SmartAboutCollege - Student Assistance Foundation

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SmartAboutCollege
Spring 2013 • Volume 7 • Issue 4
SAF Awards $63,000 in Circle of Succe$$
Scholarships to Montana Students
2500 Broadway
Helena, MT 59601
SmartAboutCollege.org
safmt.org
(877) COLG4ME
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Only those who
will risk going
too far can
possibly find
out how far
one can go.
- T.S. Eliot
Sixty-three Montana students
received good news in their email inboxes recently — they each received
$1,000 Circle of Succe$$ scholarships
from Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) for the 2013-14
Academic Year.
“I am
excited
to someday be
the first
college
graduate of my own immediate family,” said Circle of
Succe$$ recipient Katie
DeLauriers, 34, of Belgrade. “Thank you for the
support of the Circle of
Succe$$ scholarship.
These funds will not
be wasted!”
DeLauriers is the
mother of two girls,
and is studying at
Montana State University for a career in the
medical field.
funded solely through voluntary payroll deductions,” she said. “Today, we
look to the proceeds of our annual
golf tournament and other fundraising events, along with contributions
from generous donors
in the community to
allow us to help as
many Montana students
through this program as
possible.”
Scholarships are awarded based on six regions.
The college-age population per region determines the number of
scholarships distributed
in each region.
To date, SAF
has distributed
$467,000 in
Circle of Succe$$
scholarships.
Darbie Hess, grants
and scholarship manager for SAF, said helping students
like DeLauriers is exactly what SAF
employees intended when they established the scholarship program eight
years ago.
“The Circle of Succe$$ program
is particularly meaningful to SAF
employees because it was initially
Hess added that the
employee committee
charged with selecting the scholarship
recipients always
faces a challenge in
narrowing the numerous applications to
meet the number of
scholarships available.
“Each year we see requests from so many
dedicated and talented students, it’s
always difficult to select just a few
to receive Circle of Succe$$ scholarships,” she said.
To learn more about SAF and our
2013 Circle of Succe$$ scholarship
program recipients, check us out on
Facebook!
Smart About College • Spring 2013
College Financial Aid Awards: Be a Comparison Shopper
For Montana students faced with
choosing among two or three postsecondary institutions, the contents of
their financial aid award letters may
make all the difference.
As a result, it’s important for students
and families to make a close comparison of financial aid opportunities and
evaluate the overall benefits of each
award package.
In general, most financial aid professionals agree that it’s best to compare
financial aid award letters based on
out-of-pocket, or net cost. Out-ofpocket cost is the difference between
the total cost of attendance and the
total gift aid (grants and scholarships). Higher out-of-pocket
costs result in greater debt after
college, so it’s definitely favorable to select a school that helps
to minimize out-of-pocket costs
through financial aid.
Also, students and parents should
be sure to take into account the
full cost of attendance. Consider costs that will be paid to
the school, including tuition and
fees, and other costs, including
living expenses, books, transportation
and more. Some schools only provide
information on costs that will be paid
directly to them, so remaining costs
should be factored into the equation
when identifying the most generous
financial aid award package.
Always use caution when considering
financial aid packages that include
non-need-based aid, or loans for which
the student will be responsible for
repaying both principal and interest
(unsubsidized loans). Accept gift aid
first (grants, scholarships, work-study),
subsidized loans (loans for which
student is responsible for principal,
and the government pays the interest) next, and unsubsidized loans last.
Remember, students are not required
to accept the full loan amount, and
should try to minimize the number
of unsubsidized loans they accept, if
possible, in order to minimize debt load
following graduation.
if student loans are packaged with
other aid. This can lead students to accept funds that they will ultimately be
required to repay.
In addition, be aware that some
schools “front load” their grants. This
means they award more grants in a
student’s freshman year than in subsequent years. On the one hand, this
practice helps students who drop out
to have fewer loans to pay, but on the
other, it paints an unrealistic financial
aid picture for students who stick with
their college agenda.
These are just a few of the items
that students and parents should
consider when evaluating financial
aid award letters. Several helpful
calculators and worksheets are
available on the Internet to help with
this process, including finaid.org and
bigfuture.collegeboard.org.
Remember, if you don’t understand
something about your award letter, or think you should qualify for
additional free aid, contact the
financial aid office at your school
immediately.
Parents and students should look for
“gapping” in financial aid award letters. Gapping occurs when a college is
unable to meet the full, demonstrated
need of the students due to limited
financial resources. Sometimes, that
gap becomes less obvious to students
In addition, if you need help understanding or making comparisons
of your award letters, go to smartaboutcollege.org/outreach to find a
nonprofit Student Assistance Foundation campus outreach manager
near you.
Register today for SAF’s annual golf scramble
Plans are in full swing for nonprofit
Student Assistance Foundation’s (SAF)
eighth annual golf scramble. Scheduled
for Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013, our Wild
West-themed event promises to be a
rootin’ tootin’ good time for all!
Combine a relaxing round of golf on
the links at Helena’s picturesque Green
Meadow Country Club; the opportunity to eat, drink and be merry with
colleagues and friends; and a really
worthwhile cause, and it all adds up to
be the premier event of the summer!
— for students in the county of your
choice.
Please consider partnering with us to
make this year’s golf scramble the most
successful event yet. A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available:
Sponsor a portion of the golf
event. (eg. tee prizes, hold prizes,
hole sponsorship, and/or meals)
Gather three of your friends and
colleagues to form a team for the
scramble.
Sponsor a scholarship — or a few
For more information, or to register, visit http://smartaboutcollege.
org/golf, or contact Pat Schlauch at
[email protected] or (406) 4957328.
Smart About College • Spring 2013
Plum Creek Foundation Awards SAF $2,000
for “A Step Ahead” College Prep Camp
The Plum Creek Foundation recently
awarded nonprofit Student Assistance
Foundation (SAF) $2,000 to help two
youths in foster care attend “A Step
Ahead” College Prep Camp – Career
and Life Readiness Summit.
“Student Assistance Foundation is
extremely grateful for this generous
contribution from the Plum Creek
Foundation,” said Kelly Cresswell, SAF’s
vice president of Foundation Activities.
“These funds will allow two high school
students from the Lake, Flathead and
Missoula County area to attend the
camp and receive necessary life skills
and college preparation training.”
“A Step Ahead” College Prep Camp –
Career and Life Readiness Summit is a
free, five-day camp geared toward providing youth in foster care an opportunity to gain college, career and life
skills, along with experiencing college
life firsthand. This year, the event will
take place at Carroll College in Helena
June 17-21.
While at the camp, youth stay in the
dorms and receive classroom instruction in areas including money management, relationship-building, finding and
maintaining housing, and scholarship
searches and applications. Plus, camp
participants learn the purpose of Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) for
youth in foster care and how to properly complete the application forms.
Youths who attend the full camp, and
will be attending postsecondary educa-
(L-R) Rhonda Safford, SAF Programs manager;
Kelly Cresswell, SAF vice president of Foundation
Activities; and Aidan Myhre (Plum Creek Foundation
representative). Plum Creek Foundation representative
Aidan Myhre stopped by SAF recently to deliver a
check for $2,000 for “A Step Ahead” College Prep
Camp – Career and Life Readiness Summit.
tion in the fall, will have the opportunity to take home a free laptop computer
to help them with their studies.
The lazy days of summer? Get up off of that couch!
Spring has sprung, and for many
students, their thoughts are already
straying to the lazy days of summer.
Ok — we’ll give you a couple weeks of
sitting on the couch, but why not get
some things accomplished this summer
as well?
Here are some ideas for young adults
looking to recharge their batteries and
be productive at the same time.
Get a summer job — For many students, this option is a “no brainer.”
It’s a great opportunity to earn some
cash while gaining important work
experience. Don’t forget to set aside
some money each paycheck to help
pay for college!
Job shadow — What better way to
learn if your career interest is right
for you than by finding out firsthand?
Ask someone you know who is working in your area of interest if you can
follow them for a day or more to see
what the job really entails, or let your
high school counselor know you want
to participate in job shadowing.
Volunteer — Summer is a great time
to volunteer your time to help others.
Walk dogs at the humane society in
your town. Lend a hand at the local
food bank. Mow your neighbor’s lawn.
To find other ways that you could
make a difference in your community,
visit www.serve.mt.gov.
Take a class — Check with community
colleges, museums, etc. to see what
types of classes they offer in the summer months. This is an opportunity
to explore your interest areas or try
something new.
Look and apply for scholarships —
Seniors in high school and college
students should make looking, and
applying, for scholarships part of
their plans for summer vacation. Just
a couple hours a week could make a
major difference in how much their
family needs to pay out of pocket
for postsecondary education. Some
helpful websites include: http://www.
fastweb.com/ and https://mtcis.intocareers.org/materials/portal/home.html.
Take practice ACT and SAT tests —
Studies show that students who take
practice ACT and SAT tests do better
than those students who don’t. Visit
http://homeworkmt.org to take free,
practice ACT and SAT tests.
For other ideas for summer activities,
check out SmartAboutCollege.org.
ACT TEST DATES
Test Date: June 8, 2013
Registration Deadline: May 3, 2013
Late Fee Required: May 4-17, 2013
SAT TEST DATES
Test Date: June 1, 2013
Registration: May 7, 2013
Late Fee Required: May 22, 2013
Smart About College • Spring 2013
Foster Youth Chantelle Follet:
Views “A Step Ahead’ camp as a step in the right direction
Chantelle Follet
has been in
foster care since
the age of 2, and
views her life in
the foster care
system as a blessing.
“If it wasn’t for foster care, I wouldn’t
have made it through high school,” she
said last summer, when she attended
SAF’s “A Step Ahead” College Prep
Camp for Montana youths in foster care.
The 18-year-old resident of Terry, Mont.
said she was usually placed in a new foster home about every six months, and
as a result, attended about six schools
throughout her academic career.
Chantelle wants to study criminal justice
at Miles Community College, and says
that “A Step Ahead” camp provided her
with numerous tools to help her achieve
that goal.
According to Chantelle, the camp taught
her to avoid making rash decisions, and
to take the time to learn about subjects
that are unfamiliar to her.
She suggests that other foster youths
consider attending “A Step Ahead” to
find out how to apply for college, and
how to pay for their higher education.
“I really loved the camp and it was excit-
We’re Running Amuck for Scholarship Bucks!
Get ready to get your hands…and
arms…and legs…and faces…dirty to
raise scholarship dollars for Montana
students at Running Amuck for Scholarship Bucks in Butte on Saturday, Sept.
14 at Montana Tech.
Dollars raised through this 5K mud run/
obstacle course help fund Student Assistance Foundation’s Circle of Succe$$
scholarships. The $1,000 scholarships
are provided to Montana students in
their second, third and fourth year of
college to help cover costs related to
their education. To date, SAF has delivered $467,000 through this program.
ing, especially all the tours and learning
about how to spend money for college
and in your personal life,” Chantelle
said.
Register now at http://smartaboutcollege.org/community/runningamuck.jsp to take advantage of the
best prices! Students pay $25 and
non-students pay $45. Also, be sure to
“like” Running Amuck for Scholarship
Bucks on Facebook to keep up with the
latest race news.
Sponsorship, vendor, and volunteer
opportunities are available. Contact
Carolynn Bright at [email protected]
or (406) 495-7506 for more information.
Foster youths receiving computers at the camp.
Raffle Tickets
Offer Great New
Prizes for 2013
Support Student Assistance Foundation’s raffle and become eligible for
great prizes by entering the 19th annual Montana Shares Raffle. Montana
Shares is a partnership of nonprofit
organizations working to build better
communities across Montana. Contributions to member groups are made
through Montana Shares each year
during statewide workplace giving
campaigns. All donations to the raffle
support Montana Shares in its efforts
to helping SAF and other nonprofits
diversify fundraising and raise public
awareness. Raffle tickets and the list
of prizes are enclosed in this newsletter.
We urge you to make your donation
today and help support this great organization. Through Montana Shares,
SAF is able to raise thousands of
additional dollars through workplace
giving each year and raise public
awareness within state and federal
agencies and the more than 150 other
workplaces that take part in the annual giving campaign.
Smart About College • Spring 2013
Thanks to our donors! Gifts received April 2012 through April 2013.
Alex Brown
Allegiance Benefit Plan
Management Inc.
Allegra Print & Imaging
Amber Hultin
Amber Osterman
Amy Skains
Anderson Zurmuehlen & Co
Andrea Rankin
Angela Powell
Ann Brewer
Arlene Williams
Barb Knutson
Barry Hecht
Becky Schlauch
Ben Franklin Crafts
Best Western Helena
Great Northern Hotel
Birds & Beasleys
Blue Cross Blue Shield MT
Bobs Valley Market
Boxwoods
Brazos HESC
Brian Aliperto
Brian Arnold
Brittany Songer
Brittney Nicholls
Bruce Marks
Buffalo Wild Wings
Butte-Silver Bow Chamber
of Commerce
Callie Jacques
Candi Preskar
Canyon Ferry Mini Basket
Capital Optometrists
Carolynn Bright
Carissa Odegard
Carroll College
Cary Van Doren
Cathy Ann Hahn
Cathy Wood
Chili O'Briens
Christy Wise
Cindi Colbert
Cindy Utterback
Citi Financial
Clare Wanielista
College Savings Bank
a Pacific Life Company
Courtney Cozzie
Crossroads Sports and
Fitness Club Inc.
Crowley Fleck Law Firm
Dairy Queen
Dan McGurran
Darbie Hess
Darla Durkin
Daryl Jackson
Dawn Newell
DCS, A Peformant Company
Deanna Anderson
Dennis Osterman
Dermawerx
Diamondback Golf
DJ Whitaker
Don Oliver
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Doubek & Pyfer
Doug Stout
DPHHS - Child and Family
Services
Eagle Bend Golf Course
Eagle Tire Brake
Alignment & Transmission
ECMC Group-Lender
Ed Jasmin
Elegance & Mr. Tux
Eliesha Leland
Emilianos
Emily Flemming
Eric Pickett
Eric Severtson
Eric Thompson
Ericka Donovan
Erin Griffith
Exploration Works
First Interstate Bank
First Montana Bank
First Security Bank of
Helena
Flathead Travel
Fred Flanders
Friendly's Sinclair
Galusha Higgins & Galusha
Gentle Persuasion Massage
Gina Reilly
Glenda Valvoda
Good Karmal
Grandstreet Theatre
Green Meadow Country
Club
Greg Smith
Gunslingers
Gwen Thennis
Heather Domme
Heidi Mahr
Heidi Mann
Helena College Bookstore
Helena Women of the
Moose Chapter #906
High Plains Sheepskin
Holly Croston
Island Liquor Store
J4 Automotive
Jacqui Safis
Janet Drexel
Janet Riis
Jayme Auer
Jeff Floerchinger
Jeri Moon
Jessica Marks
Jessica Ritchie
Jim Penner
Jim Stipcich
Jimmy Johns
JoAnn Chambers
JoAnn Weber
Jolene Selby
Jorgenson's Inn & Suites
Julie Massaro
Kalie Porter
Kathryn Comer
Kathy Gowen
Kathy Samson
KDA, LLC
Kelli Street
Kelly Cresswell
Kim Cunningham
Kim Norman
Kindra Stenhjem
Kit's Tackle
Kris Anglin
Kylie Gillispie
La Casa Fiesta
Leslie Weldon
Lewis & Clark Brewing
Lindsay Karlson
Lindy Heddings
Lisa Leland
Liscarnan Solutions, LLC
Lithia Chrysler Dodge of
Helena
Liz Foster
Lori Ereth
Lori Hultin
Luxury Nails
Lynn Cochran
Lynn Nelson
M-T Glass Liquor Store
Mahalo Spa
Marci Heigh
Mark Anderson
Marlena Tanniehill
Marti Johnson
Mary Howard
Meghan Peel
Melissa Huntington
Merwin Barrows
Michael Reeslund
Michele Faure
Michele Mathot
Mike Bartow
Mike Strekall
Mikey's Pizza
Mind's Eye Tattoo & Art
Studio
Montana Chamber
Foundation
Montana Chamber of
Commerce
Montana Credit Union
Network
Montana National Guard
Montana Office of Tourism
Montana Shares
Montana State University
Billings Foundation
Montana State UniversityBillings
Montana Tech Foundation
Montana Tech of The
University of Montana
Montana-Dakota Utilities
Morrison-Maierle Inc
Mountain West Bank
Nicole Hanni
Nolan Glueckert
Northrop Grumman
Northwestern Energy
Norwegian Wood
Olya Trettin
Omega International
Consulting
Outdoor Property
Maintenance
Pat Appling
Pat Schlauch
Paula Jacques
Payne Financial Group, Inc.
Penny Balcerzak
Peter Rosten
Phyllis Atkinson
Placer Motors
Plum Creek Foundation
Power Townsend
Rachel Peterson
Rebecca Eanes
Rebekah Birkholz
Rhonda Safford
Rick Pyfer
Robert Rasmussen
Rod Sundsted
Royal Johnson
Rusty Saylor
Sandy Mac's Distributing
Sarah Morris
Saylor Consulting
Schylar Canfield-Baber
Scott Todorovich
Senja Linjanen
Shana Brown
Sharon Eslick
Shawna VanHuysen
Shea Ketchum
Silver Star Steak Company
Simon Poole
Sleeping Giant Lanes &
Mini Golf
Spice Clothing
St. Peter's Hospital
Staggering Ox
Starbucks - Helena
State of Montana-License
Plate Program
Stephanie Chambers
Summer Rippingale
Susan Schimmel
Tami Juvik
Tanja Hulst
Teri Flemming
The Frozen Moose
The Helena Brewers
The January Corporation
The Man Store
The Painted Pot
The University of Montana
Foundation
Tiana McEachern
Todd Bartle
Todd Christofferson
Todd Jones
Tom Gregg
Tom Whalen
Town Pump Charitable
Foundation
Traci Merzlak
Tracie Fladeland
Treacy Company
Tricia O'Connor
Una Taza Mas
United Student Aid Funds
Universal Athletics
Valley Bank of Helena
Valley Farms
Valley Sand and Gravel
Vicki Bisbee
Waber Ranch
Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
- Minneapolis
Wendy Brenden
Westaff of Helena Inc.
Whalen Tire
Smart About College • Spring 2013
Student Assistance Foundation offers staff at nine campus outreach offices around the state to help students and
families realize their dreams of higher education.
BILLINGS
KALIE PORTER, GENERAL MANAGER
CAMPUS OUTREACH - EASTERN MONTANA
Montana State University – Billings
McMullen Hall
1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-1639
BOZEMAN
SHANNON STEVENS,
OUTREACH MANAGER
Montana State University
Strand Union, Room 179
Bozeman, MT 59717
(406) 994-5024
BUTTE
SCHYLAR CANFIELD-BABER,
OUTREACH MANAGER
Montana Tech of
The University of Montana
Student Union Building, Room 112A
1300 W. Park Street
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 496-4890
GREAT FALLS
ALLEN HEISLER, OUTREACH MANAGER
Great Falls College Montana State University
Student Central
2100 16th Ave. S.
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 771-5136
HELENA
MARTI JOHNSON, OUTREACH MANAGER
Helena College University of Montana
Student Center
Donaldson Campus
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 447-6950
KALISPELL
MARY HOWARD, FINANCIAL LITERACY
PROGRAM MANAGER AND GENERAL
MANAGER OF CAMPUS OUTREACH WESTERN MONTANA
Flathead Valley Community College
777 Grandview Drive
Blake Hall, Room 123
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 756-3382
MILES CITY
JENNIFER ALMLI, OUTREACH MANAGER
Miles Community College
2715 Dickinson
Miles City, MT 59301
(406) 874-6197
MISSOULA
NOLAN GLUECKERT
OUTREACH MANAGER
The University of Montana
Griz Central – Lommasson Center
Room 218, 32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-5426
PABLO (by appointment only)
SHEA KETCHAM, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Salish Kootenai College
P.O. Box 70
Pablo, MT 59855
(406) 275-4860
In the Fall 2012, freshmen enrolling at MUS four-year campuses paid an average of
$3,000 in tuition and fees (resident students enrolling in 12 or more credits). The same students
enrolling at MUS two-year institutions paid approximately $1,600 per semester.
Student Assistance
Foundation is a proud
member of Montana
Shares.
2500 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601
Permit No 327
Helena MT
PAID
Nonprofit Org
US Postage
families with the knowledge and tools to pursue and fund their postsecondary education.
Our Mission
The mission of Student Assistance Foundation is to provide students and their