Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 27, 1994 TAG: 9412270130
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A computer program.
The program helps match students with scholarships, loans and other financial assistance. William Fleming High School in Roanoke is one of several schools in Western Virginia that offer the service to students and parents.
The computer program includes data on 300,000 scholarships and financial aid sources on the national, state and local levels, both private and public.
Students can learn how and where to apply.
William Cleveland, guidance coordinator at William Fleming, said many students and parents have used the computer program since it was installed.
"It's catching on as the news of it spreads, mostly by word of mouth," Cleveland said.
Todd Stanley, a senior at William Fleming, used the computer last week to search for scholarships for students who plan to become teachers. Stanley plans to attend James Madison University and major in education. He wants to become a special-education teacher.
Before beginning his computer search, Stanley provided the computer with his biographical and educational background.
During his search, Stanley discovered that Phi Delta Kappa, the professional fraternity in education, offers scholarship grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. To become eligible, a student must be planning to be a teacher and submit a 750-word essay.
The computer printed a letter for Stanley to send to Phi Delta Kappa to request a scholarship application form.
He also researched scholarships offered by the state and JMU, and found several sources of financial aid that he will check out. Stanley also obtained information about Pell grants, the main federal program to help students pay for college. The grants are linked to family incomes and finances.
The computer program offers basic information about many colleges, including the enrollment, tuition and other data. This information helps some students decide schools to which to apply, Cleveland said.
The scholarship service is available in every room at William Fleming because the federally funded magnet program supplied computers for each room.
Students and parents are learning that they shouldn't wait until they are seniors to begin looking for scholarships and financial aid.
"I'd like to see them come in earlier," Cleveland said.
by CNB