LEAD Financial Aid | Student Statesmanship Institute

Before you begin...
How Does Financial Aid Work?
SSI is a non-profit, faith-based, educational organization that depends upon the generosity of donors for all of our needs, including financial aid.

Do As Much As You Can
We encourage all financial aid applicants to pay as much of the full registration cost as possible. Many families have approached their church and even civic organizations for help. In addition, some students do fund-raisers and odd jobs to earn money to attend LEAD. It’s amazing just how creative they get – babysitting, pop-can drives, shoveling snow, raking leaves, mowing lawns, and part-time jobs. Other students earn enough to pay their whole way. Several have even contributed to the financial aid fund so others may attend LEAD.

First-Time Financial Aid Recipients:
We require a minimum payment of $80 per recipient.

Previous Financial Aid Recipients:
We require a minimum payment of $160 for each repeat recipient.

How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?
- Use this form to apply for financial aid. You MUST also register for LEAD in order to be considered for Financial Aid.
- Pay the required $50 deposit upon registering for LEAD.

Notification of Financial Aid
Applicants will be notified of financial aid once it has been determined that sufficient funds are in place to meet the request. Students will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Typically, May is our target date for informing all applicants -- however, decisions may be handed out earlier.

Special Circumstances
Except in extreme circumstances, which should be communicated directly to our office in writing, even those requesting Financial Aid need to include at least a $50 deposit. If you feel you are unable to attend LEAD because of this, please contact us. We want to do all we can to work with you and your situation.

Basic Information
Parent/Guardian Full Name(s)*
Parent/Guardian Primary Phone*
Parent/Guardian Primary Email*

Providing your email permits SSI to send periodic updates unless you opt to unsubscribe. All personal information is used solely by Student Statesmanship Institute and our partner organizations, and will not be released, rented, sold, or otherwise distributed to anyone at any time for any reason.
Student Full Name(s)*
Please briefly explain your current financial situation:*

Fundraising Ideas
Doing your own fundraising is another way to help cover the cost of attending LEAD. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started...
Send out a letter to 40 people asking each for a minimal contribution of $10.

Approach your church and area community service clubs (VFW, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Political Clubs, Chamber of Commerce) and ask if they will sponsor you for $50.

Approach area businesses and ask that they sponsor you.

Ask local or state elected officials to sponsor a portion of your fee.

Don’t forget about family, friends, and neighbors. The people close to you will be happy to contribute $10 to assist you in fulfilling your goal.

Find a donor who will match contributions. Some will agree to a 2 to 1 match; others will commit to less, but it is a way to motivate people to contribute knowing they are not responsible for the entire amount.

Have a garage sale.

Have a bake sale at your church or school.

Have a car wash.

Do chores, such as mowing or raking lawns, or shoveling driveways and sidewalks for the elderly in your neighborhood.

Ask 5-10 people to save their spare change for you for the entire month.

TIPS:

Be sure to keep a detailed list of your contributors, their addresses, emails and phone numbers, and the amount they contribute.

Mail thank you notes to your donors both when the contribute and again after your LEAD experience to tell them how much you enjoyed what they made possible.

If your donors want to claim their donation on their taxes, they must make the check out to SSI, and we must receive the original check – please do not collect checks then cut one large one – instead, forward the original checks (made out to SSI) to SSI. This only works if the donors are not your parents or guardians.

Payment Options
The full cost of registration is $460.00. Once you pay the minimum DUE NOW deposit of $50.00, $410.00 will remain due on your account. You may pay in any increments, as long as the amount is paid in full by the end of the calendar year in which your student attends LEAD.
Would the option of making payments allow you to afford the registration cost in full, thereby eliminating the need for financial aid?*
- Yes, I can make payments and pay in full.
- No, I still need financial aid.
How many months would you like in order to make the payments?
Some people, through fundraising and other means, choose to contribute above the minimum $80.00 ($160.00 for previous financial aid recipients), thereby reducing the amount of financial aid they need. Contributing beyond your minimum allows our Financial Aid Fund to be spread to more families in need.
Are you able to contribute anything beyond the minimum? ($80 for first-time financial aid recipients. $160 for previous financial aid recipients).
- Yes
- No
How much total can you contribute? This number should include the minimum $80 payment for first-time recipients or $160 for previous financial aid recipients plus the amount over the minimum you are planning to pay.

One last thing...
Verification

Parent's initials are required to complete this form. This indicates that you have answered everything truthfully to the best of your knowledge, and that you agree to the terms outlined at the beginning of this application.

Financial Aid

LEAD 2023 Financial Aid Application

Before you begin...

Basic Information

Fundraising Ideas

Payment Options

One last thing...