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Mission:
The primary purpose of the College HelpLine Program is to work with students in the Teacher Cadet Program as well as others who need help getting into college. Priority is given to minorities, first generation college-bound students and those planning to teach. The two basic goals in the program are to assist students with the college admission process and to provide them with information on financial aid.
The Center's College HelpLine Program serves as a liaison between high schools and college admissions/financial aid representatives. College HelpLine tries to get students past the roadblocks that may discourage the prospective college student, as well as his or her parents, from pursuing a college education.To assist in finding information about college scholarships, loans and other programs, the Center publishes College Financial Newsletter, a newsletter featuring a review of current financial aid information.
The following information lists loans, scholarships and grants that are available to qualifying students who are interested in teaching. These links take you directly to the Web sites where more information is available. There are also Web sites and free services listed where a search can be conducted for additional scholarships. Finally, registration information for college entrance exams is listed.
South Carolina Need-Based Grants Program The South Carolina Need-Based Grants Program is designed to provide additional financial aid assistance to South Carolina's neediest students. To qualify, a student must be "needy" as defined by Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs. For More Information Contact:
Commission on Higher Education
1333 Main Street, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 737-2262; FAX: (803) 737-2297
http://www.che400.state.sc.us Back to Top
South Carolina Teachers Loan Program The SC Teachers Loan Program encourages South Carolina residents to enter the teaching profession by helping with college expenses. These loans are canceled by teaching in South Carolina public schools in an area of critical need. For a list of the current critical subject areas and critical geographic schools go to:http://www.scstudentloans.org For more information contact:
SC Student Loan Corporation
PO Box 21487
Columbia, SC 29221
Local phone: (803) 798-0916, Toll-free: (800) 347-2752 http://www.slc.sc.edu/wp154.aspx Back to Top
South Carolina Tuition Grants Program The purpose of the program is to provide undergraduate grant assistance to eligible South Carolina residents attending, on a full-time basis, certain independent non-profit colleges located in the state. For More Information Contact:
Tuition Grants Commission
PO Box 12159
1310 Lady Street, Suite 811
Columbia, SC 29211
(803) 734-1200; FAX: (803) 734-1426 www.sctuitiongrants.com Back to Top
Federal Stafford Loan The Federal Stafford Loan is a low variable interest loan available to at least half-time students to help pay expenses related to attending a college or university. For more information contact:
SC Student Loan Corporation
PO Box 21487
Columbia, SC 29221
Local phone: (803) 798-0916
Toll-free: (800) 347-2752 http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloans.jsp?tab=funding Back to Top
Federal PLUS Program The Federal PLUS Program was established to ease the burden that the cost of post-secondary education places on many families. Federal PLUS loans are available to parents of dependent students who need additional assistance or who may not qualify for other types of financial assistance. For more information contact:
SC Student Loan Corporation
PO Box 21487
Columbia, SC 29221
Local phone: (803) 798-0916
Toll-free: (800) 347-2752 www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2005-2006/english/types-plusloans.htm Back to Top
Other Scholarship Opportunities - Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: SC Commission on Higher Education, 1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 737-2262. This scholarship provides financial assistance to high school seniors in SC who have achieved a high score on the SAT, and have noteworthy GPA, class rank, extracurricular activities, leadership, and counselor recommendations. Students must attend a South Carolina institution. May receive up to $6700 annually.
- LIFE Scholarships: SC Commission on Higher Education, 1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 737-2293. This scholarship is available to all South Carolina residents who graduated from high school after 1995. If attending a technical college the student must have a B average to receive up to cost of attendance. If attending a 4-year institution the student must have a B average, minimal SAT score and take a minimum of 30 hours per year to receive up to cost of tuition.
- Scholarship Grants for Prospective Teachers: Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Attn. Scholarship Grants, PO Box 789, 8th and Union Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47402, (812) 339-1156. This grant is for high school seniors in the top third of their class who plan to become teachers.
- The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) - This program provides grants of up to $4,000 for students with exceptional financial need.
- The Federal Perkins Loan Program - This program provides loans for students with demonstrated need. No interest is paid while you are enrolled in college. When you leave college, you must repay the loan with 5% interest.
- The Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP) - This program provides jobs for students with demonstrated need.
- Federal Pell Grants - These grants are based on your family's financial circumstances and may be used at the college of your choice.
- Call Me MISTER - The "Call Me MISTER" Program is a collaboration between Clemson University and historically black colleges to recruit, train, certify and secure employment for minority males as elementary techers in the public schools of South Carolina. 1-800-640-2657 or http://www.callmemister.Clemson.edu
- The Ron Brown Scholarship - This scholarship is open to African-American high school seniors who are academically talented and highly motivated. Applicants must be able to demonstrate excellent academics, exceptional leadership potential, financial need and impact their communities through activities and service to others. Candidates must be pursuing full-time undergraduate degrees. Awards are $10,000 per year for four years. http://www.RonBrown.org
- Gates Millennium Scholars Program - This scholarship is aimed at expanding access to higher education to those citizens who reflect the diverse society in which we live. The scholarship is designed to icrease the number of African-American, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Americans and Hispanic Americans enrolling in and completing college degree programs. The United Negro College Fund administers the program in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the American Indian College Fund. 1-877-690-GMSP or http://www.gmsp.org.
- Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program - a federally funded program to promote student excellence and achievement, and to recognize exceptionally able students who show promise of continued excellence. www.myscschools.com/tracks/students/sch-ship.htm
- IPEDS College Opportunities On-Line - a direct link to over 9,000 colleges and universities in the United States. College Opportunities On-Line helps you find out about a specific college or set of colleges. http://www.ipeds.com
- South Carolina Tuition Prepayment Program - Information on locking in on today's tuition rates for any State public college or university with potentially significant savings in the cost of tuition when the child enrolls in college. www.scgrads.org
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WEB Sites with Free Services - CollegeLink - download applications to more than 800 colleges - http://www.collegelink.com
- EdConnect - Developed at Coastal Carolina University, this site assists educators and non-educators in making quick connections to education-related resources. http://www.coastal.edu/edconnect
- ETS Net - offers a store where you can buy books and software to study for tests http://www.ets.org/
- fastWEB! (Financial Aid Search Through the Web) - This site provides a personally tailored search of scholarships and loans which you can check for updates. http://www.fastweb.com or http://www.studentservices.com/fastweb
- Kaplan - info on standardized tests such as the SAT http://www.kaplan.com
- NerdWorld: Financial Assistance - An index of on-line outlets of financial aid facts and sources - http://www.nerdworld.com/nw1178.html
- Peterson's - This website brings together, at one central address, consistently organized information about educational opportunities at all levels, and gives individuals the ability to search Peterson's databases, as well as to request more information and apply to a school or program. www.petersons.com
- RSP Funding Focus - This site provides an enormous compilation of scholarships, grants, fellowships, internships and other sources of free money for undergraduates, graduates and professionals. American Online keyword RSP
- ThinkCollege- The Think College web site has been designed to provide information on educational opportunities beyond high school for learners of all ages. http://ed.gov/offices/OPE/thinkcollege/index.html
- WebWare SAT Skill Lessons - lessons are provided to help you review the math and verbal skills tested on the SAT http://www.testprep.com/
- XAP.com - This site will allow you to download college applications in any computer format. http://www.xap.com
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Registration for College Entrance Exams - SAT Registration : College Board APT, P.O. Box 6200, Princeton, NJ 08451-6200 (609-771-7600) or http://www.collegeboard.com
- ACT Registration: American College Testing Program, ACT Registration, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, Iowa 52243 (319-337-1270) or http://www.act.org
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Miscellaneous Information Differences between the ACT and SAT Online Financial Aid Services Information to find South Carolina Financial Aid Offices
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