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Visit our website at www.leaf-ohio.org

Mission: We connect students to resources that open doors to higher education.

The Lake /Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation (LEAF) provides access information about post-secondary educational opportunities and supports workforce development in Lake and Geauga Counties through a broad range of financial aid and advisory programs. We encourage all individuals to meet their highest potential through education, thereby enhancing the quality of their lives and strengthening the regional economy. To fulfill this mission we work to increase:

• The number of students in Lake and Geauga Counties who receive one-on-one counseling regarding post-secondary opportunities
• The number of adult learners returning to school in northeast Ohio.

We provide college access services to Lake and Geauga residents interested in enrolling in four-year universities, community colleges, and vocational and technical programs. Our programs offer:

• Academic planning for higher education
• Financial aid advising and resources
• Last Dollar Grants
• College advising and resources
• Career advising and opportunities research
• Administration of community scholarships
• Resource Center

During the academic year 2007-2008, our advisors worked with students on-site at all 18 public high schools in Lake and Geauga Counties. Our advisors also worked with adults and non-traditional students at our Resource Center. We advise non-traditional students, adults and college students throughout the year. The Resource Center is free and open by appointment.

Whom do we serve?

We serve Lake and Geauga residents of all ages. Each year we assist approximately:

• 4,800 high school students through our high school advisory program
• 150 non-traditional students and adults through our Adult Learner program and Resource Center
• 484 students and parents with the filing of electronic FAFSA forms

We have provided or assisted with:

• $27,189 in test and college application waivers to students in 2007-2008
• $30,000 in Last Dollar Grants in 2007-2008
• $100,000 awarded to students through administered Scholarships in 2007-2008
• Leveraged over $73 Million dollars in financial aid and scholarships for our students

We were founded in 1989 after a group of concerned community leaders in Lake County discovered that the primary reason that many capable students were not continuing their education was that these young people and their families believed they could not afford the cost of college. In 2007, we were awarded both the Seal of Good Practice and the Seal of Excellence by the Ohio College Access Network.

For more information on the Lake/Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation, write to:

Ms. Maryann Dwyer
Executive Director
Lake/Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation
8221 Auburn Road
Concord, OH 44077

Phone: (440) 358-8045
Fax: (440) 358-8022
E-mail: mdwyer@leaf-ohio.org

College Access Program Map