• ABOUT ASCENT

  The ASCENT Program and
  Hug High School

• ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  Admission Standards and ACT/SAT information

• FINANCIAL AID

  Learn more about financial aid

• MENTOR INFORMATION

  Information, Handbook and Application

Financial Aid Information

Paying for College

Most students dream of attending college; however, for many the thought of paying for a college education is a daunting prospect.  ASCENT mentors should familiarize themselves with the cost of attendance at the University of Nevada, Reno and the various types of financial aid available to students.  By becoming knowledgeable themselves, mentors can help alleviate mentee’s anxiety over the cost of college and assist mentee’s in applying early for financial aid and scholarships.

What Is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is any source of funds available to assist students in paying for the costs of a college education. There are four types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.  Students are encouraged to apply early for financial aid. Whatever a student’s family situation, they will be treated fairly and equitably with respect to students in similar financial circumstances.

Most financial aid is based on demonstrated financial need and requires the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The FAFSA is administered through the federal government.   Students must indicate a code for the colleges and universities to which they want their information released once the form is processed.

A student can complete the FAFSA online or mail in a paper version.  In order to complete the FAFSA, the student will need the previous year’s tax return, as well as that of their parents.   For example, if the student is applying for financial aid for the 2009-2010 academic school year, he or she would need tax returns from 2008.

Students applying for the University of Nevada, Reno should plan to complete the FAFSA by February 1 for priority consideration.  If the student and/or his parents have not filed taxes by February 1, it is perfectly acceptable to estimate.  Once taxes are filed, the family can return to the FAFSA and make the appropriate adjustments.

For more information on the FAFSA, please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.   For more detailed information on financial aid, please visit Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Scholarships

Scholarships are based on academic merit. Most of the General University Scholarships are awarded to students regardless of major. College, departmental, the Foundation, and the Alumni Association offer scholarships for specific majors, special talents, leadership, or other criteria specified by a donor. A student does not have to show financial need to receive money through merit-based programs. The application process is different from the processes for applying for need-based aid. 

To estimate the amount of General University Scholarship funds available to a particular incoming freshman, please visit the Scholarship Calculator.

Many private scholarships are offered each year to college students by a variety of corporate, professional, trade, government, civic, religious, social, and fraternal organizations. These scholarships range from small honorariums to thousands of dollars. Applying for scholarships can be time consuming, so students should begin as early as possible.

A quick way to start a scholarship search is to utilize specialized scholarship search sites on the web. The ones listed here are among the most popular FREE scholarship search sites. Always advise students not to pay for a financial aid or scholarship search service!

Free Scholarship Search Services

• FastWeb
• SallieMae | College Answer
• CollegeBoard
• CollegeNET Mach25
• CollegeToolkit
• BrokeScholar
• www.college.gov — college.gov is being built by the U.S. Department of Education in collaboration with students. It's a go-to source for information and resources about planning, preparing, and paying for college

Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program

In 1999, the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship was enacted into law by the Nevada Legislature. This legislation (NRS396.911) created the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship trust fund to be administered by the state treasurer.

In October of the same year, the board of regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) adopted policy guidelines for the administration of the scholarship.

The purpose of these scholarships is to reward excellence in academic achievement and encourage more high school graduates to attend college.

Currently, in order to be eligible for a Millennium Scholarship, a student must graduate from a Nevada high school with a GPA of 3.25.  In addition, the student must have attended a Nevada high school for at least two years.  If eligible, the student will be sent a letter by the Nevada State Treasurer’s office.  The student needs to acknowledge the scholarship via letter or online in order to receive it.

Program information and requirements are available on the (Nevada Treasurer’s Website).

The Millennium Scholarship at the University

• Full-time enrollment in a minimum of 12 credits of coursework is required.  Remedial coursework may be included in the 12 credit requirement.  However, the scholarship cannot pay the fees for remedial coursework.
• A student enrolled at the University and receiving the Millennium Scholarship may no longer also receive the Millennium Scholarship at another college within the same semester. 
• The amount is $960 per semester paid toward fees.
• The scholarship is applied to the student’s account at the beginning of each semester to pay outstanding charges for fees, residence hall, etc.  If all fees are paid, the funds are paid to the student and should be used only for other educationally-related expenses.  If charges remain, the student is responsible for paying them.