Dollars for Scholars Volunteers Share Fundraising Ideas During COVID

In late September and early October, three virtual Hear from Your Peers Sharing Sessions were offered across the Western, Central and Northeastern regions. More than 75 volunteers attended and had an opportunity to hear about concerns and new ideas for fundraising in a continued socially distant environment. You can listen to one of the sharing sessions in Affiliate Resources.

Several volunteers mentioned having to put aside 4-6 in-person events due to COVID public health concerns. Since many Dollars for Scholars fundraise a year in advance of what is needed for their current class of graduating high school seniors, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted fundraising for the class of 2021, and possibly the class of 2022. However, that didn’t stop many volunteers from sharing their plans to meet this moment.

Click here for a roundup of ideas from Dollars for Scholars.

#GivingTuesday – December 1, 2020

#GivingTuesday is a global celebration of giving and an opportunity for your Dollars for Scholars to raise funds for students in your local community. To participate in this international day of philanthropic giving on December 1, view Affiliate Resources for email templates and social media posts, and the Dollars for Scholars Marketing Hub for images and #GivingTuesday logos. GivingTuesday also has a detailed guide that outlines key messages to use leading up to December 1.

If you have questions, or would like further assistance on your planning, please reach out to your Engagement Director.

COVID-19 Resources

Scholarship America’s College Students’ COVID-19 Resource Guide provides a wide array of resources to share with students, including financial aid, health and wellness, emergency assistance and a guide to voting in November’s election. It’s a frequently updated document, and we encourage you to share with your community!

Other info to know:

• COVID-19 Student Survey: a nationwide survey conducted by Scholarship America
• COVID-19 Q&A: Student and Scholarship Challenges

2021-22 FAFSA for Class of 2021

The new 2021-22 FAFSA form is available. Due to the pandemic, there may be changes to a number of families’ financial situations. Students who have experienced significant change in financial income due to COVID-19 should contact their financial aid office. SwiftStudent is a free app that helps students draft appeal letters to their financial aid office.

Encourage students and parents in your area to complete and submit the FAFSA form as soon as possible to make it easier to apply for Dollars for Scholars scholarships where financial need is considered.

Financial aid can get confusing in a hurry. Scholarship America’s free ebook, Decoding Financial Aid, gives an in-depth look at the ins and outs of the financial aid process.

Questions? Contact your Engagement Director!