This is  a great time to take advantage of these scholarship opportunities.  The deadlines are approaching fast so act quickly!

National Guard Associaton of Atlanta

Scholarship Deadline- 4/15/2009

Scholarship Amount- Up to $5,000-renewable each year up to five years

Ideal for Who?- Policyholders with the Insurance Trust who are members of the NGAGA or the EANGGA, their children, their grandchildren, or their spouses- minimum SAT 1000, GPA 3.0, be full-time enrolled in college or university, some graduate honor from high school

Requirements- Online application, letter from applicant about desire to continue education, final transcript, three letters of recommendation, proof of acceptance to college/university, agreement to continue with Trust two years after completing the school year for which the scholarship was awarded

Website- http://www.ngaga.org/scholarship.html

Application Link-http://www.ngaga.org/application.doc

Mailing Address-

Georgia Guard Insurance Trust
PO Box 889
Mableton, GA 30126

Dreams2 Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Deadline- 4/13/2009

Scholarship Amount- $2,000

Ideal for Who?- High school senior with minimum 2.0 GPA and maximum 3.0 GPA, financial need, full-time enrollment in college or university, cannot have a relative on Dreams2 Scholarship Committee

Region- Local-North Georgia Counties

Requirements- Online application.  Please visit the website for information about setting up an Application Identification Number needed to fill out the application and view scholarship

Website- http://www.cfgreateratlanta.org/Grants-Support/Scholarships.aspx

Application Link- https://www.applyists.net/IntroPage.asp

Mailing Address-

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 449

Atlanta, GA 30303

Pattillo Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Deadline- 4/13/2009

Scholarship Amount- $3,500 annually for up to four years

Ideal for Who?- For graduating high school seniors or undergraduate students pursuing an undergraduate degree with preference shown to employees of Pattillo Construction Corporation and their dependents, minimum 2.0 GPA

Requirements- An online application is required.  Please visit the website for information about setting up an Application Identification Number needed to fill out the application.

Description of Essay(s)-Login Identification Number is required to view scholarship application details

Website- http://www.cfgreateratlanta.org/Grants-Support/Scholarships/Pattillo-Scholarship-Fund.aspx

Application Link- http://www.applyists.net/

Mailing Address-

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 449

Atlanta, GA 30303

If you live in Georgia you will want to take advantage of these scholarship opportunities.  The deadlines are approaching fast so act quickly!

Nancy Penn Lyons scholarship Fund

Scholarship Deadline- 4/13/2009

Scholarship Amount- $5000, renewable for up to four years

Ideal for Who?- For students with financial need who have been accepted for enrollment at prestigious or out-of-state universities with a history of community service.  Students attending public colleges or universities in the state of Georgia are not eligible to receive this scholarship

Region- Statewide

Requirements- An online application is required.  Please visit the website for information about setting up an Application Identification Number needed to fill out the application.

Description of Essay(s)- Login Identification Number is required to view scholarship application details

Website- http://www.cfgreateratlanta.org/Grants-Support/Scholarships/Nancy-Penn-Lyons-Scholarship-Fund-.aspx

Application Link- http://www.applyists.net/

Mailing Address-

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 449

Atlanta, GA 30303

Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA)

 Scholarship Deadline- 4/1/2009

Scholarship Amount- $3000 and $1000

Ideal for Who?- Georgia high school graduate who is pursuing an education as a professional pilot, or in  aviation maintenance technology, aviation operations, aviation management, and other aviation-related disciplines

Region- Statewide (Georgia)

Requirements- Online application, 500-1000 essay, high school transcript and college transcript (if already enrolled)

Description of Essay(s)- Essay topic: how this scholarship will impact the pursuit of career goals (including the focused aviation discipline and whether or not student plans to return to Georgia to pursue those goals)

Website- http://www.gbaa.org/scholarship.htm

Application Link-http://www.gbaa.org/ftp/GBAA%20Scholarship%20Application%202009%20Georgia%20High%20School%20Graduates.pdf

Mailing Address-

GBAA

PO Box 43327

Atlanta, GA 30336

North Georgia Community Foundation- Various Scholarships

Scholarship Deadline- 4/1/2009

Scholarship Amount- Various

Ideal for Who?- Most are geared toward high school seniors in specific counties, but a few are for younger or older students

Region- Local-North Georgia Counties

Requirements- This website is a source for 20 local scholarships.  Each individual scholarship has its own link for eligibility and requirements

Description of Essay(s)- Varies for each scholarship

Website- http://www.ngcf.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=220&srcid=234

Mailing Address-

Scholarships Manager

615 Oak Street, Suite 1300

Gainesville, GA 30501

Over the years the question we heard most often was “Where do we find scholarships?”. We found that many students were applying for national scholarships although they had little or no luck in receiving any awards. So why is this? When applying for national scholarships you may be one of the tens of thousands that are applying for the scholarship. We found that the majority of students were not applying for scholarships that are available right where they live.  By applying for scholarships that are only available for a certain region, specific school, county, state, interest, or organization you can significantly increase your odds of getting money for college. This blog focuses on scholarships and other financial incentives available in the state of Georgia and the southeast region.  Here is a list of scholarships closing soon so you will want to get your application out as soon as possible

Julian and Jan Hester Memorial Scholarships

Scholarship Deadline- 3/27/2009

Scholarship Amount- $1,000

Ideal for Who?- Georgia high school seniors who will be entering a Georgia college, university or trade school.

Region- Statewide (Georgia)

Requirements- The application must be submitted to the Association through a CBA (Community Bankers Association) member community bank, essay, teacher reference,

Description of Essay(s)- Essay topic: Community Banking- not to exceed 500 words

Website- http://www.cbaofga.com/marketing/hester-scholarship.php

Application Link-http://www.cbaofga.com/admin/files/Julian%20and%20Jan%20Hester.pdf

Mailing Address-

Community Bankers Association of Georgia

Attention: The Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee

1900 The Exchange

Suite 600

Atlanta, GA 30339-2022

Levi A. Simon III Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Deadline- 3/30/2009

Scholarship Amount- See Application

Ideal for Who?- Dekalb High School Senior or Graduate majoring in: Mass Communications, Pre-Law, Arts, or Education

Region- Dekalb County, Georgia

Requirements- Online application, transcript, two letters of recommendation

Description of Essay(s)- Three essays: (1) career or major choice, (2) major problem faced, (3) most rewarding educational experience- each not to exceed 1 page.

Website- http://www.odegaenea.org/

Mailing Address-

Organization of Dekalb Educators

Levi A. Simon III Scholarship 2009

100  Crescent Centre Pkwy

Suite 290

Tucker, GA 30084

Crystal Green Scholarship Program

Scholarship Deadline- 3/31/2009

Scholarship Amount- $1,500

Ideal for Who?- High school student, especially a blood donor,  who is looking to give back to their community.  Financial need is a consideration.

Region- Statewide (and surrounding southeast states)

Requirements- Written application, high school transcript, school and community service, letters of recommendation, and a marketing plan for a blood drive.

Description of Essay(s)- Marketing plan for a promotional blood drive event of your design. Please include a one page summary and analysis of your plan, followed by a detailed plan of attack for your program.

Website- http://www.bloodassurance.org/crystalGreen.html

Application Link- http://www.bloodassurance.org/docs/crystal%20green%20application%20revised%202007.htm

Mailing Address-

Blood Assurance Foundation, Inc.

Crystal Green Memorial Scholarship Program

Blood Assurance, Inc.

705 East Fourth Street

Chattanooga, TN 37403

National Association for Campus Activities NACA Southeast Region Student Leadership Scholarship

Scholarship Deadline- 3/31/2009

Ideal for Who?- Undergraduate student leaders enrolled in former NACA Southeast Region Schools.  High school students are not eligible.

Region- Statewide (and states in former NACA Southeast Region)

Requirements- Online application, two letters of recommendation, resume with leadership skills, activities, and accomplishments listed, verification of enrollment from school.

Description of Essay(s)- Resume listing leadership skills, activities, and accomplishments; 100-word biography.

Website-http://forms.naca.org/NACA/Forms/NACA+Southeast+Student+Leadership+Scholarships.htm

Mailing Address-

If cannot submit online, please mail to:

NACA Office

attention Dionne Ellison

13 Harbison Way

Columbia, SC, 29212

American Opportunity Tax Credit (formerly known as the Hope Scholarship Credit)-This is a maximum $2,500 tax credit available for the payment of qualified expenses to attend post secondary school in 2009 and 2010.  In order to take advantage of the full $2,500 tax credit it will be necessary to have $4,000 in qualified expenses.  The first $2,000 of qualified expenses will receive a dollar for dollar credit and the next $2,000 in qualified expenses will receive a credit for $.25 of each dollar.  This credit can be applied against one’s tax liability.  If there is little or no tax liability a refund can be issued for up to 40% ($1,000 maximum) of the estimated credit. 

Qualified Expenses-These expenses include tuition and certain related expenses required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution.  For the years 2009 to 2010 the costs for course materials or textbooks will also be considered a qualified expense.  

Income Limits-The phase-out and income limits for a single taxpayer start at $80,000 and are completely eliminated at $90,000.  For taxpayers filing a joint return the phase-out begins at $160,000 until the $180,000 maximum income level is reached.

 Qualified Tuition Program (529 Plan)-For the years 2009 to 2010 the definition of eligible expenses now include a computer, computer equipment, and internet access for a student and their families.  The typical qualified expenses include amounts paid for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and reasonable costs of room and board at an eligible educational institution.  In 2011 computers and computer equipment will not qualify unless they are required as a condition of enrollment or attendance. 

Coordination of Qualified Expenses-With the expansion of the tax credit under the American Opportunity Tax Credit this credit will use up more of the qualified expenses ($4,000) in taking advantage of the tax free benefit.  The same qualified expenses cannot be used for other tax savings.  This will result in fewer opportunities to take advantage of tax free distributions from a 529 plan.  If you combine this with the drop in the stock market, any 529 plans with an exposure to the stock market may have net losses and not gains.

 Work Study Programs-A total of $200 million will be spent on the work study program.  The federal work study program has been expanded so thousands of additional students will be part of the program.

 Pell Grants-Congress has made it easier for more students to qualify for Pell Grants through additional funding.  In addition, the rules for filing as an independent student will make it easier for many.  The maximum Pell Grant will increase to $5,350 for the 2009-2010 year, up from $4,731 for the 2008-2009 year .

Academic Competitiveness Grant and the National Smart Grant-By increasing the number of Pell Grant recipients more students will be able to qualify for the Academic Competitiveness Grant and the National Smart Grant.   The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is $750 for the first year and $1,300 for the second year. The maximum National Smart Grant is $4,000 in the third and fourth years of college.  In order to qualify the student must have a rigorous academic program in high school and pursuing a specific math or science field in college.

Additional Funding for the Colleges

Build America Bonds- The Build America Bonds will be taxable securities subsidized by the federal government.  Typically, tax-free bonds are issued by colleges and carry a lower rate than taxable bonds.  The lower interest rates are offset by the tax savings.  It is important to consider a taxable equivalent yield in making a decision.     

The subsidy would come in one of two ways.  Buyers would receive a tax credit equal to 35 percent on the interest payments or issuers would receive a subsidy from the federal government equal to 35 percent of the interest they are paying.

A college could have substantial savings by issuing Build America taxable bonds.  For example, if the bonds have a taxable market rate of 5 percent compared to a tax-free bond paying about 4 percent, the effective cost of borrowing would be 3.25 percent.