Nevada Fostering Higher Education Financial Aid Toolkit

Financial Aid is an umbrella term for academic financial assistance—most often used to refer to financial assistance for postsecondary education (including vocational/trade options). Nearly all forms of financial aid require students to complete/submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before they can be considered—even aid that is not directly tied to FAFSA submission—due to the fact that the FAFSA is one of the most accurate ways to determine a student’s financial need. The different types of financial aid that a student can obtain—all of which directly or indirectly require FAFSA completion—are as follows:

• MONEY that is awarded to a student—based on foster care history, financial need, and/or other specialized eligibility criteria—that does NOT need to be repaid, if the student is passing their classes (this is known as gift aid, because it is a “gift” that does not need to be repaid):
  • Course Enrollment/Tuition Fee Waivers
  • Federal Chafee Education(al) & Training Vouchers (ETV)
  • Grants
  • Scholarships
• MONEY that income-eligible students can earn through campus-based employment, with some federal tax breaks, to help pay for their college expenses:
  • Federal Work-Study – A federal student aid program that provides part-time employment opportunities to students with financial need, while they are enrolled in school, allowing them to earn money to help pay for their education expenses
• MONEY that students can borrow—if they lack sufficient gift aid options—that NEEDS TO BE REPAID, WITH INTEREST:
  • Student Loans – Student loans are the least beneficial form of financial aid, because they need to be repaid, with interest (interest = a charge for borrowed money that is generally a percentage of the amount borrowed). As a result, they should be the last resort for students—after all other possible financial aid options have been explored/exhausted.

The FAFSA is the official application form completed by current and prospective undergraduate, graduate, and professional postsecondary education students—in the United States—to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. The FAFSA, itself, is NOT a form of financial aid; it’s the application form. To apply for federal student financial aid, such as federal grants, federal work-study, and U.S. Department of Education loans, you need to first complete the FAFSA. Completing and submitting the FAFSA is always FREE, and the FAFSA gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for postsecondary education. In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid (Source: https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/landing).

Complete/submit your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, BEFORE THE PRIORITY DEADLINE for your college/university, PRIOR TO EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR in which you plan to attend college! The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year, for the following academic year (nearly a year in advance).

FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FOSTER CARE: By completing the FAFSA before each academic year—and indicating that you have been in foster care—you will be deemed “financially independent” for financial aid purposes, provided that you submit follow-up documentation. This means that you do NOT need to enter (and SHOULD NOT enter) any parental income information into your FAFSA. Aside from the Foster Youth Fee Waiver (money for classes), you may also be eligible for several different federal, state, and school-specific grants—and potentially some scholarships too!

A course registration fee waiver is a form of financial aid in which a school “waives” a certain portion of a student’s course enrollment/tuition fees—meaning that the student does not need to pay that portion of their fees. This form of financial aid differs from other forms, in that it is not paid directly to the student; rather, the student’s account is directly credited for the designated course enrollment/tuition fees amount to be waived. This means that a student cannot receive a refund for any portion of the fee waiver; rather, if a student drops any/all of their courses, the fee waiver funds that were previously applied to their student account will be returned to the school.

The John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood—formerly known as the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP)—offers self-sufficiency assistance to current and former foster youth. Federal grants are offered to States and Tribes who submit a plan to assist youth in key areas identified to support their successful transition to adulthood/independence—including education attainment, employment preparation and acquisition, financial management, housing stability, emotional support, and permanent supportive adult connections.

The program serves youth who are likely to remain in foster care until age 18, youth who exit foster care—at or after age 16—for legal guardianship or adoption, and youth ages 18-21 who have “aged out” of the child welfare system.

The Federal Chafee Education(al) and Training Vouchers (ETV) program was added to the CFCIP in 2002. The Chafee ETV program provides additional federal financial assistance to States and Tribes, in the form of education(al) and training vouchers, to meet the postsecondary education and training needs of youth aging out of the child welfare system—due to their disproportionate likelihood to experience difficulty as they transition to adulthood/independence.

Each eligible youth can receive a voucher of up to $5,000 per academic year, for postsecondary education and training—including vocational/trade options (John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families: Children’s Bureau. June 28, 2012. Retrieved from: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/chafee-foster-care-program)

A grant is a form of financial aid that does NOT need to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund, or you receive a TEACH Grant and don’t complete your service obligation). A variety of federal grants are available, including Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants. Grants can also come from your state government, your college or career school, or a private or nonprofit organization (Source: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants).

A scholarship is a type of free money that is awarded based on the content of the student’s completed scholarship application, to assist with school-related expenses. The requirements to receive a scholarship vary widely and are set by the entity offering the scholarship/providing the funding support; criteria are commonly based on characteristics such as academic merit, individual talent, a particular area of study/interest, community services contributions, unique identity characteristics (such as status as a foster care alumni), and/or a variety of other eligibility requirements.

Scholarships can make a real difference in helping you manage your education expenses. Many nonprofit and private organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for their postsecondary education expenses. Scholarships are gifts and they do not need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations (Source: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/scholarships).

Federal Work-Study is a federal student aid program that provides part-time employment opportunities to part-time or full-time undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with financial need, while they are enrolled in school, allowing them to earn money to help pay for their education expenses. The student’s school must be a participant in the Federal Work-Study program and the student must seek out and apply for work-study jobs at their school.

The student will be paid directly for the hours they work, and the amount they earn cannot exceed the total amount awarded by the school for the award year. The availability of work-study jobs varies by school. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study (Source: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/work-study).

When you receive a student loan, you are borrowing money to attend a postsecondary education institution. You must repay the loan AND all of the interest that it continually accrues, over time. For this reason, student loans should be a LAST RESORT to help fund your college education.

It is important to understand your repayment options upfront, so that you can successfully repay your loan. If you decide to take out a student loan, make sure you understand who is making the loan and the terms and conditions of the loan. Student loans can come from the federal government, from private sources such as a bank or financial institution, or from other organizations.

Loans made by the federal government, called federal student loans, almost always have more benefits than loans from banks or other private sources, so it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that students who need to take out loans pursue federal student loans offered directly through the U.S. Department of Education. Learn more about the differences between federal and private student loans at studentaid.gov (Source: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans).

AB 350 is a 2011 law affecting all youth “aging out” of the Nevada foster care system. It allows young adults to voluntarily remain under the Juvenile Court’s jurisdiction beyond the age of 18, up until their 21^st birthday (even if they leave Nevada), so that they can receive a monthly stipend—paid directly to them—while they work to reach their life goals.

• Clients are assigned to a child welfare worker/case manager whose job is to help young adults set and achieve their life goals, but clients make their own decisions about where to live and with whom
• Clients receive the benefit of having their own court-appointed attorney
• Clients in the Court Jurisdiction program will keep the same PPO Medicaid plan they had as foster children, which is a more robust Medicaid plan than the option they are likely to have if they terminate court jurisdiction at age 18
• Clients are allowed to change their mind regarding this decision any time prior to their 18th birthday, by either informing the child welfare agency that has custody of them (the Nevada DHHS Division of Child and Family Services, the Clark County Department of Family Services, or the Washoe County Human Services Agency) or the Court directly
• The child welfare agency must develop a written plan to help the client transition to independent living, including these goals:
  • Client saves 3 months’ worth of expenses
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Postsecondary education (includes vocational/trade options)
  • Getting or seeking a job with at least 80 hours per month
  • Stable housing
  • An identified adult who will be a mentor
  • Connecting the client with appropriate services, if needed, to address any issues with mental health or developmental delays

If foster youth do NOT want to remain under court jurisdiction past their 18^th birthday, they can participate in the FAFFY program and receive a monthly stipend—paid directly to their landlord, with any remaining funds going directly to the young person. FAFFY funds (established in 2001) may be used to assist former Nevada foster youth, from age 18 to their 21^st birthday; FAFFY funds may also be used for current foster youth, ages 17 and up, who are identified as certain to remain in foster care until a minimum of age 18.

Clients who opt to terminate court jurisdiction and participate in the FAFFY program are also eligible for Medicaid but, in most cases, the plan will be a HMO plan. The child welfare worker/case manager will assist the client in completing and submitting the application, so the client does not have to apply through the welfare office.

Based upon need, FAFFY funds may be used to provide goods and services, including—without limitation:

Services provided for youth ages 14 to 18:

Services provided for former foster youth, ages 18 to 20 (up to 21^st birthday) – Appropriate support and services that complement the youth’s own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and recognize and accept their personal responsibility in making the transition from adolescence to adulthood:

Fee Waiver Award Amount: The NSHE Foster Youth Fee Waiver is a type of financial aid that covers the fall and spring semester (summer term excluded) college/university course registration fees. The exact award amount varies each semester, based on 3 factors:

• The per-credit cost of courses at the specific NSHE institution at which the student is enrolled,
• The exact number of credits in which the student is enrolled, for a particular semester, and
• The specific courses in which a student is enrolled, for a particular semester (this is because some courses have higher fees than others).

• Must have been in the custody of the Nevada foster care system, at or after age 14
• Must be under the age of 26 (eligibility ends on the student’s 26^th birthday)
• Must be a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency recipient, depending on which NSHE institution the student plans to attend.

• Must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Must be admitted to and enrolled in at least 1 course at one (or more) of NSHE’s 7 degree-granting institutions:
  • University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV)
  • University of Nevada-Reno (UNR)
  • Nevada State College (NSC)
  • College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
  • Great Basin College (GBC)
  • Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC)
  • Western Nevada College (WNC)

• Complete the FAFSA for each academic year during which you plan to attend college, even for one semester.
• Continue to meet institutional Title IV financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
  • Students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 (scholarships have differing GPA requirements).
  • Students must receive passing grades in a minimum of 67%-70% (depending on the institution) of all attempted courses.

STEP 1: COMPLETE THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)!

• By completing the FAFSA before each academic year—and indicating that you have been in foster care—you will be deemed “financially independent” for financial aid purposes, provided that you submit follow-up documentation. This means that you do NOT need to enter (and SHOULD NOT enter) any parental income information into your FAFSA. Aside from the Foster Youth Fee Waiver (money for classes), you may also be eligible for several different federal, state, and school-specific grants—and potentially some scholarships too!
• Complete your FAFSA online, at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, BEFORE THE PRIORITY DEADLINE for your college/university, PRIOR TO EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR in which you plan to attend college! The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year, for the following academic year (nearly a year in advance).

STEP 2: COMPLETE/SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION, FOR YOUR NSHE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY OF CHOICE, PRIOR TO THEIR DEADLINE!

STEP 3: ONCE ADMITTED TO YOUR NSHE INSTITUTION OF CHOICE, COMPLETE/SUBMIT THE ENROLLMENT FEE WAIVER APPLICATION, ALONG WITH THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:

• Your FINAL OFFICIAL High School Transcript, showing proof of graduation OR your OFFICIAL Certificate of High School Equivalency (GED, HiSET, or TASC) test scores.

• Proof that you were in the custody of a Nevada agency that provides child welfare services, at or after age 14, which could include the following:
  • A verification letter from a Nevada state (DCFS) or county (CCDFS or WCHSA) agency that shows proof of the dates you were in foster care, after age 14.
  • A copy of a court document that verifies WARDSHIP within the Nevada foster care system, at or after age 14.
  • A copy of a court document that shows proof of “aging out” of foster care, in Nevada, such as a court order for Court Jurisdiction services.

STEP 4: ASK FOR HELP!

• Contact Laura Obrist, NSHE’s Foster Youth Ambassador
  • Email Address: lobrist@nshe.nevada.edu
  • Direct Line: 702-522-7035
• Contact the Foster Youth Fee Waiver contact at your NSHE institution of choice
  • A full list of institution-specific contacts can be found on the NSHE website’s NSHE Foster Youth Success Initiative webpage

As soon as you have submitted both your FAFSA & your Application for Admission for your NSHE institution of choice!

A fee waiver differs from other forms of financial aid, in that it is not paid directly to the student; rather, the student’s account is directly credited for the designated course enrollment/tuition fees amount to be waived. This means that a student cannot receive a refund for any portion of the fee waiver; rather, if a student drops any/all of their courses, the fee waiver funds that were previously applied to their student account will be returned to the NSHE institution in which the student is enrolled.

Some course enrollment/tuition fees are NOT COVERED by the Foster Youth Fee Waiver. The fees that are NOT covered are as follows:

• Laboratory fees for all courses numbered AT OR ABOVE the 300 level
• Per semester fees, such as the Health Service fee
• Special course fees for purposes other than class supplies—including individual instruction, third-party charges, and special transportation requirements
• Fees for actual class cost in excess of $100
• Technology fees

The Federal Chafee Education(al) and Training Vouchers (ETV) program was added to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP)—now known as the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood—in 2002. The Chafee ETV program provides additional federal financial assistance to States and Tribes, in the form of education(al) and training vouchers, to meet the postsecondary education and training needs of youth aging out of the child welfare system—due to their disproportionate likelihood to experience difficulty as they transition to adulthood/independence. Each eligible youth can receive a voucher of up to $5,000 per academic year, for postsecondary education and training—including vocational/trade options (John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families: Children’s Bureau. June 28, 2012. Retrieved from: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/chafee-foster-care-program).

Were you in Foster Care in another State? Find the state independent living and ETV coordinators for your state through listing at childwelfare.gov.

The Federal Chafee Education(al) and Training Vouchers (ETV) program was added to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP)—now known as the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood—in 2002. The Chafee ETV program provides additional federal financial assistance to States and Tribes, in the form of education(al) and training vouchers, to meet the postsecondary education and training needs of youth aging out of the child welfare system—due to their disproportionate likelihood to experience difficulty as they transition to adulthood/independence. Each eligible youth can receive a voucher of up to $5,000 per academic year, for postsecondary education and training—including vocational/trade options (John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families: Children’s Bureau. June 28, 2012. Retrieved from: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/chafee-foster-care-program).

Were you in Foster Care in another State? Find the state independent living and ETV coordinators for your state through listing at childwelfare.gov.

Voucher Amount: Up to $2,500 per semester/$5,000 per academic year; must reapply every academic year, in order to continue to receive the funding

• Youth who are currently in foster care, or
• Youth who were in foster care, on or after their 18th birthday, or
• Youth who were adopted from the foster care system on or after their 16th birthday.
  • NOTE: If you were in foster care in another state & moved to Nevada for the sole purpose of attending school, you must access federal Chafee ETV funds from your home state.
• Youth who have been accepted to or are already enrolled at an accredited postsecondary school (college/university or vocational/trade school). The school must (as defined by the institution):
  • award a bachelor’s degree or at least a 2+-year program that provides credit toward a degree,
  • provide no less than 1-year of training towards gainful employment, or
  • be a vocational program that provides training for gainful employment which has been in existence for at least two years.
• Youth who agree to attend school full-time or part-time (at least half-time enrollment is required).
  • Must maintain a GPA of 2.0 and/or make satisfactory progress in your educational goals

• 1^st, complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the corresponding academic year for which you’re seeking Chafee ETV funding: studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
• 2^nd , obtain the Chafee ETV Application from The Children’s Cabinet (also posted on the DCFS website):
  • In Person: The Children’s Cabinet, Inc.: 777 Sinclair Street, Reno, NV 89501
  • Online: www.childrenscabinet.org or http://dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CWS/IL/ETV/
• 3rd, APPLY by submitting the following documents, all of which are required prior to application approval:
  • Chafee ETV Application, which includes the following documents:
    • Copy of Academic and Financial Aid Release of Information form submitted to school/program
    • Children’s Cabinet Release of Information form
    • Budget form
    • ETV Financial Request form
  • Proof of eligibility (letter from child welfare agency or copy of court order releasing you from foster care)
  • Letter of acceptance to school/program (if not yet registered for classes)
  • Copy of College Class Schedule to ensure at least part-time enrollment
  • If applicable, a copy of previous postsecondary school transcripts to ensure passing grades (this does not include your high school transcripts)
  • Copy of Financial Aid Award Letter, from your college, documenting all financial aid received and your financial need
  • Copy of Court Jurisdiction budget (Post-18 child welfare services agreement budget)
  • Copy of your current photo ID
  • Authorization agreement for ACH debit/Direct Deposit (for stipends and/or reimbursements)
  • DOCUMENT THAT MUST BE SUBMITTED TO POSTSECONDARY SCHOOL’S FINANCIAL AID OFFICE: Completed Academic and Financial Aid Release of Information form
  • Additional documentation is required if requesting aid for rent, loan payments, childcare, utilities, books, or miscellaneous personal expenses

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis (first come, first served)

Chafee ETV funds can cover the following school-related expenses, provided they are included in your school’s Cost of Attendance:

• Course Enrollment/Tuition Fees (the portion NOT covered by the NSHE Foster Youth Fee Waiver)
• Student Fees (student fees are NOT covered by the NSHE Foster Youth Fee Waiver)
• Room & Board
• Books
• Child Care
• Personal Computer & Equipment
• School Supplies
• Transportation
• Student Loan Payments
  (must be for the current year)
• Miscellaneous Personal Expenses

You may ONLY participate in the federal Chafee ETV program for a maximum of 5 years (whether or not the years are consecutive) at an accredited school, or until your 26th birthday—whichever comes first.

If you were in foster care in another state & moved to Nevada for the sole purpose of attending school, you must access federal Chafee ETV funds from your home state. Find the state Independent Living and ETV coordinators for your state through this listing at childwelfare.gov.

Federal Pell Grants are typically awarded solely to undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree (i.e. students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree), who demonstrate exceptional financial need—according to the results of the FAFSA. However, in some cases, a student enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certification program might receive a Federal Pell Grant. The amount awarded for depends on a student’s financial need, costs to attend school, and number of credits taken. You can find more information about the Federal Pell Grant at studentaid.gov. Unlike a loan, a Federal Pell Grant does NOT need to be repaid—except under certain circumstances (such as withdrawing from or failing courses). You can find more information about when and how you would need to repay a grant, as well as the consequences for failing to do so, on the studentaid.gov grant repayment page.

Award amounts typically change annually. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $6,345 for the 2020–21 award year (July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021).

• The amount you get will depend on the following:
  • Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC),
  • Your Cost of Attendance (determined by your school for your specific program),
  • Your status as a full-time or part-time student (the Federal Pell Grant is prorated based on the number of credits in which you are enrolled: 1) fewer than 6 credits = ¼ award; 2) 6-8 credits = ½ award; 3) 9-11 credits = ¾ award; 4) 12+ credits = FULL AWARD), and
  • Your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.
• In certain situations, an eligible student can receive up to 150% of their scheduled Federal Pell Grant award for an award year. For example, if you are eligible for a $2,000 Pell Grant for the award year and are enrolled full-time for both the fall term and spring term, you’ll likely receive $1,000 in the fall and $1,000 in the spring. However, under certain circumstances, you may be eligible to receive up to an additional $1,000 for attendance in an additional term within that award year (resulting in your receiving 150% of your original award). You might hear this situation being referred to as “year-round Pell.” For details, contact your school’s financial aid office.

• Must be an undergraduate student pursuing your first bachelor’s degree (with very few exceptions)
• Must be enrolled at a federal student aid-eligible postsecondary education institution
• Must meet the income threshold requirements, which will be reflected in your FAFSA EFC—determined by the personal and income information that you input into your FAFSA

Complete your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, BEFORE THE PRIORITY DEADLINE for your college/university, PRIOR TO EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR in which you plan to attend college! The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year, for the following academic year (nearly a year in advance).

ASAP, but definitely BEFORE THE FAFSA PRIORITY DEADLINE for your college/university, PRIOR TO EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR in which you plan to attend college!

The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over their lifetime is limited, by federal law, to be the equivalent of 6 years of Federal Pell Grant funding. Since the amount of a scheduled Federal Pell Grant award you can receive—each award year—is equal to 100%, the 6-year equivalent is 600%. If a student’s Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) equals or exceeds 600%, the student becomes ineligible for any additional Federal Pell Grant funding. Students can learn more about how their LEU is calculated and view their own LEU percentage using the calculate eligibility tool at studentaid.gov.

You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

The FSEOG is a need-based grant to help low-income undergraduate students, with exceptional need (determined by the FAFSA), finance the costs of college. You can find more information about the FSEOG on the studentaid.gov FSEOG webpage. Unlike a loan, the FSEOG does NOT need to be repaid—except under certain circumstances (such as withdrawing from or failing courses). You can find more information about when and how you would need to repay a grant, as well as the consequences for failing to do so, on the studentaid.gov grant repayment page.

You can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on your financial need, when you apply, the amount of other financial aid you receive, and the availability of funds at your school.

Each participating school receives a certain amount of FSEOG funds, each year, from the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid. Once the full amount of the school’s FSEOG funds has been awarded to students, no more FSEOG awards can be made for that year. This system works differently from the Federal Pell Grant program, which provides funds to every eligible student. So, make sure you apply for federal student aid as early as you can. Each school sets its own deadlines for campus-based funds. You can find your school’s deadline on its website or by asking someone in your financial aid office.

• Must demonstrate a very high level of financial need
• Must be an undergraduate student pursuing your first bachelor’s degree
• Must be enrolled at a federal student aid-eligible postsecondary education institution
• Must meet the income threshold requirements, which will be reflected in your FAFSA EFC—determined by the personal and income information that you input into your FAFSA

Complete your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, BEFORE THE PRIORITY DEADLINE for your college/university, PRIOR TO EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR in which you plan to attend college! The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year, for the following academic year (nearly a year in advance).

Complete your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, BEFORE THE PRIORITY DEADLINE for your college/university, PRIOR TO EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR in which you plan to attend college! The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year, for the following academic year (nearly a year in advance).

The Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG) is a state-supported financial aid program created by the 2015 Legislature pursuant to Senate Bill 227 (Chapter 387, Statutes of Nevada 2015). Under the SSOG program, need-based grants will be awarded to eligible low-income students who are college-ready, to pay for a portion of the cost of education at a community college or state college within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). This unique program is built on a shared responsibility model and guided by a philosophy for awarding grant aid based on the total Cost of Attendance (tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other living expenses) being shared by partners (the state government, federal government, family, and student).

The SSOG award amount is calculated by subtracting the following from the student’s total Cost of Attendance: 1) the student contribution; 2) the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), determined from completion of the FAFSA; and 3) Federal awards received (including the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and the Federal TEACH Grant). The amount remaining, up to $5,500 annually, is the SSOG award amount.

The total Cost of Attendance varies by student living circumstance (living off campus, living on campus [GBC only], or living with caregivers). It is calculated by the institutions based on a federal methodology provided for in 20 U.S.C. § 1087 II. For the purpose of the SSOG award calculation, a single Cost of Attendance based on the average of all eligible institutions is used for each housing category.

• Must be classified as a Nevada Resident, for tuition purposes
• Must be enrolled in 15 or more financial aid-eligible credits in a semester, at an eligible NSHE institution
  • Eligible NSHE institutions include the following:
    • College of Southern Nevada (community college)
    • Great Basin College (community college)
    • Nevada State College (4-year state college)
    • Truckee Meadows Community College (community college)
    • Western Nevada College (community college)
• Must be enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate
• Must be “college ready,” based on placement or completion of entry-level, college-level mathematics and English
  • To be considered “college-ready” for the purpose of SSOG program eligibility, a student must be 1) currently or previously enrolled in a 100 or above level mathematics and English course, 2) placed into a college-level course under institutional placement policies for placement into at least Math120 and English 101, or 3) previously successfully completed remedial coursework (evident by a C or better in Math 096 and/or English 098).
• Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Non-Federal Aid Application for the student’s specific NSHE institution, and must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 8500 or less
  • Completion of the FAFSA or the Non-Federal Aid Application is a critical step toward receiving a SSOG award. Funds for the SSOG program are limited and are awarded to the students with the most financial need first. In other words, funds are awarded to eligible students in ascending EFC order, starting with 0 EFC up to 8500 EFC, until funds are exhausted. Financial need is based on the EFC, which is determined through completion of the FAFSA or the Non-Federal Aid Application.
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students ARE eligible for the SSOG. Students under DACA status may complete the FAFSA and may receive the SSOG award. While the institution will receive FAFSA data for a DACA student, the institution cannot identify if a student has DACA status or not. Therefore, DACA students must self-identify to the financial aid office at their college and provide a copy of their I-797 in order to be considered for a SSOG award. If you are a DACA student, go to the financial aid office at your college and tell the office that you want to be considered for the award.
• Must meet institutional Title IV financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, each semester, in order to maintain eligibility
• Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree are NOT eligible for the SSOG award

You must complete the FAFSA or your college’s Non-Federal Aid Application in order to be considered

• The FAFSA can be accessed at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

ASAP, but definitely BEFORE THE FAFSA PRIORITY DEADLINE for your college/university, PRIOR TO EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR in which you plan to attend college!

The SSOG is awarded on a “first-come, first-served” basis!

Funding will be set by the number of eligible applicants per funding availability—up to a $1,000.00 per term/semester.

The Western Shoshone Educational Trust Fund was established via the Public Law 108-270 with the mission of distribution of educational assistance for the Western Shoshone People who were eligible for the Western Shoshone Claims Judgment Roll and/or individuals who prove to be a lineal descendant of an individual appearing on the said judgment roll, who satisfy all other eligibility criteria established by the committee

• Must be a high school graduate or certificate of high school equivalency recipient
• Must be accepted for full-time admission to a nationally accredited institution of higher education course of study, to obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
• Full-time students must maintain enrollment in 12 credits per semester to receive the WSEFT Grant
• Continuing recipients must maintain a 2.0+ GPA

Review grant requirements and complete application at:
http://www.westernshoshoneeducationtrustfund.com/application__other_documents

By the deadline prior to every semester for which you would like to obtain a grant.

Administered by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada

Amount varies based on the student’s need, up to $10,000 per academic year; can be renewed with reapplication

• Must be a current or former Nevada foster care dependent (cannot have been legally adopted)
• Must either be a graduating Nevada high school senior or already have a high school diploma from a Nevada high school
• Must be a legal resident of the U.S.
• Must have been accepted into an accredited 2-year or 4-year school, or a certificate program at a trade or vocational school
• Must have no other significant financial means or other significant financial assistance to pursue postsecondary education
• Must not be related to the donors
• Must agree to maintain a minimum 2.5 college GPA and provide a copy of unofficial transcripts at the end of each semester in which a scholarship is received
• Preference will be given to full-time students & applicants who have been in foster care in Washoe County
• NOTE: There is no age limit, and it is open to graduate students

Complete eligibility quiz & application at https://nevadafund.org/foster-children-education-scholarship/

Application Materials Required

• High School Transcript
• Essay (maximum of 1 page) that tells the selection committee about the following: your life, your plans for the future, why you chose your program, how your education will impact your life, and how you plan to finance your education
• Letter of nomination from a teacher/counselor who knows your goals and background

January – April

• Funds can only be used for course registration/tuition costs, student fees, and/or books
• Funds may be used for vocational or other specialized training

Amount varies based on the student’s need, up to $10,000 per academic year—for up to 5 years—with a maximum total award of $40,000 to any given student; can be renewed with reapplication

• Open to youth who are about to age out of foster care or have already aged out of foster care—in Nevada
• Must apply before 21st birthday (NOTE: because the renewable award has a 5-year funding limit, students can only receive this scholarship up until their 26^th birthday)

Complete eligibility quiz & application at https://nevadafund.org/scholarships/otto-huth-scholarship-fund

Application Materials Required

• High School Transcript
• Essay (maximum of 1 page) that tells the selection committee about the following: your life, your plans for the future, why you chose your program, how your education will impact your life, and how you plan to finance your education
• Letter of nomination from a teacher/counselor who knows your goals and background

January – April

Funds can only be used for course registration/tuition fees, on-campus room and board, campus-based meal plans, books, and student health insurance

The Career Opportunity Scholarship is available to students who are current or former participants of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children programs. Applications will be approved by the Academic Committee and will be awarded based on the needs of the applying student.

Varied, depending on student need; can be renewed annually, with reapplication, and an updated application is required for each semester in which the student is seeking scholarship funds to cover expenses charged by the education institution

• Must be a current or former participant of one of the following programs offered by St. Jude’s Ranch for Children:
  • Therapeutic Residential Foster Care
  • Pregnant Parenting Teen
  • Transitional Living
  • Child Focus
  • Crossings
  • New Crossings
  • Family Support
• Must be a high school graduate or have completed a certificate of high school equivalency (GED: General Education Diploma, HiSET: High School Equivalency Test, or TASC: Test Assessing Secondary Completion)
• Must be preparing to enroll or already enrolled in a postsecondary education program (university, community college, or other vocational/trade program)
• Must have a 2.0+ grade point average (GPA)

Must maintain above a 2.0 grade point average for each course taken and complete the course once approved for a scholarship

Download and complete the application, available at https://stjudesranch.org/the-career-opportunity-scholarship-fund/

Submit the application, along with requested supporting documents, to Kevin Nelson, Program Manager/Scholarship Chair

Application Submission Options

• Email: Scholarship@stjudesranch.org
• In Person:
  • 2685 S. Rainbow Blvd, Suite 112, Las Vegas, NV 89146, or
  • 5005 McLeod Drive, Las Vegas, NV 8912

Application Materials Required

• Application form
• Proof of enrollment in a postsecondary education institution (university, community college, or other vocational/trade program)
• Proof of FAFSA completion/submission
• Copy of Financial Aid Award Letter from postsecondary education institution, detailing all grants and scholarships awarded for the semester/year for which the student is pursuing a scholarship
• Essay (typed; 750-1000 words) addressing the following components:
  • Your biography/background
  • Your educational goal
  • How the scholarship funds will help you meet your educational goal
  • Your career choice

ASAP, but at least a month prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student is requesting funds

Funds will typically be used to cover the following expenses:

• Course enrollment/tuition fees
• Lab fees
• Student housing
• Books
• School supplies/equipment (notebooks, writing utensils, computers, calculators, etc.)
• In some circumstances, on-the-job training

For Prepayment, the following documents are required:

• An invoice from the educational institution which shows the cost of course enrollment/tuition fees and the name of the institution to which the check will be made payable
• A printout from a bookstore with the cost of the books required for each course
• A completed W-9 form, from the institution to which the check will be made payable

For Reimbursement, the student must submit a receipt from their education institution that details the amount that they paid for all expenses for which they are seeking reimbursement (course enrollment/lab fees, student housing, books, school supplies, etc.).

Refunds received by the student, due to excess tuition payment or cancellation of a course, MUST be returned to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children—to go back to the Career Opportunity Scholarship fund.

Requests for funds that are made less than two (2) weeks prior to the beginning of courses may not be honored, which means that the student may not receive funds until the next semester. The committee will make those decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Varied

• Must have lived at least 12 months in foster care
• Must be at least 25 years old or older (they specialize in scholarships for foster care alumni who are 25 years old, or older, because eligibility for many foster care-specific funding options ends on the student’s 26^th birthday)
• Must be enrolled at an accredited college
• Must be seeking certification or a degree
• Must have already completed at least 60 college credits
• Must have demonstrated financial need
• Must have at least a 2.4 college GPA

Complete the application and follow the additional instructions on the website:
https://fostercarealumni.org/board-of-directors/scholarship/

November

Foster Care to Success (FC2S) provides postsecondary education scholarships to foster youth/foster care alumni students in all 50 states.

$2,500-$5,000 based on a combination of need and merit; RENEWABLE for up to five years, if the student remains compliant with program requirements

• Must have been in public or private foster care for the 12 consecutive months leading up to and including their 18th birthday; OR have been adopted or placed into legal guardianship after their 16th birthday; OR have been orphaned for at least one year at the time of their 18th birthday and not subsequently adopted
• Must be under the age of 25 on March 31 of the year in which they apply if they have not previously received scholarship funding from Foster Care to Success
• Must have been in foster care or orphaned while living in the United States (U.S. citizenship is NOT required).
• Must have been accepted into or expect to be accepted into an accredited, Federal Pell Grant-eligible college or other postsecondary school
• Must be an undergraduate student

Create a student account and follow the application instructions on the website:
https://www.fc2success.org/our-programs/information-for-students/

January – March; AWARDS ARE ANNOUNCED VIA EMAIL ANNUALLY, AT THE END OF JUNE

The National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) offers a scholarship to a former foster youth wishing to continue their college or technical school enrollment beyond the first year. A scholarship is awarded to a college or technical school-level student who is entering their second year of college or technical school.

$500

• Must be or have been in foster care through a U.S. child welfare agency (This scholarship application will be used by members who emancipated or aged out of foster care at the age of 18, or older)
• Must be currently enrolled in college or technical school, and provide proof of such
• Must be planning to continue college or technical school in the next academic year

Online application can be accessed here:
https://nfpaonline.org/Scholarships

Application Materials Required

• Online application form (incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified)
• Personal Essay – In 300-500 words, address the following: “How my foster care experience has impacted my educational goals.”

February – April

The National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) offers up to six $500 scholarships to foster youth, kinship care youth, and youth adopted through foster care who are wishing to further their education beyond high school.

$500 (6 total awards each year)

• The applicant’s parent, or another supportive adult, must be a member of the NFPA (you can ask them to join now, if they haven’t already).
• Scholarships are awarded to high school-level students who are graduating with a high school diploma or earning their certificate of high school equivalency.

• • If you plan to attend a College/University:
    • You must be in your senior year of high school (regardless of age)
    • You must provide a copy of your high school transcript
  • If you plan to attend a Vocational/Technical School or Junior College:
    • You must be at least 17 and no more than 21 years of age (either in school or out)

Online application can be accessed here:
https://nfpaonline.org/Scholarships

Application Materials Required:

• Online application form (incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified)
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation from foster parents, social workers, residential center staff, principals/teachers/guidance counselors, and/or employers
• Personal essay – In 300-500 words, address the following: “How my foster care experience has shaped my future goals”

February – April

Varied, depending on the scholarship

Must be a current or former foster youth

Review the variety of scholarship links available on the website:
http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/foster.htm

Follow the instructions for each individual scholarship for which you would like to apply

Varies, depending on the timeline for each individual scholarship

Varied, depending on the scholarship

Must be a current or former foster youth

Review the variety of scholarship links available on the website:
http://www.fostercoalition.com/college-scholarships-foster-youth

Follow the instructions for each individual scholarship for which you would like to apply

Varies, depending on the timeline for each individual scholarship

Varied, depending on the scholarship

Must be a current or former foster youth, orphan, and/or have been legally adopted

Review the variety of scholarships available on the website
https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-directory/special-attributes/adopted-foster-child-orphan/

Follow the instructions for each individual scholarship for which you would like to apply

Varies, depending on the timeline for each individual scholarship

The Students in Transition Scholarship focuses on providing high school graduates who have experienced housing insecurity with the opportunity to enroll in higher education certification programs while gaining necessary skills to improve employment opportunities. Assistance League of Reno-Sparks partners with the Washoe County School District (WCSD) Children in Transition (CIT) program and Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) Workforce Development and Community Education (WDCE). However, applicants are free to enter other accredited vocational or technical training schools located in Washoe County.

Varied, depending on student’s financial need.

• Scholarships are awarded on need- and/or merit-based evaluation
• It’s preferred, but not required, for the applicant to be part of the WCSD Children in Transition (CIT) program and be within 5 years of their high school graduation
• Must have a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency (GED, HiSET, or TASC)
• Must currently reside in Washoe County
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Applicant may not be a chapter member, the relative of a chapter member, an Assisteens member, or an employee of the Assistance League of Reno-Sparks

Visit the website to access the online application:
https://www.assistanceleague.org/reno-sparks/students-in-transition-application/

Application Materials Required

• 1 letter of recommendation from your school advisor, teacher, or a community member
• A brief personal statement describing your financial need and academic intentions, work experience, school activities and any involvement in community service
• An unofficial transcript of grades, to date

On-going (but, at least 4 weeks before enrollment into the requested program)

Varied, depending on individual student financial need; renewable via annual re-application

• Must be one of the following:
  • A graduating senior within the Washoe County School District (WCSD)
  • A high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency recipient from the Washoe County School District (WCSD)
  • A Truckee Meadows Community College student or graduate
• There is no income cap requirement
• There is no minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement
• The scholarship is open to students pursuing any field of study
• Both need- and merit-based scholarships are awarded

First, complete/submit your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

After you submit your FAFSA, complete the online application form, including all requested supporting documents, here: http://www.doylefound.org/scholarships/applications/

Application Materials Required

• Completed online application form
• Signed legal contract
• Personal essay
• School transcripts from all academic institutions attended (UNOFFICIAL transcripts are accepted)
• A copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) from your submitted/processed FAFSA
• A copy of your Financial Aid Award Letter, if available from your prospective or current postsecondary education institution
• A budget/Cost of Attendance breakdown from each school listed on your scholarship application
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Work experience form
• School/community activities form

November 1 – February 1

This scholarship is “restricted” & each student’s scholarship is unique. Scholarship funds may only be used for specific educational expenses. Financial aid may affect the amount of the scholarship that can be used. All scholarship recipients are required to make payment requests and submit additional documents for the scholarship to be paid. Additional details will be provided to all scholarship recipients.

The Millennium Scholarship is a maximum $10,000 award paid on a per-credit hour basis, up to 15 credits each semester.

• Millennium Scholars at a Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) community college (College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College, or Western Nevada College) will receive $40 per credit hour.

• Students at the NSHE state college (Nevada State College) will receive $60 per credit hour.

• Millennium Scholars at all other eligible NSHE institutions (University of Nevada-Las Vegas & University of Nevada-Reno) will receive $80 per enrolled credit hour. Students do NOT need to reapply annually & will continue to receive the renewable annual scholarship, IF they are meeting the continuing eligibility requirements (SEE BELOW).

• Must graduate with a diploma from a Nevada public or private high school
• Must finish high school with an overall 3.25 GPA—or above—for all coursework, OR receive a qualified score on a college entrance examination
  • SAT: Students who take the SAT on March 1, 2016 or later must obtain a combined reading, writing and math score of 1070 or higher.
  • ACT: Students must obtain a combined score of 21 or higher.

• Must have completed the minimum secondary education-level CORE CURRICULUM requirements:

• Must have been a resident of Nevada for at least TWO of your high school years
• U.S. Citizenship/Immigration Status Requirement:
  All students eligible to receive the Millennium Scholarship are required to execute an affidavit declaring the student’s eligibility for a Millennium Scholarship pursuant to the requirements of Nevada Revised Statutes 396.930. The affidavit shall appear on the acknowledgment of the award form that a student is required to complete prior to receiving the Millennium Scholarship. The affidavit shall consist of a declaration that the student is a citizen of the United States or has lawful immigration status, or that the student has filed an application to legalize the student’s immigration status or will file an application to legalize the student’s immigration status as soon as the student is eligible to do so. This affidavit shall not require a notarized signature.

To receive the benefits of the Millennium Scholarship program, you must enroll in an eligible institution of higher education in Nevada.

Eligible Institutions of Higher Education:

• College of Southern Nevada (PUBLIC NSHE community college)
• Great Basin College (PUBLIC NSHE community college)
• Nevada State College (PUBLIC NSHE state college)
• Roseman University of Health Sciences (PRIVATE, non-profit university—focused on healthcare credentials)
• Sierra Nevada University (PRIVATE, non-profit, 4-year liberal arts college; formerly Sierra Nevada College)
• Truckee Meadows Community College (PUBLIC NSHE community college)
• University of Nevada-Las Vegas (PUBLIC NSHE university)
• University of Nevada-Reno (PUBLIC NSHE university)
• Western Nevada College (PUBLIC NSHE community college)

Once admitted to an eligible postsecondary education institution, you must:

• Enroll each semester in a minimum of 9 credits at a NSHE community college or 12 credits at any other eligible institutions.
• Enroll in a program of study leading to a recognized associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or pre-baccalaureate certificate.
• Maintain a 2.60 semester GPA for each semester, until you complete a total of 30 credits. Starting in the semester in which you earn 30 or more credits, you must maintain a 2.75 GPA each semester you receive Millennium funds.

If you fail to meet the minimum requirements in any semester in which you receive funding, you will receive a strike and your scholarship will be suspended. Eligibility for the Millennium Scholarship can be regained only once by meeting all of the requirements listed above in a subsequent semester. Loss of eligibility a second time will permanently remove you from the program.

First, if you don’t already know your Millennium Scholarship Identification (MSID) Number (which is included in your GGMS award packet), use the GGMS Student Portal—on the Nevada State Treasurer GGMS website—to look up your MSID. You will need to input your first name, last name, high school graduation year, and date of birth.

Second, use the GGMS Student Portal to check the status of your GGMS award. You will need to input your MSID and your high school graduation year.

Third, use the GGMS Student Portal to acknowledge your GGMS award.

Fourth, follow up with your postsecondary education institution’s financial aid office, to ensure that you receive your funding in an accurate and timely manner.

Students have 6 years in which to use all of their Millennium Scholarship benefits, after graduating from high school. Check your student account/status for your Millennium Scholarship expiration date at NVGGMS.gov. Be sure to submit your Acknowledgment of Award when you get your award packet. There are exemptions to the 6-year limitation for members of the military and students actively serving or participating in a charitable, religious, or public service assignment or mission. Consult with the NSHE Board of Regents to determine your eligibility for such an exemption.

The Millennium Scholarship will NOT pay for remedial or graduate courses. NSHE defines remedial as any class with a course number less than 100.

The Millennium Scholarship can only be used for books or other educational expenses under certain circumstances. If you are receiving other financial aid, your institution may provide the remaining value of your Millennium Scholarship award in a residual check. These funds may be used for other educational purposes such as registration fees, required textbooks, and other costs related to attendance at your eligible institution.

A Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Millennium Scholarship may be awarded to 4 students each year, to bestow additional scholarships to students majoring in elementary or secondary education with the intent of teaching in Nevada.

Varied, depending on financial need—not to exceed $5,000 per student

• Must have satisfied the eligibility requirements of the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship pursuant to NRS 396.930
• Must be entering his/her senior or last year of college at an eligible institution
• Must be enrolled in and remain enrolled in a course of study leading to licensure in elementary or secondary education
• Must maintain a college grade point average of not less than 3.5 on a 4.0 grading scale or commensurate level of academic achievement provided to and verified by the College Savings Board for students enrolled at an educational institution that does not calculate the grade point average
• Must state a commitment to teaching in Nevada upon graduation
• Must have a commendable record of community service

Review requirements and complete application here:
http://www.nevadatreasurer.gov/GGMS/GGMS_Requirements/

March – April

The Nevada Promise Scholarship can provide eligible NSHE community college students with up to 3 years of assistance with covering tuition and mandatory fees that are not already covered by other gift aid, subject to legislative approval. It is awarded on a “first-come, first-served” basis, so it’s highly recommended that students apply as early as possible!

As a last-dollar scholarship, the Nevada Promise Scholarship covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees NOT COVERED BY OTHER GIFT AID. Please review your college’s Cost of Attendance information, for additional details. The other gift aid that is considered first in determining eligibility for the Nevada Promise Scholarship includes the following:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG)
• Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship (GGMS)

NSHE will determine the maximum amount of the scholarship that each student is eligible to receive based on available funding. If there are not sufficient funds available for all eligible scholarship applicants, students will be awarded in the order the completed application was received.

NSHE shall award applicants filling out the Nevada Promise Scholarship FAFSA Alternative Acknowledgement Form at the participating institutions, only after all students who have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have been awarded a full scholarship.

Each applicant should review Senate Bill 350 for the full details on the Nevada Promise Scholarship.

Must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester credits, at an eligible NSHE community college (in an associate degree program, a bachelor’s degree program or a certificate of achievement program); eligible institutions include the following:

• College of Southern Nevada
• Great Basin College
• Truckee Meadows Community College
• Western Nevada College

Must meet all program requirements and deadlines that are specific to the institution in which you are enrolled (see your community college’s Nevada Promise Scholarship webpage for more specific information on your college’s requirements and deadlines)

Must be classified as a Nevada Resident, for tuition purposes, by the institution where the student plans to receive the Nevada Promise Scholarship (U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status are NOT required)

Must be a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency recipient, via one of the options below:

• Must have obtained a high school diploma from a public or private high school located in Nevada, or
• Must have obtained a high school diploma from a public or private high school in a county of another state that borders Nevada and accepts Nevada residents, or
• Must have passed a certificate of high school equivalency exam—the General Equivalency Diploma (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)
  • Must have successfully completed the certificate of high school equivalency assessment before the age of 20, by June or July of the year in which you plan to enroll in classes, for the following fall semester (the deadline varies by institution, so be sure to check your community college’s specific deadline!)

Must not have earned a prior associate’s or bachelor’s degree

Must have successfully completed the requirements for the Nevada Promise Scholarship for the previous academic yearMust have maintained Satisfactory Academic

Progress (SAP) for your community college, every semester (check your college’s financial aid webpage for SAP requirements)

Must continue to enroll in at least 12 credits per semester (fall and spring semesters) that are applicable to a program of study

Check with your college for their specific application process, as it varies by institution; some institutions accept online applications and others require a paper application

Check with your college for their specific deadline, as it varies by institution

As a last-dollar scholarship, the Nevada Promise Scholarship covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees NOT COVERED BY OTHER GIFT AID.

$500 to $5,000, depending on financial need

• NWF scholarships are designated for women residents of Northern Nevada.
• Women attending school at a northern Nevada institution.
• If an applicant wishes to pursue a course of study that is not offered at a northern Nevada institution, the NWF will consider allocating a scholarship for pursuit of study at an out-of-region or out-of-state institution.
• Eligible candidates need to enroll in a minimum of 6-8 credits per semester.
• Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited two or four year degree or certifying program.
• Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0.

First, complete/submit your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

After you submit your FAFSA, create an account and complete the online application, which you can access here: https://www.nevadawomensfund.org/what-we-do/

Application Materials Required:

• Online application form
• Proof of Northern Nevada residency status – Your resident status will be determined by examining your State of Nevada issued identification card (i.e. Nevada Driver’s License or Nevada Identification card). Passports, school IDs, and other forms of identification will NOT be accepted.
• A copy of your Federal Student Aid Report (SAR), from your FAFSA

December – February

Additional NSHE institution-specific scholarships are available, as funding allows.

Please visit your NSHE institution’s financial aid website for specific information about the scholarships available at each school, all of which are listed below:

Varied, depending on the scholarship

These scholarship focus on residents of and/or students attending school within Northern Nevada

Review scholarship options and complete individual scholarship applications at:
https://sitmnv.org/scholarships/

Varies, depending on the individual scholarship

The Early Childhood Associate Degree Scholarship

The Early Childhood Associate Degree Scholarship allows early educators the opportunity to enroll in 9-15 credit hours of coursework per year as they pursue a credential, diploma, or degree in early childhood education. Upon successful completion of their contract, scholarship recipients receive either a raise or bonus. Recipients agree to remain employed in their sponsoring program or continue to operate their home-based program for a specified commitment period.

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships

The T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships are available to students who are attending UNLV, UNR, or Great Basin College—with a minimum of 55 credits towards an early childhood-focused degree.

The Early Childhood Bachelor Degree Scholarship

The Early Childhood Bachelor Degree Scholarship allows early educators the opportunity to enroll in 9-12 credit hours of coursework per year to work toward a bachelor’s degree in child development or birth-kindergarten education at a partnering university. Upon successful completion of their contract, scholarship recipients receive either a raise or bonus. Recipients agree to remain employed in their sponsoring program or continue to operate their home-based program for a specified commitment period.

Varied, depending on the scholarship

Varies, depending on the scholarship

Get information about each scholarship and access the online application here:
https://nvteach.net/

Check website for application deadlines for each scholarship

Varied, depending on the scholarship

Any member of a state or federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native village is eligible to apply for a scholarship. You can also be eligible by proving descendancy from a parent or immediate grandparent that is/was an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native village.

Review scholarship options and complete individual scholarship applications at:
https://collegefund.org/students/scholarships/

Varies, depending on the individual scholarship

Scholarship awards range from one-time $2,500 awards to multi-year $5,000 awards

The AANAPISI Scholarship is available annually to students attending APIA Scholars AANAPISI partner campuses listed on the website. APIA Scholars provides scholarships to underserved APIA students with a special focus on those who:

• Live at or below the poverty level, or are otherwise of low socioeconomic status
• Are the first in their families to attend college
• Are representative of the APIA community’s diversity, geographically and ethnically, especially those ethnicities that have been underrepresented on college campuses due to limited access and opportunity
• Have placed strong emphasis on community service and leadership as well as solid academic achievement

Must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census

Must be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply

Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-seeking program at one of the eligible institutions

Must have applied for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year for which you are applying for a scholarship. Applicants do not necessarily need to have received federal financial aid to be eligible for a scholarship from APIA Scholars

Please note the following:

• Full-time enrollment and degree-seeking status is defined by the guidelines set by the institution’s Registrar’s Office.
• Non-degree seeking students are NOT eligible to apply.
• Students who already have a bachelor’s degree are NOT eligible to apply.
• When you apply, you can be a part-time student, however, you must be enrolled full-time upon receipt of funding.
• Solely online students are not eligible to apply. If you are enrolled in online and on ground courses, no more than 1/2 of your courses can be online.

Review the requirements and complete the application here:
https://apiascholars.org/scholarship/aanapisi-scholarship/

September – November

Scholarship awards range from one-time $2,500 awards to multi-year $20,000 awards

• APIA Scholars provides scholarships to underserved APIA students with a special focus on those who:
  • Live at or below the poverty level, or are otherwise of low socioeconomic status;
  • Are the first in their families to attend college;
  • Are representative of the APIA community’s diversity, (geographically and ethnically}, especially those ethnicities that have been underrepresented on college campuses due to limited access and opportunity; and
  • Have placed a strong emphasis on community service and leadership as well as solid academic achievement.
• Must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census
• Must be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply
• Must be enrolling as an undergraduate student in a U.S. accredited college or university in the fall term of the academic year for which you are applying for a scholarship
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) or have earned a certificate of high school equivalency
• Must apply for federal financial aid for the academic year for which you are seeking a scholarship, using the Free Application for the Federal Student Aid (FASFA), by early April
• Must Submit one letter of recommendation online

Review the requirements and complete the application here:
https://apiascholars.org/scholarship/apia-scholarship/

September – January

Varied, depending on financial need

Must be enrolled with your respective Tribe, either federally recognized or non-federally recognized Tribe, from the continental US or Alaska

Must submit a copy of Tribal enrollment (there is no minimum blood quantum requirement for eligibility)

• This can be a copy of the student’s Tribal I.D. card or a copy of an official letter from the Tribe (the student must be directly recognized as a citizen or member of their Tribal Nation)

Must be enrolled as full-time student

Must have a minimum 2.5 out of 4.0 GPA

Must submit a current class schedule and transcript

Must attend an accredited institution and be seeking an associate’s degree or higher (the Association does not fund certificate programs or seminaries)

Must fill out the Association’s application

Must provide an essay described in the application

Review scholarship requirements and complete application at:
https://www.indian-affairs.org/scholarships.html

May – June (must renew scholarship each semester)

The “Que Llueva Café” Scholarship aims to support the dreams, hopes and aspirations of college bound undocumented students so that they can earn their college education and allow for all of their hard work and sacrifice to persevere.

Varied, depending on financial need

Must be an undocumented high school student residing in a U.S. state (Puerto Rico is included)

Applicants may NOT be current college students. Applicants must be high school seniors, high school graduates, or certificate of high school equivalency recipients who will enroll, for the first time, in an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.

• Your personal story, which takes into account financial need and other compelling challenges the applicant has had to endure
• Your extra-curricular involvement, which includes anything you do outside of class like community involvement, work, and clubs
• Your academic promise, which is not limited to GPA or test scores but, more importantly, looks at your academic potential for the future

• Review scholarship requirements and complete application here:
  http://www.ca-core.org/que_llueva_cafe_scholarship_program

January – March

The goal of the GMS program is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential by:

• • Reducing financial barriers for African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students with high academic and leadership promise who have significant financial need
  • Increasing the representation of these target groups in the disciplines of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences, where these groups are severely underrepresented
  • Developing a diversified cadre of future leaders for America by facilitating successful completion of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees
  • Providing seamless support from undergraduate through doctoral programs for students selected as Gates Millennium Scholars entering target disciplines

Students selected as Gates Millennium Scholars will receive funds in an amount to be determined by GMS based on financial need. The award is based on the cost of tuition, fees, books and living expenses for the academic year, as well as the availability of grants, and other scholarships reported on the student’s financial aid award letter. The scholarship for the undergraduate award may be renewed annually based on Satisfactory Academic Progress, full-time enrollment and the timely submission of required documents. Support for graduate degrees for continuing Gates Millennium Scholars may be received for the following fields: computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science.

• Support for the cost of education by covering unmet need and self-help aid
• Renewable awards for Gates Millennium Scholars maintaining satisfactory academic progress
• Graduate school funding for continuing Gates Millennium Scholars in the areas of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science
• Leadership development programs with distinctive personal, academic and professional growth opportunities

Must be a minority student with significant financial need.

Review scholarship information and complete application here:
https://gmsp.org/

Varies, depending on the individual scholarship

The HSF Scholarship is designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage obtain a university degree. It is open to high school seniors, undergraduate students (all years), community college students transferring to four year universities, and graduate students. Awards are merit-based.

$500 to $5,000, based on relative need among the Scholars selected

• Must be of Hispanic heritage
• High school students must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
• Undergraduate and graduate students must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
• Must plan to enroll—full time—in an accredited, not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the U.S., for academic year for which you are applying for a scholarship
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Legal Resident, have DACA status, or be an otherwise Eligible Non-Citizen (as defined by FAFSA)
• Must complete FAFSA or state-based financial aid application (if applicable)
• All majors and graduate fields accepted, but there is an emphasis on STEM majors

Review the requirements and access the online application here:
https://hsf.net/en/scholarships/programs/general-college-scholarships

January – February

Since 1984, Horatio Alger Association members and friends have funded need-based college scholarships for low-income youth to pursue their dreams through higher education. As one of the largest need-based college scholarship programs in the country, the Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs specifically assist high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. While many programs are directed primarily to recognizing academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger Association seeks students who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as have critical financial need.

So far, the Association has awarded more than $159 million to approximately 20,000 students. Through its many scholarship programs, the Association supports students pursuing career and technical certificates and degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and graduate studies.

Varies, depending on the specific scholarship

Varies, depending on the specific scholarship

Eligibility information for each scholarship can be found on their scholarship description webpage

Students can apply via their scholarship application webpage

Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.

Scholarship application availability and submission deadlines for each scholarship can be found through the submenus posted on the scholarship description webpage

In addition to scholarship support, the Association offers a number of services and opportunities to Horatio Alger Scholars:

• Financial Aid and Scholarship Counseling
• College Readiness Tools
• Support and Referral Services
• Internship Opportunities
• Alumni Association
• Online Education
• Graduate School Grants

MALDEF offers an annual Scholarship Resource Guide for high school, college, and graduate students, and a Law School Scholarship Program for law students. The MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide is a free, informative resource guide for students, parents, and educators with an extensive list of scholarships, including many that do not inquire about immigration status.

Varied, depending on the scholarship

Varied, depending on the scholarship

Review the scholarship guide here:
https://www.maldef.org/resources/scholarship-resources/

Varies, depending on the individual scholarship

Varied, depending on the scholarship

UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members. Each year, they award more than $100 million in scholarships to students attending more than 1,100 schools across the country, including their prestigious network of 37 HBCUs. They also manage a variety of scholarship programs, such as the Fund II Foundation UNCF STEM Scholars Program, UNCF/Koch Scholars Program, Walton K-12 Education Fellowship and the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program.

Review scholarship options and complete individual scholarship applications at https://scholarships.uncf.org/

Varies, depending on the individual scholarship

The SAA Historically Underrepresented Groups Scholarship (HUGS) helps increase the number of under-represented minorities obtaining degrees in archaeology. It provides funding to minority archaeology students, helping them enhance their education and successfully prepare for a variety of careers in archaeology and heritage management. There are 3 annual scholarships available, to undergraduate and graduate students.

$3,000

• You must be a member of historically underrepresented minorities in archaeology, including but not restricted to African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, and other non-European minorities.
• You must be a resident of either the U.S. or Canada.
• At the time of application, you must be enrolled in a regionally accredited university in the United States or Canada, or if outside the United States, a university with equivalent accreditation.
• If you are a graduate student, you must be in Year 1 or Year 2 of graduate studies. You cannot already have an M.A./M.S. degree at the time of application.

Review scholarship options and contact information about the application process here:
https://www.saa.org/career-practice/Scholarships-and-Grants/historically-underrepresented-groups-scholarships

Check the SAA website for deadlines.

The SAA Native American Scholarships Fund is an endowment established to foster a sense of shared purpose and positive interaction between archaeologists and Native Americans. Scholarships are open to all Native peoples from anywhere in the Americas, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Indigenous Pacific Islanders.

SAA Arthur C. Parker Scholarship for Archaeological Training for Native Americans (1 available)

• Eligibility: To support archaeological training or a research program for Native American students or employees of tribal cultural preservation programs
• Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $6,000

National Science Foundation Scholarship for Archaeological Training (3 available)

• Eligibility: To support archaeological training or a research program for Native American students or employees of tribal cultural preservation programs
• Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $6,000

SAA Native American Undergraduate Archaeology Scholarship (1 available)

• Eligibility: To support undergraduate studies for Native American students, including but not limited to tuition, travel, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, and childcare
• Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $6,000

SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship (1 available)

• Eligibility: To support graduate studies for Native American students, including but not limited to tuition, travel, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, and childcare
• Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $11,000

Review scholarship options and contact information about the application process here:
https://www.saa.org/career-practice/scholarships-and-grants/native-american-scholarships-fund

Check the SAA website for deadlines.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) Scholarship program addresses the financial needs of college students and provides extensive, hands-on mentoring and support services. Once chosen from a national, selective application process, Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars receive a generous 4-year grant to attend the undergraduate school of their choice and enroll in JRF’s celebrated “42 Strategies for Success Curriculum.”

This 4-year program guides JRF Scholars to effectively navigate their college environments, explore career options, develop leadership skills, and embrace a commitment to service. The program also promotes the values and character traits embodied in the heroic life of the Foundation’s namesake, encouraging Scholars to positively impact the lives of others.

JRF Scholars receive grants of up to $30,000 over four years to complement the financial aid they receive from their colleges or universities. In addition, Scholars are financially sponsored to attend JRF’s annual four-day “Mentoring and Leadership Conference” in New York City as well as other regional events throughout the year.

The JRF scholarship is awarded to outstanding high school graduates who plan to earn a baccalaureate degree from an accredited, 4-year college or university. Additional fellowships are given to JRF Scholars to pursue opportunities to work and study abroad (Rachel Robinson International Fellowship) and for post-graduate education (Extra Innings Fellowship).

Only graduating high school seniors may apply for the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship.

Review detailed scholarship information and access the online application here:
https://jackierobinson.org/scholarship/

November – February

$2,000 (A minimum of 10 scholarships are awarded), PLUS the following:

• A trip to a national awards ceremony (travel and expenses included)
• A second gathering in Washington, DC, one year after the initial scholarship award (all expenses included)

• For the 2020 application cycle, applicants must have been born on or after Oct. 1, 2000.
• Applicants must be entering college for the first time during the academic year for which they are applying for a scholarship (for the 2020 application cycle, applicants must be entering college for the first time during the fall of the 2021-2022 school year). This means that the application is for high school seniors, those who are in certificate of high school equivalency programs, or those who plan to take a “gap year.”
• Applicants who have experienced homelessness within the last 6 years are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must reside in the United States.
• Undocumented students who meet the above criteria are eligible.

Access the online application here:
https://www.schoolhouseconnection.org/youth-leadership/scholarship-program/
(Submit the required documentation with your online form, on or before the deadline)

Application Materials Required

• • Complete the online application form.
  • Submit copy of your high school transcript (official or unofficial), class ranking (if available), and cumulative grade point average (GPA), to date.
  • Provide name of the Homeless Liaison, from school that you most recently attended.
  • Submit 1 letter of recommendation (required); up to 3 letters will be accepted.
  • Submit an essay, 1,000 words or less, on the following:
    • Your experience of homelessness and how it relates to your life and education
    • Your commitment to education during your experience of homelessness
    • Your desire to attend college

June – September

• Assists youth with financial aid processes, mental health advocacy and referrals, professional legal advocacy and referrals, and assistance in locating and establishing local contacts for general support and services.
• Builds a stable peer and adult support network for recipients, before, during, and after their college careers, and into their transition into the workforce.
• Offers young people meaningful opportunities to engage in advocacy, while providing sustained support services to help ensure graduation and success in life.

Please contact Jordyn Roark, Director of Youth Leadership and Scholarships: jordyn@schoolhouseconnection.org

Varied, depending on the scholarship

Must have attended secondary school (high school) in Nevada

Complete eligibility quiz & individual scholarship applications at:
https://nevadafund.org/scholarships/

January – April

The Public Education Foundation administers a variety of scholarships to assist students in paying for their postsecondary education. The Foundation offers more than 370 different scholarships for students to attend both in-state and out-of-state schools. Scholarship donors include corporations, associations, organizations, foundations and individuals who want to create a brighter future by encouraging education. Each donor determines the criteria of their scholarship and reserves the right to play a role as a committee member in the selection of recipients.

Varied, depending on the scholarship.

Varied, depending on the scholarship.

• First, complete the General Application, available here:
  https://app.mykaleidoscope.com/pef2468/scholarship/pefgeneralapplication
• After you compete the General Application, you will be able to view the 370+ scholarships available

Year-round (CHECK WEBSITE REGULARLY)