Lake Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation

LEAF EMPOWERS LEARNERS TO PLAN FOR THEIR FUTURE THROUGH CAREER, EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL AID ADVISORY SERVICES.

LEAF SERVES 22 SCHOOLS (16,000+) STUDENTS IN LAKE, GEAUGA, CUYAHOGA, AND PORTAGE COUNTIES. ADVISORY SERVICES INCLUDE: CAREER EXPLORATION; COLLEGE/CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM SEARCH; UNDERSTANDING THE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS; FEE WAIVERS FOR ADMISSION APPLICATIONS AND SATS/ACTS; UNDERSTANDING THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS; FILING THE FAFSA FORM; COMPLETION OF OTHER FINANCIAL AID DOCUMENTS, SUCH AS THE CCS PROFILE, INSTITUTIONAL FORMS, AND CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCE FORMS; SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH; UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION FUNDING OPTIONS, INCLUDING STUDENT LOANS; INTERPRETING FINANCIAL AID OFFERS. LEAF ALSO PUBLISHES THE RESOURCE GUIDE FOR PATHWAY SUCCESS; JUNIOR, SENIOR, AND CAREER LEAFLETS; AND 16 E-NEWSLETTERS THAT ARE GRADE SPECIFIC. PUBLICATIONS ARE DIRECTED TO CONTRACT SCHOOL CONSTITUENCIES ONLY. ADVISORS MEET INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, VIRTUALLY, OR AT THE RESOURCE CENTER. THEY ALSO FACILITATE IN-SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, A FINANCIAL AID NIGHT, AND OFTEN A FINANCIAL AID FILING NIGHT, WHICH ASSISTS IN FILING THE FAFSA FORM.

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, 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.

THE RESOURCE CENTER, LOCATED AT THE LEAF OFFICES IN KIRTLAND, OFFERS THE SAME SERVICES IDENTIFIED ABOVE TO LEARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AT NO CHARGE. SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY APPOINTMENT DURING LIMITED TIMES, BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. THE RESOURCE CENTER ALSO OFFERS VIRTUAL SESSIONS, TYPICALLY ON MONDAY NIGHTS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS THAT INCLUDE CAREER OPTIONS, SUCH AS THE TRADES, MANUFACTURING, CERTIFICATE EDUCATION, AND THE MILITARY, AS WELL AS OTHER TOPICS SUCH AS SCHOLARSHIPS 101, FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION, AND HOW COLLEGES RECRUIT ATHLETES. EACH SESSION HAS A SUBJECT EXPERT, OR A PANEL OF SUBJECT EXPERTS FACILITATED BY LEAF STAFF. ATTENDANCE VARIES BY TOPIC. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND THOSE WHO REGISTER CAN REQUEST A VIDEO OF THE SESSION. ALL SESSIONS ARE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.