The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg has a Learning Resources Center that offers tutoring for a variety of subjects, help with writing and/or studying, and disability services for those who qualify.  The Center employs approximately 25 tutors who meet the following qualifications: faculty recommendation, positive attitude, conscientious behavior, successful completion of course in question, current-student status, enrollment in at least 6 credits in an ongoing program at Pitt-Greensburg, willingness to uphold the positive reputation of the Center, willingness to be paid, willingness to work in one-on-one and/or small-group settings, professional appearance, and successful interpersonal skills. Most of the tutoring is a regularly scheduled once-a-week situation; however, the Center also offers drop-in help with paper writing. The drop-in tutors have a set schedule, and students stop by during those posted times. Drop-in is for all Pitt-Greensburg students, not just those in composition courses. Students are welcome to bring in their papers for any subject and receive feedback about organization, grammar, punctuation, documentation of sources, and other relevant matters.

            Study-skills assistance is available in the form of handouts and one-on-one appointments with Dr. Lou Ann Sears, the director of the Center. In addition to running the Center, she teaches Composition I and III at Pitt-Greensburg. This is her 24^th year of teaching English.

            Disability services are available to those who qualify. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the process of becoming registered for disability services should call Lou Ann at 724-836-7098 to set up a 20-minute appointment. Pitt-Greensburg uses the same disability guidelines forms that the other Pitt campuses use. Each year, Lou Ann is on campus from the end of August through the end of June.

            This semester, the Center is open during the following times:

Mondays  - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesdays  - 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Wednesdays -  8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Thursdays -  8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fridays -  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This semester, Lou Ann’s hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 or 5:00 p.m.  For more information, please e-mail Lou Ann at los3@pitt.edu
 

When the doldrums of winter hit and you are looking for something to do…check out www.fastweb.com and www.educationplanner.org.  Both are free scholarship search sites that offer:

·         Two of the largest and most complete sources of scholarships available

·         Personalized matching of scholarships to your unique profile

·         Millions of scholarships worth billions of dollars

·         New scholarships added every day

Before your son or daughter submits a scholarship application, follow these ten tips provided by scholarship sponsors nationwide:

#1        Apply only if you are eligible.

Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully to make sure you’re eligible before you send your application.

#2        Complete the application in full.

If a question doesn’t apply, note that on the application.  Don’t just leave a blank.  Supply all additional supporting material, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation and essays.

#3        Follow directions.

Provide everything that’s required, but don’t supply things that aren’t requested – you could be disqualified.

#4        Neatness counts.

Always type your application, or if you must print, do so neatly and legibly.  Make a couple photocopies of all the forms before you fill them out.  Use the copies as working drafts as you develop your application packet.

#5        Write an essay that makes a strong impression.

The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific.  Include concrete details to make your experience come alive; the who, what, where, and when of your topic.  The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how you were affected.

#6        Watch all deadlines.

To help keep yourself on track, impose your own deadline that is at least two weeks prior to the official deadline.  Use the buffer time to make sure everything is ready on time.  Don’t rely on extensions – very few scholarship providers allow them at all.

#7        Make sure your application gets where it needs to go.

Put your name (and social security number, if applicable) on all pages of the application.  Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.

#8        Keep a back-up file in case anything goes wrong.

Before sending the application, make a copy of the entire packet.  If your application goes astray, you’ll be able to reproduce it quickly.

#9        Give it a final “once-over.”

Proofread the entire application carefully.  Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors.  Ask a friend, teacher, or parent to proofread it as well.

#10      Ask for help if you need it.

Information provided by Ms. Brandi Darr, Director Financial Aid, Pitt-Greensburg.