Extra financial aid remains available
Students only need to find it
Laura Butler
Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: News
Most merit-based scholarships are available to freshmen and transfer students primarily. But need-based scholarships are available to students on all levels, as long as they fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate family or personal need.
McCracken said many students miss out on financial aid because they find the FAFSA discouraging.
"You have to fill out the FAFSA, but a lot of times parents get lost and it can be very tedious," she said. "But get this in early and do it every year, because you might be eligible for more aid if incomes change."
Incoming sophomore students can also apply for a retention scholarship from the university, which provides an extra $1,000 or $1,500 to students during a year when they have lower loan limits.
McCracken said students also lose out on scholarship opportunities because they misunderstand the award cycle.
"Right now is the prime time to start thinking about applying if you're a current student," McCracken said. "Students come try to get money in January for the spring semester, but it's usually been used by then. That's really when they need to be applying for the following semester."
Students applying for a retention scholarship need a letter of recommendation from an Eastern faculty or staff member, a 500-word essay, and an application from the scholarship office completed by May 1.
Those applying for current student scholarships only need two recommendation letters and the completed application. These applications are due to the scholarship office by April 1.
All students who apply will be notified either way if the office is able to offer them a scholarship.
"Not everybody is eligible, but you don't know until you try," McCracken said. "We really work to make sure we give out all our funds. We're trying to help keep students moving along and staying afloat."
McCracken said many students miss out on financial aid because they find the FAFSA discouraging.
"You have to fill out the FAFSA, but a lot of times parents get lost and it can be very tedious," she said. "But get this in early and do it every year, because you might be eligible for more aid if incomes change."
Incoming sophomore students can also apply for a retention scholarship from the university, which provides an extra $1,000 or $1,500 to students during a year when they have lower loan limits.
McCracken said students also lose out on scholarship opportunities because they misunderstand the award cycle.
"Right now is the prime time to start thinking about applying if you're a current student," McCracken said. "Students come try to get money in January for the spring semester, but it's usually been used by then. That's really when they need to be applying for the following semester."
Students applying for a retention scholarship need a letter of recommendation from an Eastern faculty or staff member, a 500-word essay, and an application from the scholarship office completed by May 1.
Those applying for current student scholarships only need two recommendation letters and the completed application. These applications are due to the scholarship office by April 1.
All students who apply will be notified either way if the office is able to offer them a scholarship.
"Not everybody is eligible, but you don't know until you try," McCracken said. "We really work to make sure we give out all our funds. We're trying to help keep students moving along and staying afloat."
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