Review the Post on Tuesday, March 17.

Since we are working on Community Service, you might want to review the "Volunteer for Experience" video that I posted.

Snacks That Are OK To Eat At Night.

Eating after 8:00 p.m. gets a bad rap. But in reality, the reason you may have gained (or been unable to lose) weight probably has more to do with what you're eating and how much you're eating, rather than the time of day when you are eating it.  Eating at night, if done healthily, can offer surprising benefits.  Eating the right protein at night can help you build muscle while you sleep; eating low-glycemic carbs at night can help you control blood sugar the next day and even help you regulate your appetite.

I will be posting one snack a day for the next nine days --  looking forward to your checking in for the latest.

Fountainhead Essay Contest (Ages 16 -18) $10,000

Deadline:  April 26, 2015
This contest is open worldwide to 11th and 12th graders.
You must write an essay of no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words on a topic relating to Ayn Rand's novel, "The Fountainhead."
Topics can be found on the sponsor's website

Get more information on the Fountainhead Essay Contest
www.aynrand.org/contests

College Tuition Tax Credits

What is a tax credit?

A tax credit is an amount that you're allowed to subtract from what you owe in taxes.  When you pay college costs, you can subtract a certain amount from your tax bill later on.  If your parents pay college expenses for you, they get the tax credit.

There are two different tuition tax credit programs.  The amount or the credit varies and is subject to a number of rules, depending on which credit you use, what you use the money for, and what area of the country you live in.  Your family may not claim more that one credit at a time.

American opportunity tax credit:

Families who owe very little tax or no tax (because their incomes are low) may be able to get some of the credit paid back to them directly.  Also, the credit can be applied to course-related books and supplies, in addition to tuition and fees.

Lifetime learning credit:

The money claimed must have been used for tuition and fees. This credit is available to undergraduate or graduate programs and for courses (even a single course) to acquire or improve job skills.  

If you haven't filed your taxes yet, these options might save you some money.  In any event, definitely looking  into.

The Oprah Magazine Contest

Enter for a chance to WIN $5,000
O's editors want your opinion of this issue:  the good, the bad, the "What were you thinking?!"  Take a fast and easy online survey, and you'll automatically be entered for a chance to win $5,000.

aprilsurvey.theoprahmag.com

JFM College Scholarship Fund Program 2015 Guidelines

Eligibility Requirements:

1. You and/or your parent (s)/guardian(s) must be residents of a CVHC housing community (house or apartment);
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2:00;
3. Be accepted or matriculated at an undergraduate community college, university, or vocational/technical school.
4. Enroll in and complete full-time coursework (12 units) per academic term.
5. Recipients are required to provide evidence of enrollment and course registration in 12 units or more for the fall 2015 term and Spring/Winter 2016 term.

Deadline:  May 15, 2015

$250 to $1,000

www.cvhc.org

A.W. Bodine-Sunkist Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Overview:

This scholarship is for students or family members of someone (parent, sibling, grandparent) who derives the majority of their income from California or Arizona agriculture. To qualify, applicants must be undergraduate college students pursuing a college degree, demonstrate financial need, and show potential success through GPA and extracurricular activities.

How much competition is there?

This scholarship won't have as many applicants as most.

Deadline: April 30, 2015    

Average award:  $2,000  This scholarship is renewable.

https://www.cappex.com/scholarship/listings/AW-Bodine-Sunkist-Memorial-Scholarship/-s-d-2296/