Financing Your Education

     "Through Student Support Services, I attended a workshop entitled "Developing Your Scholarship Resume," which provided me with the skills needed to be more efficient in the application process and earn $7,000 toward my tuition. My success in applying for scholarships has enhanced my resume, boosted my self-confidence, and made it financially possible to finish my education.
R.B., Social Work major

     "When I first heard about a summer job, I was afraid to apply for it because I did not have a well-written resume and cover letter. However, the job was related to my major and knowing that the SSS staff is there to assist me, I asked them to critique my resume and cover letter. After the submission date, I received a call for an interview and ended up with a job offer."
J.Y., Accounting and MIS major

How can the Student Support Services program help you pay for your college education? Overall, we strive to keep our students well-informed in an effort to reduce any financial stress they may feel as they pursue higher education. Although college students often experience tight budgets, we provide information and opportunities that will help our students to find the funds they need to complete their college degree.

The SSS program works closely with UW-Eau Claire's Financial Aid Office (www.uwec.edu/FinAid) to present our participating students with the best financial aid package possible. Please click on the link for an overview of the many services offered by the Financial Aid Office, such as current costs of attendance and even projected costs for next year.

Grant Assistance

First- and second-year SSS students who receive Pell Grants may be eligible to receive a Student Support Services Supplemental Grant, which can range from $400-$1,000. Each fall semester, we contact eligible students and encourage them to apply for this grant, which is then awarded for spring semester.

Employment

UW-Eau Claire and the surrounding Chippewa Valley offer many employment opportunities for college students. These include on-campus, work-study positions as well as off-campus positions in restaurants, retail outlets, and other areas. Such employers are generally supportive of the scheduling needs of their student employees. We will even help with your resume if you'd like!

To see a list of current opportunities please follow the link: http://www.uwec.edu/finaid/employment/

SSS Scholarships

Important and useful information regarding scholarships at UW-Eau Claire can be found at: http://www.uwec.edu/finaid/aid/FDNscholarships.htm

In addition, we recommend conducting broad searches on the Internet (but beware of scams that require an application or processing fee!). Start by reviewing some information through the UW-Eau Claire Financial Aid Office: http://www.uwec.edu/finaid/aid/privatescholarships.htm

Please note that several scholarships specifically target SSS participants or require a first-generation or low-income background for eligibility. Listed below are just a few of these.

• Several scholarships are available through MAEOPP, the regional organization of TRIO personnel; for further information, follow this link: http://www.maeopp.org/scholarship.htm
  
  
• WAEOPP, the state association of TRIO personnel, also offers scholarships; see: http://www.waeopp.org/Scholarship.htm
  
  
• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Designed for students studying abroad; applicants must be eligible for a Pell Grant. Further information available at: http://www.iie.org/gilman )
  
  
• Arnold and Lois Domer Scholarship (Applicant must be a first-generation college student, with minimum of sophomore standing; see: http://www.uwec.edu/oakdev/fou800/criteria/4616.htm )
  
  
• North Central Campus Compact Citizen-Scholar Fellowship Program offers a $1,000 education award in addition to the wages that students earn as they complete 300 hours of community service during the academic year. For further information on this program, please contact SSS Director Bruce Ouderkirk: (715) 836-4542, Old Library 2136, UW-Eau Claire.

Finally, there is a scholarship specifically for SSS students at UW-Eau Claire. For additional information on this scholarship, please contact the SSS office.

• Student Support Services Achievement Scholarship (Requires minimum of junior standing, resident GPA of 3.0 or higher, and evidence of involvement with SSS).

Programs for Further Information

Every year, the SSS program at UW-Eau Claire offers a series of workshops designed to help students finance their education. Typically, these include:

• Financial Planning for College Students (budget month-by-month, or through your four-year degree and beyond)
• Developing Your Scholarship Resume (gather some tips on how to write a successful scholarship application)
• Surfing for Scholarships (learn how to find more scholarships for which you are eligible)

Seeking additional insights?

Non-traditional students can find useful information in Pennies from Heaven on the following website: http://www.uwec.edu/nontrad/Pub/pennies.htm

We encourage all SSS students with questions about financial assistance or other education concerns to contact an SSS staff member in Old Library 2136, (715) 836-4542.