The secret to gaining financial aid and scholarships—APPLY!

Wright State University students are encouraged to apply for Continuing Student Scholarships by Feb. 15.

As a part of Financial Aid Awareness Month in February, Wright State University is sponsoring a week of events that includes sessions for understanding the financial aid process and gaining scholarship consideration.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion workshops and sessions about understanding your personal financial obligations will take place next week, Feb. 11 through Feb. 15, which coincides with the continuing student scholarship deadline.

Apply online for scholarships before the Continuing Student Scholarship deadline of Feb. 15 because you never know for what you might qualify for.

Financial Aid Awareness Week workshops and sessions are free to any Wright State student. For each session attended, students will earn an entry into the drawing for a Nook e-reader.  The drawing for the Nook will take place on Friday, Feb. 15.

“For a number of years, the Office of Financial Aid has hosted on-campus FAFSA Workshops for current students,” said Mary Reshad, coordinator of default management and financial literacy programs. “Completing the application has gotten so much easier in recent years, but for many students it can still seem pretty daunting.”

Several financial aid experts will be on hand at the FAFSA workshops to help students find the right website to get started and answer questions while they complete the application, which takes 20 to 25 minutes to complete.

“Getting the word out about financial aid, the process, getting as much gift aid as you can is important, but I also think understanding your personal financial obligations are a big component of this week too,” said Reshad.

Below is a complete list of the week’s events:

Monday, Feb. 11

Financial Aid/Scholarships 101

Presented By: Mary Reshad and Bryan Martin from the Office of Financial Aid

3:30–4:30 p.m., 129 Medical Sciences Building

This session will provide an overview of the Financial Aid process at Wright State, scholarship opportunities and tips for continuing undergraduate students. Cookies provided.

Tuesday, Feb. 12

Understanding Your Credit: Solving the Mystery of Credit Reporting

Presented By: D. R. Fannin, Center of Economic Education, Raj Soin College of Business

12:30–1:30 p.m., 129 Medical Sciences Building

Have you ever wondered what a credit report is and why credit scores are important? This session will cover the answers to those questions and the top 10 credit mistakes, tips on how to improve your credit score and much more. Cookies provided.

Respect Your Wallet: Financial Awareness

Presented By: Ivy Williams, Community Development Representative, Wright-Patt Credit Union

5–6 p.m., 125 Medical Sciences Building

Students will learn how to stretch their collegiate pockets, get the best bang for their budget and save early for future success! It’s not how much you have, it’s what you do with it that counts!

Wednesday, Feb. 13 & Thursday, Feb. 14

FAFSA Workshops

Staffed by Wright State University financial aid experts

6–8 p.m., 016 Library Annex

Completing the FAFSA online takes an average of 20–25 minutes. You will need to bring the following items: 2012 Federal Income Tax Return and/or 2012 W-2’s; your parents’/spouse’s 2012 Federal Income Tax Return and/or 2012 W-2’s; any other 2012 benefit and/or income information; and student Federal PIN number (available at www.pin.ed.gov).

Friday, Feb.  15

Deadline to apply for Continuing Student Scholarships

In order to be considered for a number of scholarships, students are encouraged to apply online before the February 15 deadline.

“The pool of students changes each year for these scholarships. A student who may have not been selected for a certain scholarship last year might be at the top of the list this year,” said Angie Brookey, scholarship coordinator. “Students need to keep applying annually and definitely check out our website.”

Visit http://www.wright.edu/raider-connect/loans-scholarships-and-grants/continuing-student-scholarships to learn more about the upcoming deadline and other scholarship application requirements.