12/21/14

Financial Access to Education Project


PROJECT
Financial Access to Education Project

WEBSITE
Financialaccesstoeducation.blogspot.com

MISSION
Donating scholarship and financial aid guides to under-served public high schools.


PROJECT SUMMARY
Financial aid and scholarship education is needed in under-served public high schools.

The problem:
Many students cannot afford to attend college but qualify for financial aid.  Unfortunately, most students do not understand the application process?  Financial aid and scholarship education is missing in our under-served public high schools.  Students know that earning a college degree would change their lives for the better, but face major financial barriers.  Students and parents interested in attending college desperately want to understand and apply for college scholarships but lack the guidance.

The Solution:
Now there is an easy-to-ready guide about applying for scholarships and financial aid for high school and college students, families, teachers, counselors and anyone interested in learning more about free money to pay for college.

Valuable Guide:
How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application: Secret Techniques I Used to Win $100,000 in College Scholarships (2014) was written by a social worker that shares her proven tips and techniques that helped her win on $100,000 in college scholarships and free financial aid toward her own undergraduate and graduate degrees.  

Following is the table of contents:
  • Is College Worth it?
  • The Importance of Scholarships and Free Financial Aid 
  • Understanding Scholarships and Free Financial Aid
  • Ten Tips & Techniques for Submitting a Winning Scholarship Application
  • Technique #1 - Start Early
  • Technique #2 - Get Organized
  • Technique #3 - Where to Find Scholarships
  • Technique #4 - The Personal Statement
  • Technique #5 - Letter of Recommendation
  • Technique #6 - Academic Resume
  • Technique #7 – Order Your Transcripts
  • Technique #8 - Follow Instructions/Meet the Deadline
  • Technique #9 - Community Service and Volunteer Experience
  • Technique #10 - Always Say Thank You
  • Addressing Challenges
  • What to Avoid
  • Resources
WHAT WE DO
Funding will go towards purchasing and distributing books to under-served public high schools, where they are most needed.  One book will be donated to a high school library, media center, or college resource center for use by students, families, teachers, counselors and anyone interested in learning more about free money to pay for college.

In addition, the book donation will include a letter highlighting the donation and the donors.


A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
As a scholarship winner and first generation college graduate, I have developed proven tips and techniques that helped me win over $100,000 in college scholarships and free financial aid. As a proven expert and professional consultant in my respective field, I am devoted to helping others find, apply, and win free money to go to college.  That is why it is important to get this guide into the hands of the people who need it the most: Students.

Response to a need
I saw a need for scholarship and financial aid education in under-served public high schools for students in need of financial aid to attend college.  In response, I wrote a book that breaks down the scholarship application process in an easy-to-read format.  I am a new author and a professional social worker.  I work for the love of helping others. 

I wish I had this book when I was graduating from a public high school and trying to figure out a way to pay for college.  I wish I had this book before I ever signed a student loan contract.  If I had the extra personal funds today I would put this book in the hands of every student that needed it.  That is where YOU come in.  Please help me in my effort to change the world by helping students financially access education.


BUDGET
$1,000 from the Awesome Foundation will support 50 book donations.

$14.99 per book

$1.05 7% sales tax per book

$3.99 Shipping and handling per book


Subtotal = $20.03 book donation

12/15/14

Wealth Gap Widens

Question: 
Why are   important?

Answer: 
Massive wealth gap between whites and other racial and ethnic groups has reached record levels. 


________________________________________________________________

Link:  money.cnn.com/2014/12/12/news/economy/wealth-by-race-pew/

The Great Recession hit all Americans hard, but only whites have seen their wealth rise during the recent recovery.

And that's widening the already massive wealth gap between whites and other racial and ethnic groups to near record levels.  

White households' median wealth ticked up to $141,900 in 2013, up 2.4% from three years earlier, according to a Pew Research Center report released Friday.

Net worth for black households dropped by a third during that time to $11,000. Hispanic families experienced a 14% decline in wealth to $13,700.

Whites have 13 times the net worth of blacks, the largest wealth gap that's existed since George H.W. Bush was president in 1989. The ratio of net worth between whites and 

Hispanics now stands at more than 10, the widest it has been since 2001...

12/6/14

2014 Indianapolis Recorder Article

Link: 
http://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/education/article_754cd212-7bc5-11e4-9429-3378c3f36fb8.html#.VIMXoYEor9s.twitter


Indianapolis Recorder
Thursday, December 4, 2014

Indy native nets $100K in college scholarships

More than five years ago, Shay Spivey of Indianapolis juggled two young children and a low-paying job with very little opportunity to advance.

She desired to return to college to earn a bachelor’s degree after failing to complete her program several years ago following high school. However, every employment position she desired required a college degree, which Spivey knew she couldn’t afford at the time.

After countless hours of research she was awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to continue her education. Today Spivey holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree and works as a mental health and addictions counselor.

Recently, she released her book, "How to Submit A Winning Scholarship Application - Secret Techniques I used to Win $100,000 in College Scholarships" and the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper got a chance to chat with her about her scholarship journey.

What was your initial purpose of seeking scholarships?
Were you in a financially unstable situation or were you simply looking for alternative ways to pay for your higher education?

For me it was no money, no college. Honestly, my situation was being a single parent and working at a low income job. I really wanted to get my degree. I felt stagnant, going nowhere with no opportunities.

How did your search process begin?

With two kids and finance issues, I knew paying out of pocket wasn’t an option so I started researching. I used to spend my lunch break at the library and I always had a book in my hand. As I started reading I realized I truly didn’t know much about scholarships. I started a year in advance and said I was going to give it my all.

Did you believe you would be rewarded more than $100,000?

No, I had no idea and was awarded the money over a course of time. I always encourage people to not skip over the small scholarships. The smaller ones are worth it too and add up. Most people look at those and think they aren’t worth their time so as a result; many people aren’t applying for them. I had quite a few $500 scholarships but a secret I talk about in the book is maintaining a relationship with scholarship organizations. Some key organizations gave me money year after year.

What type of effort and time did it take?

I treated it like a part-time job in the evenings. Eventually I had to map out time because I was in school but needed to begin preparing for the following year. As I got going it was an hour in the evening five days a week. A lot of my scholarships were community service scholarships and many were based off of philanthropy and giving back.

What are some of the misconceptions of applying for scholarships?

The biggest complaint is writing an essay. The way I encourage individuals is by telling them “The essay is about you and nobody can tell your story better than you. It’s your thoughts, your hopes and your dreams.” You need to be able to explain to someone in writing what’s in your head and your heart and why you want to go to school. It’s encouraging and motivating. That writing piece is how they get to know you.

Throughout your research process you’ve gained money to further your education, how do you plan to give that back to the community?

My goal is to help families and individuals go to school without acquiring serious student loan debt. The challenge is, many aren’t taught anything about scholarships and if parents didn’t attend college, it’s hard to teach their kids about scholarships. I read an article that said there is 9 billion in state money for students to go to college. I want to connect people with that money. Education is the key out of poverty.

When did the idea for a book develop and what should readers expect?

I started a scholarship advisor program in 2009 that started off as a blog. The book came because I was giving people one-on-one attention but I wanted to reach a broader audience. I want my community to have access to that 9 billion dollars and learn how to navigate the scholarship system. My goal is to not only help young students but those like me who have children. I knew for the first time in my life I was on the right path because everything fell into place and it wasn’t hard.

For more information about Shay Spivey and her book “How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application,” visit amazon.com or follow her on Twitter @ShayMSpivey.




12/4/14

List of Women Scholarships

Women Scholarships

NFPW Communications Contest
AAUW Scholarship
AAUW Grant
Agnes Kujawa Scholarship
Frymier Scholaship
Miltrade Carter Fellowship
Emilia Earhart Fellowship
John Edgard Thompson Foundation
Withfield Memorial Scholarship
Fred Hoper Memorial Scholarship
East Carolina University Swimming and Diving Scholarship
East Carolina University Volleyball Scholarship
Evelyn Barnes Memorial Scholarship
ATT-Bell Laboratories Graduate Research for Women
Association for Women Veterinarian Scholarship
ADELPHI University Athletic Award
Schumann Scholarships
Alverno College Teacher Education Scholarships
American Association of University Women Project Renew Grant
Washington Bible College Ola Dorsey Cox Scholarship
Mesa Community College Softball Scholarship
American legion Maryland Auxiliary Scholarship
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Amy R. Hughes Scholarship
Georgina Sweet Fellowship
Newcomb College at Tulane University Swimming Scholarship
Virginia L. Tierney Scholarship
Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship
American History Scholarship for Women
Carolina Holt Nursing Scholarship
Berkshire Summer Fellowship
BPW Loan Fund For Women in Engineering Studies
BPW-Career Advancement Scholarship Program
BPW-New York Life Foundation Scholarship
Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs
College Women's Club of Montclair Scholarship
Ruth Strang Research Award
One Hundred Club Scholarships
Oregon State University Swimming & Diving Scholarship
Jewish Foundation for Education of Women
The Soroptimist Training Awards
Anne Maureen Whitney Barrow Memorial Scholarship
Ivy Parker Memorial Scholarship
Cady McDonnell Memorial Scholarship
Amaranth Fund Awards
Curry Awards for Girls and Young Women
Emily Chaison Gold Award Scholarship
Sun and Surf Chapter Scholarship
Sunset Chapter Scholarship
Aliene Ewell Scholarship
Anna Groninger Smith Memorial Scholarship
HORIZONS Scholarship Foundation
AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH,PHYSICAL EDUCATION, RECREATION &DANCE
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF WOMEN ACCOUNTANTS (Scholarships)
ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (Dr.Vicki L. Schechtman Scholarship)
Ruth Satter Memorial Award
AVON Products Foundation Career Empowerment Scholarship Program
BPW Career Advancement Scholarship Program
KARLA SCHERER FOUNDATION (Scholarships)
WOMEN OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (The Arne Administrative Leadership Scholarship)
WOMEN IN DEFENSE (HORIZONS Scholarship Foundation)
WOMEN’S SPORTS FOUNDATION (Jackie Joyner-Kersee & Zina Garrison Minority Internships)
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S FOUNDATION (BPW Career Advancement Scholarship Program)
BUSINESS  Laura D.Sypin Memorial Scholarship
UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO McLAREN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (Laura D. Sypin Memorial Scholarship)
Calgon Take Me Away to College Contest
Anita Borg Undergraduate Scholarship
Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund
Jeannette Rankin Foundation Education Award
Glamour's Top 10 College Women Competition
Make a Statement Scholarship
Girls Going Places Scholarship
Women in Engineering Scholarship - Stevens Institute
Independent Women's Forum Essay Contest
Possible Woman Foundation Scholarship