ANNAPOLIS, Md.–Applications are being accepted Feb. 1 through March 31 for the United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS) 2010.  NASS is designed for students who will have just completed their junior year of high school in the summer of 2010.  This program is a fast-paced, six-day experience for high-achievers who may be interested in pursuing an appointment to one of the nation's service academies and serving as a military officer after graduation.  NASS is held in three sessions: June 5-10, June 12-17 and June 19-24.

Summer Seminar introduces students to the opportunities at the Naval Academy where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's leaders.  Students will live in the dormitory, Bancroft Hall, eat in the dining facility, King Hall; participate in academic and leadership workshops; and experience a variety of other activities at the academy.  Students will have an opportunity to see first-hand what the academy has to offer through its exceptional academic, athletic, extracurricular activities and leadership training programs.

The academy's current students, known as midshipmen, run the Summer Seminar training with oversight by active duty Navy and Marine Corps officers.  Over 2,250 students from around the U.S. attend this rigorous program each year.

According to Naval Academy Summer Seminar officer-in-charge, Lt. John Meise, "If you are a student who wants a summer challenge with the opportunity to sample university-level academics at a first-rate engineering school, the Summer Seminar program will let you discover how the Naval Academy can help you achieve your goals, and give you a jump start on the admissions process."

By applying to the 2010 Summer Seminar, students are also applying for admission to the Naval Academy class of 2015.  There is no need to submit a preliminary application when it becomes available on April 1 for students desiring to apply for admission to USNA.

Students with questions about NASS and the application process should call 410-293-1549 or visit www.usna.edu/admissions. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2010.

For more information about Naval Academy athletics, extracurricular activities and other general information, visit www.usna.edu.
USNA

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that Iowa has received a $2,248,320 competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through the State Veterans Home Grant program.  The program provides up to 65 percent of the cost of construction or acquisition of state nursing homes or domiciliaries or for renovations to existing state veterans homes.

"The Iowa Veterans Home improves the quality of life for those who have proudly served our country," Grassley said.  "These funds will expand the facilities for our veterans and help the Iowa Veterans Home continue to provide the services our veterans need in a way both deserving and honoring of our nation's finest."

The money will help expand the dining and activity room at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

The Iowa Veterans Home is one of the three largest state-owned facilities for veterans in the country.  It is home to more than 720 residents.

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Cash Dash searches in Rock Island County

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias' office wants to return lost, forgotten and abandoned funds to Rock Island County residents.

A representative from Giannoulias' office will conduct Cash Dash searches on the state's online database from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on January 29th at Moline City Hall, 619 - 16th Street.

The Cash Dash program reunites Illinois residents with their lost or forgotten wealth, also known as "unclaimed property." This wealth can be anything from long-lost bank accounts to entire estates that never made it to their rightful owner.

The Treasurer's office is holding $1.4 billion in unclaimed property for 10.2 million residents and businesses. Of that amount, more than $9.6 million belongs to Rock Island County residents and businesses. The Cash Dash aims to give it all back.

"Cash Dash is free and easy to use, and the chance that you are on the list is greater than you migh think," Giannoulias said. "If you find your name, you could end up with some extra spending money."

For more information or to conduct your own private online search, visit www.treasurer.il.gov and follow the Cash Dash link.

Encourages Taxpayers to Take Advantage of Earned Income Tax Credit, Avoid Costly Refund Anticipation Loans

MARION - January 21, 2010. Governor Quinn today announced partnerships that will give Illinois' working families access to free tax preparation assistance, including help with filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Governor encouraged taxpayers to utilize the free assistance as they file their income tax returns, receive the tax credits they've earned, and avoid refund anticipation loans that can consume big chunks of hard-earned refund checks.

"The Earned Income Tax Credit is the best pro-job, pro-family and anti-poverty tax relief ever devised, and every eligible family in Illinois should receive the full credit," said Governor Quinn. "I am proud to announce free tax preparation assistance to help Illinois' working families get their full refunds quickly and painlessly."

State partnerships with the Center for Economic Progress' Tax Counseling Project and Ladder Up (formerly the Tax Assistance Program) will offer free tax preparation assistance and e-filing for families across Illinois. Services are free for families who earned under $50,000 and individuals who made less than $25,000.

Through the partnerships, volunteer tax counselors will provide free tax assistance and counseling at 55 sites throughout the state. Most sites will provide services from January 23 through April 15. Governor Quinn made today's announcement at the Man-Tra-Con Corporation in Marion, which will serve as a Center for Economic Progress site. (A full list of locations is attached.)

Taxpayers can walk in to any of the locations, without an appointment, and work with trained volunteers who will help fill out their returns and make sure they file for all the credits, deductions and other benefits to which they're entitled. Last year the Tax Counseling Project completed more than 33,300 tax returns with refunds totaling $52.2 million. Ladder Up helped with more than 9,000 returns totaling $15.5 million in refunds.

Families raising two or more children in their home can get up to $5,028 from the federal EITC with earnings of less than $45,295 (married, filing jointly). Illinois residents who claim the federal EITC may also receive the state EITC, which can save them up to $283.

Governor Quinn also encouraged residents to avoid the high cost of refund anticipation loans (RALs) offered by commercial tax preparation companies. According to a 2009 study by the Consumer Federation of America and the National Consumer Law Center, the price of a RAL for a typical loan of $3,000 can range from $62 to $110. In Illinois, the interest rate on a RAL can range from 40 percent for a loan of $9,999 to over 700 percent for a loan of $200.

Most Illinois taxpayers can file state taxes for free at www.tax.illinois.gov and receive a refund in about a week. Additionally, many can file their federal taxes online for free as well. Information about filing federal taxes online can be found at www.irs.gov.

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