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Help Grockit spread the word: Grockit Discount for US military veterans, active personnel and families

By farbood nivi posted November 11, 2011

As you probably know, today is a national holiday honoring the efforts of nearly 25 million American military veterans. The holiday was created to commemorate the armistice ending World War I on November 11, 1918. The first observances of Armistice Day on November 11, 1919 celebrated war veterans with parades in the streets of small towns throughout America. The spirit of those parades expanded over time, and by 1954, all American military veterans were celebrated through Congressional actions formalizing Veterans Day as a national holiday.

Like other US holidays, Veterans Day and the time away from work creates commercial events and sales opportunities. Grockit wants to focus our Veterans Day commercial efforts on helping veterans, active military personnel and their families by introducing a special discount and offer specifically for veterans, active military and their families. If you are in this category, please visit the pages linked below to redeem and share a 40% discount on the purchase of Grockit products. This discount can’t be used in combination with another offer, and purchasers will be asked to attest to their military service and status. This is not a seasonal effort; the discount will be offered for the foreseeable future to all qualifying persons.

So, why is Grockit doing this?

It’s tradition on this Holiday to make a donation, write or call a veteran friend or family member and express personal gratitude for the military service of veterans. Like most businesses, the Grockit family can turn to colleagues and leaders, like Grockit’s CEO, Roy Gilbert, and express our gratitude and appreciation for their service. And, this year prominent American figures across the political spectrum are calling on American businesses to hire American military veterans as force deployments overseas are being drawn down, and men and women are discharged and integrated back into the civilian workforce. We support that effort wholeheartedly.

But, at Grockit we know that the American labor market is a highly-competitive environment, and securing a future increasingly means securing higher education. This is where Grockit believes we can help veterans, active military personnel and their families. These Americans deserve the best test prep products when preparing for the tests required for admissions to undergraduate and graduate school programs. We’re not doing anything new or groundbreaking, other test prep companies discreetly provide military discounts upon request. We’d really appreciate it if everyone reading this post shared on Facebook or emailed this discount to people that can use Grockit as they embark on a new chapter of life.

Thanks for any help you can provide in promoting this program focused on helping veterans, active military personnel and their families.

To visit special discount redemption pages, click on the specific test links below:

Note: If you are a veteran, active military personnel or an immediate family member of either, and you are in the rare circumstances of needing help preparing for the AP Calculus or AP US History exams or the IIM CAT (for India), please contact us via email at support@grockit.com to request a 40% discount. You may be asked to provide some form of military service proof.

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Grad apps, Step 8: Apply for financial aid and scholarships.

By heather posted March 2, 2009

Applying for financial aid.

8 of 8 in a series

Let’s be realistic: grad school ain’t cheap.

Now that you’ve completed the applications for admission at each of your schools and programs, you’re almost done. You’ll still need to pay for school, and in order to obtain scholarships and loans, schools require you to submit financial aid applications.

Step 8: Apply for financial aid and scholarships.

In order to apply for financial aid, you’ll need a massive stack of information. Perhaps most crucial in that stack of information: your taxes.

Gather all required application forms and information from each school’s website or other information provided to applicants.

Even if you haven’t heard anything from the programs you’ve applied to, go ahead and submit a financial aid application. Don’t wait for your decisions to start rolling in. In fact, most schools will tell you not to do so. Be sure to find all instructions and deadlines. You should have marked these dates on your application calendars a while back and you should have printed out all the required information and placed it into your application file box. Retrieve all that information now so you can complete the final step.

Retrieve or complete your current year’s tax returns.

In order to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you’ll need your tax information (and possibly your parents’ info, too). While it’s not 100% necessary to actually file your taxes, you’ll need information that essentially requires you to complete them, so why not submit them? Generally, if you’re under age 30, you’ll also need your parents’ tax information, too. Check with the schools to which you’ve applied to find out if parental information is required; requirements vary from school to school.

Complete a FAFSA.

Virtually all schools require the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your FAFSA is used to determine any need-based grants and your loan awards. New forms are available each year starting January 1st. Get started as soon as possible, as many schools’ deadline is as early as March 1st.

You’ll need the school codes for each program to which you’ve applied. Codes can be retrieved from each program’s website or you can search for a school/program by name and location as you complete the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

Complete any required school-specific forms.

Some schools have a separate financial aid application you’ll need to complete, and this application is often available online or will be sent along with admissions information. If you haven’t found anything yet, make a call to the financial aid office to find out if there’s anything you should be completing and sending their way.

Apply for every possible scholarship!

Schools and private organizations often offer scholarships ranging from one-time $500 awards to renewable full-tuition awards. Usually, applicants for such a scholarship are asked to submit a topical essay and/or other information (letter of recommendation, résumé, etc.). There are tons of books available at your local bookstore and loads of information available online regarding such awards. Check your schools’ websites and hit the bookstore or your local library. Make a list of all the scholarship programs you’re eligible to apply for, and make a run at every dime you might get to help fund your education.

Research educational loans.

Chances are good you’ll need some loans to help fund your life through graduate school, and it’s never too soon to prepare. Get a credit report so you’re aware of your current standing, then research educational lenders. The financial aid folks at the schools you’ve applied to can offer you more information on public and private lenders with whom they work. Here’s a good place to start researching the different types of loans available: http://www.gradloans.com/.

Hurry up and wait.

Everything is now officially on its way! Many schools will email you to confirm acceptance of your application materials, completion, and decision status, but some won’t. The waiting game you’ll play between application submission and decision notification can be nerve-wracking. Pick up a hobby. Throw yourself into work with new vigor. Read more books. You might hear in a week, but you might not hear anything for several months. Remember that each applicant is different, and try not to hedge bets on whether or not you’ll be accepted or rejected. There’s only one way to find out, and you’ve done all you can. Only time will tell.

Good luck!

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Grad apps, Step 7: Complete and submit your applications.

By heather posted February 25, 2009

Making it official: the applications.

7 of 8 in a series

You’ve researched. You’ve planned. You’ve taken your tests. Sent your transcripts. Gathered your letters of recommendation. Written your application essays and personal statements. Now it’s time to make it official.

Step 7: Complete and submit your applications.

Good news: you’re just moments away from becoming an official graduate school applicant. The hard parts are finished, and by now, you should have a stellar application packet almost ready to go… it just needs an official application form to introduce you to the admissions committees who will soon be reviewing your file.

And more good news: there’s not much you can do to screw this part up, but there are a few pitfalls you must absolutely avoid at all costs.

Review your programs’ application website and proofread everything else.

Before you complete the last portion of your application for admission, take a few moments to re-read the full application instructions on the website of each program at which you intend to apply. Double-check all application instructions to ensure that you’ve followed all instructions and completed all the necessary elements. Review the word count or page limits for your essays. Check off each required form, letter, or statement required. Once you’re satisfied that you’ve done everything correctly, you’re ready to fill out the surprisingly brief application form.

Do a “dry run.”

After the months you’ve probably spent preparing everything else, the actual application form will look pleasantly quick and easy. But before you begin filling anything in, print a copy to fill in manually if you plan to submit online, or print or photocopy a spare if you’ll be sending in a paper application. Start on your practice copy. Make sure you read each prompt carefully and provide the correct information. Taking the time to physically write out your application (rather than simply completing it online) will give you an added opportunity to get everything right.

Once you’ve finished filling out the paper form (or the spare copy), read everything again. Trust me: this is not the place for sloppy mistakes, missing blanks, or typos.

Complete your final application form(s).

When you’re satisfied with your “dry run” application, transfer everything to your final application form(s). If you’ll be sending in a paper application, choose your pen wisely. Choose a pen that won’t smudge as you write or bleed through to the opposite side of the paper.

Proofread your final application form(s).

Yes, again. You can never be too careful with this stuff. Always be aware that your admission and scholarship opportunities will be determined based upon your submissions, and take the appropriate amount of caution.

Include or attach payment.

Applications cost money (unless you’ve obtained a fee waiver), so don’t forget to include the correct payment amount with your application.

Submit everything.

Once you are absolutely, positively certain that your entire packet is ready to go, it’s time to send it off. If you’re submitting online, make sure all documents are properly attached and send it off with confidence. If you are sending in a paper version, use your printer to address the envelope you’ll be using. Make sure the envelope is oriented properly in the printer. Double-check the addresses. Make sure you place a check in the envelope or include credit card payment information on the application form (if/where you’re prompted to do so). Include all of the appropriate documents and attachments, seal up your envelope, and stamp it. I recommend taking your applications directly to the post office, but maybe that’s just me being neurotic.

Your application is now officially on its way! Time to celebrate! …But not for too long. You’ll still need to pay for school, so when you’re ready, you’ll need to gather up your most recent tax documents, complete your taxes, submit your FAFSA (for domestic students), and apply for financial aid.

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