Dear Families & Students,
It is hard to believe 2023 is already coming to an end! Unlike past years, this December has turned into our de facto financial aid month – see below for details on upcoming events to support families and students.
First and foremost, Financial Aid Night is happening TOMORROW, Tuesday, December 5, from 6:30-7:30 pm in the LBHS Library or on Zoom**. **We will have the opportunity to learn from David Aramaki about the financial aid system and paying for post-secondary educational expenses. David has joined us on a number of occasions to share his expertise in helping families navigate the options for funding their children’s educational pursuits post-high school. All families and students in grades 7-12 are welcome, and seniors/senior families are encouraged to attend. Bring all your burning questions about financial aid and saving for college!
Update on FAFSA release + FAFSA Help Nights in January
We are still waiting for the official release date of the 2024-2025 FAFSA! We know it will happen by December 31, likely during the MVSD winter break. When we return from winter break, I’ll be hosting one or more FAFSA Help Nights for families who would like to fill out the application in the supportive environment of the LBHS Library. The first opportunity will be on Friday, January 5, from 5-7 pm. These help nights will be informal, drop-in sessions – parents are welcome to stop by to ask questions during the BB games or stay as long as they like and complete the entire FAFSA. Other dates will be scheduled based on student/family interest.
A Few Important Scholarship Opportunities
Montana State University WUE Scholarships - Applications Due January 3
MSU will be offering a very limited number of Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarships to new freshmen enrolling in the fall of 2024. The WUE application is open, and instructions to apply can be found on MSU’s Nonresident Scholarships page. The deadline for WUE scholarship consideration is January 3, 2024. Due to the high value of WUE and the volume of applications, the scholarship is limited and extremely competitive. Students are encouraged to apply early and to complete the application carefully. Students will be notified in mid-February if they have been awarded WUE.
Okanogan County Bar Association Scholarship - Application Due January 15
The Okanogan County Bar Association Scholarship Committee will award a $1,200 scholarship to a student who will enroll in a two or four-year college for the Fall of 2024. To apply, students need to write an essay of up to 1,000 words about their plans for higher education (where will you go, what will you study, and why) and how they intend to use their degree to impact the legal field. Submissions must be emailed by January 15, 2024, to the Okanogan County Bar Association: OkanoganCountyBarAssociation@gmail.com.
Washington State University General Scholarship Application - Due January 31
Like many other institutions, WSU uses a general application to award dozens of different merit-based scholarships. Prospective students need to fill out the scholarship app no later than January 31, 2024, even if they have not yet committed to attending WSU.
Happy Holidays! Please let me know how I can help you this month!
With gratitude,
Beth/Ms. Anderson