Today’s post gives you the “skinny” on some opportunities for parents and for students. I hope you find the information helpful.
Need help with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
Attend one—or all—of these webinars
The FAFSA for the 2023-24 year opened Oct. 1. All students who wish to be considered for financial aid—including grants, loans and scholarships—must fill out the form each year.
Many of you are probably old hands at filling out the FAFSA by now, but for others it undoubtedly is still a challenge. Honestly, most of the parents I know who have grappled with this form consider successfully completing it to be a major triumph, something along the lines of climbing Mt. Everest.
However, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Longwood’s Office of Financial Aid is ready to lend a hand. They’re offering a series of webinars to help you prepare for and understand the FAFSA. You can access these virtual webinars here, https://longwood-edu.zoom.us/j/91000769600.
FAFSA Webinar Schedule
Oct. 21 7-8 p.m.
Nov. 12 10-11 a.m.
Jan. 13 7-8 p.m.
Feb. 11 10-11 a.m.
Feb. 25 10-11 a.m.
Keep in mind that Longwood’s priority filing deadline is March 1, 2023. The Office of Financial Aid must receive your student’s FAFSA by this date to determine their eligibility for most federal and state grants. If a student submits the FAFSA after this date, they would miss their opportunity to receive this gift aid.
If you have a question or concern about the FAFSA that you’d like to address one-on-one with a financial aid staff member, you can make an appointment for a virtual meeting here: go.longwood.edu/finaidappt.
A Great Campus Job
Applications now being accepted for resident assistants
If your student plans to live on campus next year and will have at least one year of campus residence by the beginning of the fall semester, they might want to consider applying to be a resident assistant. Applications, which can be found online here, are being accepted through noon on Friday, Dec. 2.
Resident assistants get free housing and a base meal plan. They also get great leadership, decision-making and event-planning experience that will enhance their resumes when they are searching for that first job after college.
Students eligible to apply must
—Be a full-time student while employed
—Have no judicial record
—Have lived in Longwood-managed housing for one academic year prior to fall 2023
—Have a minimum 2.5 GPA (both semester and cumulative)
—Commit to the entire 2023-24 academic year (fall and spring semesters; this means student teachers, students studying abroad for a full semester, peer mentors, varsity athletes and students graduating in fall 2023 are not eligible)
In addition, the housing office looks for students who
—Are involved and love helping others
—Advocate for their peers and are creative
—Are willing to learn and meet new people
$3,000 Study Abroad Scholarships Available
Longwood’s Center for Global Engagement is offering a new scholarship this year: the ESC Summer Leadership Program Scholarship, which will award $3,000 each to two Lancers to use for participation in this excellent program through the European Study Center in Strasbourg, France. Students in the program can choose between two four-week summer sessions worth 6 credits each.
Applications, which can be found online here, are due no later than Nov. 1. Questions can be sent to studyabroad@longwood.edu.
—Sabrina Brown