Parent and Student Toolbox
Important Documents from the Guidance Office
Footprints Program
Financial Aid/Scholarship Sites and Scholarship Information
- www.fafsa.ed.gov
Free Application for Federal Student Aid-Apply on the web and/or look up federal school codes.
- www.pin.ed.gov
To apply for a pin number for both the student and the parent/guardian.
- www.irs.gov
Hope and Lifetime Learning Tax Credit
- www.fastweb.com
Free Scholarship search based on the interest information you give. Scholarship list generated individually.
- www.scholarshipalert.com
A free scholarship search site that provides a weekly update by email.
- www.finaid.org
Contains a free scholarship search database, all of the FAFSA codes. **Sample FAFSA application to do your own “needs analysis” estimate calculation.
- www.collegepaystn.com
Information regarding scholarship funding including the HOPE scholarship.
General Scholarship Information
Top 10 Scholarship Tips
- Tip #1 Apply only if you are eligible. Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully and make sure you are eligible before you send in your application.
- Tip #2 Complete the application in full. If a question does not apply, note that on the application. Do not just leave a blank. Be sure to supply all additional supporting material, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays.
- Tip #3 Follow directions. Provide everything that is required. But do not supply things that are not requested-you could be disqualified.
- Tip #4 Neatness counts. Always type your application, or if you must print, do so neatly and legible. Make a couple of photocopies of all the forms before you fill them out. Use the copies as working drafts as you develop you application.
- Tip #5 Write an essay that makes a strong impression. The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific. Include concrete details to indicate how you were affected.
- Tip #6 Watch all deadlines. To help keep yourself on track, impose your own deadline that is at least two weeks prior to the official deadline. Use the buffer time to make sure everything is ready on time. Do not rely on extensions-very few scholarship providers allow them at all.
- Tip #7 Make sure your application gets where it needs to go. Put your name and social security number if applicable on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.
- Tip #8 Keep a back-up file in case anything goes wrong. Before sending the application, make a copy of the entire packet. If your application goes astray, you will be able to reproduce it quickly.
- Tip #9 Give it a final once over. Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend, teacher, or parent to proofread it as well.
- Tip #10 Ask for help if you need it. It you have problems with the application, do not hesitate to call the funding organization.
- **Request information from your parent’s workplace, your church, clubs with which family members may be affiliated, denominational headquarters, your guidance counselor, the college you may attend, the web, community organizations, the newspaper, large companies, ie. Target, Wal-Mart, etc.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is a growing problem? Typical ways a student becomes a victim include leaving personal information lying around the dorm room or failing to shred credit card offers before throwing them away. Click here for more information about identity theft.
Military Academies - ROTC
The process of acceptance for military academics begins in the junior year. For more information click here.
Requirements of Popular Colleges of Trinity Graduates
Click here for minimum ACT and Grade Point Averages requirements of some of our Trinity graduates favorite college choices.
Career Websites
One of life's biggest decisions is often in choosing a career. Click here for helpful career websites.