Counseling Corner: Willowbrook Guidance Department shares information about scholarships

With the cost of college increasing, the Willowbrook Guidance Department provides information about scholarships, which can help relieve the financial burden. Scholarships are a great way to help students and their families afford the costs associated with college. There is quite an array of scholarships available, so there is something for everyone. Many scholarships are based on merit, but there also are some based on ethnicity, gender, volunteer work, future education plans, financial status and other factors.

Students can search and apply for scholarships through multiple avenues, including:

• The financial aid page of the colleges/universities to which they apply
• Student’s or parent’s employer (many companies offer scholarships for children of their employees)
• National scholarship search sites such as www.fastweb.com, www.Scholarships.com and Naviance (a more extensive list can be viewed on the “Guidance Counseling & Student Services” page on Willowbrook’s website at http://tinyurl.com/z2w6j44)
• A large focus at Willowbrook is local scholarship offerings. There are many businesses and organizations throughout DuPage County that offer scholarships for students. Students can find those scholarships by visiting the Scholarship Bulletin Board in the Counseling Office, the College and Career Center and Willowbrook’s website. Students also are highly encouraged to visit the Financial Aid & Scholarships page at http://tinyurl.com/hdalwj5. On that page, students will find financial aid information, helpful websites and a list of available scholarships.

For questions or more information about scholarships, contact Scott Forcash in the Counseling Office at sforcash@dupage88.net or 630-530-3420.

Seniors should report scholarships they receive to the Guidance Office as soon as possible. Students who do not report their scholarships or grants by May 1 will not be included in the program at the senior awards assembly. Seniors can report scholarships they’ve earned by completing the Senior Scholarship/Grant Sheet at http://goo.gl/forms/uHctjyyazg.