The Scholar Budget - Helping Students Navigate Finances & Earn a Debt-Free Degree

38 | Discover What You Can Do and Earn Through The Time for Change Youth Challenge

Hello There!
In this episode, we connect with Ariana, her mother, and Ms. Smith to discuss the Time for Change Youth Challenge and how Ariana's initiative, Celebrate Crates, came to life. The discussion highlights the importance of community involvement, the role of family and educators in supporting youth projects, and the positive impact of such initiatives on personal growth and community well-being. The Time for Change Youth Challenge is open to students in K-12 and includes prizes from $1,000 to $5,000 to spark your journey or move forward with your idea.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree!
Love Rocky! 
 
Learn more and apply: https://www.changemakers.com/en/challenge/tfc-youth-challenge
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/
 

37 l A Better Chance is Creating Opportunities for Transformative Educational Access & Experiences

Hello Friends!
Francisco Tezen, the president and CEO of A Better Chance, discusses the organization's mission to help young people gain access to competitive middle schools and high schools, leading to opportunities at top colleges and universities. A Better Chance works nationally in seven core markets, providing support and guidance to students and families throughout a rigorous application process. The organization also offers programming to support students beyond school placement, including college exploration and career development.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky! 
Apply:https://abetterchance.org/program/apply/#form
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

36 l FAFSA Support, Strategies & Everything You Need to Know

Hello Friends!
 
In this episode, Daniel Barkowitz, Assistant Vice President of Financial Assistance and Student Employment at the University of Miami, discusses the importance of completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and offers valuable tips for students and parents. He explains the FAFSA's role in determining eligibility for federal aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Daniel highlights common misconceptions, the importance of early application, and resources for help.  He also addresses financial aid appeals, common mistakes, and strategies for covering college costs beyond aid.
 
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree!
 
Love Rocky! 
 
Get FAFSA Support: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/t9obTfkRyy3WSTVR/
Call For FAFSA Support:https://studentaid.gov/help-center/contact
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/
 

35 l Empowering Youth to Combat Hunger with the Stephen J. Brady Scholarship

Hello Friends,
In this episode of the Scholar Budget Podcast, we connect with Sarah Lankford and Taylor Gorycki from the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation. They discuss the foundation's mission to combat hunger, the legacy of Stephen J. Brady, and the various programs they run, including the Stephen J. Brady Scholarship. We highlight the importance of youth engagement in community service, the scholarship application process, and the impact of the foundation's networking events. You’ll also hear inspiring success stories from past scholarship recipients and advice for young changemakers looking to make a difference in their communities.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree!
Love Rocky! 
Learn: https://us.stop-hunger.org/home/grants.html
Connect: https://www.instagram.com/sodexostophunger/
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com

34 l Turn Meaningful Community Service into Scholarship Success with Create for Kids

Hey There!
Create for Kids is a nonprofit organization founded by Suma Gadde and Sarah Younes. Their mission is to help kids all around the world, especially in places where they may not have access to organizations or nonprofits. They provide care packages to children in hospitals, reaching out to them through social media or hospitals. There is no age limit to get involved, and students can earn community service hours by partnering with Create for Kids. They also have chapters all over the world, and anyone can start a chapter by going through an application process.
 
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree!
Love Rocky! 
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createforkidsorg
Join: https://www.createforkids.org/
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/
 

33 l Closing the College Opportunity Gap with SEO Scholars

Hello There!
Meet Percio Pichardo, Senior Manager of Recruitment and Retention for SEO Scholars. We discussed the amazing free eight-year program that aims to close the opportunity gap for underserved students. The SEO program provides academic support, mentoring, career development, and college readiness opportunities. The program guarantees that students who apply and enroll will attend a four-year college. SEO Scholars offers ongoing support throughout high school and college, including personalized academic advisement, career exploration, internships, and professional skill-building.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I will show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
 
Love Rocky!
 
Next steps :
Learn About SEO:  https://www.seo-usa.org/scholars/
Fill Out The Miami Interest Form:https://forms.seo-usa.org/4937717
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

32 l Season 2, Scholarships, FAFSA & More

Hello There!
In season two of the Scholar Budget Podcast, we focus on providing information and resources to help students earn a debt-free degree. The stacking method, dual enrollment, and other methods are key ingredients to a debt-free college degree. We also emphasize the importance of completing the FAFSA application and addressing mental health and wellness in relation to scholarships and academic success. 
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree!
Love Rocky! 
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

31 l 4 Summer Scholarship Money Tips

Hello There!
Is it me, or did the summer get here faster than expected? Living in Miami makes it feel like the summer started three weeks ago. This is the time to start preparing for the beach, vacations, and getting scholarship ready. Learn what you can start doing right now to prepare for scholarship success. Don’t wait; this is your time to prepare for a debt-free degree.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky!
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/
 
 

30 l ChatGPT and Scholarships

Hello There!
This is one of those episodes that can save you time, money, and disappointment. Using AI tools like ChatGPT for scholarship essays is not recommended. Scholarship organizations are looking for authentic and honest stories from students, which AI cannot provide. Relying on AI tools can lead to negative consequences, such as being caught for plagiarism. Instead, listen to find out what you can do to start securing scholarships and earn a debt-free degree.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky! 
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

29 I Money Matters: Eric Smith's Tips for Financial Success and Empowerment

Hi Friends!
Happy Financial Literacy Month!
Let's talk with Eric Smith, a financial literacy coach who shares his journey from being a banker to teaching money management skills to NFL players, NBA players, college athletes, and other groups. He emphasizes the importance of cash flow management as the first step to financial success and cautions against borrowing more than necessary for college expenses. Eric makes financial literacy engaging and fun by focusing on the audience, using humor, and incorporating interactive activities. He shares memorable experiences, such as being the first to do a financial book club with NFL rookies and providing free credit counseling to mothers in distress. Eric's goal is to empower individuals to take control of their finances and improve their lives. 
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky! 
Connect with Eric: https://thefinancialliteracycoach.com/
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/