THE NO NONSENSE PARENTING METHOD: WHAT IS IT? by Roetina S. Green, M.A., Childhood Development Expert It is firm, fair, consistent discipline with a set of rules followed by a set of consequences. The parent acts like an adult and the child acts like the child. The parent is not the child’s friend. The parent tells the child what to do and means it. To make NO NONSENSE PARENTING work, the parent cannot change his or her mind once a decision has been made. For example, if your child is jumping on the sofa in the doctor’s office and you say stop and your child does not stop, what do you do? THE NO NONSENSE PARENTING METHOD has you saying, “I told you to stop jumping on the sofa. Now repeat to me in your own words what does that mean.” Have your child repeat it in his own words. Then tell your child that was a warning. And say, “You will not be warned again about jumping on the sofa because you have said the rule is no jumping on the sofa in your own words and you understand this rule. If you do it again, you will be punished. Therefore, to prevent that from happening get off the sofa now, and read a book quietly next to me. This is a doctor’s office and you are to act accordingly.”
You do not need to yell or scream. In a firm, calm voice state the rules, have the child repeat the rules, and understand the consequences. It is clear and defined. And it is okay if your child gets upset or states he hates you for disciplining him. After all, part of being a parent is to discipline your child, whether the child agrees or not. You are the adult and the authority figure. You tell the child what to do and what the rules in your household are. It is not the child running the household and telling you an adult what to do. As parents, we must remember children do not know any better until we teach it to them. Children will test adults to see how much they can get away with and how far you will let them do want they want when they want. Children will also lie and cheat and steal because they need to be taught morals and values about not doing such things in life. THE NO NONSENSE PARENTING METHOD believes that parents are held responsible for their children’s actions and their children’s actions represent reflections of what they learn at home.
Roetina S. Green, M.A., Childhood Development Expert
Aleu Moana Sirena Princess Parties LA Black Parent: What does your company do? Aleu Moana: Our company Sirena Princess Parties offers character entertainment for (primarily) children's events. We offer a diverse collection of princesses, princes, mermaids, pirates, superheroes, face painters, balloon artists, singers and more! LA Black Parent: Why did you start the company? Aleu Moana: After working for a few very wonderful event planning companies in Los Angeles, I really wanted to start my own endeavor using my knowledge of theatre, music and costuming to create a unique and accessible company. LA Black Parent: What does your company have to offer to the community and what would you like people to know? Aleu Moana: Sirena Princess Parties not only does private events, but we are also very involved in the community. This past December, we teamed up with Toys for Tots, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Door of Hope and held our first annual Princesses and Superhero Toy/Food/Clothing Drive. We are always looking for local charity organizations to help out. Our next endeavor is to hopefully team up with the Make A Wish Foundation. LA Black Parent: What makes your company different or unique? Aleu Moana: Our company is unique because we offer a diverse array of character options. When I first started doing Princess Parties, I realized that not a lot of companies offered African American, Hispanic or Asian characters. Our characters come from 'the mythical land of Sirenia' and embody many different backgrounds. Our cast is extremely talented and is composed of professional singers, actors, musicians and seamstresses from all different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. We also offer a "swimmable mermaid show". Growing up, I was always fascinated by the water and was always an avid swimmer. Now, a Marine Biology major, I wanted to incorporate my love of the sea with a real swimming character, Princess Sirena (for which the company is named). I have a real working mermaid tail which I swim in for pool parties and events. I trained for about 4 years to do "mermaid swimming" and acquired the necessary CPR and First Aid training from the American Red Cross. (I was saddened to read the reports and statistics of the number of African American youth that cannot swim! I think this is an unacceptable and unnecessary tragedy, so I'm hoping my mermaid character can alleviate the fear of water often instilled in the inner cities).
LA Black Parent: What's the pricing and how is it available? Aleu Moana: When forming this company, it was very important to me that our pricing be affordable for everyone, especially lower income families. On our website, I have comprised a list of over 15 different packages to fit all budgets. The lowest package starts at only $60 for parents who may be on a budget, while big spenders can choose a more elaborate package or add-on if they so desire. Most importantly, we keep costs low without sacrificing Quality. Our costumes are all hand-made (not Halloween store brands) and our performers have years of training under their belts. We also frequently have contests, promotions, give-a-ways and discount specials for our Facebook fans and followers. LA Black Parent: Who is using/could use your product/service right now? Aleu Moana: Our services are targeted towards anyone who has an event where children might be! Whether it is a public Farmer's Market or a Private Pool Party, we have a character package for everyone. However, we are trying to branch out and do corporate/business events as well.
LA Black Parent: How will this product/service make their lives easier? Aleu Moana: Booking with us is easy and hassle free. I make sure to keep my clients informed, knowledgeable and keep up communication to create a stress-free environment. Planning a young one's birthday party can be very nerve-wracking, so I try to make the experience run as smooth as possible. We have had parties booked in less than 10 minutes!
LA Black Parent: If you could make THREE points, about your company what would it be? Aleu Moana: 1. We are an Affordable and Professional Quality children's entertainment company. 2. We serve all of Los Angeles, San Diego, and sometimes the San Francisco Bay Area! 3. We offer over 30 different characters and take custom requests as well, so whatever you are looking for, we most likely have it!
LA Black Parent: What are your customers saying about your products/service? Aleu Moana: Our overall feedback from clients has been wonderful! I am so humbled that a company that was just in the fetal stages in 2011, has now grown to the point where we are having events just about every weekend! When the parents see us in costume, they are awed and inspired by the professionalism and realism of our characters, right down to the voices and hand gestures!
SirenaPrincessParties.com (510) 776-6539 Facebook.com/SirenaPrincessParties SirenaParties@gmail.com Twitter.com/SirenaParties YouTube.com/TheSirensLair http://www.yelp.com/biz/sirena-princess-parties-la-crescenta-2
Starting on the Path to a Health Care Career by Monique J. Williams, PhDHS, MSPA
Choosing a career in health care can be overwhelming. Often, perspective health career students are detoured by the cost and time commitment necessary to succeed in a health career program. Also, most people do not know that their options reach far beyond becoming a doctor or a nurse. However, there are many options available to those considering a career in health care. Here are some tips on how to start your path towards a future in health care: TIP #1 - Determine the capacity you want to contribute to the health care industry o There are over 30 different health care careers, with more than 80% involving direct patient care. It is best for you to determine if you would want to have a job that involves direct patient care (hands on contact with the patients) or indirect patient care (i.e. case management, research, etc.). This will help you to narrow down the best career option and how you are most comfortable serving the health care industry. TIP #2 - Create short term and long term goals for your career o You need to establish what it is you hope to accomplish for your immediate future, and where you want to see yourself professionally over the next 10-20 years. o For many health career aspirants, their primary focus is the immediate goal involves completing a program to secure a job. However, you need to consider if your chosen profession allows for the professional growth that you see in your future. Some health career job can be physically demanding so it may be difficult to realistically endure the physical strain of the profession for 10+ year span. Once you have exhausted this profession, where do you go from there? Do you want to teach, do you want to move up the ladder within that specific profession, or do you want to consider a completely different health career path altogether? TIP #3 - Do your research o Learn the career ladder for the health care career you are considering. There may be more than one way to achieve your goal, so you want to make sure you know your options. When considering which path to take, consider your current responsibilities (personal and professional), the time frame in which you hope to achieve your goals, and your financial resources. o Find out which certifications and/or degrees are necessary to gain employment in your field of choice. Keep in mind that there are many expenses (i.e. background checks, uniforms and supplies, physical exams, certification test, and licensure fees) that the student is responsible in addition to tuition. In some cases, financial aid may not cover these
expenses. Find out the specific cost of these fees and be prepared to pay for these expenses before being accepted into a program. Too often, students will lose their spot in a program because they do not have the financial resources to pay these additional fees. TIP #4 - Find ways to volunteer or shadow o In order to gain a “real world” understanding of your chosen career, it is best to volunteer or shadow a professional to see if this career is really right for you. This is especially important for careers that involve direct patient care. Having volunteer/shadowing experience is also great way to make new contacts, show your passion for the work, and it is a great resume booster. TIP #5 - Find a program that realistically fits your current lifestyle o Education of all subjects is now available in a variety of forums (traditional, online, and hybrid). The key is to know what type of learning environment you feel will help you be successful, and which will accommodate your current lifestyle (work schedules, family responsibilities, etc.). Traditional classes may be offered day, night, or weekends. This is the best forum if you require more direct instruction and structured environment. Online classes offer the convenience of 24 hour access, but it requires much more self discipline and basic computer skills in order to be successful. This is the best forum for very independent learners. Lastly, hybrid programs offer a combination of traditional and online learning environments. Therefore, you spend less time in a traditional classroom, but you still benefit from the flexibility for online classes. o Be sure to thoroughly research the learning environment options for the programs you are considering, and note additional time commitments for clinical rotations (if your program involves direct patient care). If you are interested in receiving individualized consultation to assist you on your journey to a health care career, contact Health Education Support Specialists to see how we can help you reach your goals.
www.healthedsupport.com Phone: 909-730-5428
Nicoline Ambe Professional Speaker, Educator and Parent/Youth Mentor
LA Black Parent: What does your company do? Nicoline Ambe: I am a Professional Speaker, Educator and Parent/Youth Mentor. I help parents prepare their children at home to become high achievers in school. I believe that every single child has the ability to do well in school, but they need the right structure, systems and discipline from home.
LA Black Parent: Why did you start the company? Nicoline Ambe: As a Special Education Teacher, I get the opportunity to work with students one-on-one. Through my teaching experience I have come to know my students as individuals. I know their personalities, their talents, skills and abilities. I realize that many of them do not get the opportunity from home to receive the kind of nurturing and nudging they need to excel in school. So I started the company to show parents how to provide support from home so that their children can be all that they are capable of being.
LA Black Parent: What does your company have to offer to the community and what would you like people to know? Nicoline Ambe: I speak in several community groups to share my message of empowerment and academic excellence. I would like people to know that strategic parental support and involvement is important for children's academic development.
LA Black Parent: What makes it different or unique? Nicoline Ambe: What I do is different because my keynote speeches are based on my classroom experience as a teacher. I bring a genuine solution to parents, showing them
LA Black Parent: What's the pricing and how is it available? Nicoline Ambe: There is no specific pricing. I work with my clients to determine a budget that works for them (and me).
LA Black Parent: Who is using/could use your product/service right now? Nicoline Ambe: Churches, Schools, Women's groups, Community groups, organizations, and conferences.
LA Black Parent: How will this product/service make their lives easier? Nicoline Ambe: By learning the tools and skills to help their children excel in school, parents will better prepare their children for a successful future.
LA Black Parent: If you could make THREE points, about your company what would it be? Nicoline Ambe: 1. Community Service - Helping parent raise high achievers and helping youth become high achievers 2. Excellence - I believe in delivering good value and being consistent with my clients, always working to the best of my ability. 3. Integrity - I operate in integrity. I honor my every word and do what I say I would do.
LA Black Parent: What are your customers saying about your products/service? Nicoline Ambe: Feedback after my keynote speeches are always positive. I think most people love to feel that sense of hope and inspiration, which is what I deliver. More of my work can be found on my website at: www.nicolineambe.com
Time for some ACTION! Imagine walking to school, the store or even your friend’s house and as you walk you step over trash and see unkempt lawns and front yards. How motivating do you think this is to a child? To a misguided teenager, To an adult that has already been feeling the weight of the world on his or her shoulders? Think of the difference when you walk around a clean area. No matter the weather it puts you in a better state of mind. State of mind is key and now more than ever has relevance as to the condition we as Afrikan people are in. We need to take advantage of our abilities! The ability to change the condition of our environments!
Don’t underestimate your piece. We are all a piece of the whole. We need to support our businesses, children and communities! You may feel as though you don’t have a community that there is no unity. I don’t agree. It could be that you are all ignoring the fact that you are a community in unity! But there is still a community. We have to take ownership over where we live. We must keep our areas CLEAN! Don’t beg anyone that has no interest in our best interest to do it! Let’s clean up our neighborhoods, pick the trash up, don’t throw any down, plant flowers
And food! If people see a group out there at least once a month taking ownership like that people will more than likely stop throwing trash down. The atmosphere affects us and the babies. It’s scientific, your surrounds effect your health mental, physical and spiritual! I read in a book “The Covenant with Black America “by Tavis Smiley a long list of effects and some pretty applicable remedies to communal issues. I also read very insightful information in” Melanin: What makes Black People Black” by Llaila Afrika in regards to the ill effects pollution has on the pineal gland.
We can stand on both sides of the fence when it comes to the successful efforts of our recent ancestors during the civil rights era. However one thing if for sure they didn’t just point fingers and point to the things they wanted to see a change in! They were much more active no matter the direction! How many people would be willing to sit as a collective for hours anywhere to prove a point? And again I’m not agreeing necessarily on their goals, because I don’t agree with begging to send money outside of your community that will never return for the in betterment of the community but I do admire the will to invoke change! We must take ACTION against the many ills that are plaguing our communities if we want to see some change! Change is not going to come from a ballot. So I beg you to start or join a local group to clean up an Afrikan neighborhood! When you do (not IF) Please come back here and share your experience!
Q.Akua
Using Allowance to Build Generational Wealth By: Shay Olivarria What Allowance Is …. And Is Not The first thing many of us think of when considering whether to give our child, or children, an allowance, is that the child is being paid for doing household chores. Many of us cringe from that because we remember doing chores as children and our parents didn’t give us any extra spending money to do the things needed to make the house run. My mom used to say that my allowance was lights and food on the table. There is another way to do allowance: make a list of base chores that everyone is responsible for (dishes, cleaning rooms, cleaning bathrooms, etc.) and then make an allowance-level chore list (washing the car, mowing the lawn, laundering the curtains, etc.). Only pay an allowance for those chores listed on the allowance-level chore list. Or not. Allowances can be created any way that works for your family. The important thing is to get your child started on an allowance that’s tied to work and make sure that the income derived from that allowance is being used properly. How Much Is Enough? Part of making sure that you’re teaching your child good personal finance skills it making sure that you are giving enough money for it to be an incentive but not so much money that they become focused on getting the cash. A good rule of thumb is $1 for each year old they are, per week. So if a child is five years old, she would be able to earn up to $5 per week for allowance. A twelve year old would be able to earn up to $12 per week. They are only going to be paid for the chores that they actually do, so though they may earn up to their age in allowance per week they may have weeks when they earn nothing or less than their age in allowance. Rules for Doling It Out To get any allowance one has to complete all of the chores in his or her personal list and then complete something off of the allowance-level chore list. Make sure that the allowance-level chore list has prices listed, a clear description of what is required to earn the money for doing the chore and is posted somewhere that everyone can see it. Pay only for those chores that have been completed to your satisfaction. Remember that we’re teaching like skills here. Think of this as your child’s first experience with work. We are not paying for doing things that a child should be doing (cleaning their own room, cleaning up the kitchen, etc.) we are paying for things that go a bit above and beyond regular familial duties (watering the lawn, walking the dog, cleaning the garage, etc.). Teaching your child the value of work will lay the foundation for a successful future.
That means that there may be weeks when they don’t do any chores from the allowancelevel chore list. That means that they don’t earn any allowance that week. Ther might be huffing. There might be attitudes. It doesn’t matter. You are setting your child up to appreciate how work is tied to income and this is not a place to get weak. Providing a monetary gain for specific behaviors will help the child understand cause and effect (when you don’t do anything, you are not rewarded) while helping to build the child’s self-esteem (look at how well you performed that task!) and their piggy bank. How it Builds Generational Wealth Once they have earned a few dollars, make sure that they are using some for spending, some for saving, some for investing and some for charity. Start healthy personal finance habits early. By, providing an early model for earning money, and using it wisely, it will help them to create a habit of thinking in terms of spending, saving, investing and giving. If a child saved $1 per week from the time they were ten years old until they were sixtyseven years old (how old they will be at full retirement age) they could have $56,261.34 invested! That’s assuming that they invested $4 per month for fifty-seven years, earned 8% per year and didn’t take any money out. The hope is that as they begin earning more they will save more, invest more and give more to charity. Helping your child learn about personal finance through an allowance could help them become wealthy and make sure that they have enough left over to be the first generation in your family’s wealth dynasty.
Shay Olivarria is the most dynamic financial education speaker working today. She speaks at high schools, colleges, and companies across the country. Shay has been quoted on Bankrate.com, FoxBusiness.com, NBC Latino and The Credit Union Times, among others. Pick up her book “10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money” to help your high school student, college student or recent grad understand personal finance. To schedule Shay to speak at your event visit www.BiggerThanYourBlock.com
Kathy King Decadent Elegance
LA Black Parent: What does your company do? Kathy King: We do everything from decorating your clothes to your home. We specialize in embellishing with rhinestones and crystals.
LA Black Parent: Why did you start the company? Kathy King: We started the company because we are from a family of crafters and our interest was to work for ourselves.
LA Black Parent: What does your company have to offer to the community and what would you like people to know? Kathy King: We are very affordable and by us being affordable people in the community can dress in the latest fashions. We value our customer’s service.
LA Black Parent: What makes it different or unique? Kathy King: Everything is handmade with our customers in mind.
LA Black Parent: What's the pricing and how is it available? Kathy King: Our prices range from $5 to $25 for retail items.
LA Black Parent: Who is using/could use your product/service right now? Kathy King: Everyone from Business owners, Restaurants, Family Reunions, Groups and Organizations to Men, Women and Children.
LA Black Parent: How will this product/service make their lives easier? Kathy King: On behalf of my decorating side of the business, my clients hire me to rearrange their existing furnishing or to redecorate or embellish their new or existing items. Imagine being in an office or living room and seeing everything decorated with rhinestones or crystals.
LA Black Parent: If you could make THREE points, about your company what would it be? Kathy King: My service is a service that everyone could use at some point or another. For example, my t-shirts can be ordered and work to advertise your business, family reunions or even for customized shirts for groups. I would also like to add that my added touch will make you stand out in a crowd and enhance your physical appearance.
LA Black Parent: What are your customers saying about your products/service? Kathy King: My customers are always at an Awe! I always get very good feedback and mostly all of my customers are repeated customers. Sometimes, you are going somewhere and you just need that one shirt that would make you stand out from the crowd and that’s where I come in – they call me.
Kathy King Decadent Elegance Boutique www.decadent-elegance.com www.facebook.com/decadenteleganceboutique
Scholarships for Black Students A AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program For women 40+ seeking new job skills, training and educational opportunities to support themselves. Academic Competitiveness Grant For first-year and second-year college students who graduated from high school. Actuarial Diversity Scholarship For minority students pursuing a degree that may lead to a career in the actuarial profession. Akash Kuruvilla Memorial Scholarship Fund For students who demonstrate excellence in leadership, diversity, integrity and academia. American Copy Editors Society Scholarship Available to junior, senior and graduate students who will take full-time copy editing jobs or internships. AORN Foundation Scholarship For students studying to be nurses and perioperative nurses pursuing undergrad and grad degrees. Automotive Hall of Fame Scholarship For students who indicate a sincere interest in an automotive related career. AWG Minority Scholarship For Women Encourages young minority women to pursue an education and later a career in the geosciences. AXA Achievements Scholarship Provides more than $600K in annual scholarships to 52 students - one from each state. B Beacon Partners Healthcare IT Scholarships Awarded to a student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in the IT Healthcare field. Best Buy Scholarship For students in grades 9-12 who plan to enter a full-time undergraduate program upon high school graduation. Burger King Scholars Program For high school seniors who have part-time jobs and excel academically in school. C CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program Developed to assist minority and disabled students, but open to all who meet the requirements. Coca-Cola Scholars Program Four-year achievement-based scholarships given to 250 high school seniors each year.
D Davidson Fellows Scholarship Recognizes and awards the extraordinary who excel in math, science, and technology. Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund Need-based scholarships for college students are part of the progressive movement in their community. Dell Scholars Program For students who demonstrate a desire and ability to overcome barriers and achieve their goals. Development Fund For Black Students in Science and Technology For students studying science or technology at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Discovery Scholarship Annual scholarship for high school juniors to support continued education and training beyond high school. E Ed Bradley/ Ken Kashiwahara Scholarships Open to full-time students who are pursuing careers in radio and television news. EMPOWER Scholarship Award Designed to increase diversity in the medical rehabilitation field by awarding students of color. ESA Foundation Computer and Video Game Scholarship Program For minority and female students majoring in a field related to computer and video game arts. F Fulbright Scholar Program Sends faculty and professionals abroad each year to lecture and conduct research. Future Engineers Scholarship Program For students pursuing a career in engineering who shows outstanding academic performance. G Gates Millenium Scholarship Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; established to help low income minority students. Go On Girl Book Club Scholarship Supports authors of the Black African Diaspora who wan to write their way to college money. Google Anita Borg Scholarship For women who excel in computing and technology, and are active role models and leaders.
H Hallie Q. Brown Scholarship For African American women who have a minimum C average, and can demonstrate financial need. HBCU Study Abroad Scholarship Provides travel opportunities for students of color who are traditionally under-represented in such programs. J Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program Provides fellowships to students who excel in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Javits-Frasier Teacher Scholarship Fund To increase diverse students' access to talent development opportunities through teacher training. Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund For low-income women who have a vision of how their education will benefit themselves and their community. Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship For cosmetology and barber school students who can demonstrate a financial need. K KFC Colonel's Scholars Program For college-bound students who can demonstrate financial need, and have a GPA of at least 2.75. L Lincoln Forum Scholarship Essay Contest A writing contest pertaining to the life and times of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era. M McKesson Pharmacy Scholarship Designed to assist pharmacy students who plan to continue their education. N National Achievement Scholarship Established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding African American high school students. National Black Police Association Scholarships For students pursuing careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, and other related areas. National Institute of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing science and healthrelated research. National SMART Grant
Available to full-time students who are majoring in science, math, technology, engineering, and more. P PMI Educational Foundation Scholarships Established for students in the field of project management or a project management related field. R Ron Brown Scholar Program Seeks to identify African American high school seniors who will make significant contributions to society. Ronald Reagan College Leaders Scholarship Seeks to recognize outstanding young people who are promoting American values on college campuses. S Siemen Competition Competition for individual or team research projects in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. T Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships For first-generation students majoring in business, finance, science, engineering, and more. Tri-Delta Scholarships For students who excel in chapter and campus involvement, community service, academics, and more. Tylenol Scholarship For students pursuing a career in health care who can demonstrate leadership and academic qualities. U United Negro College Fund Scholarships Administers 400 different scholarship programs so low-income families can afford college, tuition, and books. U.S. Bank Internet Scholarship For high school seniors planning to enroll or college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors already enrolled. USDA/1890 National Scholars Program For students seeking a Bachelor's degree in agriculture, food, or natural resource sciences and related majors.
V Vanguard Minority Scholarship Program Provides merit-based scholarships to minority students studying business, finance, economics, and more. W William B. Ruggles Right To Work Journalism Scholarship Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in journalism or a related field. Writer's Digest Annual Short Story Competition Contest for writers who can compose the best fictional short story, written in 1,500 words or less. X Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship For academic high-achievers in science, engineering, a
African American Students are not applying for scholarships. A majority of the money is being returned to the companies. The money should not be returned to donating companies because we are failing to apply for it. If you are planning on sending your child to college I am sure you know how costly it can be. Additional money will be very useful. Take the initiative to get your children involved. Please share this information with friends or family members currently enrolled in college or plan going to college. I was advised to tell the children to apply for the scholarship even if it does not apply to them and what they are studying. I was told that most companies are happy to be able to give the money to someone instead of taking it back. Please share the scholarship information.
Help Your Child Plan for College Help Your Child Plan for College Knowing what to do can save you a tremendous amount of time. I have provided a calendar on this page to help you plan for your child's future. The information will help make the college application and financial aid much process easier. by Michelle Shannon
High School Freshman Year • Join school clubs and community organizations. • Make sure you are building a strong academic record... get good grades!! • Start speaking to your guidance counselor about your classes, grades and special requirements.
High School Sophomore Year Get complete information of the college you think you would like to attend or visit the college. Talk to the students you know that attend the college. Take PSATs. High School Junior Year
(Fall) Create a list of five to ten schools Request for admission materials and catalogs from these schools or check out the web sites. Meet the financial aid staff, students and faculty.
(Spring) • Make a list of all your application due dates. • Take SAT, SATII and/or the ACT in March or April. • Mark the colleges you want to apply so that your scores will be sent there. • Consult your counselor if you can register for advanced placement to earn college credit. • Maintain good academic score.
(Summer) If you haven't yet taken SAT, SATII or the ACT, sign up for them. Visit colleges. Obtain all application materials including forms from various colleges. Work hard and take part in extra curricular activities as well as volunteer organizations.
High School Senior Year
(Fall) Fill your forms out and start writing your essays. If you are looking for early admission, request an Early Financial Aid application. Contact public libraries, high school guidance counselors, or local colleges to get your copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Apply for scholarships. Submit your application as early as possible.
Parents should complete the tax process early; this is needed for filling FAFSA and other financial aid applications. Submit FAFSA as soon as possible. Fill in the names of colleges of your interest and keep a copy for your record.
(Spring) • Four weeks have passed by since you've submitted your FAFSA and no reply as yet? Time to call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID. • Ensure that your financial aid applications, transcripts, and recommendations have been submitted. • Check your Student Aid Report (SAR) if it needs any corrections. Keep a copy with yourself and send another to your school, if required. • Compare the colleges that have accepted you and study the financial aid you have been offered. • Sign financial aid forms and return them with your deposit.
(Summer) If required, you should apply for a loan. If needed, ask your parents to apply for a loan. Discuss your loan details with your financial aid administrator and attend an entrance interview with a financial aid counselor to learn about the terms of your loan. Enjoy your summer and get ready for college.
How to Save at the Grocery Store By Michelle Shannon
I have come to realize that extreme couponing is not realistic. We’ve all seen the TV Shows showing the people clipping coupons and saving hundreds of dollars. It has inspired most of us to start couponing. If you have given it a try I’m sure it was nothing like what you’ve seen on the TV show. I am forever and always in the grocery store and I thought I would share some of the ways I save when going to the grocery store. Before I go to the grocery store I usually gather all of my local sales papers to see who has what on sale and to make sure I am getting the best deal on all of my items on my list. Oh, yes you need to make sure you make a list. Have you ever gone to the store hungry and without a list? Or maybe you are like me and you just like to eat. Whatever the case may be just don’t go to the store without a list and make sure you stick to what you have on your list. I also go to www.Ralphs.com to download my digital coupons to my Ralph’s club card. If you shop at Vons or any other grocery store they should have the same coupon program on their website. If you want to load coupons to all of your grocery store cards they will all have similar coupons. I shop at Ralph’s so I download my coupons from their site. If you know that you won’t remember which coupons you downloaded to your card the site will allow you to print the list of coupons that you’ve downloaded to your card. I also go to www.savingstar.com too. They don’t have as many coupons on their site as Ralph’s. However, it is still a coupon website set up to give you discounts on the items you buy at the grocery store. When you click on the coupons they will also go straight to the store (club card) of your choice. I also shop at Food4Less which is another Kroger store like Ralph’s. When I scan my card at Food4Less if I am purchasing items from my coupon list those items will also be discounted. Some of the employees don’t know that you can use your Ralph’s club card at Food4Less so they may tell you that you cannot swipe your card there. That is why I always enter my phone number when I get to the register. Ralph’s sends their customers loyalty or customer appreciation coupons. These are coupons that Ralph’s will send to you to thank you for shopping at their store and to keep you shopping at their store. Most of the coupons will be for items that you frequently purchase. Some of the coupons can also be used at Food4Less. Some of the coupons will be for free items, a dollar amount off your total bill, a certain amount of free groceries, etc… You can now earn fuel points if you use your club card. Earn over 100 fuel points at Ralph’s and use your club card at Shell Gas Stations for a discount 10 cent discount or a 20 cent discount for anything over 200 club card points. Remember to use your Ralph’s club number at the register when paying for your items at Food4Less to receive your fuel points. Just about everyone I tell to do this did not know that you could use your Ralph’s
club number at Food4Less. It works on the fuel points too. Also, check your Ralph’s receipt and take a look at the survey information at the bottom of the receipt. Did you know that you could receive 50 fuel points for completing a survey? Make sure you read the rules. Gas prices are very high and the cost of food is constantly going up so we are going to need all of the discounts we can find. One more thing that usually helps me is to plan out my meals so I know what to include on my grocery list and make sure you check the local ads first to find out what’s on sale. Michelle Shannon Los Angeles Black Parent Magazine info@LABlackParentMagazineOnline.info