The Lutheran High School of Kansas City

                   FAFSA and FINANCIAL RESOURCES
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Tips for Completing the FAFSA

1. October 1st is the first day you can file the FAFSA. It is important to complete the FAFSA as close October 1st as possible. College, state, and private aid deadlines can be earlier than federal aid deadlines. Pay attention to your college(s) financial aid deadline. One parent and the student can create their FSA ID prior to October 1 to be ready for when they file their FAFSA.

2. For more information, click on the free government website Completing the FAFSA. The website has a question-by-question guide to completing the FAFSA.

3. Visit Student Aid on the Web for more information in regards to the FAFSA.

4. Another resource:  //www.bankrate.com/loans/student-loans/fafsa-deadlines/  

If you have questions about the application, FAFSA on the Web or federal financial aid for students in general, call:

Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC)
800-4-FED-AID (433-3243) / TTY 800-730-8913
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time

Note: More financial aid links and an EFC calculator can be found on the "Applying to College" tab.

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Missouri's 529 Education Plan

What is a 529 savings plan?

A 529 savings plan is an investment account you can use for education savings. 

Who can open a 529?

Parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends can open a 529 savings plan. As the account owner, you will pick the investments, assign a beneficiary, and determine how the money is used. You can benefit from the state tax deduction if you are a Missouri resident.

How can I use the money in a 529 savings plan?

When used for higher-education expenses at an eligible postsecondary school, money can be used to pay for tuition, as well as room and board (with limitations). Books, supplies, fees, and equipment that are required for enrollment or attendance are also qualified higher-education expenses. Computers, certain peripheral computer equipment, internet access, and related services, and computer software are also qualified higher-education expenses if the items are to be used primarily by the student during enrollment or attendance at any eligible postsecondary school in the United States or abroad.

As of 2018, for federal tax benefit purposes, qualified expenses also include tuition of up to $10,000 per student per year in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school. In addition, Missouri taxpayers can use MOST 529 assets to pay for K–12 tuition, with no state tax consequences. State tax treatment of K–12 withdrawals is determined by the state where the taxpayer files state income tax. If you're not a Missouri taxpayer, please consult with a tax advisor.

Can 529 accounts only be used to pay for college?

No. Your 529 savings plan can be used to pay for qualified education expenses at any eligible educational institutions, including:

• Post-secondary trade and vocational schools.
• 2- and 4-year colleges.
• Postgraduate programs.
• K–12 public, private, and religious institutions (tuition only)

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College Savings Plan/Matching Program: 9th Graders Only

KC Scholars offers a college savings and matching program for freshmen only each year. Applications open January 1 - February 26.  To learn more visit:  https://kcscholars.org/traditional

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My Scholarship Central: MyMo Scholarship Promise and More

Learn about My Scholarship Central here:  https://mslf.mohela.com/.   
One program is for families of freshmen who meet eligibility criteria can apply for scholarships to assist with college planning.
Applications open on October 1 of the freshmen year. 
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Paying for College

Follow this website from Sallie Mae to learn basic information about paying for college: https://www.payingforcollegeresource.com/?dtd_cell=SMSCGESCSOSOOTOTOTHOTHRN
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Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)

MSEP offers a discounted tuition rate with an average annual tuition savings of $7,000.
The program is volunteer-based with eight states and over 70 institutions in the Midwest choosing to participate.
Current states in the MSEP are Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
To learn basic information about MSEP visit:  https://msep.mhec.org/

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SwiftStudent: Free online tool to help students apply for financial aid appeal

Has COVID-19 resulted in unexpected financial challenges after your FAFSA submission?  Would you like to request an appeal for your financial aid package? SwiftStudent is a free and secure online tool to help with the financial aid appeal process. Learn about SwiftStudent here: https://formswift.com/swift-student.

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Edmit

Edmit is a tool that helps with finding a college that is a financial fit for your family. You can learn more about Edmit by visiting this website:  https://www.edmit.me./

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                                      SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES
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Private Scholarship Opportunities for Juniors

1. The  Coolidge Scholarship is for juniors only:https://coolidgescholars.org/
https://coolidgescholars.org/. It is a full-ride, four-year scholarship used by recipients for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States. 

2.   KC Scholars Traditional Scholarship: https://kcscholars.org/traditional

Private Scholarships

Click here to find 6 great options for searching for private scholarships.

Click here to view some of the most frequently used questions for scholarship essays.

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Going Merry

Create an account with Going Merry for tips on searching for local, state, and national college scholarships as well as suggestions for writing essays. Watch this YouTube to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFlhUMPcXEo

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College Board Opportunity Scholarships

New from the College Board is a 6-Step process that seniors and juniors can complete to be candidates for college scholarships.

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MO Bright Flight Scholarship

High achieving students who meet eligibility based on ACT composite

score can receive the MO Bright Flight Scholarship. Click here to learn more.

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Journey to College: MO Resource

Journey to College helps students and parents in the state of Missouri plan and pay for college. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Higher Education, Journey to College provides information about the college through publications, social media, and events. For more information, please click here to visit the Journey to College website.

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Concordia Wisconsin: Forward in Faith Lutheran Teacher Scholarship

In addition to The Luther Promise—which provides qualifying undergraduates 6,000 and $20,000, depending on their cumulative GPA and ACT scores, Concordia University Wisconsin is also offering a stackable Forward in Faith Scholarship for future Lutheran teachers. It’s a stackable scholarship (which means it would be added to the Lutheran Promise. Directions on how to apply are on the web link here:  https://www.cuw.edu/admissions/financial-aid/undergraduate/scholarships/lutheran-teacher.html

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College Scholarships for Women

https://edubirdie.com/blog/scholarships-for-women
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Elk's  Most Valuable Student Scholarship

Look for information about the annual Elk's Scholarship each fall.

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Heisman Scholar-Athlete Scholarship for Seniors

Student-athletes can apply by the October 18, 2022  deadline at heismanscholarship.com

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Walter Morales Scholarship for Urban Education Improvement

The College Tour offers free online tours from colleges across the USA. All tours are found on

their website: www.thecollegetour.com.  Enjoy exploring colleges!

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The Midwest Christian College Expo

The  Midwest Christian College Expo is usually held in February at the Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Road, KCMO 64114 from 10 am to noon. This event is free. Over 60 Christian colleges across 15 states are typically represented. For more info call 816-524-4522. The date for 2023 will be posted once it becomes available.
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Christian Colleges

Follow these links to research a variety of Christian Colleges:https://christianconnector.com/Christian-colleges-form-SS.cfm
and  https://applicationu.com.

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               ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & INFORMATION

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Since 2002, Revolution Prep has been supporting school educators all over the world by helping their students build confidence and achieve goals. We have more than 10 years of experience offering live, online learning and offer over 100 academic and test prep subjects, starting at $99 a month (Homework Help).  We offer many scholarships too.  We will match tuition scholarships up to 75%. If you have questions or would like to schedule a free consultation for next steps, please contact [email protected] or 800-99

Follow this link to get your gift card before June 30th! You can also see a flyer here.

Research-Based Evidence on the Importance of Sleep for High School Students

How many hours of sleep is recommended for high school students? What happens to students when they pull an all-nighter? How does consistent good sleep affect mood and physical attributes such as reaction time and thinking skills?  To read the research -based information on these questions, click here.    
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Degrees in Cyber Security

Follow this link to learn more about degrees and careers in Cyber Security:  https://cyberdegreesedu.org/

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Degrees in Health Care Administration Fields

Follow this link to learn more about options in the area of Health Care Administration: https://discoverhealthadmin.org/degree
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Would you like to visit Grand Canyon University?Grand Canyon University offers the "fly-in" two-night program to discover GCU. The goal of the "fly-in" program is to be able to leave GCU with confidence in the direction you want your future to go in. The tour will include the opportunity to learn about your college of interest; identify what degree program you would like to pursue; gain in-depth program information; participate in hands-on activities; tour the campus, and meet current students in your college of interest. 

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Close Up is the nation's premier nonprofit, not partisan civic education organization. Since, 1971, over 900,000 students and teachers have participated in our experiential learning programs. 

Close Up ensures their students will have a safe and memorable trip made possible through their all-inclusive package that includes travel, lodging, 24-hour supervision, and access to medical care as needed.  Close Up is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will inspire students to become active participants in our democracy. 

If your student is interested in applying to Close Up, please contact Keri M. Cook: at [email protected] and visit www.CloseUp.org