Holiday TO-DO List: CCLI Style

So you’re FINALLY out on your winter break and you have so much to do!! Sleeping all day, shopping ‘til you drop, playing Xbox 360 all night long, hanging out with friends, did I mention sleeping, and doing as little work as necessarily possible is probably high on top of the list of priorities for this much needed break period. While all this can be accomplished, there are still some significant items left on your “TO-DO” list this Holiday break.

Item #1 For those of you who have not applied to college yet… WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! It’s not very difficult at all, don’t be scared, get it done! For all of you incoming freshman who have not applied yet, you’ve already missed the deadline for consideration of merit-based scholarships BUT don’t worry! At ASU, the preferential deadline for applications is actually February 1, 2009. This new deadline is not an excuse to procrastinate to the last minute, however, apply during your winter break while you have time and it’s fresh on the top of your mind. Dismissing the application might cause you to forget all about the February 1st deadline and any applications received after that date will be considered on a “space-available” basis. Depending on where you are interested in going to school these deadlines will vary significantly. So don’t delay, get that application in TODAY (or over your break)!

Item #2, 3, 4, 5, 6… SCHOLARSHIPS! I know, you hear it from your parents non-stop. “Have you applied for this scholarship? Have you done this? Have you done that? When are you going to get this done?” This is somewhat difficult to admit, but they are right. Scholarship deadlines are infinitely approaching sooner than you think. Don’t be that person who thinks, “Oh this scholarship won’t be due until January 31st” because before you know it, the deadline will approach and you will not be prepared. Why not try and get a couple applications out of the way during break? It’s the perfect time because you won’t be distracted by other assignments from school and you can apply all your greatness and creativity to those applications! I know you’re all bright, intelligent individuals and you will survive this application process, trust me. Also, don’t forget to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as your parents complete their taxes. You can submit your FASFA application beginning January 1, 2009. The deadline for the 2008-2009 school year is June 30, 2009. So you still have some time but keep in mind, the sooner you fill out your application, the more likely you will be to receive some government financial aid!

So now you’re wondering, “how am I going to get all this done? I have so much shopping, sleeping, hanging out to do over break, I don’t want to spend all my time on applications!” DON’T WORRY, you don’t have to! You can still have this wonderful time of freedom to have fun, go out, and do what you want to do. Just be sure to set aside a few days to dedicate to what is on the top of your TO-DO lists. Be good! Enjoy your breaks!

Ask a Devil

Q&A with Adriana Delgado, CCLI ’07 & current ASU Freshman

Q: When did you start applying for scholarships in high school? How long on average did scholarships take to complete? What scholarships did you obtain?

A: “I started applying for scholarships the minute they began to become available. I believe the first one I applied to was the Friendly House Scholarship, which came out during the fall semester. On average I spent a good 2 or 3 hours every day working on scholarships depending on the scholarship itself. I received the Violet Richardson Award for Exemplary Volunteer Service, The Friendly House Scholarship, The ASU Hispanic Business Student Association Scholarship, The Flying J Scholarship, The Rufus Memorial Scholarship, Macdonald's Charities Scholarship, Best Buy Scholarship, KFC Colonel's Scholar Scholarship, Gates Millennium Scholarship, Hispanic Heritage Foundation Gold Medallion for Leadership, Phoenix Outstand Young Woman of The Year Award, ASU Presidential Scholarship, The Zeta Phi Beta Book Scholarship, among others. “

Q: What time management skills do you use to have time for recreation and for school?

A: “College demands more effort on your part than high school assignments which is why I would advice you to keep on top of everything! Thus meaning, no late homework and attending classes every day. This semester I read chapters of my books even before they were being covered in class. I wrote papers on the weekends so I would have more time during the week to finish other assignments. I keep a weekly planner on my computer desktop and have a to do list ready for me every morning that reminds me of the things I need to get done. My calendar on my computer has all the events I am attending, the my class schedule, and important deadlines I need to fulfill. I suggest using a similar calendar and to-do lists to keep yourself organized. Every Sunday night plan your entire week and stay on track!

Focus on your goals and soon you will find out there will be extra time to have fun on the side! Remember to set your priorities from the very beginning and make sure you get those done before doing anything else. The key behind time management begins with a weekly planner, goals, and the ability to picture yourself down the road doing what you wish to do.

Scholarship Highlights

AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship

AmeriGlide is the leading supplier and distributor of home mobility products including wheelchair lifts and stair lifts.

We are very excited to announce the first annual AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship, which is available to students who use a manual or electric wheelchair and are enrolled at an accredited university. Our goal is to help provide financial assistance for books or other school related supplies to deserving mobility challenged students.

The winner of the scholarship will be announced on March 1, 2009 and will receive $500. The winners name, picture, and essay will also be published on our website.

Amount: $500

Deadline: 01/02/2009      

Application: http://www.ameriglide.com/scholarship/

ASU Parents Association

Through the generous support of ASU parents, the Parents Association has established a fund to make multiple awards of $4,000 each ($2,000 per semester) for the 2009 – 2010 academic year. Awards will be based on high financial need, evidence of academic success, a strong commitment to community service and/or university involvement, and achievement of personal and educational goals.  

Amount: $4,000

Deadline: 02/27/2009  

Download Application

Doran Community Scholars Program

The Doran Community Scholars Program(DCSP)is the result of the generous donation given to the ASU Foundation from Wayne and Maureen Doran. Wayne Doran is an alumnus from the Phoenix Union High School District (PUHSD) and Arizona State University (ASU). In 1997, the DCSP was formed to assist students from the PUHSD to pursue higher education and to provide them with continual support throughout their ASU journey. Now in its eleventh year, the program has been remarkably successful not only in assisting students with their academic and professional careers, but in enriching their personal development and instilling within each student a sense of social consciousness.

Amount: $3,000

Download Application

Delta Theta Tau Philanthropic Sorority

The scholarship honors Lou Blocker, a long-time member of Delta Theta Tau.

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: 01/01/2009

Download Application

Maroon & Gold Scholarship

Arizona State University actively seeks to save reflected within its student body the rich diversity of cultures found within the state, the nation and the world. In support of this goal, the ASU Maroon & Gold Scholarship is offered to provide access to higher education for individuals belonging to groups that have historically experienced adversity in pursuing a college degree.

The ASU Maroon & Gold Scholarship Program provides a scholarship as well as mentoring, workshops and unique networking opportunities for students enrolled at any of ASU's campuses.

Amount: $4,600

Deadline: 02/02/2009  

Download Application