News & Press

Unique Experiences of Women Students

Tue, 7 Mar 2023 14:23:00 GMT

March is Women's History Month. While women's enrollment in college had been

increasing for several years before the pandemic, new dat a shows that enrollment rates have dropped for women at twice the rate of men since 2020. We know women face unique challenges, so we are taking the opportunity to highlight the experiences of women students. Read this week's articles to learn more about the challenges facing teen girls, student parents, women of color, and incarcerated women, and how communities, institutions, and scholarship providers can play a role in their success.

For more on supporting women students, check out the Scholar Demographics section of NSPA’s Member Resource Library.

Current Enrollment Data & Intervention Strategies

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:47:00 GMT

Higher education enrollment has been a hot topic since well before the COVID-19 pandemic. Many institutions are facing significant declines in enrollment, in part due to an overall decline in the college-age population, lingering corona virus impacts, rising costs and affordability issues, and broad concerns about the value of college. This week's articles showcase strategies that colleges and universities are using to mitigate under-enrollment, including through creative programming, intensive relationship-building with students, and addressing the needs of specific populations.

For even more on enrollment, check out the Research & Trends section of NSPA’s Member Resource Library.

Meet TGR Foundation, 2022 Small Provider of the Year!

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 21:06:00 GMT

Meet TGR Foundation, 2022 Small Provider of the Year! Housed within TGR Foundation, founded by Tiger Woods, the Earl Woods Scholar Program seeks to honor the legacy of Tiger’s late father Earl, while also supporting students from under-resourced communities who are committed to giving back. The program accepts new scholars in 11th or 12th grade who are often first-generation college students focused on giving back - to their community, family, classmates, school, city, or in other ways that are meaningful to them.

Read More >>

Mentorship Programs Offer Benefits and Challenges for Providers

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 15:01:00 GMT

Recently, a number of NSPA members gathered to discuss mentoring and its importance to the scholars they serve. The conversation touched on mentoring program administration and set-up, setting appropriate expectations for mentor responsibilities, mentor and scholar engagement, and resources for further support.

Read More >>

Scholarship & Student Success Fundamentals

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:20:00 GMT

Earlier this month, NSPA hosted the Scholarship Administration Essentials event, a series of seven webinars featuring nearly a dozen presenters sharing about effective practices in program administration. Topics included stages in the scholarship lifecycle, from marketing to awarding, as well as important issues such as evaluation, financial aid, and legal fundamentals. The recorded sessions will be available on-demand on NSPA's website in the next week. In the meantime, the below articles touch on key themes heard throughout the two days, including program design and delivery, financial aid, taxes, and supporting students by letting their voices be heard.

For even more on strategies and tactics you can implement for the students you serve, check out the NSPA Member Resource Library and NSPA On-Demand.

Meet the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation: No Student or Family Left Behind

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 19:08:00 GMT

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation was established in 1962, as a result of a Marine veteran reading in the newspaper about a fellow Marine veteran and Medal of Honor recipient who couldn’t afford to send their child to college. Today, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation awards $10 million to 2,600 students across the country each year through a need-based, non-competitive scholarship program that funds all qualified applicants.

Read More >>

Financial Aid Awareness Month

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:59:00 GMT

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month. It couldn't be more timely, with FAFSA, financial aid transparency, student loans, and college affordability as very hot topics in the news. The articles below cover just a few of these issues, including the Department of Education's uncertainty about an October 1 FAFSA launch date, Pell Grant usage data and program updates, the latest for student loan borrowers, and more. As always, NSPA will keep the scholarship provider community informed on these and other important financial aid topics. Be sure to pass along what you learn to the students and families you serve.

For even more on financial aid, check out the Award Displacement, Financial Aid, & Student Loans section of NSPA’s Member Resource Library.

Increasing Scholarship Applications: Simplifying Your Application Process

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 19:49:00 GMT

We often hear from institutions that they have trouble getting enough qualified applicants to apply for scholarships. Not only does this make the awarding process more challenging and tedious, it leads to another, bigger problem: lack of scholarship fund utilization. Solving this problem all comes down to simplification of your scholarship process.

Read More >>

Bob Ballard, 2022 NSPA Awards of Excellence Ann Radcliffe Award Winner

Wed, 8 Feb 2023 19:50:00 GMT

Bob Ballard’s experience with scholarships began with his own college journey. He joined the Navy and received a Navy scholarship, without which, he says, he wouldn’t have been able to attend at all. Thus began a long career focusing on students in a wide variety of ways, including ultimately as CEO of Scholarship America.

Read More >>

Black History Month

Tue, 7 Feb 2023 19:57:00 GMT

February is Black History Month, allowing us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate Black Americans and their contributions to American culture. It also gives us the chance to shine a spotlight on the circumstances facing Black students, including challenges to affirmative action, persistence to graduation, affordability, and more.

Read this week's articles to learn more about key issues facing Black students as well as what higher education is doing to advance equity for this historically marginalized student population.

Check out NSPA’s Member Resource Library for more on how to support students of color and consider registering for NSPA's upcoming webinars, Eradicating Anti-Blackness for the Safety and Retention of Students of Color and Developing Scholarship Programs to Help End Systemic Racism.

Making the Switch: Why You Should Consider Implementing an Online Scholarship Management Tool

Tue, 7 Feb 2023 19:53:00 GMT

Making the switch from a manual scholarship management process to an online system can seem daunting. If you're still managing your scholarship program using paper applications and manual processes, it might be time to consider transitioning to an online scholarship management software. Here are just a few of the reasons why you should consider making the switch.

Read More >>

The Future of Higher Ed

Thu, 2 Feb 2023 20:21:00 GMT

We're a few weeks into the new year, and we at NSPA are keeping a close eye on big-picture higher education issues. Topics such as student loan forgiveness, institutional closings and consolidations, and technological advancements are frequently in the news. Education experts are also paying attention to trends and questions like those covered in this week's articles: declining enrollments, the new FAFSA, changing college rankings, and affirmative action. All of these have the potential to impact scholarship providers and students they serve, so we will continue to track key issues and share the latest with you.

For even more on what's happening in higher education, check out the Research & Trends section of NSPA’s Member Resource Library.

AwardSpring Partners with HBCUs to Maximize Impact

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 15:18:00 GMT

HBCU Norfolk State University leveraged AwardSpring to advance outcomes, drive participation, and elevate their financial aid experience. They improved every stage of their scholarship cycle, empowered their team with data and tools to drive engagement, raised more funds, and awarded more - in less time and under budget.

Read More >>

National Mentoring Month

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:49:00 GMT

It's National Mentoring Month! As many of us know firsthand, mentoring can be integral to personal and professional success. The research shows that mentoring--as well as other wraparound support services--can also be a game-changer for college students, sometimes making the difference between staying in school and dropping out. This week's articles are all about mentoring, other student support services, and inspiration if you're considering building them into your program's offerings.

Want even more on mentoring scholarship recipients? Check out the Student Support Services section of NSPA’s Member Resource Library.

Meet ISTS, the 2022 Keystone Award Winner!

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 18:44:00 GMT

Congratulations to ISTS, the 2022 Keystone Award Winner! International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS) offers a comprehensive solution for organizations that need administrative support, while also providing a positive applicant experience and setting up scholarship sponsors for successful, impactful growth. ISTS is a longstanding NSPA member, joining in the early 2000s.

Read More >>

5 Strategies to Maximize the Impact of Your Scholarships

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 14:07:00 GMT

In 2022, student debt hit an all-time high. Fifty-four percent of college students took on debt to fund their education, and the average student debt rose to over $38,000 per student. The barriers to searching for funding can often discourage students from seeking financial support. Digital solutions make it simple to search and apply for awards. Here are five strategies to get you started.

Read More >>

College Success & Persistence

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 17:39:00 GMT

Spring term is right around the corner! Students will be heading back to campus, hopefully recharged and ready to do their best in the upcoming term. This week our articles focus on what it takes for them to succeed, academically and in other ways. Institutions can embrace numerous strategies, as can K-12 schools and pre-college programs. Scholarship providers can learn their own lessons, including relationship building and employing student-centric practices.

For even more on increasing college success for all students, check out the Student Support Services section of NSPA’s Member Resource Library.

Cut Through the Noise to Maximize Fundraising Success

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 14:00:00 GMT

Keeping your organization's fundraising strategies, tools, and engagement methods fresh and innovative gets more critical every year. So how can you ensure your messages cut through the noise and strike a chord with your donors? This blog, based on a recent webinar, will help you harness personalization, share compelling stories to drive action, meaningfully engage your stakeholders, and more.

Read More >>

Key Principles for DEI Scholarship Programs

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:27:00 GMT

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) occupies an ever more visible role in corporate and educational settings, and rightly so. For scholarship providers, this offers an opportunity to provide funds that allow students from marginalized backgrounds to pursue higher education that they might otherwise be limited from pursuing. Here are five basic principles and best practices around creating DEI scholarships.

Read More >>

Addressing College Affordability Will Require Innovative Solutions

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 18:25:00 GMT

College affordability has long been a concern for students, families, and educators alike. A newly released report from the National College Attainment Network demonstrates that these concerns are well founded, especially for low-income students. Solutions such as doubling the Pell Grant, ‘free’ college, and promise programs are just the start to increase affordability and attainment.

Read More >>

Top 10 NSPA Blogs of 2022

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:18:00 GMT

With the new year just around the corner, this week we're bringing you the top ten NSPA blogs of 2022. Whether it's effective administration practices, scholar supports, tax fundamentals, or lessons learned during recovery from the pandemic, we've got you covered.

For more blogs, all including useful ideas that can help you increase your impact on your students, check out our Blog Hub. And if you or members of your team are looking to ground the upcoming year's work in effective practices, join us for the virtual Scholarship Administration Essentials Summit on February 14 and 15, 2023.

How To Make Sure Your Applicants Complete Your Scholarship and Grant Application

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:08:00 GMT

You've undoubtedly been working on marketing your scholarship or grant program to reach the highest number of potential applicants. Once those hard-earned applicants start their applications, you need to make sure they submit them. So, how do you do that? Here are three tips to boost your scholarship and grant application completion rate.

Read More >>

Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 14:30:00 GMT

December marks Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month, a time to recognize the mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety, that weigh on many during the winter season. More than just the "winter blues", seasonal affective disorder can be characterized by serious symptoms such as hopelessness, social withdrawal, changes in sleep or appetite, and more. The stress of the holidays as well as personal and professional worries can further exacerbate the situation.

The good news is that there is help for those with seasonal affective disorder. The articles below describe simple steps sufferers can take to boost their mood and improve wellness.

For those seeking additional help, SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), is free, confidential, and available 24/7, 365 days a year. The Helpline provides treatment referrals and information (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing seasonal affective disorder and other mental health challenges.

And for even more ways to practice self-care this season and support the students you serve, view NSPA's recent on-demand webinar How to Prioritize Your Wellness During the Hustle of the Holiday Season.

Employee Assistance Programs

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 19:57:00 GMT

The Great Resignation, "quiet quitting", burnout, and the like have affected millions of employers and employees in recent years. In order to retain and engage their staff, many workplaces have adopted employee assistance programs to help workers manage professional or personal issues. Such programs run the gamut, from tuition assistance to mental health helplines to down payment grants and much more. The articles below offer examples of ways that employers are both supporting their employees and keeping them excited about their jobs.

For even more on creating great places to work as well as taking care of ourselves on and off the clock, check out the Professional Development section of NSPA’s Member Resource Library.

Program Evaluation, Outcome Measurement, and Using Data

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 13:39:00 GMT

Recently, college- and university-based members of NSPA gathered for a roundtable focused on program evaluation, outcome measurement, and using data. The circle discussed topics including what successful outreach and student success looks like, and how program evaluation is impacting student participation and persistence.

Read More >>