St. Louis University High School

• Individual appointments to discuss final college choice
• Seniors should notify their counselor of admissions decisions as they receive them.

Having Trouble Deciding Where to Go?

It is now the time in the college selection process when the final choice has to be made. For some seniors this is very simple because they have applied to only one college. For others this choice is more complicated because they have several schools from which to choose. It is also necessary for some students to make decisions about financial aid packages. We strongly encourage seniors to make an appointment with their counselor during April to discuss these choices.

There are several things you can do at home as well.

First, try to help your son to keep focused. Losing sight of your main reson for going to college is the biggest problem. After all of his careful planning and consideration now is not the time to use the "draw a name from the hat" technique. There are so many outside factors influencing your son - parents, friends, family members, faculty - that it is difficult for him to focus on his needs. You might encourage him to make a chart using the following information to help him visualize and summarize all of the information:

1. List the essential factors that you are looking for in a school, i.e., majors, strengths of academic program, cost, financial aid, faculty, student body, campus, academic atmosphere, etc., on the side of the chart.
2. List the names of the schools at the top of the chart.
3. Evaluate the schools where you have been admitted using these criterion.

Second, if he has not visited the schools yet, April would be the time to do so.

Third, discuss the financial pros and cons of each school.

FYI: Interest-Free Loans

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis has an Interest-Free Loan Program available to secondary students working toward vocational, undergraduate and advanced degrees at accredited educational institutions. The average interest-free loan is $2,200 per year for an undergraduate student. The loan may be renewed annually. At the completion of the degree or certificate program a twelve month grace period is granted. Repayment is scheduled over a five year period. (60 monthly payments).

Eligibility: To apply, you must:

1. Be a citizen of the United States or in possession of an Alien Registration Card.
2. Be a permanent resident of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Franklin County, Jefferson County, or St. Charles County for at least two years prior to the date of application.
3. Demonstrate financial need.
4. Be a responsible borrower, without history of educational loan default or bankruptcy.
5. Have achieved a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in high school or college course work.

Deadlines: Applications are available twice per year (January 1 to April 15 and August 1 to November 15). The deadline is April 15 to be considered for an annual loan award. Funding is limited and restricted to one semester for application materials received by the November 15 deadline. All required application materials must be submitted by the deadline.

Application Process:

All of the following items must be received by the deadline (April 15 or November 15).

1. A completed and signed application
2. A photocopy of your Student Aid Report (SAR). No later than six weeks prior to the application deadline, mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (available through your school, college financial aid office, or The Scholarship Foundation office) to obtain a Student Aid Report.
3. A personal paragraph must be written describing your career plans and goals.
4. A photocopy of the federal income tax return including all schedules and forms for you and your parents.
5. A recommendation form (enclosed with the application), which must be completed by an employer, teacher, or school counselor.
6. An official academic transcript from your high school or college registrar's office should be sent directly to The Scholarship Foundation office.
7. A photocopy of the financial aid award letter you received from your college financial aid office.

Since resources are limited, The Scholarship Foundation cannot fund every student who applies.

To obtain an application for all programs administered by The Scholarship Foundation, send a self-addressed stamped business size envelope to:

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
8215 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63117

If you have questions, please call
The Scholarship Foundation office at (314) 725-7990 or send an e-mail to the following address: schlrshpfd@stlnet.com

Office hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday