.

    While Yale and Harvard don’t give athletic (‘jockstrap”) scholarships, it’s amazing what amounts of academic financial aid happen to become available to a letterman (or letter woman). Especially if they lettered in several sports and also have the academic moxy to be accepted.

    By the way, everybody always wants the most bang for every buck of aid given away. So, an athlete who brings several sports with them (while being able to hold his or her own in class,) will be more welcome. The super nerd who never emerges from his or her room, except to go to class, may not get that Letter of Acceptance.

    The same is also true of some smaller but highly selective liberal arts colleges, which often don’t specifically subsidize athletes. The star athlete will still find aid that is more “academic aid” available than the non-athlete.

    If you can be accepted at a big name school, beg, borrow, or …well, whatever you need to do … get the money to go for the first year. If you prove you can do the work they expect of you, and keep your grades in the A and B range, money will appear, seemingly out of thin air, to subsidize the rest of your career at the school.

    So, don’t think you can’t afford the exorbitant prices of the big name schools. Don’t let the ‘sticker shock’ of the price tag keep you from even applying to those prestige schools. Give them a shot. Go there if you are accepted, no matter what the cost, and prove that you are good enough. Once you do that, the money will take care of itself.

    - Dad Don

  • “Words to the Wise, From the Other Side of the Desk”
    Pointers on Financial Aid from a College Financial Aid Officer

    Mrs. Elizabeth Carter is the Financial Aid Officer at a private college in Illinois. She has graciously given us the advice that she would give to all prospective college students, so that we can share it with you. This will give you a look at Financial Aid from “the other side of the desk”. We sincerely thank Mrs. Carter for sharing this information with us, and trust you will pay close attention to it.

    After reviewing her material, we have summarized the main points as follows:

    • Apply early. When available funds begin to run short, it is harder to get the full amount that you need from any prospective college. Apply as soon as the necessary paperwork can be submitted. Make your FAO’s job of finding funds to help you easier.

    • There are people on your side that you don’t even know. Many students receive Financial Aid made possible by church bodies, organizations, and groups that they don’t even know exist. Your goal of preparing for you life’s work is a worthy one, and one of the best investments of time and money you will ever make. You are being supported in this goal by people who want you to succeed, people who are doing their part to make your success possible. Although a large amount of financial aid comes from the U.S. Government, much of the available money comes from private individuals, directly or through foundations.

    • File your FAFSA electronically. [Note: This rule is NOT to be followed if unusual or special circumstances exist in your case (see EFC page 2 of "Glossary" section)]. After you have filled in all the necessary information, go “on-line” to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. It will be received sooner, processed faster and the results will be available sooner to the college, so sources of funding can be committed to you sooner (while still available). File through the college Financial Aid office or from the school’s computer lab.

    • How Grant and Loan Money is handled. These funds are usually paid, in your name, directly to the school in two payments yearly, usually within 30 days of the start of the school year, and again half way through the school year. In some cases, money for books and other expenses will be sent to the student in the form of a check for books and supplies. Money from Stafford Loans or parent’s PLUS Loans may be paid to the student or the parents directly, for use in paying expenses such as off campus housing, transportation, food costs, etc.

    • You must keep yourself eligible for your Aid Package. You must maintain good academic standing with your school, or be making acceptable progress in that direction, to keep your Aid package. This means maintaining acceptable attendance in classes, even 8 AM classes. Should your situation change in any way (if you marry, move, withdraw from school, or graduate) you must inform your school and any lending institutions you are dealing with. Repayment of any loans you have received is necessary, and failure will disqualify you from future Financial Aid if you should decide to return to school.

  • The following terms are words that will become very familiar to you during your journey through the interesting world of financing a college education. Learn to understand them and make them work for you. If you speak the language of those people who are responsible for administering Financial Aid, your chances of obtaining the maximum assistance available are greatly enhanced.

    ACT, or American College Testing Program:

    An Iowa based testing and financial aid service organization. To receive a need analysis you and your family must complete the Family Financial Statement (FFS) and return it to the ACT’s offices.

    Budget (also called “Cost of Attendance”):

    The total cost of attending a particular college or university for one full academic year. When you are not yet accepted in a particular school, you may need to calculate this for multiple possible schools to which you are applying. This figure is often available as an estimated amount from the school. This estimate may need to be adjusted to you personal situation (travel expenses to a distant school, etc.) This amount should include tuition, fees, books, room and board (whether in the dormitories or a private apartment), supplies (include Internet access expenses if these are not provided by the school), personal expenses (clothing, cosmetics, cleaning, haircuts, etc), and transportation. Note: The estimated amount from you school represents an average student and may not include special fees required for students in certain majors or courses of study. Your budget may be adjusted to reflect these amounts. Note: If you don’t own a PC of your own, which colleges now think is as required as a typewriter used to be, you can legitimately add the cost of a “middle grade” PC (and a good printer!) to your budget for your freshman year. An adequate computer is definitely part of your required college needs. The cost is a legitimate part of your financial need.

    CLEP, or College Level Examination Program:

    An examination by the CSS or College Board, which tests a students achievement in material included in common undergraduate college courses. Colleges use the examination results to award credit for lower level (first and second year) college courses for incoming freshmen and transfer students who demonstrate their proficiency in tested subjects.

    CSS, or College Scholarship Service (a.k.a. “College Board”):

    A New Jersey based testing and financial aid service organization. To receive a need analysis you and your family must complete the Family Financial Statement (FFS) and return it to the CSS’s offices. The CSS administers the SAT testing program, also called the “College Board Exams”.

    College Work Study Program (a.k.a. Work-Study):

    A federal program for undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at least half time. This program provides employment, usually on campus, for students with demonstrated financial need.

    Dependency Status:

    Students who qualify as “independent Students” will receive aid packages different from those considered to be still dependent upon their parents. Married students, veterans, orphans, and wards of the state may all be considered for independent status. Consult your Financial Aid Officer if you have any family situation which might need consideration for his or her ability to “override” the standard procedures.

    Discretionary Funds:

    Most schools have these funds available to officers such as the President, Deans, and Financial Aid Officers to use “at their discretion”. Such funds are NOT listed among published sources of Financial Aid. They are usually held as “Emergency reserve” funds. A student with exceptional needs, or one whose financial situation undergoes an unforeseen change during the school year, may be allocated additional Financial Aid from such funds. In some cases, intervention by a member of the institutions Board of Trustees will miraculously make such funds available.

    EDP or Early Decision Plan:

    A plan allowing participating colleges to notify students of acceptance by December 15th of their senior year of high school. Students choose between two plans. EDP-F (First Choice plan) requires students to withdraw all other applications as soon as they are notified of acceptance. ESP-S (Single Choice plan) requires students to apply to only one school unless they are rejected.

    EFC or Expected Family Contribution:

    The total amount of money which it is expected that the parent(s) and the student can combine to contribute toward the cost of a post-secondary (college) education. Note : Special circumstances such as excessive medical expenses, loss of employment, or other hardship information should be provided to the Financial Aid Officer as these can be justifications for changes in your EFC!!!

    FAF or Financial Aid Form:

    A form created by the College Scholarship Service (CSS) to collect information required to determine your need for financial assistance. You submit this form to the CSS where it is analyzed, and the analyzing body forwards the results to those schools you identify on the form. The CSS version of the FFS.

    FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid:

    A federal form used by students applying for Pell Grants and other federal financial aid programs. Keep a copy of the information supplied on it, as most of it will be used again on other forms.

    FFS or Family Financial Statement:

    A form created by the American College Testing Program (ACT) to collect information required to determine your need for financial assistance. You submit the for to the ACT where it is analyzed, and the analyzing body forwards the results to those schools you identify on the form. The ACT version of the FAF.

    Financial Aid Package:

    The total amount of Financial Aid provided to a student. This includes Scholarships, Grants (federal, state and institutional), Loans, and expected earnings under a Work-Study program. This probably will not exceed the difference between your EFC and your Budget (Financial Need).

    Financial Need:

    The difference between your Budget (cost of attending school) and your EFC or expected Family Contribution. Note: Your Financial Need will be higher at the more expensive colleges, justifying more Financial Aid.

    Foundation:

    A Foundation is a private charitable institution, established as a not-for-profit organization with the sole purpose of supporting charitable entities through the provision of grants, loans, scholarships, and/or contributions.

    Graduate Student:

    A student in a college or university who has completed the requirements of a bachelor’s degree at some accredited institution, who is now enrolled in a higher level degree seeking educational program (e.g. master’s degree, etc).

    Grant:

    Money provided as a gift to be used toward your school costs. A grant does not have to be repaid.

    Loan:

    Money provided for school costs by a third party (e.g. a bank or credit union, etc) which must be repaid, usually with interest. A subsidized loan may not require interest to be paid, or not until after graduation.

    MDE or Multiple Data Entry:

    A system allowing a student to apply for federal assistance using any one of a number of forms provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Merit Award:

    Financial assistance provided to you based on your academic achievements or civic accomplishments, independent of your financial need. Sometimes called a “No-Need Award”.

    Montgomery “GI Bill” Benefits:

    The present “GI Bill of Rights”, the Montgomery GI Bill, provides educational assistance to Veterans of the nations uniformed services. The Montgomery Bill is different from preceding GI Bill’s in providing assistance to full time students who are members of the Reserve components of the uniformed services, even if they have not served extended Active Duty. After six months satisfactory participation a Reserve unit, a Reservist is entitled to a monthly educational assistance check from the VA as well as earning drill pay for his or her Reserve participation.

    Need:

    As used in financial aid circles, the difference between your resources (parents, savings, private scholarships, etc) and your total academic budget. Getting your budget correct is therefore clearly very important.

    Need Analysis:

    The process used to objectively determine your demonstrated or proven financial need.

    Need Based Award:

    Financial Aid provided in the basis of demonstrated financial need, generally based on the FAF, FFS, or a similar process.

    No-Need Award:

    Assistance provided based on academic merit or other qualifications, which does not consider demonstrated need.

    Parent’s Contribution:

    The amount you parents can be expected to contribute toward your school costs. This amount is adjusted based on both parental resources and the number of children, and the number of college students among them. Added to your funds it becomes the “Expected Family Contribution”.

    PLUS or Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students:

    This federal program allows parents to borrow money for their children’s education directly from banks or other lending institutions.

    Pell Grant Program:

    The largest federal need-based grant program. You will almost always be required to apply for this, even if you know you will not qualify, before other programs will accept you application(s).

    Perkins Loan:

    This federal load program provides loans for undergraduate students. Repayment begins when the student graduates or leaves the school. Service in the military, VISTA, the Peace Corps or other programs may allow for deferment of repayment or cancellation of indebtedness.

    ROTC or Reserve Officer Training Corps:

    Enrollment in these programs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, provide grants-in-aid to satisfactory students. These programs usually incur Active Duty obligations in the respective service after graduation.

    SAT or Scholastic Aptitude Test, a.k.a. “College Board Exam”:

    A test administered by the CSS to test verbal and mathematical ability. The SAT is used by many colleges as a prerequisite for admission. It is required by most sponsors of private financial aid programs. The SAT is commonly referred to as “The College Board Exam” or “College Boards”.

    Scholarship Loan:

    Financial Aid that must be repaid to the lending institution in cash or possibly by services rendered, with little or no interest.

    Self Help:

    The portion of your college budget that you are expected to provide on you own, from savings, summer employment or other assets.

    Stafford and Direct Loan Programs:

    These federal programs allow students to borrow money for college directly from the U.S. Government, banks and lending institutions. The student must demonstrate financial need to qualify.

    SAR or Student Aid Report:

    A report that is sent to students who have applied for federal financial aid. It indicates the students eligibility for federal financial aid programs.

    Undergraduate Student:

    A student who is enrolled at a community college, college, or university, who has not yet qualified for a bachelor’s degree.

    Undergraduate Student Assistant program:

    A particular type of Work-Study program in which a student is employed to assist one or more professors in his department of study. Usually pays minimum wage and is limited to 20 hours per week of work. Allows you to schedule work hours around your class schedule. Work may involve preparation of materials for classes (overheads, handouts, etc), grading examinations, counseling fellow students on academic requirements for graduation, etc.

    USAF or United Student Aid Funds:

    A federally approved processing agency that provides SingleFile, an application that students may use to provide for federal and other student financial aid.

    Work-Study:

    A program providing part time jobs for students, through which they may earn cash or pay a portion of their school costs through employment, usually on campus.

    Items of Special Interest

    Frank S. Land Scholarship:

    One of a group of Scholarships funded by The DeMolay Foundation, Inc. DeMolay membership is NOT required to apply. The application form is available from DeMolay International Headquarters:

    The DeMolay Foundation
    10200 No. Executive Hills Blvd.
    Kansas City, MO 64153

    Or may be downloaded and printed from the DeMolay International Web Site at www.demolay.org. Application deadline is May 1st is applying for the Fall semester, and October 1st for an award to begin in the Spring Semester. A copy of the form, current for the 2000-01 school year, is included in the publication.

    Florida Educational Foundation, Inc. Scholarship:

    A group of scholarships funded by the FEF, Inc. This scholarship is intended to assist with the cost of books and supplies. A copy of the application is not included in this publication, as it changes yearly. The current application form and information is available from:

    The Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
    Attn: Mr. Russell B. Glendenning, Secretary
    2915 Bucida Drive
    Sarasota, Florida 34232
    Telephone: 941-371-3320

    Scholarships from Lodges, York Rite and Scottish Rite Bodies, and other Masonic Affiliated groups:

    If you are a DeMolay, a Jobie, or a Rainbow, have you asked your sponsoring body if they have any scholarships for which you can apply? How about other lodges which do not presently sponsor Masonic Youth groups? The Scottish Rite Valley? The York Rite? The M.W. Grand Lodge, F. & A.M., in Jacksonville? It never hurts to ask, and you may not be told about available sources of aid if you don’t ask. If the answer is “Sorry, we don’t have those.” You are in the same position as if you don’t ask. Moreover, the answer might well be “Yes, we do have those.”

  • It has been said that the best defense is a good offense. This adage applies directly to you if you are attempting to finance you college education. You must plan your strategy to show scholarship recommendation boards and Financial Aid Officers that you deserve the available funds. All of the following tips will help you increase your chances of winning financial assistance.

    Begin financial planning early. If you are a high school senior you’re already late out of the starting blocks in the race for the available money. Do not wait until you have selected a school, you may not be able to afford the school that is you first choice unless they come through with a sufficient Financial Aid Package. Review the availability of scholarships and financial aid programs at each school in which you are interested.

    Don’t be afraid to negotiate for more. If you are accepted at a school you can’t afford, TELL THEM YOUR SITUATION. They want you to go to their school, or you wouldn’t have been accepted by them.

    Parents: If you have a child who is still quite young, you may want to investigate the Florida Pre-Paid Tuition Program, which allows you to freeze tuition costs and pay them in advance.

    Check the Internet. Check the web sites of every college that you find interesting (college web sites end in “.edu”). Then look up other sources of financial aid. Use your school’ s computers if you don’t have access at home. Use every search engine available, each one finds a different mix of web sites. You can more likely get the latest information from a recently updated web site than from a book that has been in pre-publication for a year.

    Understand the Application forms. Read over each form you must complete before you start filling in the blanks. ( If in doubt, make a photocopy of the form for a worksheet.) If you do not understand something ask the agency what type of answer is expected. Many scholarship applications are denied merely because the forms were improperly filled out. By the time you can resubmit the package, the available funds may have been awarded or the deadline may have passed. You high school Guidance Counselor or the college’s Financial Aid Advisor may be able to assist you.

    File all the necessary forms. The required paperwork can be very complicated. Often multiple forms are required for the federal government, the state government, the college, or a private program. Make sure you read the instructions carefully and complete all of the required documents. If in doubt, always ask your financial aid advisor to be sure that you have not overlooked anything.

    Keep copies of all applications and forms filed. While this may seem obvious, it is often overlooked. It only takes a few minutes to make file copies of your applications. It would take a great deal of time to recreate an application form in the event that it is lost or needs to be amended. This is a peace of mind step. Also, because most financial aid forms ask for the same data over and over ( if in slightly different formats) you can reuse information you have already researched…never reinvent the wheel.

    Know your deadlines. Many assistance programs have open application periods; applications are date and time stamped as received and are reviewed in the order received. Plan to submit you completed application on the earliest date permitted.

    Improve your writing skills. Many financial aid applications require an attached demonstration of your writing skills. While you can sometimes reuse that essay you got top marks on, some will require that you write on a specific topic. Be sure you address the subject completely, in a logical smooth-flowing format. Be concise and complete. Run you computer’s ‘spellchecker’ and ‘grammarchecker’ programs and THEN ALWAYS let someone else proofread your work before you submit it. Keep copies of these essays too, with your application file copies. Sometimes you may get lucky and be able to recycle one of them. Keep hardcopy or softcopy on an external storage device.

    Write to the evaluators. Whether you are applying to the local Masonic Lodge for a scholarship, or to the financial aid administrators at a school, learn to present you financial picture in a manner that will leave the evaluators with a clear picture of your need for financial assistance. Your cover letter on your application can make all the difference.

    Apply for every financial aid program for which you are eligible. Millions of dollars of financial aid goes unawarded every year, because no one applied for it! Discipline-based scholarships are plentiful, and are often overlooked. Check with the department of your major at every school to find out which specialized financial aid may be available at that institution.

    Capitalize on you special abilities. You don’t have to have a 1600 SAT or a 4.0 GPA to win a scholarship. Academic scholarships are available for everything from art to zoology. If you have a special talent in public speaking ( Do you do the Flower Talk or the Ceremony of Light ?) or if you have musical skills find out if your schools offer special assistance based on these skills. Some colleges are desperately looking for tuba players in their music department.

    Make the most of your family and social connections. Opportunities for scholarships and grants may be as close as a telephone call to your local fraternal, military or civic organization. Is Uncle Bob in the VFW ? Ask him to check on scholarships that they sponsor, both locally and nationally. Religious groups and denominations offer a great number of scholarships.

    Sail into a scholarship. Or spike. Or swing. Or dive. Many schools award athletic scholarships for sports ranging from sailing to golf to gymnastics to soccer. You need not be a world class athlete to qualify for a partial athletic scholarship, which might stretch your Financial Aid Package enough to go to the school of your choice. If you participate in several sports, make sure the college’s coaches in all these sports are aware that you are interested in their school, and that they all know that you a multi-sport person. Coaches like to get more bang for their bucks by recruiting people who will play several sports for one scholarship or even a partial scholarship. Athletic Departments have budgets too.

    Take advantage of your ethnic background and/or your sex. Members of minority groups and women often qualify for awards that are restricted to these groups. Local chapters of ethnic organizations and women’s business associations often provide restricted programs to members of their families, or to a target group of high school students.

    Keep your grades up. Most financial assistance programs have minimum academic requirements. It is your responsibility to maintain you academic standing within the administering agency’s requirements. Know what these are.

    Choose your major carefully. If you have chosen a popular major, there may be more financial aid programs available, but there is also more competition. You might want to consider a minor in an area that doesn’t have as many students, and thus increase you eligibility for assistance to more than one discipline.

    Don’t estimate your financial information. It is tempting to estimate financial information because of the complexity of the forms. Don’t do it. It is important to be accurate. Keep a file of documentation to back up you financial statements if it should be needed.

    Remember to apply each year. Your freshman year is not the only year to search for scholarships. You should reapply every year. Even programs that turned you down before, may reassess you in light of a proven college “track record”. Changes in your financial status, GPA, and available funds may make the difference. Again, apply early, especially if you applied late before.

  • http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml/

    http://www.collegeboard.org/gp/hartman/html/apr2.htm

    The Frank S. Land Scholarship

    http://www.demolay.org

    The FAFSA On-Line

    http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FAFSA/20intro.htm

    Financial Aid Resource Center – Scholarships, Grants, Loans for College

    http://www.theoldschool.org/

    http://www.phikappatau.org/

    http://www.college-scholarships.com/florida.htm

    http://www.reg.ufl.edu/admission/scholarships-florida.htm

    http://www.floridalink.com/thenews/college_grants.htm

    http://www.fim.edu.doe/bin00072/home00072.htm

    http://www.fim.edu.doe/bin00072/fmscri.htm

    The Harry S. Truman Scholarship

    http://www.truman.gov/potential_bulletin.htm

    U.S. Naval Academy (example of Military Academy sites)

    http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/

    http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/require.htm

    http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/steps.htm

    Registered Private Foundations, Granting Scholarships and/or Grants-in-aid, in Florida

    (For information on these funds, please check Sunbiz. DeMolay Florida does not have specific information on these programs.)

    Abernathy (Sally) Charitable Educational Fund
    Alm (EBBA) Educational Fund
    American Legion Memorial Scholarship Funds
    Bateman (Will Paul) Trust Scholarship Fund
    Blees (William A.) Educational Fund
    Brede/Wilkins Scholarship Fund
    Brevard Heart Foundation
    Cooper (Olive Bryan) Scholarship Foundation
    Cunningham (James Granville) Foundation, Inc.
    Devoe (Dick) Buick-Cadillac Scholarship Trust
    Empire of Caroline Inc. Foundation
    Exchange Club of Vero Beach Scholarship Foundation Trust
    Exley (Edward Wilkes) Foundation
    Fellows (J. Hugh & Earle W.) Memorial Fund
    Fernandez (Dr. Peter) Practice Starter Foundation
    Finley (Rose McFarland) Foundation
    Florida Air Academy Scholarship Fund
    Florida Land Surveyors Scholarship Foundation Inc.
    Forrest (Thomas W.) Foundation
    Friedwald (Lynne) Foundation
    Groves (Robert and Corley) Scholarship
    Hall (Elizabeth Edgar), Inc.
    Hand Foundation Inc.
    Harlee-Whisenant Agricultural Scholarship Trust
    Haven (Nina) Charitable Foundation
    Hays (John Hulsey) Memorial
    Heath Educational Fund
    Hughes (Richard) Scholarship Foundation Inc.
    Internal Medical Foundation
    Jacksonville Community Foundation
    Jacobs (Hyman S. and Sadye) Foundation
    Kahler (Anne M.) Trust
    Kaylor (James Revees) Memorial Foundation
    Kelley Foundation, Inc.
    Kiwanis Club in Deerfield Beach Charitable Foundation
    Land (Harry L.) Educational Trust
    Long (Howard W.) Foundation Inc.
    Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation
    Magruder (Chelsey G.) Foundation
    Marco Island Women’s Club Foundation
    Martin (Ray & Anna) Scholarship Fund
    McCready (Stephen F.) Scholarship Fund
    McCune (C.N.) Scholarship Foundation
    McDonald Benevolent Foundation
    Mead (Edwin Budge) Scholarship Trust
    Meilman (Daniel) Charitable Foundation All America
    Metal Industries of California Foundation
    Miskoff (John) Foundation Inc.
    Murray (William H.) Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund
    Oates (I.R.) Trust Under Will
    Olliff (Matred Carlton) Foundation
    Ott (Richard F.) Scholarship Foundation
    Richardson Scholarship Foundation Inc.
    Rinker Companies Foundation Inc.
    Robertson (Lois & Edward) Foundation
    Ruge (Edwin G.W.) Educational Foundation
    Sample (A.M.) Scholarship
    Saunders Foundation
    Scadron (Irene Haas) Memorial Education Foundation
    Sherbourne Educational Fund
    Snow (George) Foundation Inc.
    Southwest Florida Community Foundation
    Stocking (John T.) Memorial Trust
    Stroh (Cora) Testamentary Fund
    Wiggins (J.J.) Memorial Trust
    Wingspread Foundation
    Winter Park Community Trust Fund

  • The State of Florida offers many different financial assistance programs to residents of the State who attend a Florida college or university. Eligibility is determined differently for each program; most high school guidance offices and Financial Aid offices at colleges and universities have the application forms and guidelines readily available.

    For most programs there is some Florida residency requirement, a requirement that the student be registered with the Selective Service System, and have participated in the CLAST testing program. As always, meeting application deadlines is critical to receiving any financial assistance.

    The information provided here was current at the time it was researched, but many of these programs, especially public programs of the state and federal governments, are dynamically changing. No guarantee of currency of this information is possible. We therefore urge you to check the latest available information on the World Wide Web, or call the listed telephone numbers for current information.

    We are enclosing printouts of information (current at the time preparation) on some common Florida Scholarship Programs and also on free services on the Internet that will search for scholarships for which you may qualify. Check the indicated web sites for the latest information.

    The following programs are some that may be of special interest to some of our Masonic Youth Group members. We urge you to research the latest information on any that are of interest to you.


    Bright Futures Scholarship Program

    This is a “blanket” term for three scholarship programs, the Florida Academic Scholars Award, the Florida Merit Scholars Award, and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award. Some of the general qualifications, which are all available on the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA), web site. Always check for latest requirements with Florida Department of Education (DoE).


    Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program

    Offers a one-year, $1,500 scholarship through the U.S. Department of Education. The awards are distributed equally through the states congressional districts. Byrd Scholarships are awarded on a nomination basis; you must maintain a 3.85 weighted GPA, have scored in or above the 75th percentile of the ACT or SAT and be nominated by your school. You must plan to attend an eligible Florida or non-Florida public or private post-secondary program of at least one year’s duration. Students must have established a six-month Florida residency. Applications must be postmarked by April 15th. Applications are available from the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Florida Department of Education.


    National Science Scholars Program

    This program provides two scholarships in each congressional district to outstanding students who will pursue a career in the areas of biological science, physical science, computer science, math or engineering. Scholarships are for $5,000 each. A committee makes four nominations from each district and the President of the US makes the final selection. Scholarship may be renewed for up to four years.


    Scholarships for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans

    This program provides financial assistance to dependent children of deceased or disabled veterans or members officially declared as prisoners of war or missing in action. Residence requirements vary with the war, conflict, or event. The scholarship consists of tuition and fees for two semesters at a Florida post-secondary institution, renewable for a maximum of eight semesters. Applications must be postmarked by April 1st. Check for latest requirements with Florida DoE.


    Department of Education Telephone Numbers

    All in Area Code 850
    (Numbers taken from the DOE Web Site Telephone Directory)
    OSFA, Customer Service 488-1504
    OSFA, Scholarships, General 488-1034
    OSFA, Major Problems Only 488-4095
    OSFA, Bright Futures Scholarships 410-1310
    OSFA, Florida Resident Access Grant 410-1318
    OSFA, Florida Student Assistance Grant 488-6181
    Pre-Paid Tuition Fund Program 488-8514 / 800 552-4723

  • U.S. Government Financial Aid

    The U.S. Federal Government manages many different forms of Student Financial Assistance and certain forms of Loans for parents of students. As with State Governments, these programs change from year to year. It is a good idea to research the latest information available on the World Wide Web or in your Guidance or Financial Aid office.


    Pell Grants

    These grants help students with proven financial need pay for post high school education. Amounts range from $200 to $2400 per year, and are based on the “entitlement” funds your school receives. Like all grants, they do not have to be repaid. Half time or greater enrollment is required.


    Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

    This program makes additional grants to students with extreme financial need. Like all grants, they do not have to be repaid. Recipients must be eligible for a Pell Grant. Awards range from $100 to $4000 annually. The same general conditions apply to the SEOG as to the Pell Grant.


    Perkins Loans (formerly National Direct Student Loans or NDSL)

    These low interest loans (typically 5%) are made by schools to the student. The Federal government guarantees the loan, but the loan is made by the school to the student, and you must repay the school. Students must demonstrate need and maintain satisfactory academic performance. As a freshman or sophomore, you may borrow up to $4,500. As a junior or senior, you may borrow up to $9,000. As a graduate student, you may borrow up to $18,000. All these figures are cumulative.


    Stafford and Direct Loans (formerly Guaranteed Student Loans)

    These are low interest loans made to students directly from the U.S. Government, a bank, or other financial institution. There are limits on amounts that can be borrowed in various student status categories. An undergraduate student can borrow up to a maximum of $17,250 total. A graduate student can borrow up to $54,750 including undergraduate borrowing.


    Non-Need Based Federal Student Financial Assistance

    ROTC Scholarships in the Army, Navy-Marine Corps, or US Air Force.
    These scholarships incur an obligation to serve on Active Duty with the specified branch of the Armed Services.


    Service Academies

    The U.S. Military Academy (Army), the U.S. Naval Academy (Navy and Marine Corps), the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy each provide a FREE college education, and pay you while you attend. Attendance requires receiving an appointment from a congressman or by competitive admissions examinations, and incurs an Active Duty obligation with the Service involved. The exception is the Merchant Marine, which is not a branch of the US Military Services.

    Director of Admissions
    United States Military Academy
    West Point, NY 10996-1797

    Director of Admissions
    United States Coast Guard Academy
    New London, CT 06320-4195

    Director of Admissions
    United States Naval Academy
    Leahy Hall
    121 Blake Road
    Annapolis, MD 21402-5000

    Director of Admissions
    United States Merchant Marine Academy
    Steamboat Road
    Kings Point, NY 11024

    Director of Admissions
    United States Air Force Academy
    Colorado Springs, CO 80840


    Montgomery “GI Bill”

    Like former “GI Bills”, this provides for student assistance for veterans who have served on Active Duty through the Veteran’s Administration. In addition, it provides a level of student financial support to members of the Reserve components of the Armed Services, once they have served for a minimum of six months, and even if they have not served on extended Active Duty.

    The US Army sponsors a program called the Army College Fund, which, when combined with the GI Bill’s VA student benefits, can add up to $50,000 in Financial Aid for college, at the end of a normal tour of Active Duty.

    For the Reservist in any branch of the Armed Forces, or member of the National Guard, the Montgomery GI Bill provides up to $9,036 toward student expenses for graduate or undergraduate training in a VA approved academic program. Full-time students may receive $255 a month for up to 36 academic months. Three-quarters time students may receive $191 per month for up to 48 months, and half-time students $127 per month over up to 72 months of eligibility.

    In addition to regular GI Bill benefits for Reservists, Reservists in certain (hard to fill) military occupational skills areas qualify for additional GI Bill benefits (“the MGIB Kicker”) which may be as high as an additional $100 per month.

    Remember that VA money, for Active Duty veterans or for Reservists only, is IN ADDITION to the Reservist or Guardsman’s pay for drills attended monthly. Reservist Drill Pay is usually equal to about 1/7th of the monthly base pay for an Active Duty member in the same pay grade and seniority. Serving in the Reserve is a good part time job for any college student.


    Harry S. Truman Scholarship Program

    This program provides scholarships to students in the top third of their class enrolled in a study program smalling to a career in public service. It requires nomination by your school. A download of basic information off the Foundation Web Site is included in this section.