Organization: LAKEGEAUGA EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
Mission: TO DELIVER CAREER AND COLLEGE ACCESS ADVISORY PROGRAMS CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS TO THEIR BEST-FIT CAREERS.
Activities: COLLEGE ACCESS AND FINANCIAL AID ADVISORY SERVICES: LEAF CONTRACTS DIRECTLY WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO SUPPLY EXPERIENCED CAREER AND FINANCIAL AID ADVISORS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE OUR ADVISORS WORK WITH STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE ADVISORS PROVIDE OBJECTIVE INFORMATION ON THE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION PROCESS WHETHER FOR A TWO-YEAR, FOUR-YEAR OR TECHNICAL TRADE SCHOOL, INCLUDING APPLICATIONS, FAFSA FILINGS, ACT/SAT WAIVERS, FINANCIAL AID LITERACY, INTERPRETATION OF AWARD LETTERS AND SCHOLARSHIP/GRANT SEARCH OPPORTUNITIES. LEAF'S GOAL IS TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN CHOOSING WISELY, TRANSITIONING SUCCESSFULLY AND COMPLETING THEIR EDUCATION WITH A MINIMIZED DEBT LOAD. IN-SCHOOL SERVICES INCLUDE ONE-ON- ONE APPOINTMENTS, IN-CLASS GROUP SESSIONS, AND PARENT/STUDENT FINANCIAL AID NIGHTS. THIS SERVICE ALSO INCLUDES INFORMATION PAMPHLETS AND NEWSLETTERS SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PARENT/GUARDIAN FOR FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS AND SENIORS. IN ALL, LEAF IMPACTS MORE THAN 16,000 STUDENTS IN LAKE, GEAUGA, PORTAGE AND EASTERN CUYAHOGA COUNTIES, OHIO.
B.SCHOLARSHIP MANAGEMENT: LEAF MANAGES AND ADMINISTERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SEVERAL THIRD-PARTY ORGANIZATIONS (KNOWN AS COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS). THESE COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FUNDED BY THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION HARRIET B. STORRS FUND, THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION WILLIS KELLY SCHOLARSHIP FUND, WILLOUGHBY SOUTH ALUMNI, WESTERN RESERVE JUNIOR LEAGUE, ABB, EASTERN LAKE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ERIE AFFILIATES, LAKELAND AREA COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION , AND THREE MEMORIAL FUNDS. LEAF CHARGES A NOMINAL ADMINISTRATIVE FEE TO MANAGE THESE SCHOLARSHIPS. IN ADDITION, LEAF MANAGES AND ADMINISTERS SCHOLARSHIPS THAT ARE FUNDED BY OUR OWN DONORS AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.
RESOURCE CENTER: LEAF MANAGES A FREE RESOURCE CENTER FOR RESIDENTS OF LAKE AND GEAUGA COUNTIES(OHIO) WHERE THEY CAN SCHEDULE ONE-ON-ONE APPOINTMENTS OR ATTEND A FREE RESOURCE CENTER SEMINAR ON A TOPIC RELATED TO COLLEGE AND CAREER ACCESS OR FINANCIAL AID LITERACY. TYPICALLY, LEAF WILL ADVISE MORE THAN 450 INDIVIDUALS IN OUR RESOURCE CENTER ANNUALLY. SINCE 2016, LEAF HAS PUBLISHED A 24-PAGE RESOURCE CENTER INFORMATION GUIDE, WHICH IS AN INFORMATION INTENSIVE RESOURCE FOR PARENTS OF HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND SENIORS. TO OFFSET PROGRAM EXPENSES, REVENUES WERE OBTAINED THROUGH SPONSORSHIPS AND PLACEMENTS IN THE GUIDE.
NTEE category: Education
Secondary category: Youth Development