Do You Know About HTTPS:??

Did you know that HTTPS: is a secure site?  
You need to check for the "s" to be sure that your information is safe.  You will note that banks and other business sites include the "s".   

Scholarship for Hispanic Students

This is another really fabulous scholarship opportunity for students of Hispanic descent -- I believe you qualify if one parent is Hispanic.  

This application is available now.  A number of years ago I worked closely with about 20 students and everyone single one of them received this scholarship -- the total amount was $50,000.  I was so excited because that meant $2500 for each applicant.

Scholarship awards range from $500 to $5,000

https://hsf.net

It's That Time Again!!! MILLION $$ CONTEST

Perhaps you have already read in my book that contests are worth looking at as another source of money for college.  The down side is that there is greater competition, but up side is that you don't need a GPA, a personal essay, or letters of recommendation. Depending on how many people apply, the odds may not be very good, BUT someone has to win and it could be you.

This contest is very exciting because the product (LAY'S Potato Chips) is something many people like and the grand prize is $1,000,000.  Anybody can enter.

https://www.dousaflavor.com/rules

Admissions must be received between January 20, 2015 and March 30, 2015

Check it out.  Everyone in the class can use this as one of their two scholarships a week assignment.

Last Day to Add a Class

Today is the last day to add a class!!
Important Drop Deadlines:
February 02, 2015 -- Last day to add a class
February 06, 2015 -- Last day to drop with a refund
February 08, 2015 -- Last day to drop without a "W" on transcripts
April 24, 2015       -- Last day to DROP

Navigating My Website (COUN 011 Online Class Students)

One of your assignments for Week Two is to download several documents and to file them in your portfolio.

1.  Go to my website (www.FindingMoneyforCollege.com)
2.  Click THE PROGRAM on the top bar.
3.  Click DOWNLOADS
4.  Print the following:

• Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Recommendation -- print six copies
• Personal Data Form -- fill in the blanks (avoid writing in sentences )-- then print six copies
• Scholarship Resume   -- fill in the blanks (avoid writing in sentences) -- then print out six copies
• Status Sheet -- Leave BLANK > print out six copies

5.  Place each of the four (4) above categories in a separate sheet protector (already in your portfolio) under the proper tab.

Very soon you will be needing ALL the documents EXCEPT the Status Sheet for your Request for a Letter of Recommendation packet.

You will need large white envelopes which I will leave for you in the Career/Transfer Center.  I will be on campus on Wednesday, February 04, 2015 in the Career/Transfer Center, but you can pick them up after Wednesday from Gloria even if I am not there.  

Positive Thinking

Surround yourself with friends who "think positive".

"We are all susceptible to the beliefs, values, and attitudes of our peers.  If others around you are not motivated or are only stumbling toward an uncertain future, it will adversely affect you and your performance. It's important that you spend more time with those who are especially optimistic and motivated."

---Eric Jensen

The Little Book of Big Motivation

Organization

As you start reading the textbook, you will note that I write several times that "Organization Is the Key to Success".  This is, in fact, the class motto.  Actually, organization and time management are critical to being a successful student, and in life for that matter.

The "Andrews System" which is taught in the scholarship class is critical for meeting scholarship deadlines.  Since the goal is to apply for at least a hundred scholarships a year, deadlines will be missed  without time management & organization.

If it appears as if I am a stickler for keeping up with assignments, I am.  My purpose in life is to guide students with the scholarship application process so that they learn to submit WINNING scholarship applications.  It may be a while before you win a scholarship because even the most deserving students don't win all of the scholarships for which they apply.  However, students who have completed the class and have kept their portfolio up to date have proven to be the most competitive.  In short, the system does work.

Here are a few beginning tips:

1.  When you are given assignments from all of your classes, record the directions and deadlines in a small binder.  It would help to make a binder for each class using the five tabs (assignments, calendar, class notes, handouts and syllabus).  This saves you from rummaging through your backpack for documents thus saving precious time.

2. Record study time in the calendar in a small binder, but actually specify the activity (5 Math problems, read 4 pages in English, research scholarships for one hour).

3.  Divide your assignments into smaller parts so that you are doing a little bit of work a day for each class.  (Please, please don't wait until the deadline to start working on your assignments.)  Any task is easier to complete when broken down to smaller units.