Shelley Pruess said the following on 2/16/2009 9:20 AM:
Good Morning Jean!
I am on the FOE All Student's group committee and I am looking for evidence that UNI insures an inclusive campus environment.
One area that I could not find a lot of information on was our "non-traditional" student. When I first started working at UNI, I thought
that you headed up an informal meeting day/time in Maucker Union for these students to get together. I remember them having a
specific table they met at. Was it you who did this or do you know if there are things being done to include the "non-traditional" first
year student?
Thank you for your help,
Shelley
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Jean Neibauer wrote:
Dear Shelley,
For the past 2-3 years the Nontraditional Student Association has been inactive. Some
students have volunteered to serve in a leadership capacity, but with hardly any
attendance at meetings and organized events. It is very disheartening to the leadership.
The low attendace is surprising since there are nearly 1000 nontradtitional students each
year. But, they are very busy people with jobs and family, so I guess this is just one
activity that falls by the wayside.
It is a concern, however, because it took a lot of effort on the part of the students to get
the Nontraditional Student Association started in 1996. Recently I have received some
interested email from a couple of NT students who want to get the group active again. I
am currently trying to set up an exploratory meeting.
I am the person who meets with NT students at their initial orientation. As a result,
students know that they can contact me with concerns, and I do see students throughout
the semester, although they are not my assigned advisees.
I send emails to nontraditional students throughout the semester letting them know about
upcoming events at UNI and in the community, advising issues, and scholarship
information. I will forward the recent scholarship one to you. I have received very
positive feedback on the emails, though sometimes there is not much response at all.
Last year a graduate student in the CME did a series of weekly noon brown-bag
conversations with NT students which brought in 4-8 students each time.
I have a lot of stats on NT students running back for at least 10 years, demographics on
age, living arrangements, children, by college, gpa, etc. Cindy Zieggenhorn in the
Registrar's Office runs them each semester for me. I just sent you a sample.
If you would like to talk more, we could set up a meeting so I could show you the efforts
we have made over the years.
Jean
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Shelley Pruess wrote:
Thank you so much Jean! I remember when you got this started and it was such a neat idea. I'm sure it is hard to keep this going with
everyone's hectic schedules. Even when I was in grad school it was difficult for me to participate in the activities being a nontraditional student. I always felt bad because we had such a neat core of students in our entering class. This is good information that
will be useful in my summary. Do the non-traditional students attend regular freshman or transfer orientation sessions and then you
meet with them during this time? I wasn't sure if there was a separate orientation session as with International Students and the Jump
Start program.
Thank you for taking the time to do this for me. I'm sure anything that can be added to the Evidence Library might be helpful for
others, but our group specifically will benefit and I will pass this along to them.
Shelley
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Non-traditional students who are entering freshmen with no transfer credit, usually meet with me, and I go through an individual
orientation with them. Then they plan to attend a regularly scheduled orientation to attend the student services fair, take care of email
and parking arrangements. I tell them it is like an orientation to a new job--they wouldn't want to miss it!
Transfer NT students attend a regularly scheduled transfer session.
Jean
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FYI.
Jean
Subject:
Scholarships for 2009-10
From:
Jean Neibauer <Jean.Neibauer@uni.edu>
Date:
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:15:50 -0600
To:
nontraditionals@uni.edu
Scholarships for Nontraditional Students
First Rule: Don't limit yourself to scholarships only for
nontradtional students. You may compete for scholarships available to
all UNI students if you meet the qualifications. (Depending on the
scholarship you might find the following listed qualifications: major,
gpa, freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, need, and other interesting
statements. The key is to search them out because you may be just that
person who has all the listed requirements.)
Rule Two: Besides the search for scholarships you are eligible for, it
is wise to put together a biographical
statement about yourself that could be used for numerous scholarships.
Change it up a bit for each scholarship you apply for.
The wonders of word processing!
There are February 15 deadlines for many, (some earlier) so if you are
interested, now is the time to check them out.
What are some scholarships for nontraditional students?
The following list of scholarships will help you begin.
You can find many at the UNI scholarship web site,
http://www.uni.edu/finaid/scholarship.html
Remember, there are many more not listed here, and you are also
eligible
for other scholarships not specifically for nontraditional students.
You can also do your own web search and come up with lots of
opportunities.
Please direct all questions about these scholarships to the UNI
Financial Aid Office 273-2700 or go to 105 Gilchrist to inquire.
Here is a list of some scholarships followed by Tips for Winning
Scholarship Applications.
For the following UNI scholarships
Go to: http://www.uni.edu/finaid/scholarship.shtml
and click on online scholarship directory.
Note the UNI Common Scholarship Application. (One application for all
listed. Not that is a time saver sure to please nontraditional
students!
I recommend looking at ALL of the scholarship because sometimes the
search tool
eliminates ones you may be eligible for. True it is time consuming,
but if you are going to be here for a while, you can make a list so you
can
check back next year.
-------------------------------------------------------
CARVER SCHOLARSHIP
April 1 Application deadline
$5,200
Available to students who will start their junior year the fall of
first year received. Students need to have overcome a challenging life,
social or learning situation, and be currently enrolled as a sophomore
at a participating four-year institution or one of Iowa's community
colleges. Graduated from an Iowa high school or have been a resident of
Iowa for the past 5 years, be a US citizen, have a minimum cumulative
2.8 GPA, and have financial need based on results of FAFSA filed by
March 1.
Completed application includes scholarship website application
(www.carvertrust.org), an essay, 2 reference letters. FAFSA for
upcoming year needs to be filed by March 1. May be renewed for second
year with continuing minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA, financial need and
challenging situation
CHARLOTTE ANN FIELD MEMORIAL
$100-500/year
Awarded to a student who has a permanent mobility impairment that
requires the use of assistive devices. Applicant must also be enrolled
full-time at UNI, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, and have completed at
least 30 credit hours.
Contact person: Jill Smith
UNI Common Scholarship Application
UNI CONNECTION SCHOLARSHIP
$500-$1000/year
Award based on the financial need, motivation, and ability of
nontraditional or returning undergraduate students who took time off
from their education because of family or other responsibilities.
UNI Common Scholarship Application
Class of 1945
$400-$500/year
Award given to two females displaying financial need. One award is
given to a junior student, and the other award is given to a
nontraditional student.
UNI Common Scholarship Application
Class of 1947 Reunion Challenge
$1000-$1500/year
UNI Common Scholarship Application
Furness and Mary Lambert
$150-$250/year
Award given to one male and one female based on their academic records.
UNI Common Scholarship Application
Raymond and Willa Sorensen
$750-$1000/year
Scholarship awarded to a resident of the State of Iowa who is married
and has a minimum 2.5 GPA.
UNI Common Scholarship Application
Family Involvement Board Scholarship
$500-$3750/year
Deadline: February 6
Offered by the Iowa Credit Union Foundation.
Two scholarships are awarded. The first scholarship is offered to high
school juniors and seniors. The second scholarship is awarded to
nontraditional students. Applicants must have an account established in
his or her own name and be a "member in good standing" at a credit
union that is a member of Iowa Credit Union League. Applicants must
also write an essay, submit a resume, and complete an official entry
form. Additional information and online application can be found at the
following site: www.iowacreditunions.com. Applications can also be
obtained at the Financial Aid Office, 105 Gilchrist.
Four awards are given to high school students. First prize is $1,500,
second prize is $1,000, third prize is $750, and fourth prize is $500.
Two nontraditional awards are given at $1,000 each.
Patricial Gunnell Scholarship
$100-$1000/year (dependent on available funds)
College of Education major, financial need, preference given to a
nontraditional student, age 30+.
UNI Common Scholarship Application
Rigmor Madsen Scholarship
$250-$1500/year
Deadline: April 15
Preference given to an undergraduate nontraditional female student
pursuing an endorsement in either elementary or secondary school
library media; financial need is considered, not primary criterion;
renewable as long as student is enrolled in program courses.
Award made possible by the family of a former student, Rigmor Madsen;
women with children are encouraged to apply.
Additional Information at: http://www.uni.edu/coe/ci/slms/
UNI Common Scholarship Application
---------------------------------------------------------------------You will need to go online, call or write for application information
on the
scholarships listed below. The contact information is listed along
with the scholarship. Check for web sites.
IOWA COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION
http://www.iowacollegeaid.org/commissioncentral/schgrants/
Don't miss this site in your search. This web link lists a number of
grants and scholarships, both federal and state.
Government Finance Officers Association Scholarships.
$5000-$10,000
http://www.gfoa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96
Awarded to minority students of public administration, governmental
accounting, finance, political science, economics, or business
administration.
MORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND, INC.
James B. Morris Scholarship
Applicants must be of minority ethnic status as defined by the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission and have a minimum 2.5 G.P.A. Those
eligible are: (1) Iowa high school graduates and residents of Iowa who
are attending any U.S. College or University; (2) Non-Iowa residents
who are attending Iowa colleges or universities.
http://www.morrisscholarship.org/staticpages/index.php/Application
Nelson Urban Scholarship
Applicants must be an African-American Iowa resident enrolled in a full
or part-time graduate level program, which involves significant contact
with "at risk" minority students, grades K-12.
http://www.morrisscholarship.org/staticpages/index.php/Application
PAUL AND HELEN L. GRAUER SCHOLARSHIP
$1000
1 award
Student must be full-time, and nontraditional students are encouraged
to apply. Must be a U.S. citizen, at a college or university, and need
financial aid. Student must be in communications, electronics, or
something related to these two majors. Student must also need a Novice
Radio license or higher.
Application at: http://www.arrlf.org/programs/scholarship_instructions
ROBERT D. BLUE SCHOLARSHIP
$500-1000
Apply at: http://www.rdblue.org/
last year 20 scholarships were awarded
The Robert
D. Blue Scholarship awards students who demonstrate literary and
scholastic
ability; exhibit qualities of truth, courage, and fellowship; and
display moral
force of character
***************************************************************
Here is another resource for scholarships. T
Fastweb.com
http://scholars.monster.com/index.asp
******************************************************************
Top Ten Tips for Winning Scholarship Applications
The following article is courtesy of Fastweb. Check out their
scholarship search at www.fastweb.com
Ever wonder what the folks who award the scholarships want to see?
FastWeb has polled scholarship providers across the country, asking for
their tips on applying for scholarships.
TIP #1: Apply only if you are eligible.
Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully and
make sure that you are eligible before you send in your application.
Your application won’t make one bit of difference if you
aren’t qualified to apply.
TIP #2: Complete the application in full.
If a question doesn't apply, note that on the application. Don’t just
leave a blank.
TIP #3: Follow directions.
Provide everything that is required, but don’t supply things that
aren’t requested- you could be disqualified.
TIP #4: Neatness counts.
Make a couple of photocopies of all the forms you receive. Use the
copies as working drafts as you develop your application packet. And
always type the application, or if you must print, do so neatly and
legibly.
TIP #5: Make sure your essay makes an impression.
The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and
specific.
Include concrete details
to make your experience come alive:
the who, what , where and when of your topic.
The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how
you were affected.
TIP #6: Watch all deadlines.
To help keep yourself on track, impose a deadline for yourself that is
at least two weeks prior to the stated deadline. Use this buffer time
to proofread your application before you send it off. If worse comes
to worst, call the scholarship provider in advance and ask if it’s
possible to receive an extension. Don’t just send the materials in
late; the committee may refuse late applications. But don’t rely on
extensions - very few scholarship providers allow them at all.
TIP #7: Take steps to make sure your application gets where it needs to
go. Before sending the application, make a copy o the entire packet and
keep it on file. If your application goes astray, you can always
reproduce it quickly. Make sure your name ( and social security
number,
if applicable) appears on all pages of the application. Pieces of your
application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.
TIP #8: Give it a final once-over.
Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for
misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend, teacher or parent
to proofread it as well.
TIP #9: Ask for help if you need it.
If you have problems with the application, do not hesitate to call the
funding organization.
TIP #10: Remember - your scholarship application represents you!
Your ability to submit a neat, timely, complete application reflects on
you. It’s your face to this organization. Take pride in yourself by
submitting the best application you can.
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The web is a great resouce for tips on applying for scholarships. Here
are a few sites but there are many more:
http://www.fastweb.com
Tips for scholarship essays:
http://www.financialaidtips.org/writing_scholarshipessay.htm
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Good Luck!
Apply for as many as you are eligible for.
Lot's of people
will tell themselves it's too much work to apply and won't bother even
though they are highly qualified. That will make it easier for you and
increase your odds of winning! Once you complete one application, you
will have all the information to complete others. Many industrious
nontraditional students have won scholarships, you could be one of
them!
Jean Neibauer
Academic Advising
102 Gilchrist