The Powerful Process of Gratitude

The following is by Dr. Joe Vitale. It is taken from The Secret.

"What can you do right now to begin to turn your life around? The very first thing is to start making a list of things to be grateful for. This shifts your energy and starts to shift your thinking. Whereas before this exercise you might be focusing on what you don't have, your complaints, and your problems, you go in a different direction when you do this exercise. You start to be grateful for all the things that you feel good about."

Class Meets in Career/Transfer Center Today

Class will be in the Career/Transfer today. I may be called away to a special meeting. If I am not there, please do research on the scholarship binders that are in my office.

New Sallie Mae Web Site

A new Sallie Mae website, www.SallieMae.com/resources available to all parents and students--not just Sallie Mae customers--concerned about learning more about resources available to pay for tuition. Information about free resources, such as grants and scholarships, is available to help families minimize out-of-pocket expenditures and to find the right options to help ensure students stay in school. The site also includes information about payment plans available at colleges and universities to help families avoid the need for loans by making interest-free tuition payments in monthly installments. In addition, visitors can find details about various federal student loan options, including federal parent loans, that are available regardless of income, assets or collateral. Visitors to the site will be able to submit their questions to Sallie Mae for research and response.

Special Pathways Scholarship for Transfer

If you are planning on transferring this coming fall, there is a special scholarship through the Pathways to Success. This award is for two years @ $5,000 and ten students will be selected. The primary criteria will be low income so even if you have a 2.0 GPA, you should apply.

If you have any questions, please contact either Khanh Hoang, the Transfer Coordinator, or me.

I will be scheduling a workshop to give you tips on completing the application.

COD Scholarship

The COD Scholarship is online. Go to www.collegeofthedesert.edu. Click students, financial aid and then COD Scholarship on the lower left side of the page.

If you have applied before, some of your information was saved. I would recommend that you attend the workshop on March 17th in the Career/Transfer Center from 1:00 to 2:00. Please sign up with Margo at (760) 862-1351. If you are in my class, I will give the same workshop on Tuesday.

Please give a lot of thought to your essay. Create it in a word document and then copy and paste into the application. Last year, students who were not in either of the scholarship classes didn't fare too well on the essay. The first paragraph needs to "hook" the reader. It is a very important part of your application.

Last year about 500 students applied and this year there will undoubtedly be more students so the competition will be stiffer. If you want to be a winner, please take the application process seriously.

Worthy Messages

These were written by Andy Rooney:

I've learned that being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned that no matter how serious your life requires you to be everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

Who should use FAFSA4caster?

FAFSA4caster is for anyone who is not ready to file an official FAFSA, which the student must complete and submit to receive federal student aid. A student does not have to be a high school senior to use FAFSA4caster; in fact, we recommend the tool for juniors, and even as early as middle school.

School Aid

Most postsecondary schools offer aid from their institutional funds. Most require that the student submit an application in addition to FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) to be considered for institutional aid. The best source of information on aid available at a school is the school's financial aid office.

When deciding on a college, it might be a good idea to check on the type of aid being offered to incoming students. This might help in the decision making process. It might also make a college with high tuition more accessible.

National and Community Service

Americorps, a program of national and community service, provides funding for education in exchange for service. Participants can earn up to two education awards of up to $4,725 each. Individuals can use the funds either to pay current and future education expenses or repay federal student loans. Participants must be at least 17 and be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful peremanent residents. For more information, students may call 1-800-942-2677, visit www.americorps.org, or e-mail questions@americorps.org.

New Scholarships

Both the Desert Outreach Foundation and the ABWA scholarship applications are available. I'll have them in class today.

If you volunteered to help at the Career & Job Fair, it is tomorrow. I will be there at seven for the set up.

I've learned . . . That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

That when you're in love, it shows.

That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

--Andy Rooney

Today is the deadline!!

Today is the deadline for applying for the Cal Grant. Please submit your 2009/2010 FAFSA which is the vehicle for the Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, Student Loans and the Cal Grant.

If you haven't applied for the 2009/2009 FAFSA, you can still do so. this may be source of unexpected money.