Cumberland University will host College Goal Sunday, Tennessee, on Feb. 14 from 2 until 4 p.m., an opportunity for high school seniors and parents to learn about applying and paying for college. The instructional sessions will take place in computer labs in Labry Hall on the CU campus. Thirty other sites in the state of Tennessee will hold similar sessions on the same day.

College Goal Sunday offers students and parents completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) expert assistance from professionals in the financial aid, admissions, secondary and higher education communities. Volunteers at each site will provide free assistance completing the FAFSA and question/answer sessions to benefit students and parents in different stages of the financial aid process.

Research shows that families often list high cost as the main barrier to college attendance, even though tens of millions of dollars in various forms of financial aid are available every year. The FAFSA form, used at colleges, universities and technical schools nationwide, should be submitted before March 1 to get the maximum aid available, even if the student has not yet selected his or her college.

Along with serving as the application for federal aid, the FAFSA form is also the application for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship and the Tennessee Student Assistance Award programs, making it vital to the post-secondary application process in Tennessee.

For complete information on College Goal Sunday and the participating sites, visit www.tn.gov/CollegeGoalSunday. Students are encouraged to review the information on the website prior to arriving to ensure they bring all of the necessary documentation, including each individual's 2009 federal tax information, in order to fill out their FAFSA form completely. If their latest tax information is not available, they should bring last year's tax forms and come anyway.

The College Goal Sunday program was created by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc., and with supplemental support from Lumina Foundation for Education.

Cumberland University President Dr. Harvill Eaton announced today the formation of the Cumberland University Center for Strategic Leadership and the appointment of Dr. Scott T. Massey (pictured), President and CEO of The Meridian Institute of Indianapolis, as the founding director of the new center and a professor in Cumberland's School of Education and Public Service.

"Cumberland University, the oldest private university in Middle Tennessee, has educated generations of leaders for our region and the nation," Eaton said. "Cumberland graduates have contributed to the rich culture and economic vitality of our area and country since 1842, and with the new center and Dr. Massey's appointment, we intend to renew and expand the University's commitment and contributions in these areas."

The new Center for Strategic Leadership will bring this legacy into the 21st century with a focus on how the region can best respond to the rapid pace of innovation, the competition of the global economy and the opportunities for growth and future prosperity. Details of the mission and programs are in formation, and the center's role will be developed in collaboration with key leaders and with efforts already underway in the region. Further, research on the region's major needs, assets and opportunities will be conducted by the center as it defines the mission of the initiative.

"Our desire is to do this in the right way," Massey said. "The center aims to collaborate with leaders and organizations and to identify ways to add value and impact."

Dr. Massey comes to Cumberland with broad experience and success in leadership and regional strategies. In Indiana, he founded and leads The Meridian Institute and formerly served as founding president and CEO of The Learning Collaborative and president and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council.

Nationally, Massey serves on a board with the Council on Competitiveness in Washington, D.C.; an advisory board for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City; the Board of the Ball State University Center for Historic Preservation in Muncie, Ind.; as program director with the Liberty Fund; and advisor to the English Bonner Hamilton Foundation. With Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame, Ball State University and Indiana University, he is also chairing a state summit on innovation and global business development.

At the request of The Ford Foundation, Massey chaired the national Aspen Institute Summit on rethinking the liberal arts and humanities. He is the author of Renewing American Culture: The Pursuit of Happiness and an Emmy-nominated television producer for his work as executive producer on a national PBS documentary on the future of American culture.

Massey's work has focused on economic competitiveness, education technology and cultural strategy. At the Humanities Council, he oversaw a statewide grant-making program for universities and cultural institutions and served as director and principal author and editor for Habits of the Heart, a publication on philanthropy. Through the Learning Collaborative, Massey created the nation's first smart desktop for teachers. The desktop integrates student performance data with Indiana's academic standards and with rich educational materials to improve student achievement.

He is also the founder of Leadership Indiana, an initiative that created a network of 5,000 of Indiana's top corporate, government, education and nonprofit leaders. The program was developed to connect, inform and mobilize leaders across Indiana to address the impact of globalization on the state and to develop new strategies to increase the state's economic competitiveness.

Massey also founded and created the Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders, a program designed to retain talent and reverse the state's "brain drain." As a result of the impact of his work in leadership, he was presented a "Sagamore Award" by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, the state's highest award for service.

Massey brings his experience and continuing work with the Council on Competitiveness to Cumberland University, where he will lead the development of a new center dedicated to advancing the area's strategic competitiveness, leadership and global brand.

(ARA) - A slow economy and dwindling resources for financial aid may have you worrying more than ever about funding your child's college education. But there are still scholarships available for those who pursue them and take the all-important step of applying long before the school year starts.

Applying for scholarships should be one of the first steps in your search. However, scholarship myths continue to flourish and need to be dispelled.

Myth 1: Billions of scholarship dollars go unclaimed.
In reality, the number of unused scholarships is minuscule. You'll need to do your research and apply early to have a chance at getting your share of available funding.

Myth 2: Scholarships go only to the best students.
Many scholarships are awarded based on elements other than academic achievement. Some scholarships are based on the student's major field of study, involvement in extracurricular and community activities, ethnicity and geographic origin, or other factors.

Myth 3: Scholarship searches are worth paying for.
This myth eventually will die as people discover the many free resources available on the Internet or in the print media.

So how do students and their parents sort through the myths and get to the facts? Start the process early - January is perfect for the next school year - and utilize the resources around you. To find scholarship opportunities, start with your high school guidance counselor and local library for a list of possible resources. Next, check with your college financial aid office. Most states and many colleges offer scholarships, so students should also inquire about them. Finally, the Internet and organizational Web sites are excellent places to search. Remember, this information should always be free.

Don't count yourself out just because you are not the valedictorian, class president or star athlete. There are scholarships available for many interests, backgrounds and abilities. The bottom line is apply now, and the more scholarships for which you apply, especially local and regional opportunities, the better your odds are to be selected.

Though the scholarship application process can be time consuming, most scholarships require similar information. Once you complete your first application, you can easily re-use the same information for additional scholarships.

Scholarships come from many sources, but the student may have to do some detective work to uncover them. For example, at www.usbank.com/studentloans, you can apply to be one of 40 high school seniors or college undergraduates to receive a $1,000 U.S. Bank Internet Scholarship. Over the past 13 years, U.S. Bank has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarship funding for this program. Scholarship award recipients are selected through a random drawing process. There are no essays to complete or minimum grade point average requirements.  The U.S. Bank Web site also features a powerful scholarship search engine.

Scholarship search tips

* Start early - Experts recommend college-bound students and their parents start looking as early as their freshman year in high school. By identifying potential awards, students can choose classes and activities that will increase their chance at winning a specific award in the future.

* Use the Internet - But be wary of scams posing as scholarships. If a scholarship is reputable, you should be able to find information about it through multiple sources. Try to use two sources and make sure the profile submitted is accurate; paying fees does not increase your chances of winning.

* Think small - Competition can be tough for large awards. Smaller awards ($1,000 and less) typically have less competition and are easier to obtain.

Additional free scholarship Web sites you may want to visit include:

* www.collegeboard.com/scholarships
* www.collegeplan.org
* www.collegescholarships.com
* www.collegenet.com
* www.scholarships.com

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) -  In a competitive job market, earning a degree can be the biggest single step one can take to enhance career value and earning potential. As many bask in the glow of making plans to increase their career potential, the prospect of paying for college is a sobering reality.

Few of us have funds set aside for this endeavor. In addition, the College Board's annual "Trends in College Pricing" reports a rise in tuition costs at public and private institutions for the 2009-2010 school year. According to the report, annual tuition and fees at private four-year colleges rose 4.4 percent to $26,273, and public university costs rose 6.5 percent to $7,020.

Prospective students often don't know where to start. But take heart; Darlene Violet, director of Financial Aid at Brown Mackie College - Akron, Ohio,  offers advice on funding your education. "The U.S. Department of Education distributes $96 billion a year in grants, work-study assistance, and low-interest loans," Violet says. "Every student begins the process of seeking financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, known as the 'FAFSA.'" Information submitted on the FAFSA form determines the amount a student may receive through a federal Pell Grant, which is based on financial need. The recent economic stimulus program increased Pell Grant funds by $500 per student. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Beyond completing the FAFSA, many turn next to student loans. "An education is always a good investment," says Violet, "but many people don't realize the loans must be paid back starting six months after leaving school. I advise students to seek out and apply for scholarships." Wide varieties of organizations offer scholarships, from fraternities and sororities to community groups, foundations, and corporations. Winning candidates receive funds based on a vast spectrum of criteria, including ethnicity and cultural heritage. "Students just don't take the time to find them," Violet continued. "It can be a lot of work."

The Scholarship Committee at Brown Mackie College - Akron hired a group of honor students to help others navigate through the many scholarships available, complete the application forms, and provide feedback on essays written for submission. "This allows students the security to delve deeper into the scholarship world. It's well worth it," Violet says.

Scholarship awards can be as important to the educational institution as they are to the student. Federal guidelines, known as the 90-10 rule, mandate that no more than 90 percent of the funds received by a college can come from Federal loans and grants. A minimum of 10 percent must come from outside sources, including scholarships, private loans, and the students' own financial contributions.

Violet recommends checking additional resources as well. "Many employers will pay or reimburse tuition expenses, sometimes even for immediate family members. And the Veteran's Administration offers benefits to those who have served our country," she says. The Workforce Investment Act offers grants to those who qualify, and many churches offer scholarship opportunities. In addition, the Orphan Foundation of America offers scholarships to students who are wards of the state.

Further savings can come in the form of a temporary tax credit. The American Opportunity Tax Credit, included in the economic stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama, can be worth as much as $2,500. People who earn $80,000 or less a year (or $160,000 or less for joint filers) can claim this credit on money paid for tuition, certain fees and course materials for higher education in 2009 and 2010. For complete details, visit www.irs.gov.

Once a student enters college, Violet advises making other financial considerations:

Ride public transportation. In addition to saving on fuel and parking fees, public transportation provides time for students to get a head start on assigned reading and homework.

Avoid credit card offers. However tempting the offer seems, credit cards charge interest on purchases and impose fees for late payments.

Work while attending classes. Many students work full- or part-time while earning their degrees. The federal work-study program helps eligible students find employment on campus.

"Taking the time to apply for scholarship funds is a step that can help now while they're in school, and in the future when no bill comes due," Violet says.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

MIT OCW is a large-scale, Web-based electronic publishing initiative funded jointly by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and MIT.

MIT OCW's goals are to:

1. Provide free, searchable, access to MIT's course materials for educators, students, and self-learners around the world.
2. Extend the reach and impact of MIT OCW and the "opencourseware" concept.

MIT OCW would not be possible without the support and generosity of the MIT faculty who choose to share their research, pedagogy, and knowledge to benefit others. We expect MIT OCW to reach a steady - though never static - state by 2007. Between now and then, we will publish the materials from virtually all of MIT's undergraduate and graduate courses.

We will be continually evaluating the Access, Use, and Impact of MIT OCW over the course of the next five years. With 1,100 courses published as of June 1, 2005, we are still in a learning stage of this MIT initiative and we will benefit enormously from your feedback, as we strive to make MIT OCW as rich and useful as possible for our users.

 

 

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