Scholarship Help/How to get a Scholarship

Scholarship Help

Hello. We think we know you. You are a good student, maybe even a great or fabulous student. You are looking forward to going to college. Or, more likely, you are in your senior year and getting organized for the full-court press of getting into the college of your choice and getting the scholarship you need to be sure you and your family can afford this next step of your education.
It's pretty exciting and more than a little nerve-racking. You're already dealing with the pressures of your high school career, and they are significant, we know. The process of getting ready, getting into, and paying for college is a very big, extra project in your already crowded life.
You may be reading this Web site because you've already concluded that you will apply for a scholarship. Or the question of whether to apply for scholarships may not have an obvious answer for you yet. Either way, it's sensible to read our Web site and get the facts about college scholarships as well as the best advice we can offer about how to succeed in winning scholarships.
We will spend time on this Web site explaining how college funding works, the types of college scholarships available, how to find a scholarship, and how to apply for one. That's pretty standard issue for a Web site about scholarships, although we think (if you'll pardon us saying so) that we've done an excellent job of being comprehensive and readable. Here's what's different.

How To Win Scholarships

We know that the path to success in earning scholarships has approximately three parts. (This process is hardly so simplistic that anyone should presume to do more than approximate the components.)

• You must to be able to organize and prioritize

You must be able to write about a variety of topics, that may or may not be exciting to you, in a fluid and thoughtful way, demonstrating that you are a scholar or would like to be a scholar.

• You must be able to write about a variety of topics that may or may not be exciting to you in a fluid and thoughtful way, demonstrating that you are a scholar or would like to be a scholar.

This may be the most difficult part about becoming a successful scholarship winner. However, we know that with some help, you can do it.

• You must understand yourself well enough to create a compelling portrait of who you are. You must understand your audience well enough to be able to position your skills and strengths as deserving of their support.

Knowing yourself takes more work than writing down a list of extracurricular activities. We will help you learn how to find the "method behind the madness" of your life and present it in a winning way. Why? Because scholarship committees award funding to candidates they can understand and relate to and who distinguish themselves from other candidates by their ability to communicate their special-ness.
Should you apply for scholarships? We think so. Why? Beyond the obvious fact that every extra dollar can help you and your family, the scholarship process is also a way to develop the winning skills that will serve you well in whatever you do in your life. The ability to organize, prioritize, write well, match message to audience and most of all, know yourself, are gifts you should give yourself as soon as possible. Use this website and the scholarship process to get yourself ready for the rest of your life.
By the way, if you happen to be a parent reading this website, please encourage your son or daughter to look for scholarships, following our approach. Just think how much smoother their path will be if they hone these skills now, before they leave your nest. If you're reading this website we know we don't really need to say this but we'll do it anyway. They'll need your help and support.
College scholarships are the ideal form of student aid, as they're basically gifts that never have to be repaid. On the other hand, student loans must be repaid, but they're made at very low interest rates, and you're usually you're not required to begin repayment until six months after you graduate. Some student loans require you to prove financial need, but some of them don't. Many students turn to student loans as a method to pay for college. Basically, if you cannot get access to the free money you have to borrow it in the form of a student loan.

Types of Scholarships Available

Scholarships originate from a variety of sources. This section will help you understand who awards scholarships and why they support college education through this specialized funding.

College Scholarships Come In Many Forms

College-Specific Awards

Colleges often have scholarship money available that is used to develop the financial package offered to an applicant who has been granted admission. These types of scholarships are available under a variety of terms that may include maintaining a certain GPA or pursuing a specific major.

Athletic Scholarships

Many athletes dream of going to college on an athletic scholarship. It's possible to achieve that dream, but these types of scholarships are highly competitive and the application process is a world unto itself. Awards are made through colleges, and applying for an athletic scholarship is akin to marketing yourself for a starring movie role. If you are interested in winning an athletic scholarship, go immediately to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Web site and begin reading as fast as you can.
According to the NCAA, athletic scholarships for undergraduate student-athletes at Division I and Division II schools are partially funded through the NCAA membership revenue distribution. These scholarships are awarded directly by each academic institution and not the NCAA. About $1 billion in athletic scholarships are awarded each year. Over 126,000 student-athletes receive either a partial or full athletic scholarship. Division III schools offer only academic scholarships. They do not offer athletic scholarships.
Second, contact the financial aid office of the school you hope to attend. They should have lots of information about available awards.
Third, find and read detailed information about the process of winning athletic scholarships. You might start with the site, www.collegesportsscholarships.com, created by an athlete and his dad to help other athletes understand the scholarship process. It's all free and is a good starting point. Also, the Fund My Future site, www.fundmyfuture.info, provides a lot of good, free information.

Academic Awards

These merit-based scholarships are awarded by your college for academic achievement. Inquire about these awards at your school's financial aid office, though you may not even have to apply for an academic award; they are often wrapped into the financial aid package offered by the college, based on your college application.

Departmental Awards

Specific departments may have scholarships available to attract or retain students in the department's field of study. If you know what your major will be, contact that department to inquire about scholarships.

Private Organizations

There are thousands of private organizations that offer scholarship awards, ranging from $50 to $20,000 and more. Within the "private" category, there are many types of organizations to consider.

Corporations

Corporations offer scholarships to attract and retain employees, support the communities where the business is located, and encourage entrants into the business's field of work. These are often the scholarships that go unawarded for lack of applicants.
Search for corporation scholarships by checking with your parents' employers for possible programs, researching businesses in your region, and searching your newspaper's archives for award announcements. You may have a much greater chance of receiving a private corporation award because geographic, employment, and other restrictions narrow the number of candidates.

Religious Organizations

Religious organizations often award scholarships to help their members afford the cost of college. If you and your family are affiliated with a specific religious group, check with your local group about the availability of scholarships, as these types of scholarships are sometimes easier to qualify for than other kinds.

Unions

Unions are a major source of scholarship funds. The AFL-CIO Web site is good place to start searching for union-sponsored scholarships.

High School or School District

Your high school may offer scholarships to graduating students. Your high school guidance counselor can provide information about availability.

Chamber of Commerce

Chambers often have scholarship programs, and they can be great sources of information about which businesses in your community offer scholarships.

Other Private Organizations

The ubiquitous category "other" is really the mother lode of scholarship opportunities. There are thousands of scholarships available, given by organizations that wish to further their mission by supporting the education of students. This category of scholarships is the reason for using a Web search engine to identify suitable opportunities in this vast universe of money offers.

The Military

The military is a well-known source of college scholarships. The Air Force ROTC program can pay up to full college tuition, plus a stipend for books. Military scholarships are awarded in return for a tour of duty with the branch of the military supporting your education. Be sure you're prepared to fulfill the terms of your scholarship agreement. If the prospect of military service fits with your goals, a military scholarship may be an excellent way for you to underwrite your college education. Use the military link at www.students.gov to locate the sites that you should search for military scholarships, including special scholarships for veterans.

State and Federal Sources of Financial Aid Funds

The federal government provides $41.3 billion in grant aid to post-secondary education students annually. The aid comes in several forms: Need-based federal aid:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
• Federal Work Study
• Perkins Loans

Financing options:

• Federal PLUS Loans (also known as Direct Plus Loans)
• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans (also known as Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans)
• Other parent loans
• Alternative student loans

To receive a grant from the federal program, your college must qualify to administer these grants. Check with your school's financial aid department to be sure your school is a qualified participant. The Internet site where you can fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), www.fafsa.ed.gov, provides great information about federal grant programs.
Another excellent site is www.students.gov. Click on their scholarships link, and you will find a glittering array of scholarship possibilities from many different federal agencies.
Check with your state's higher education authority to see what kind of assistance is available. Many states provide excellent scholarships and grants and often have special categories of award for women going back to school, minorities, and people with disabilities. Be sure to follow all application procedures and deadlines. Many colleges will not make up for state grants lost to students though late applications. Additionally, many states and private colleges administer need-based institutional funds that help round out financial aid awards.

Information Overload

The categories described on this page represent thousands of scholarships and billions of dollars in financial aid. Your job is to make your way through the maze of information and options, and in doing so, create a scholarship application plan that gives you the highest probability of success with the best scholarship matches available.

ASUU Demands N160 Billion From Government as Allowances

As Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were trying to iron out issues yesterday at a meeting convened by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, revelations that the union was demanding N106 billion from government as end allowances came out at the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The House of Representatives Chairman, Committee on Education Farouk Lawal and his members were on an oversight function to the NUC but the discussion soon moved from the university system to the current problem on the minds of many – the ASUU strike.
Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius Okojie said ASUU was demanding N106 billion as end allowances which cover assessments by professors for projects of PHD students and professorship. This amount is nearly 10 times what universities get as capital grant yearly, which is about N11 billion.
Professor Okojie said government was made to believe that the governing councils of universities who had hired the academic staff would foot the bill but rather government was been made to pay.
His words: “The issue of end allowances government said the councils are employers of the university staff, you can’t go and budget for end allowances, it is job that is done that you pay for. Government said let us even see what it amounts to. It took them two years to bring the data. When it finally came, only 11 universities submitted and only four of them were useful and they are asking for N106 billion when capital grant for federal universities in a year is N11 billion. The issue of consolidated salary was to reduce the issue of many allowances and we are going back to the same old process.
“As a professor, I have gone to many universities to assess final year students’ projects for PHD and people on professorship. I have never collected money; they are now prescribing what should be paid for assessing professorship. The understanding then was that council should be able to address those issues but we now know that councils which are supposed to be employers of the universities do not have that authority the way they are going because they hire and fire. They can even dismiss the vice-chancellor but when it comes to issue of paying end allowances they go to government.”
He argued that contrary to accusations by ASUU that government had reneged on the 2009 agreement, it had met some of their demands to an extent.
“To a large extent, government has met most of the requirements. They said let us just sign, if there are matters arising we would just sit down with the implementation committee and get it resolved. Nobody is saying that now. They keep saying that government has reneged. As soon as the agreement was signed government, paid all the arrears then initiated the issue of the 70 years retirement age. The issue of improved funding has gone on, through the intervention agencies, even government subventions have also improved.
“We implemented salaries up to 52 and half per cent; yearly subvention from government has improved, ETF has been injecting a lot of money in respect of book fund, research fund and zonal laboratories. Two of the first generation universities have received over N3 billion each to upgrade their facilities and infrastructure. This is more than 10 times what they have been receiving in the last 10 years.”
But Lawal who was part of the last agreement signed two months ago by ASUU and the Federal Government said government went to sleep after that and did not do much to avert the current strike. He explained how the National Assembly was trying to meet the legislative demands of the union especially the 70 years retirement age for professors.
“In the sixth assembly, we introduced a bill that was meant to address that issue. It was passed; unfortunately when it got to the president for assent it was discovered that the bill did not reflect what ASUU wanted and so two months ago, when government and ASUU signed an agreement to try to see that most of the issues were implemented before an indefinite strike action was embarked on by ASUU, we took it upon ourselves believing that the legislative requirement would also address some of the demands, we pressed on the executive to submit an executive bill. When we realized it was not forthcoming, the committee sponsored private member bills – one is an amendment to the universities miscellaneous act that would upgrade the retirement age and the other is a bill that would ensure that for academic staff of tertiary institutions it is raised to 65 years. We have taken first and second reading, we would work on it latest by next week and that bill would be passed by the House of Representatives and I believe once that is done the Senate would concur with us,” he said.
He also agreed that the university system was in dire need of improved funding but that even that was been addressed by government.
Farouk said: “On the issue of funding, even though we could not address a significant improvement in the funding, I know we were able to amend ETF Act to now change it to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund so that more funds would go into funding our tertiary institutions and universities. When there was the warning strike two months ago, there was a meeting with the executive, particularly the Minister of Labour, Minister of Education and leadership of ASUU, and we were in attendance as observers and an agreement was signed by two sides hoping that within two months a lot of the remaining issues would be addressed. It is in that respect that government did not do much. The momentum by the executive was lost.”
He, however, cautioned that such funding must be put to proper use.
“I agree with ASUU, we need to fund the universities better. But while we are doing that we also need better transparency and accountability in the management of the funds and we also need greater efficiency. They need an efficient system of implementing the budget. We need to improve on the prioritizing of the funds that go to the universities because sometimes they use the funds for something that is not a key aspect of what a university is supposed to stand for,” he further said.
The committee chairman expressed disapproval that NUC was yet to present before the National Assembly a proposal for the amendment of its act so it can be empowered to criminalize establishment of illegal degree awarding institutions.
He said: “Like I always say, the danger of these institutions is that when they award these certificates, it erodes the integrity of the actual certificates of those who are termed legal institutions. They are a serious menace and sabotage on educational standards. We need to criminalise the existence of these institutions; we need to capitalize punishment because this is creating more havoc than financial crimes.”
Professor Okojie, however explained that a proposal for amendment had been approved by the Federal Executive Council and would soon be sent to the National Assembly.

Assu Strike Update

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Sunday, warned the Federal Government that its violation of the 2009 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was an invitation to chaos.
In a statement signed by the NLC Head of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Chris Uyot, the congress said lamented the violation of collective agreements mutually entered into with unions by the government, regretting that this was becoming a vogue in the country.
Also refering to the non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage by the various levels of government, the NLC said the government was inviting basket of strikes and chaos.
It said: “We note with trepidation that violation of collective agreements mutually entered into between employers of labour and unions, with government leading the culprits, is becoming a vogue in our industrial relation system.
“The agreement on the minimum wage and its non-implementation by some state governments, and even the Federal Government, is a case in point. Any employer or government that so violates collective agreements with impunity is only inviting baskets of strikes and social chaos, and if that be the wish of the ruling class, the labour movement is ready for it.”
The congress said the rot and decay in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions demanded a declaration of a state of emergency in the educational sector and it declared support for ASUU on its decision to fight for the good of the education system.
“Thus, we support the perseverance, consistency and patriotism displayed by ASUU and call on students, workers and all Nigerians who mean well for this nation to stand by the union in this defining moment of the struggle for improved standard of   education and sustainable human capital in our country,” the statement read.
The NLC, therefore, urged the Federal Government to respect the agreement it mutually entered into with ASUU, and desist from plunging the educational system crises, with likely reverberating industrial consequences in other sectors.

The sun nigeria Is recruiting

WEB ADMINISTRATOR SUN

JOB SUMMARY

Possess B.Sc/HND in Computer Science or any discipline in Social Sciences.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As part of strategic plan for growth, The Sun Publishing Limited seeks applications for the following job vacancies:

JOB TITLE: WEB ADMINISTRATOR
JOB LOCATION: Lagos

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
Have 3-5 years post-qualification experience
Possess B.Sc/HND in Computer Science or any discipline in Social Sciences.
Be between 30-35
Be Strongly interested in the news
Have Excellent writing skills
Be Comfortable with Advanced HTML and CSS
Possess Ability to work in a team
Have Knowledge of Photoshop
Have FTP and uploading Experience
Possess Working knowledge of Content Management Systems
Possess Cpanel Experience.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications with detailed CV stating names, age, contact address, permanent home address, phone numbers, names and addresses of three referees should be forwarded not later than December 16, 2011 to

Principal Human Resource Manager
The Sun Publishing Limited
2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Estate
Apapa, Lagos.

Soft copies of CV could also be forwarded to vacancies@sunnewsonline.com

Vacancy: Maintenance Engineer

Maintenance Engineer

JOB SUMMARY

As Olive Group’s Operation & Maintenance division continues to grow we are currently seeking a Level 1 Field Maintenance Engineer for mobile security surveillance systems.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Description

Vacancy Overview

As Olive Group’s Operation & Maintenance division continues to grow we are currently seeking a Level 1 Field Maintenance Engineer for mobile security surveillance systems.

Purpose of Role

Under general leadership of the Director of Maintenance & Operations, you will perform Preventive & Corrective maintenance activity on installed mobile security inspection and surveillance systems situated in the Abuja area of Nigeria.

Your main responsibilities will be:

Provide support to customers on maintenance activity for mobile x-ray security systems

Perform Level 1 preventative and corrective maintenance and operations activity; following Olive’s Standard Operating Procedures, meeting the levels of service, response times and follow service management procedures

Ensure all activity is within Olive’s agreed Service Levels

Set-up and follow specialised tests and diagnostic programs to isolate malfunctions, ensuring defective components are replaced as required

Able to diagnose, repair and restore systems to full working operations

Flexible approach to working hours, out of hours call out may be required

Attend customer & suppliers operational performance reviews

Provide a single point of contact to customer for escalations

Manage, track and resolve warranty issues including logistics related to equipment returns to manufacturers or vendors

Issue corrective maintenance status and preventative maintenance scheduling

Carry out scheduled preventive plans to manufactures recommendations.

To be successful in this role you will need:

Graduate of Technical School and/or Military Training in Electronics Engineering technology

One (1) to two (2) years experience in field service environment with a strong desire to learn x-ray

Must have knowledge of electronic and mechanical assemblies, as well as wiring diagrams and schematics

Knowledge of complex mechanical systems, familiarity with test equipment (DVM and oscilloscope), experience with High Voltage and X-ray producing equipment

Customer interface and communication skills, both verbal and written are required.

Proficiency in Microsoft Applications: MS-DOS, Win 95, Win NT and MS Office

Willingness to work non-standard hours, including weekends and holidays

Must be team player with ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment with minimal oversight

Must be available to travel on short notice, non-standard hours, travel on weekends, and assist other field sites as required

Hold a full Driving License with own transport advantageous.

To Apply: Please visit www.olivegroup.com/careers

Job Vacancy: SENIOR CREATIVE VISUALIZER

SENIOR CREATIVE VISUALIZER

JOB SUMMARY

Tertiary Education. 40 years and below. Requisited skills in graphic designs

JOB DESCRIPTION

Swiss Pharm Nigeria Ltd Is one of the leaders in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Due to expansion of operations, vacancies exist. We require dynamic and focused young men or women who wish to make a career in an expanding and forward-looking organization.

Job Title: SENIOR CREATIVE VISUALIZER
Requirements
Tertiary Education
40 years and below
Requisited skills in graphic designs

Method of Application
Applications with copies of detailed C.Vs and credentials, residential contact addresses (Not P. O. Box) and phone numbers, should reach us not later than 20th December 2011

The Human Resources/PR Manager,
Swiss Pharma Nigeria Ltd,
5, Dopemu Road, Agege, P. O. Box 463,
Ikeja, Lagos State.

OR Apply below or send Electronic CV should be sent to apply@swiphanigeria.com not later than December 20, 2011