I just want to thank everyone for their encouraging emails and comments. I really appreciate your support and your prayers!

So, this is the time of year where I start filling out applications for scholarships and grants. I am not a huge fan of loans (because you have to pay them back at a not-so-great interest rate), so I would like to find as many scholarships as possible.

Here are a couple of helpful hints in searching for scholarships:
1. Know your due dates. They are usually around the end of March-beginning of April; Mid-June, Early September, and December.

2. Know what you bring to the table. There are lots of scholarships for those who belong to a specific group: women, African Americans, Latinos, Social Work Students, Grad Student, Older Student. I would just go to google and begin searching for scholarships under your specific categories.

3. Utilize scholarship search engines. There are several scholarship search engines that you can use for FREE! The catch is that they will show you something from their advertisers each time you log in, but you don't have to accept it...you can simply click off and it will take you right to the scholarship page. I like fastweb.

4. Finally...the school offers small scholarships (but anything is better than nothing!) in the amount of $500-$1,000 for rising 2nd year students. The only negative thing about this is that they are usually specific to your concentration. So, the bulk are given to SWCOS and those in the Families and Children Concentration. If you are a 1st year student, do not be discouraged...a little birdie told me that the school also has small scholarships available for 1st year students...some are based upon merit, other are based upon need. Again, some are only available to residents of Baltimore City.

Last word of advice...don't get discouraged. For every 20 scholarships you apply for, you may only receive one...and it may only be worth $500. But, that is $500 less that you have to pay back when you graduate!

Email me with any questions about scholarships! Happy searching!

Posted by Carmen at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I got back in the swing of things last week after my daddy's funeral, and I must tell you...it has been hard to be away from Tennessee and even more difficult to focus on my schoolwork. There are days that I just put my head down and get through the readings and the classes, but some days...I just need a few hours to cry and reflect...being without my dad is really, really hard.

However, I am 100% sure that my dad, who expected excellence from us kids, would want me to do my best and give my all. So, I will try...for him, but it is a hard reality to think that he is not here.

I am taking an online class this semester, and I must tell you....I LOVE IT! If you are the type of person who works well independently and has access to a computer...I highly recommend an online class. The lectures are pre-recorded and placed on Blackboard. We also have readings that coincide with the lectures, and we are supposed to post responses to the readings/lectures. I am really enjoying working at my own pace and having the opportunity to voice my opinion on the discussion board.

My online class is Substance Abuse and Social Policy with Dr. Bryant. Dr. Cornelius teaches it as well.

Feel free to email me with questions about my online course. Also, thanks to everyone who has offered their condolences for my dad. I really appreciate your prayers and support.

Posted by Carmen at 2:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last Thursday afternoon, I got a call from my mom saying that they were rushing my dad to the hospital. My husband and I flew to Tennessee on Thursday evening...and my daddy passed away early Friday morning.

Words cannot express the pain that I feel. I desparately miss my daddy. And as one of the pastors said...my daddy may not have lived a long life, but he lived a quality life. He loved the Lord, and I am confident that he is with Jesus. I am really struggling without my dad, but I am amazed at the outpouring of love that people have given to my family because of their love for my dad.

Please pray for my mom, especially. After 38 1/2 years of marriage, it will be hard for her to be without my dad.

I'm headed back to Baltimore this weekend.

Posted by Carmen at 5:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)