We're excited to hear about President Obama's proposal for simplifying the FAFSA. The FAFSA, which is the federal government's required form for college financial aid, is currently over 100 questions long. It's so complex that as many as 1.5 million Pell grant-eligible students don't complete the form. In other words, low-income students often find the form so daunting that they simply give up.
It isn't just that eligible students don't get the grants they qualify for. Forbes reports on one study that indicates that the FAFSA's complexity sometimes pushes low-income students to more expensive, private loans instead of publicly-subsidized loans. The study's author, Mark Kantrowitz, found that two-thirds of students who take out only private loans came from families with an income of less than $50,000.
At JRF, we're for FAFSA reform that makes it easier for students to go to college, preferably without taking out expensive private loans. Plus, FAFSA reform couldn't come at a better time, since, due to the recession, applications for student aid are up 12% over last year.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Anonymous donors support women students, college presidents
Funding for Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund comes from donations large and small. Some donors use named scholarships to honor friends and relatives; others support our general fund so that we can continue to administer scholarships as efficiently as possible.
Many of our donors tell us a little bit about themselves, including the reasons they share our commitment to women's education. But in some cases, they let their donation do the talking. This spring, an anonymous donor stepped forward (through an intermediary, of course) to provide a $20,000 donation to support JRF scholarships.
A donation of this size is especially helpful this year, given the tough economic climate. The struggling national economy creates a perfect storm for organizations like JRF: endowments and donations are down, and the need for college funding is up, as laid-off workers return to school. As we mentioned below, this trend played out in our office, in the form of a 39% increase in scholarship applications. Our generous anonymous donor enabled us to maintain our commitment to provide 80 scholarships to outstanding students across the country.
Our experience with anonymous giving led us to follow another story about philanthropy and women's education. Over the past several months, an anonymous donor has given more than $100 million to at least 15 colleges and universities. A portion of the gift is usually reserved for scholarships for women and minority students, and, most interestingly, all of the colleges are led by women.
Speculation on the Mystery Donor's identity abounds. Maybe it's a controversial celebrity or disgraced Wall Street financier, hoping to spare the colleges guilt by association. Maybe it's a giving circle, ensuring that, as Brian O'Rourke speculates in USA Today, "women presidents in higher education are successful." Maybe it's Oprah. (A spokesperson for Oprah says it isn't. But of course, that's what a spokesperson would say.) The colleges themselves agreed not to investigate the donor's identity; one school, Binghamton University, originally interpreted the request for anonymity so strictly that they didn't even plan to announce the gift, until they realized it was part of a pattern.
Here at JRF, we sort of like the anonymity, both of Binghamton's mystery donor and our own, no-less-important mystery donor. Of course we would like to say thank you, and tell our donor about the wonderful scholars their gift supports. But we also like that these donations say, in effect, "It's not about who I am. I could be anyone, because supporting women in higher education is important to all of us."
Many of our donors tell us a little bit about themselves, including the reasons they share our commitment to women's education. But in some cases, they let their donation do the talking. This spring, an anonymous donor stepped forward (through an intermediary, of course) to provide a $20,000 donation to support JRF scholarships.
A donation of this size is especially helpful this year, given the tough economic climate. The struggling national economy creates a perfect storm for organizations like JRF: endowments and donations are down, and the need for college funding is up, as laid-off workers return to school. As we mentioned below, this trend played out in our office, in the form of a 39% increase in scholarship applications. Our generous anonymous donor enabled us to maintain our commitment to provide 80 scholarships to outstanding students across the country.
Our experience with anonymous giving led us to follow another story about philanthropy and women's education. Over the past several months, an anonymous donor has given more than $100 million to at least 15 colleges and universities. A portion of the gift is usually reserved for scholarships for women and minority students, and, most interestingly, all of the colleges are led by women.
Speculation on the Mystery Donor's identity abounds. Maybe it's a controversial celebrity or disgraced Wall Street financier, hoping to spare the colleges guilt by association. Maybe it's a giving circle, ensuring that, as Brian O'Rourke speculates in USA Today, "women presidents in higher education are successful." Maybe it's Oprah. (A spokesperson for Oprah says it isn't. But of course, that's what a spokesperson would say.) The colleges themselves agreed not to investigate the donor's identity; one school, Binghamton University, originally interpreted the request for anonymity so strictly that they didn't even plan to announce the gift, until they realized it was part of a pattern.
Here at JRF, we sort of like the anonymity, both of Binghamton's mystery donor and our own, no-less-important mystery donor. Of course we would like to say thank you, and tell our donor about the wonderful scholars their gift supports. But we also like that these donations say, in effect, "It's not about who I am. I could be anyone, because supporting women in higher education is important to all of us."
Friday, June 19, 2009
JRF scholar Melissa Brooks earns BS
JRF scholar Melissa Brooks wrote to us recently with great news: she has finished the coursework for her Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, and she'll receive her diploma from Franklin University in August! Melissa will join us for the Annual Dinner on Sept 17th at The Classic Center here in Athens to tell us more about her education and the role JRF played in her life.
In her letter, Melissa said, "The encouragement and assistance you have extended has made the difference in my life and the lives of my children." In addition to completing her degree, Melissa recently accepted a new job as Director of Human Resources at Arkansas State University - Mountain Home. She writes, "This position will provide an increase in pay and other benefits that will greatly improve our lives in many ways. These two milestones in my life go hand-in-hand, and were both made possible through your dedication to improving the lives of others."
Melissa told us, "I want you to know the Jeannette Rankin Scholarship has made a dramatic difference in our lives. This would not have been possible without your commitment to providing opportunity and support to others. I do believe this story exemplifies the reason Jeannette Rankin decided to promote educational opportunities. She understood the message embedded in the current ASUMH motto, 'Creating opportunities, changing lives.' And that is exactly what you have done for me."
We agree completely; Melissa embodies the values of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation. Her success is a testament to her hard work and dedication. We can't wait to hear more about Melissa's accomplishments as a student, a professional, and a mother.
Melissa joins a long line of women who have earned degrees as JRF scholars. Congratulations, Melissa!
In her letter, Melissa said, "The encouragement and assistance you have extended has made the difference in my life and the lives of my children." In addition to completing her degree, Melissa recently accepted a new job as Director of Human Resources at Arkansas State University - Mountain Home. She writes, "This position will provide an increase in pay and other benefits that will greatly improve our lives in many ways. These two milestones in my life go hand-in-hand, and were both made possible through your dedication to improving the lives of others."
Melissa told us, "I want you to know the Jeannette Rankin Scholarship has made a dramatic difference in our lives. This would not have been possible without your commitment to providing opportunity and support to others. I do believe this story exemplifies the reason Jeannette Rankin decided to promote educational opportunities. She understood the message embedded in the current ASUMH motto, 'Creating opportunities, changing lives.' And that is exactly what you have done for me."
We agree completely; Melissa embodies the values of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation. Her success is a testament to her hard work and dedication. We can't wait to hear more about Melissa's accomplishments as a student, a professional, and a mother.
Melissa joins a long line of women who have earned degrees as JRF scholars. Congratulations, Melissa!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Save the date...
Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund 33rd Annual Dinner
Friday, September 17, 2009
The Classic Center, Athens, GA
Friday, September 17, 2009
The Classic Center, Athens, GA
Join us in celebrating our 80 outstanding scholars at our Annual Dinner. The 2009 keynote speaker is award-winning author Melissa Fay Greene. Her first book, Praying for Sheetrock, was named one of the 20th century's top 100 works of journalism by the New York University School of Journalism. Her most recent book, There Is No Me Without You, was celebrated among the best books of 2006 by Publisher's Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, Christian Science Monitor, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Chicago Tribune.
Featured speaker Melissa Brooks is a graduating JRF scholar. Melissa will receive her bachelor's degree from Franklin University in August. We're excited to hear about Melissa's many accomplishments as a student, professional, and mother.
Keep an eye on the blog and, of course, our homepage, for sponsor information, ticket sales, and more about some of our speakers in the next few weeks.
We can't wait to see you in September!
Friday, June 12, 2009
JRF joins WCFS
Jeannette Rankin Foundation is proud to announce that we've joined Women, Children, and Family Service Charities of America. WCFS is an umbrella organization made up of charities and foundations serving women and families. WCFS member organizations provide scholarships, job training, and family counseling, aid survivors of domestic violence and child abuse, and research and lobby on family life issues.
By joining WCFS, the foundation becomes an approved charity for the Combined Federal Campaign. If you're a federal employee, you can now designate JRF for a payroll donation.
We're excited to be counted among so many great organizations working to improve the lives of women and families.
By joining WCFS, the foundation becomes an approved charity for the Combined Federal Campaign. If you're a federal employee, you can now designate JRF for a payroll donation.
We're excited to be counted among so many great organizations working to improve the lives of women and families.
JRF applications increase 39%
As the 2009 selection process winds down, JRF has started to assemble a few facts and figures about our 2009 applications.
The most striking is the 39% increase in applications from 2008. 834 women applied for scholarships this year, up from 601 in 2008.
We aren't surprised at the increased interest in our scholarship program; in tough economic climates, more women return to school as a result of lay-offs or under-employment, and other sources of funding become harder to find. But we didn't realize how dramatic the increase would be.
Our generous donors provided funds for 80 scholarships, and a group of dedicated volunteers went above and beyond the call of duty to help us complete the selection process.
We'll be sending letters to 2009 scholars in the coming days. Keep checking back to learn more about the outstanding students in the 2009 scholar class!
The most striking is the 39% increase in applications from 2008. 834 women applied for scholarships this year, up from 601 in 2008.
We aren't surprised at the increased interest in our scholarship program; in tough economic climates, more women return to school as a result of lay-offs or under-employment, and other sources of funding become harder to find. But we didn't realize how dramatic the increase would be.
Our generous donors provided funds for 80 scholarships, and a group of dedicated volunteers went above and beyond the call of duty to help us complete the selection process.
We'll be sending letters to 2009 scholars in the coming days. Keep checking back to learn more about the outstanding students in the 2009 scholar class!
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