FAP470: How to make your scholarship essays winners, lots of politics news, scholarships for musicians, Spaghetti Cake

Student Financial Aid News
+ Sen. Edward Kennedy [D-Mass.”>MP3 file on Tuesday asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate SLM Corp. (ticker: SLM) for illegal insider trading.
+ Pres. George W. Bush’s budget proposal, which is expected to hurt student lenders, was made public Feb. 5. SLM Chairman Al Lord sold $18.3 million of stock on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2. Following Bush’s announcement, SLM Stock fell 9% to $42.37 per share.
+ Kennedy has requested copies of emails and other communications between the Bush administration and the company, commonly known as Sallie Mae, dating back to Nov. 1.
+ As expected, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday gave its approval to the much-delayed budget plan for fiscal 2007, following the proposals put forth by Democratic leaders last month to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $260, to $4,310 — the first increase in five years. The budget plan also provides additional funds for science agencies and has been widely praised by higher education officials.
+ Members of Congress from both parties and both chambers introduced legislation Tuesday that would reward colleges that switch to the federal government’s direct student loan program by giving them additional federal grant money. Supporters, mostly Democrats, say the Student Aid Reward Act will save the government money by encouraging more colleges to use the direct lending program, which several federal studies have suggested is less expensive to operate. But lenders in the federal government’s competing guaranteed student loan program challenge those studies and say that the proposed legislation, which died in the 109th Congress, would “severely weaken the vital services, benefits and resources that the vast majority of American students and families rely on to finance college tuition,” as the College Loan Corporation said in a news release Tuesday.
+ The top Democrat and Republican on the U.S. House education committee jointly sponsored a bill Tuesday that would repeal a federal rule that reduces the size of Pell Grants for students at low-cost colleges. The measure sponsored by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon, the senior Republican on the panel, aims to end the practice known as “tuition sensitivity,” which is strongly opposed by community colleges.
+ Evolution is back in Kansas. The Kansas Board of Education on Tuesday adopted new standards for science programs in the state’s public schools — and evolution is once again in while intelligent design is out. No more flying spaghetti monster.

Scholarship Update
+ Tasha writes in: Hey I don’t know if you’ll be able to answer me or not, but I applied for the FAFSA and i can only get $18,000. Which is a lot of money yes, but the school I wish to attend’s tuition is $45,000. And they said the only way to finish paying for it is personal loans. And I do not have good credit nor know anyone who does that could cosign for me. What should I do? Change my school…even though so many other schools for the major I wish to pursue, do not offer ANY financial aid, or what?
+ Potentially drop to just above half time
+ Private student loans at Act Education Loans
+ Find music scholarships
+ The scholarship (in combination with any federal or state gift aid) will provide a generous award to be applied toward tuition equivalent to the amount of the tuition at the time of matriculation. Currently the amount of the award is $24,830 per year, or a total award of $99,320. The award does not apply to room, board, fees, or expenses.
+ 3.0 GPA
+ Includes audition
+ Deadline January 30 of each year
+ Details at our free college scholarship search site
+ Search term: music full tuition scholarship

Focus on Financial Aid
+ Scholarship essays received so far
+ When I read them, there’s no passion
+ They’re technically good, but not compelling
+ Examples: “My purpose in going to college is not merely to get a degree, so that I will be considered qualified to move into the white-collar workforce. More than that, I am attending college to better develop my mind, abilities, and passions to prepare me to become a contributing member of society. College is an amazing environment in which to explore myself and my place in the world. It affords me opportunities that I would never have had the chance to experience anywhere else. It is my desire to take full advantage of these great opportunities in the hopes of finding my calling and passions along the way.”
+ “High school has brought out the best in me, including everything from my education, family life, personal experiences and character. I have participated in many extracurricular activities during my high school career, including the following: World Language Club (2004-2005, Member), Junior Classical League (2005-Present, Member), Interact/Rotary Club (2005-Present, Member), Habitat for Humanity (2005-Present, Member), and Health Occupations Students of America (2005-Present, Historian). Assuming the role of Historian for Health Occupations Students of America allows my creative side to peak out as I take pictures and create a scrapbook for the year’s events and achievements. I have also been dancing for over ten years now, needless to say dancing is one of my greatest passions, and was selected to showcase my talent in the 2004 Spring Day Talent Show at Ravenwood High School.”
+ Some suggestions on bringing out emotion and passion
+ Call up a friend and record your conversation about a topic you’re passionate about
+ Gizmo Project
+ Read your essays aloud – on the air, if need be
+ Then go back and listen to them – and have someone else listen to them
+ Collaborate – use collaboration tools like Google Docs to have others look at and edit your stuff
+ Answer this question: so what?

Podsafe Music
+ Spaghetti Cake, Snow Day
+ Music via the Podsafe Music Network

Reminders
+ Call in your Valentine’s Day message! 206-350-1208
+ Private student loans
+ Stafford loans | Other federal student loans
+ Student loan consolidation at StudentLoanConsolidator.com
+ FAFSA form online filing at FAFSAonline.com
+ Financial Aid Podcast Show Notes at FinancialAidNews.com.
+ The Financial Aid Podcast is a publication of the Student Loan Network.

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