Gold Award Girl Scouts can earn a $5,000 scholarship

Did you know that there is a $5000 scholarship for Gold Award Girl Scouts?  One scholarship per council and one from USA Girl Scouts Overseas!

Gold Award Girl Scouts who are high school seniors or recent high school graduates can apply for the 2024 program. Specifically: 

• current high school seniors who earned or will earn anytime before April 1, 2024 
• recent high school graduates who earned in their senior year after March 31, 2023 

Apply between March 15–April 17, 2024. All applicants will receive status updates in June 2024.

 

https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/highest-awards/gold-award/gold-award-scholarship.html?utm_campaign=GAScholarshipApps2024&utm_medium=Email_GSUSA&utm_source=NewsFromGS_March2024

Creative Writing Contest for High Schoolers - $1,000 prize+ (Ringling College of Art & Design)

Storytellers of Tomorrow Creative Writing contest for high school writers

Application available: typically Oct 15 through Jan 15.

 

The top prize in each category (genre stories, literary stories, and nonfiction) is $1,000 and the winners get a 1:1 consultation on their writing with a top NY editor, plus the students’ high school English teacher gets an iPad for the classroom, too.

 

Best of all, it’s free to enter!

 

Full details and submission information is found here:

https://www.ringling.edu/writingcontest/

 

To learn more about Ringling College of Art and Design’s undergraduate program in Creative Writing:

https://www.ringling.edu/Creative-Writing

US Govt Remote PAID Internships with Patent & Trademark Office (pt school / ft summer)!

The USPTO posted remote internships for college students - part time during the school year and full time during the summer.  The turnaround time on these is tight - they posted it to USAJobs on 7/26/22 and it will remain open until they receive 200 applications OR until 8/16/22, whichever comes first.  The text of the job posting is below - click this link to apply via the posting.

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Imagine starting your career working side by side with intellectual property (IP) leaders as part of USPTO's Innovation Internship Program. Here we celebrate, support, and thrive by building the bridge between IP and accessibility to all. Join us as part of a team that makes meaningful changes with a global impact across the IP Community.

This internship is part of the USPTO's Council for Inclusive Innovation (CI²) work for expanding innovation.

This exciting internship opportunity will start late summer or early fall, and will not exceed 2 years. Some things you should know:

• The internship will be full-time telework during summer breaks and part-time during the school year. Students on a trimester schedule will be accommodated.
• The duties assigned to this position are authorized to be performed in the United States (currently defined as the fifty states and the District of Columbia) and Puerto Rico.

Apply quickly! This announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received. If the application limit is not reached by the closing date of the announcement, all applications received during the open period will be considered. Any required documents must be submitted at the time you apply, as documents will not be accepted past the day the application limit is reached, if applicable.

As a USPTO Innovation Intern, you will receive practical, virtual hands-on experience by engaging in a variety of diverse and challenging activities. This exciting opportunity is ideal for you if:

• You're inspired by innovative environments that allow you to contribute to the accomplishment of organizational goals.
• You're interested in engaging directly with agency leadership to gain insight into the USPTO mission by participating in regular senior level sessions.
• You desire to explore federal careers while completing your education.
• You enjoy learning through routine and recurring developmental assignments which will help acquire knowledge and understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the areas of innovation and intellectual property while completing your education.
• You're committed to training and development on various topics relating to the USPTO and government service.
• You're interested in getting experience in legal writing and analysis.
• You're excited about assisting with special projects and new initiatives including preparing and delivering a capstone project with a group of fellow interns.
• You're a relationship builder who finds enjoyment in participating in group/team assignments and assisting with research, analysis, statistics and reporting out your findings.
• You're an effective writer who finds interest in drafting various documents and reports, creating spreadsheets and charts, etc., to present a variety of data and information.
• Assisting with IT projects excites you.
• You're enthused and interested in observing appeal hearings, cases, and panels.

Hello Fresh Student Discount - 15% off every box for a year

 Did you know that Hello Fresh has a 15% student discount?

15% Off for a year + free shipping on your 1st box + free shipping on the first box.

15% Off every box!

You'll need to verify via Unidays, but then your grocery shopping days are over!

Ring Camera 20% Discount for Students!

Did you know that Ring offers a 20% discount for Students?  Many students need to move off campus for Junior and Senior years - in some communities Ring cameras are necessary.

You will need to verify your identity to get your discount code - go here https://ring.com/exclusive-discounts

HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR DISCOUNT

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1. Click Get Code above and sign into VerifyPass.

2. After verification, you'll receive a one-time discount code to apply during checkout.

3. For future purchases, return to this page and repeat Step 1. (Limit 1 code per 24 hours.)

terms: This military, first responders, medical workers, students, and teachers discount program is valid in the U.S. only. Discount codes are subject to ID verification in our sole discretion. Discount codes may not be combined with other discount codes from this program or other Ring discounts or promotions or applied retroactively. Each discount code will be limited to one use per customer. We reserve the right to change or discontinue this discount program at any time and without notice, including limiting the number of discount codes per customer or the eligible products. Shipping and taxes may apply.

Early Action Colleges: Your Guide and Full List of EA Schools

If your student can have some applications done by Nov 1/15, it could be in their best interest to apply to as many as they can EA since it is not binding AND you often find out your admission decision before Jan 1!

You can have a bunch of acceptances WITH financial aid info BEFORE you apply anywhere else RD.

 

Check out this list sorted by state:

Early Action Colleges: Your Guide and Full List of EA Schools

 

And also see this list - you can sort by EA Due Date by clicking on the top of the column - note: some due dates are as early as Oct 15 so check all your schools!

https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/admission-deadlines 

MEFA's EFC Calculator

Have you tried MEFA's EFC Calculator?  It's nice how it shows you on a graph how each component is affecting the EFC amount. 

https://www.mefa.org/expected-family-contribution-efc-calculator

 

Student Loans: Start w/ State & Nonprofit Loans!

Typically you will see that most college planners will say to take the Federal Loans first (since they are really the only loans just in the student's name), but then many seem to just go to their Parent Plus or bank/credit union or Citizens/Discover for (typically) expensive loans for the rest.

After the student takes the guaranteed Federal Loans, before you do anything else,

1. Find out if your state has a student loan program:
   • It may even be subsidized depending on your EFC - check this website
2. See if the state your student's school is in has a state loan program:
   • (same website as above) for example, in NJ, eligible students :"Be a New Jersey resident attending an approved school (in or out-of-state) or an out-of-state resident enrolled in an approved NJ-based school."
3. Find non profits that offer student loans:
   • go to the Education Finance Council website, scroll down & click on "Find a Nonprofit Loan here"
   • MEFA is one example of a nonprofit student loan lender.  You do NOT need to have a Massachusetts connection to get a loan from MEFA.

After you research all the state and nonprofit loan options, then look at the banks etc.  You should be able to enter in some basic info into Credible and get a few options/rates back.

AND check to see if your state has any student loan forgiveness programs for certain degrees - check here

Host a Care Package Assembly Party

You can assemble a care package with lots of variety when you host a college care package assembly party.

What’s that? Read on for all the details!  via simply2moms.com

Tuition Break for New England Students

New England Board of Higher Education's (NEBHE) Tuition Break program, the New England Regional Student Program (RSP), provides significant tuition savings to residents of the six New England states when they enroll at out-of-state public colleges and universities within New England and pursue approved programs.

Basically, if your state doesn't offer the major you want, and it is offered at another public institution in New England you can receive a tuition break at that school.  A full-time RSP student receives an average tuition break of $8,200.  Check the website for participating majors! (But some schools allow any student from any NE state and some even allow enrollment for proximity reasons - see FAQs: https://nebhe.org/tuitionbreak/eligibility-faqs/)

For example, Wildlife Ecology / Conservation Biology at UMaine, URI and UCONN were among popular tuitionbreak bachelor's programs in 2021-22. CT & MA residents are eligible for tuition savings for those programs.

check out the website here:

Tuition Break | New England Board of Higher Education

MEFA - nonprofit student loans from MEFA

Looking for Student Loans for College?  Make sure to take the Federal Loans first, but then be sure to check the rates of nonprofit and state-based lenders - they are often have much better rates than private banks. 

MEFA is one of these nonprofit lenders: 

https://www.mefa.org

There's no origination fee, application fee, or prepayment penalty. MEFA Loans are available to students and families across the country, so there's no need for a Massachusetts connection.

 Find other non profits that offer student loans: go to the Education Finance Council website, scroll down and click on "Find a Nonprofit Loan here"

via www.mefa.org

Bracelet Care Packages for College Students - Pura Vida

Send your college student a bracelet care package every month! Best surprise ever and so cute! Three bracelets a month for $14.95 ($45 value!) Best college care package ever - and so easy to carry back to their dorm!

20% off at Pura Vida with promo code HeatherBragdon20

Pura Vida Bracelet Club

Vegan Care Packages for College Students - Vegancuts

$5 off with Vegancuts Promo: CollegeChatter

Send your hungry college student some healthy snacks!  Each month, they get 10+ new and unique vegan snacks, meal items, and beverages. From vegan mac and cheese and delicious chocolate treats, to avocado chips and hummus crackers, the Vegancuts Snack Box is a popular way to send your hungry student some vegan treats every month! (The Snack Box comes with free U.S. shipping.)

From vegan mac and cheese and delicious vegan chocolate, to avocado chips, hummus crackers and superfood smoothies, the Vegancuts Snack Box is your monthly delivery of the best vegan snacks and meal items, and drinks on the market. Open the Door to at least 10 sweet & savory vegan snacks to make it easy to discover the best in plant-based living.

via vegancuts.com

Find Nonprofit Student Loans for College

Looking for Student Loans for College?  Make sure to take the Federal Loans first, but then be sure to check the rates of nonprofit and state-based lenders - they are often have much better rates than private banks.  Find these lenders here - scroll down to "Find a nonprofit loan here":

https://foryounotforprofit.org/student-loans

We are a group of nonprofit and state-based organizations with an important mission - to help you plan, save, and pay for college.

How Much Is Your State's 529 Plan Tax Deduction Really Worth?

Many states offer state income tax deductions or credits for contributions to a 529 plan. The amount of your 529 state tax deduction will depend on where you live and how much you contribute to a 529 plan during a given tax year.

See how much your state's 529 Plan deduction is really worth here  via www.savingforcollege.com

UAlaska - In State Tuition w/Alaska 529 for 2+ yrs

Did you know that if your student is interested in attending the University of Alaska, if you have an Alaska 529 account for at least 2 years, you can get in-state tuition?!

 

You can also request an application fee waiver as well! 

 

See more here about the process

Colleges with Rolling Admissions & still accepting applications

It's after April 1st, and you want to find a few more schools to apply to....quickly....  try these two sources ASAP:

1. National Association of College Admissions Counseling's (NACAC) College Openings Update - A listing of NACAC member postsecondary institutions that are still accepting applications from prospective freshman and/or transfer students for the upcoming fall term - updated daily.  You can search by State, Country, Freshman, Transfer, Financial Aid Avail, Housing Avail....

2. Schools with Rolling Admissions: Check out this sortable list of schools by due dates / rolling admission - very useful! 

 

Monthly Rhode Island $2,000 College Scholarship contest for RI residents & students attending RI colleges/grad school

Rhode Island College Student Scholarship! 

Enter the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority's monthly $2,000 Scholarship contest by answering 3 quick financial literacy questions - no essay!  The award 4 $2,000 scholarships every month! 50 per year!

Eligibility:  Students must be:

• a Rhode Island resident high school senior,
• or a Rhode Island resident attending college in or out of state,
• or an out of state resident attending a college or graduate school in the state of Rhode Island.

Four entrants will be randomly selected on the first business day of the following month. Winners are requested to have their
First Name, Last Initial, and City/Town of residence identified on this scholarship web page. Only the winners will be notified of the $2,000 Scholarship. 

All scholarships are made co-payable to the student and their college of choice.  Winners that are in high school are awarded each May (allowing time to make changes to their college of choice) while undergraduate/graduate students are awarded in the month they are confirmed as winners!* 

Each year we award (50) $2,000 individual scholarships totaling $100,000 each academic year.

Enter here: https://www.risla.com/fin-lit-quiz?hsLang=es 

BONUS DRAWING 
Entering consecutively every month qualifies participants that have not previously won during the same school year for a bonus drawing held in May.
Two eligible bonus drawing winners will each receive a $2,000 scholarship.

 

Amtrak Student Discount

Did you know that Amtrak has a student discount of 15%? 

Students ages 17-24 will save on Amtrak tickets purchased one (1) day in advance with their national student discount! 

Book your tickets using this website or discount code V814 if using the app!

some of the terms:

• Please refer to discount code V814 if booking via the Amtrak app.
• This offer is valid for Acela Business class or Coach seats only. Upgrades to Acela First class, non-Acela Business class, and sleeping cars are not permitted.
• This offer is valid for travel on all Amtrak service except Missouri river runner, Hiawatha service, Wolverine, Blue Water, Pere Marquette, Lincoln service, Illini, Saluki, Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandburg, Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquins, Capitol Corridor, Keystone, Pennsylvanian, and 7000-8999 thruway series.

Stay Safe at School - Birdie Personal Alarm

Stay safe anywhere with a She's Birdie Personal Alarm

Birdie is the best personal safety alarm - cute, super loud and has a strobe light. My student's college recommended a personal safety alarm instead of any kind of pepper spray since the spray can end up being used against your student....

Amazon has a bunch of safety alarms, but this one they actually carry around because it's cute - if they don't carry it, it's not going to help, period. 

They have sales all the time but you can always get 15% off with code SHEISSAFE15

Want an MFA in Studio & Visual Art for free?

There are "free" MFAs out there.... you just need to apply early and you might get full funding.  Full tuition remission & annual stipend!  33 programs available at the list here

Pura Vida Bracelet Fundraisers for Sororities, Teams, Clubs & more!

Do you want to raise money for your sorority, sports team, charity or club? Raise some major $$$ with custom Pura Vida bracelets!  (Look under Shop / Charities / Custom Fundraising)

Use the Pura Vida Online Customization Tool to test out color combos, select your quantity (50-bracelet minimum), and place your order.  Original bracelets are $4 each in the bulk order and braided are $6/each.  You can sell them at whatever price you want for your fundraiser - retail is $8 for the original and $10 for braided. 

You’ll receive completely customized and unique, wax-coated, 100% waterproof bracelets—all adjustable from 2-5 inches in diameter. And you only need to order 50 at a time!  And possibly make more than 50% profit!