 |
|
|
LEAF helps local high schoolers find money for college
By Marjorie Preston, Today’s Family Correspondent
 The Lake/Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation (LEAF) is a college access program that works with residents of Lake and Geauga counties who want to continue school after high school. Continuing with school could mean different things for different people: a four-year, two-year, technical or certification program. LEAF is a one-stop shop for college information, test preparation assistance and campus trips, and is known most for helping students find financial aid. LEAF offers financial aid counseling, workshops, and even provides “LEAF Scholarships” directly from the organization itself, which are based on financial need.
A non-profit, LEAF is celebrating twenty years of service. Funded by donations from businesses, corporations and foundations, originally LEAF operated in just one Lake County school. Now, students from seventh grade through twelfth grade and any adults pursuing higher education are welcome to speak to an advisor.
The statistics are inspiring: seventy-two percent of graduating seniors in Lake and Geauga counties meet with LEAF advisors, and there is a LEAF advisor in every high school in those counties. The organization receives foundation support, and up until this fiscal year was within the state of Ohio’s budget.
However, that funding was cut and the organization continues to try to replace those funds for the high school advisory program. The organization is now completely funded by donations from foundations, corporations, individuals and corporate foundations.
LEAF’s Executive Director Maryann Dwyer says, “We would like to think that the average high schooler or parent of a high schooler would know who we are.” She says, “We do much promotion within the schools, and we would always like more parents to know who we are.”
Dwyer notes that there are nearly 400 scholarships unique to Lake and Geauga counties alone. “One of the things guidance counselors cannot keep up with are all the issues around financial aid and a student going to college” she says. “We supplement what the guidance counselors do.”
Says Dwyer, “Sometimes you just need help filling out the forms. We help people apply for scholarships.” She adds, “We help parents find grants, scholarships, loans, whatever is needed, and help students from low-income families with tests and college applications. We’re the only program in these two counties that can truly help a parent understand the process for going to college.”
LEAF is located in Concord and can be reached at (440) 358-8045 or online at www.leaf-ohio.org.
 Print this story
Share this story:
Back to Previous Page
|
 |
|
|
|
