SAGE Scholars Monthly Newsletter | April 2023

The Fifth Annual Dr. James B. Johnston Scholarship Competition

Attention high school seniors! Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to apply for the fifth annual Dr. James B. Johnston Scholarship Competition is quickly approaching. This year, our Educational Foundation is offering scholarships of up to $5,000 to SAGE Scholars High School Seniors who submit a winning essay or video and attend a member college or university. Make sure to login to your Tuition Rewards account and apply by May 15th for a chance to win. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to receive financial support for your academic journey. Apply now!

Read More

John Nicklow Named Next President of Florida Tech

Board of Trustees chair Travis Proctor announced on behalf of the board that Nicklow, president of the University of New Orleans in Louisiana, has been appointed as the sixth president in Florida Tech's 65-year history. Nicklow, with a background in engineering and higher education teaching, research, and administration, will bring a student-centered focus to his new role. He takes office on July 1. "Dr. Nicklow's leadership success as a sitting president at the University of New Orleans, his extensive background in academics and research, as well as his approach to teamwork and collaboration will all be assets to Florida Tech," Proctor said. "Throughout his 25-year career, he has a proven record of fostering enrollment growth and student success, strengthening campus research enterprises, and expanding strategic and philanthropic partnerships."

Read More

KEEPING ON TRACK WITH SAGE SCHOLARS

Sustainability on College Campuses

By Justina Thompson

Ever wondered what you can do to grow sustainability cultures on your campus? Environmental conservation efforts have gained momentum recently, and organizations, governments, and individuals are recognizing their responsibility to protect the Earth's resources. College campuses, in particular, have adopted a number of strategies to reduce their environmental footprints and work towards a more sustainable future. Through a variety of initiatives and changes, universities are making positive steps towards running operations in a more eco-friendly and environmentally conscious manner. Read More

Navigating Unexpected Health Issues in College

By Mari Whitmore

As a college student, you likely have a variety of ideals and expectations for your time in higher education and probably have a list of goals you're excited to achieve. Whatever your vision of your college experience is, it probably doesn't include navigating an unexpected health issue. Accidents, injuries, or illnesses can happen to anyone. If you do encounter an unexpected health issue while in college, there are a variety of choices you might have to make. This article will outline some options and hopefully help you make a plan and best utilize the resources available to help you get the most out of your education while still caring for your health. Read More

Managing Time as a Student — Athlete

By Nathaniel Tamminga

Collegiate athletics can be a very rewarding part of your college experience, but they also take a lot of time (over 20 hours a week in season). Because of the great time demand that sports have, learning to manage your time well as a student-athlete is key for success both in the classroom and in competition. You can do several things, as well as resources the university provides to you, to help manage your time. Read More

Todd Pfannestiel Named Utica's Tenth President

The Utica University Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Todd Pfannestiel as the University's next president. Effective August 1, 2023, he will be appointed as the 10th president in the University's history. He will succeed Dr. Laura Casamento, who will retire on July 31, 2023, following her highly accomplished seven-year presidency. "Utica University's future as a leader in higher education and an influential contributor in the region continues to grow," says Pfannestiel, who currently serves as Utica's provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "I am honored to serve the institution and its amazing students, faculty, and staff along that path.

Read More

KEEPING ON TRACK WITH SAGE SCHOLARS

The College Student's Guide to Filing Taxes Part One: Preparing to File

By Mari Whitmore

As a college student, filing your taxes is an overwhelming task. You may remember your parents stressing over taxes every year and might be intimidated by the idea of filing taxes for yourself. Remember to pause as you figure out whether you need to file taxes, what information to collect, what forms to fill out, and how to navigate the complexities of tax codes and laws. Fortunately, there is a plethora of information accessible to help you file your taxes correctly. With some knowledge and preparation, you can file your taxes without too much trouble and potentially receive a refund! Part One of this series will help you prepare everything you may need to file your tax return, and Part Two will provide some tips for getting through the actual filing process. Read More

Introduction to the Stock Market Part II. Investing

By Kaitlin Meyer

By investing in the stock market, one can buy shares of stock in public companies and profit from the success of these companies. Check out the first article in this series for more general information on what the stock market is and how it works. Even if you can only invest a small amount of money, investing as a student can be an excellent way to save for retirement, tuition, or in general, to guard against inflation. Read More

Budget-Friendly Spring Break Ideas

By Mari Whitmore

Spring break is an exciting time for college students to take a break from the academic grind and have fun. However, the cost of traveling and partying can quickly add up, which makes it impractical for many students to embark on the stereotypical spring break beach trip of their dreams. Fortunately, many budget-friendly options exist for students looking to make the most of their spring break without breaking the bank. Keep reading for some affordable spring break ideas for college students! Read More

Emory & Henry Trustees Vote to Approve Transition From College to University Status

Members of the Board of Trustees at Emory & Henry College reviewed and approved the new 2023-2026 strategic plan "Elevate in Excellence", at its March 25, 2023, meeting that included a status change to move from a college to a private regional comprehensive university to be fully implemented as Emory & Henry University by Fall 2024. Over the past decade, Emory & Henry (E&H) has added new master's and doctoral programs in health sciences, education and now business, to its liberal arts bachelor's degree offerings. Comprehensive universities are defined by Carnegie Classification, for those offering degrees at the master's level and a few at the doctoral level. Just this year, E&H was categorized in the U.S. News & World Report rankings in Best Regional Universities (South) and ranked #20 with peers like Rollins, The Citadel, Berry, Stetson, Christopher Newport, Appalachian State, Tuskegee, Florida Southern, Charleston, Queens, Savannah College of Art & Design and Milligan. Read More

KEEPING ON TRACK WITH SAGE SCHOLARS

Groceries that Make "Cents:" College Cooking on a Budget

By Connor Daniels

Like any other fad diet, the infamous "college diet"—instant ramen washed down with Monster-is likely to injure your long—term health. Unfortunately, it's all too common for students not enrolled in an expensive college-provided meal plan. For many students, the challenge of balancing classes, homework, part-time jobs, and social activities simply leaves little time for healthy cooking. As a result, the only options seem to be instant ramen (affordable but nutritionally limited) or dining out (potentially more well-rounded but very expensive). If you're planning to save some money by cooking for yourself in college, for every meal or even just a few times a week, it's worth putting in some time to figure out how to make the most of your dollar at the grocery store—while also taking care of your health. Read More

Work Study Explained

By Maggie Argiro

So, you filled out the FAFSA and learned that you can receive work study. Before accepting, what is work study and how can you use it? Most importantly, how can it benefit you? Work study is a federal aid program that connects students to part-time employment that is typically on campus. The program is administered by the school you're enrolled in. Most colleges have a work study office, or you can visit the financial aid office for help. Students usually receive a certain amount of dollars they can earn each semester or quarter that they're enrolled, either at part-time or full-time student status. Sometimes you can find off-campus employment opportunities, so be sure to visit your financial aid office to inquire about job opportunities as a work study student. Now that you know what work study is, let's talk about how you can make it work for you. Read More

No Prompt? No Problem: Writing Your Own Question

By Patricia Roy

It's a common experience for students: when given the freedom to choose a topic, your mind goes blank. What do you do when suffering the dearth of too many choices? Open a notebook, a blank document, or a notes app and jot down my recommendations for writing your own essay questions. Read More

The SAGE Scholars Newsroom

Your Educational Resource Library For Every Step Of The College Process

The SAGE Scholars Newsroom is a curated resource for multi-generational audiences navigating the college process and investment. The Newsroom's expert team of contributors includes educators, admissions officers, Ph.D.'s, current students, and even professional athletes. With over fifty articles published monthly, families have access to the most up-to-date information on all things college.