High school grads move on with the help of scholarships
May 31, 2006 - Posted in ScholarshipMillions of dollars are at stake for several thousand area high school students who are due to graduate soon and move on to higher education.
Keeping these students focused on pursuing scholarships or financial aid is a year-round task for Laureen Cardoza, the Merced Union High School District’s college admissions, financial aid and scholarships counselor, and Karen Hazeltine, guidance technician.
The last of five scholastic awards nights wound up Thursday at Atwater High School. This year, just shy of $2 million was dispensed to Merced, Golden Valley, Atwater, Buhach Colony and Livingston high school students in scholarships.
Cardoza said local students also are receiving between $5 million and $6 million in financial aid, including government and university grants, loans and work study funds.
While May is crunch time for getting situated for college, Cardoza said students explore options and apply for scholarships or grants all year long.
Most students need prodding or encouragement as they navigate a complicated system gravitating even more to the Internet.
About 30 percent of Merced Union High School District students get scholarships. Twenty-two to 25 percent of graduates go to a four-year college; another 45 percent go to two-year colleges.
Approximate awards this year by school include: Merced, $800,000; Atwater and Buhach Colony, $300,000 each; Golden Valley, $500,000; and Livingston High, $98,000, according to Cardoza.
“Our community is extremely generous for students who work hard and apply for scholarships,” Cardoza said. “The number of scholarships has grown every year.”
Brent Saulsbury, 18, is a Golden Valley High senior set to graduate with a 4.02 grade point average. He credits Cardoza and Hazeltine for helping him navigate the requirements for getting scholarships.
“Without their help, it wouldn’t have been as easy or successful,” he said.
Saulsbury, who plans to attend Merced College for two years majoring in fire technology and then transfer to California State University, Humboldt, in Arcata to get a bachelor’s degree in forestry, will receive $2,800 from six scholarships including a $300 annual Bloss Memorial Scholarship.
He initially applied for 10 scholarships and it took about four hours’ work to prepare each scholarship. He started exploring scholarship opportunities in January.
Characterizing herself as a behind-the-scenes person, Hazeltine said she tries as much as possible to help students navigate the system.
“It’s exciting to see students be able to go where they want to go,” Hazeltine said. “The kids are great and lots of fun. This job gives lots of personal satisfaction; I love it.”
While many students from low-income families believe they won’t be able to receive assistance, the opposite is true, Cardoza said. These individuals can receive grants that pay their way through college.
Saulsbury’s advice for fellow students is to try hard early and get good grades, which will pay off in the end. He said not to give up on scholarships and added having strong essay-writing skills is important.
Cardoza has been in her current position for nine years and 16 years with the district. In the first three weeks of school each fall, she meets with all seniors to give them an overview of the scholarship and financial aid process, which is reinforced in the monthly Counseling Cues newsletter.
The district has continued to support the scholarship- financial aids program and that has benefited many students. Some students need a great deal of help while others are more self-reliant, Cardoza said.
Source: mercedsunstar.com