GEAR UP Scholarship

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GEAR UP Scholarship

• Attention GEAR UP Seniors!
• Its time to apply for the GEAR UP Scholarship!

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Introduction

• You may be eligible for up to a 10,000
  scholarship, but first you must apply.
• Who should apply? All GEAR UP seniors are
  encouraged to apply. If you do not apply as a
  senior, you will not have another opportunity to
  apply after graduation.

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Eligibility Requirements

• Student must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Students should have a minimum cumulative GPA of
  2.0 or higher.
• Students must apply for the College Opportunity
  Fund (COF)
• Students must fill out the Free Application for
  Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Students must qualify for financial need.

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Federal Aid

• GEAR UP is a Federal program for low income
  students.
• The Federal Department of Education provides the
  guidelines for scholarship eligibility.
• Academic ability, residency, and financial need
  are included in the guidelines.

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College Opportunity Fund

• The College Opportunity Fund https//cofweb.cslp.o
  rg/cofapp/
• You can apply for your stipend at any time.
• The COF stipend is goes towards your tuition,
  paid by the state.

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Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
PIN

• If you have not yet filed for a FAFSA PIN, please
  do so
• Once you receive your PIN keep it in a safe
  place. You will need it each year to log in to
  your FAFSA account and to make any changes.

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FAFSA

• FAFSA should be filled out as soon as you have
  your tax information each year.
• Many schools have priority deadlines. File early
  to increase opportunities.

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Student Aid Report (SAR)

• Shortly after filing your FAFSA you will receive
  a Student Aid Report (SAR)
• The SAR will indicate the types of aid in which
  you are eligible
• It may include a Pell Grant, other grants and
  loans as means to fund your education.
• The GEAR UP scholarship will NOT be on the SAR.

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Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

• You Student Aid Report will also include your
  estimated family contribution (EFC).
• The EFC is calculated using the financial
  strength of the household compared to the cost of
  attendance and the number of people living in the
  household.
• The EFC is not the amount of money you are
  expected to pay. It is used to determine your
  financial need.

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What EFC means to you

• To qualify for the GEAR UP scholarship, you must
  have an EFC of 5775 or less.
• If you have an EFC of 3850 or less you will also
  qualify for the Pell Grant.
• If you have questions about your EFC please
  contact your financial aid office.

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Next Steps

• Complete your Scholarship File
• A complete GEAR UP application
• A copy of your most recent transcript
• A recommendation form/letter.
• Apply to colleges
• For a complete list of participating colleges
  please refer to your scholarship folder
• Students are encourages to apply to multiple
  schools.

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Award Letter

• Once your scholarship applications are processed
  will send award letters indicating the amount of
  your scholarship award.
• GEAR UP staff will come to your school to provide
  detailed information about the disbursement
  process.

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Final Eligibility

• Final scholarship eligibility will be made though
  the schools financial aid office
• Remember that your financial status will be
  re-evaluated each year. If your EFC is too high
  but changes the next year you may still qualify.

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Questions

• If there are further questions please call the
  central GEAR UP office
• 303-866-2723 or by mail
• 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 1200
• Denver, CO 80204
• To Celina Duran or Christina Ingrum