In the news

spring 2009
Outreach Insider
In the News...
CollegeInvest turns 30 this year!
Introducing the College In Colorado
Partner Network
For three decades, CollegeInvest has
served as Colorado’s not-for-profit higher
education financing resource, helping
families across the state pay for college
through scholarships, matching grants,
student loan forgiveness, college savings
plans, outreach programs and planning tools.
To mark the 30th anniversary milestone, this year CollegeInvest
will give away $30,000 in anniversary scholarships. Look for
CollegeInvest in your area!
One of the most frequent requests from those committed to
helping Colorado’s students is a clearinghouse of information
and resources – a network for sharing knowledge and ideas.
College In Colorado launched the College In Colorado Partner
Network, an interactive “Wiki-style” site designed to connect
and provide resources to educators across the state. The
site, www.CICPartnerNetwork.org, offers the opportunity to
author articles about programs, share ideas and practitioner
information, and modify content in a proactive manner.
College In Colorado
CollegeInvest Introduces Ugift® –
A great way for family and friends to help
YOU save for your child’s college costs
Celebrate your child’s special occasions
by inviting family and friends to give the
gift of higher education with Ugift. The
CollegeInvest Direct Portfolio College
Savings Plan now offers the ability for you to invite family and
friends to easily make contributions to your children’s college
savings account. Celebrate birthdays, religious events, holidays,
and other occasions such as graduating from one grade to
another, or receiving good grades. Remember, the gift of higher
education lasts a lifetime, unlike most other gifts.
Visit www.collegeinvest.org/Ugift for more information.
Important Considerations
To learn about CollegeInvest’s 529 program, its objectives, risks,
charges, limitations, restrictions and qualifications regarding
the Plans’ benefits and potential tax advantages, please read
the Program Disclosure Statements (PDS) available at www.
collegeinvest.org. Also, check with your home state to learn if it offers
tax or other benefits for investing in its own plan. CollegeInvest and
the CollegeInvest logo are registered trademarks. Administered and
Issued by CollegeInvest.
PARTNER
NETWORK
The Wiki sections include:
• Calendar – A place for users to post events, meetings and conferences being held across the state.
• Educators in Action – A best practices forum for education professionals.
• Community Partner Services – A clearinghouse for users to post news, questions and updates on academic success methods, career preparation, professional development and post-secondary/college preparation.
• Community Partner Directory – A directory of links to partner websites and other useful websites of interest.
• Policy Matters – Updates on policy issues that affect the post-secondary education community.
We invite you to join us and hope that you will contribute your
expertise to www.CICPartnerNetwork.org. We believe that
this Website, with your help, will become Colorado’s one-stop
shop for educational practitioners.
For further information and to find out how to post
information about your organization, contact Bridget Redfern
at [email protected] or call 720-264-8571.
K CollegeInvest’s Featured School K
Flagler School
Flager is a rural K-12 school between Limon and Burlington
with an impressive college placement rate. CollegeInvest
learned about Flager school when we were invited to its
financial aid night.
• District: Arriba-Flagler CSD #20
• School: Flagler High School
• Counselor: Dan R. Harris
• Current School Enrollment: 60
0
Free Money for
Denver Students!
or’s
ee
The CollegeInvest Graduate Rebate Award for Denver Students
(GRADS) program is loan forgiveness of up to $1,500 upon
college graduation.
K Amount forgiven upon graduation* K
$300
$750
$1,500
Vocational
certificate
Associate’s
degree
Bachelor’s
degree
• Destination of graduates over past 18 years:
o 4 Year College – 70%
o 2 Year College – 20%
o Military – 5%
o Directly into workforce – 5%
• Number of Exchange Students this year: Seven (2 from Amount f
upon grad
Brazil, three from Germany, and one each from Spain
and Slovakia)
• Average amount of local scholarships received per year: $20,000
• Maximum amount in scholarship offered in a single year: Over $500,000
• Longest bus ride to school: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Last State Championship: 2008 Class 1-A Knowledge Bowl
• Favorite school lunch: Pizza
• Unusual attribute: Large indoor swimming pool!
Amount of loan forgiveness and program duration
are dependent upon participation, average borrower
indebtedness and other factors.
*
All 2005–2010 Denver Public School (DPS) graduates and
Denver residents who graduate with a high school diploma
or equivalent from a non-DPS school are eligible. Students
must meet the admission requirements of their chosen
colleges, attend classes at least part-time, and graduate within
established time limits: six years for a bachelor’s degree and four
$1,500
years for a vocational certificate or associate’s
degree. Only
$750.00
CollegeInvest$300.00
Stafford loans qualify for a GRADS rebate and,
due to federal guidelines, students must be eligible for federal
Bachelor’s
financial aid Vocational
to participate. Associate’s
certificate
degree
For more information
T Hand
E S Ato
V I register
N G S A Dvisit
D UP
www.collegeinvest.org/grads.
degree
Invite CollegeInvest to your next financial aid night! E-mail us at
[email protected]
$30
Vocatio
certific
K Featured Outreach Employee K
Kaylynn Hemlock, Community
Relations Manager, began her
career with CollegeInvest in 1997.
Over the years she has held various
positions, including operations
supervisor
and
operations
representative for the 529 College
Savings Program. Working at
CollegeInvest for over a decade has
been a lifetime learning experience. “They’ve provided me with
the opportunities to learn, grow and be successful,” said Kaylynn.
Kaylynn currently serves the northern part of Colorado,
representing CollegeInvest as the higher education financing
resource to parents and students at workshops and events. “My
job is one of the most rewarding jobs, knowing each time I speak
to a group of students, that I have encouraged them to pursue
their dreams, aspirations and a college education. That’s the best
feeling in the world,” said Kaylynn.
Kaylynn is a Colorado native born and raised in the metro area. She
is a wife and mother of two children, Myranda and Matthew. Her
children’s education is very important to her. She talks to them
everyday about the importance of a good education. “Working
at CollegeInvest has also provided me with the knowledge to
save for my children’s college expenses. In 1997, I opened my first
529 college savings account for my daughter. This was one of the
best investments I could have made,” said Kaylynn.
In her spare time, Kaylynn loves watching her children play sports,
jogging, biking, traveling and spending time with friends and
family.
K Counselor of the Month Update K
One group of professionals that has a tremendous impact on
Counselor of the Month
encouraging young people to pursue higher education is high
January:
Michael Sardinia, Silver Creek High School
school counselors. Working diligently, counselors urge students
February: Gayle Dudley, Steamboat Springs High School
to consider future options, reach for their dreams and make
March: Mollie Benton, Moffat High School
a difference in the world around them. Give recognition to a
deserving counselor by nominating them for Counselor of the
Month at www.collegeinvest.org/mycounselor.
Meghan Cave presents Silver Creek High School counselor,
Michael Sardinia, with the January Counselor of the Month
Award, January 15.
Misti Ruthven presents Steamboat Springs High School
counselor, Gayle Dudley, with the February Counselor of
the month Award, March 18.
K Monthly Scholarship Winners K
Intended College/University: Montana State or University of
Colorado
Intended Major: “I want to become an elementary school art
teacher because I love creating art and watching other people
do the same. I especially love to work with kids because there
are so original.”
What does winning this scholarship mean to you? “I had been
hanging back in applying for scholarships, this one reminded me
how many there are out there, acting as sort of a wake-up call to
get me looking for more.”
December 2008
Name: Gage Danner
School: Byers Senior High School
High School Seniors attending a CollegeInvest presentation or
workshop can enter to win a scholarship! Each month one
name is selected for a $250 scholarship. Here are the most
recent winners.
Extracurricular Activities: Future Business Leaders Association
(FBLA), Art Club, Drama Production, Basketball and volunteer
work around the town of Byers and within the Byers Community
Association
Favorite Book: Gates of Fire
Favorite Movie: Comedies
October 2008
Favorite Band or Music Artist: Sublime
Name: Meng Smith
Intended College/University: University of Wyoming or Adams
State College
School: Palmer High School
Favorite Band or Music Artist: Shiny Toy Guns
Intended College/University: University of Colorado at Colorado
Springs
Intended major: “I plan to get a degree in Health Sciences
because I want to become a doctor in the future.”
What does winning this scholarship mean to you? “This
scholarship means a lot to me, especially since I am the only
person in my family that is currently employed and now I can put
more money into saving up for medical school.”
November 2008
Intended major: “I’m planning on studying Performing Arts and
Conceptual Art.”
What does winning this scholarship mean to you? “Winning this
scholarship means a lot to me because it is the first of hopefully
many scholarships I will get and a great start to my college career.
Thank you for the honor of this scholarship.”
January 2009
Name: Jacob Haynes
School: Pagosa Springs High School
Name: Haley Schranck
Extracurricular Activities: Favorites are Future Business Leaders
of America, Key Club, and The PHS Jazz Band
School: Grandview High School
Favorite Band or Music Artist: Jimmy Eat World
Extracurricular Activities: Elementary Tutoring Program, Wolf
Pups, National Honor Society, Cross Country, Lacrosse, and
Ultimate Frisbee
Intended College/University: “I am not completely sure where I
will go to college, but I am looking most at CU-Boulder, Colorado
School of Mines, and Embry-Riddle-Prescott.”
Favorite Book: Harry Potter, A Streetcar Named Desire, and
Wuthering Heights
Intended Major: “I am planning on studying aerospace engineering
because I am fascinated with aircraft and spacecraft and would
love to work designing or building them.”
Favorite Movie: “Kill Bill” or “50 First Dates”
Favorite Band or Music Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers
continued on next page
K Monthly Scholarship Winners K
What does winning this scholarship mean to you? “I was
very surprised when I received the email telling me I won this
scholarship because I figured that since it was so easy to apply,
I would have a very poor chance of getting it. I am excited and
thankful that I received this scholarship because it is $250 which
I won’t have as debt once I graduate.”
March 2009
Name: Michael Clark
School: Regis Jesuit High School
February 2009
What sports/extracuricculars/clubs do you participate in? Varsity
Baseball, Key Club, Freshman Retreat, and a member of the
National Honors Society. Volunteered at an Alzheimer’s division
in a nursing home.
Name: Justin Vicars
What is your favorite book? The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
School: Pueblo East High School
What is your favorite movie? “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ”
What sports/extracuricculars/clubs do you participate in?
DECA
Who is your favorite band/music artist? Eric Church
What is your favorite book? Black Hawk Down
What is your favorite movie? “The Departed”
Who is your favorite band/music artist? HURT and Avenged
Sevenfold
What college do plan to attend? Colorado State University Fort Collins
What do you plan to study in college and why?
Management and Global Environmental Sustainability.
Business
What college do plan to attend? I plan on attending Colorado
School of Mines.
What do you plan to study in college and why? “I plan on studying
physics because I love understanding why things act the way they
do in the world around me.”
What does winning this scholarship mean to you? “Winning this
scholarship is important to me because it will help go towards
my tuition and books for next year.”
What does winning this scholarship mean to you? “Winning
this scholarship is great. College is a huge financial hardship and
every little bit helps.”
outreach Updates
Dr. Janet Gullickson stands with Donna Poyner the winning
bidder on a CollegeInvest 529 College Savings Account at
the Park Hill School Auction, February 7.
Where we’ve been and what we’ve been doing.
Dora the Explorer poses for pictures at the CollegeInvest
Booth during the Kids Expo January 24 and 25 at the Denver
Merchandise Mart.
outreach Updates
Dr. Janet Gullickson stands with Cynthia Bell of Zeta Phi
Beta Sorority, Inc. Xi Kappa Zeta Chapter Colorado Springs
at the Educating children of Color Summit at Harrison High
School, January 10.
Andres Pedraza presents Mark Moimoi a $500 CollegeInvest
529 College Savings Plan at the Educating Children of Color
Summit at Harrison High School, January 10.
Meghan Cave helps children ‘spin the wheel’ at the
CollegeInvest booth at the All About Kidz Expo held at the
Colorado Convention Center, March 1.
Where we’ve been and what we’ve been doing.
Carla Castillo works the CollegeInvest and CollegeInColorado
table at the Education Fair held at Arapahoe Community
College in conjunction with Arapahoe, Douglas and South
Jefferson County Human Services- Foster Care Departments,
February 26.
Claudia Hernandez-Ponce, Andres Pedraza, and Carla Castillo
work at the Education Fair for Foster Youth at Arapahoe
Community College, Febrauary 26.
Andres Pedraza (CollegeInvest & CollegeInColorado),
Meghan Cave (CollegeInvest), Gully Stanford
(CollegeInColorado), Corrie Houck (CollegeInColorado),
Maria Elena Rivera (CollegeInColorado), Congressman Jared
Polis, and Dr. Janet Gullickson (CollegeInvest) at Feria de
Educacion Superior at Centro San Juan Deigo, April 18.
Ask the Experts!
Dear CollegeInvest,
I am a parent and I am filling out the FAFSA for my daughter. Dear CollegeInvest,
We noticed when it asked us “how many people in your parents
I have recently opened a 529 for my son but I have no idea how
household will be college students for the school year”; it says
much money I should be contributing or how much college will
to count yourself but do not include your parents. My husband
cost when my son is 18. Can you help me?
is also in college so should I put one or two down? And if we put
“1” for our daughter, where can we claim my husband as going
Sincerely,
to college, too?
Susie Saving
Thanks,
Dear Susie,
Anonymous
Please check out www.collegeinvest.org, under the savings tab
you will find calculators that will help you determine how much
Dear Anonymous,
college will cost in the future and how much you should be
As a parent you may claim you and your children on your
putting away per month to get there. Please also be sure to
FAFSA. On your children’s FAFSA, you can only count the
check out some of our other programs that make savings simple
number of children in college. When you file the FAFSA for
such as The Matching Grant Program and Ugift®.
your daughter, you should put ‘1’ in college meaning your
daughter. This question is only gathering information on the
Sincerely,
dependents in the household who are attending college.
The Outreach Team at CollegeInvest
When you file your FAFSA, it will take into account that you
and your child are in school.
Send your questions to the Outreach Team at CollegeInvest:
Sincerely,
[email protected]
The Outreach Team at CollegeInvest
K Featured Partner K
The Colorado Jump$tart Coalition is a non-profit organization
with more than 30 organizations and individuals representing
business, government and education throughout the state of
Colorado. CollegeInvest and Jump$tart have joined together to
improve the personal financial literacy of Colorado by:
• Raising awareness of personal financial literacy.
• Enhancing professional development of Colorado educators on financial literacy issues.
• Coordinating and promoting communication and cooperation among coalition members.
• Supporting personal financial education legislation.
The Jump$tart Coalition is a proud affiliate of the National
Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The National
Jump$tart Coalition, based in Washington, D.C., was first convened
in 1995 and consists of over 200 organizations committed to
improving the financial literacy of America’s youth.
CollegeInvest is proud to be a member of the Colorado Jump$tart
Coalition and to work closely with the coalition and its members
to further financial literacy efforts in Colorado.
K Quarterly Checklists for Students K
JUNIOR checklist
senior checklist
SPRING
SPRING
If your high school offers Advanced Placement (AP)
Start watching for college acceptance letters and
classes, sign up. In the spring of your senior year,
financial aid award notifications.
you’ll take an AP test. If you score well, you’ll get college credit, which saves you money.
Make your decision and send in your deposit.
Choose colleges with strong programs in your area of
Notify the colleges you will not be attending.
study or interest. Visit CollegeInColorado.org for help
finding these schools.
Watch for information deadlines (housing, financial aid
and more) at your chosen college.
Request information from three or four of your chosen
colleges.
Take your AP exams, which are given in high schools
nationwide.
Visit college campuses. If you can, arrange to stay
overnight in a dorm and attend a class or two while
Complete all financial aid requirements, including
you’re there.
student and parent loan applications.
Take the SAT or ACT at least six weeks before the
deadline for scores to be submitted to colleges.
Apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF). For
more information about this stipend, visit
CollegeInColorado.org.
Every Coloradan will have the financial aid
information essential to access college.
K Meet the CollegeInvest Outreach Team K
Dr. Janet Gullickson
Chief Outreach and Client
Relations Officer
[email protected]
303.376.8833
Elaine Weaver
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
303.376.8834
Misti Ruthven
School Relations Manager
[email protected]
303.324.7950
Kathryn Powell
Financial Education
Program Manager
[email protected]
303.376.8829
Andrés Pedraza
Events Coordinator
[email protected]
720.264.8567
Kaylynn Hemlock
Community Relations Manager
[email protected]
303.376.8806
Claudia Hernandez-Ponce
Community Relations Manager
[email protected]
303.376.8824
Carla Castillo
Community Relations Manager
[email protected]
303.376.8831
Meghan Cave
Community Relations Manager
[email protected]
303.376.8821
Red Territory
Green Territory
Yellow Territory
Blue Territory
SEDGWICK
JACKSON
ROUTT
MOFFAT
LARIMER
LOGAN
WELD
PHILLIPS
MORGAN
BOULDER
GRAND
RIO BLANCO
YUMA
GILPIN
ADAMS
GARFIELD
EAGLE
WASHINGTON
DENVER
CLEAR CREEK
ARAPAHOE
JEFFERSON
SUMMIT
DOUGLAS
PITKIN
MESA
LAKE
PARK
KIT CARSON
ELBERT
DELTA
TELLER
LINCON
EL PASO
CHEYENNE
CHAFFEE
GUNNISON
FREMONT
MONTROSE
SAN MIGUEL
SAGUACHE
OURAY
SAN
JUAN
DOLORES
PUEBLO
CUSTER
MINERAL
KIOWA
CROWLEY
BENT
PROWERS
OTERO
HUERFANO
HINSDALE
RIO GRANDE
ALAMOSA
MONTEZUMA
LA PLATA
ARCHULETA
CONEJOS
COSTILLA
LAS ANIMAS
BACA