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Scottsbluff/Gering Area College Fair Sept. 7 College-bound students and their families can visit with representatives from nearly 50 state and regional colleges during the Scottsbluff/Gering Area College Fair Sunday, Sept. 7, from 1-3 p.m. at the Gering Civic Center at 1050 M St. The College Fair, sponsored by EducationQuest Foundation and the Nebraska Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers, will also feature financial aid presentations. Follow these tips to help make the most of your College Fair visit: Before you attend, visit NebraskaCollegeFairs.org to register for a barcode that you should print and take to the College Fair. College reps will scan the barcode to retrieve your demographic
information so you won’t have to complete information cards. Determine which colleges you want to visit (a list is available in the College Fair article at EducationQuest.org). A rrive early so you have time to visit your top colleges. Prepare a list of questions to ask college representatives. Ask about deadlines for admission, scholarship and financial aid applications. Attend a financial aid program at the College Fair to learn about types of aid and how to apply. For details about other college fairs and Educational Planning Programs (mini college fairs) scheduled for this fall, see Upcoming Events at EducationQuest.org.
Virtual Scholars program is a unique opportunity for Nebraska students, schools By MARY NIEMIEC
Associate Vice President for Distance Education and Director of University of Nebraska Online Worldwide
LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska recently announced that we are offering another round of scholarships for students in our state to take online courses from the University of Nebraska High School for free. This is the third time we’ve offered the Nebraska Virtual Scholars program, and I encourage Nebraska schools to take advantage of this unique opportunity on behalf of their students. We have 150 scholarships available and the awards may be put toward any of the 100-plus courses the University of Nebraska High School offers — including core, Advanced Placement, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and elective courses, all of which can help students stay on the path to graduation, discover a new passion or career goal, or better prepare for rigorous college curriculum. We will accept applications until Oct. 1. I invite school leaders and all Nebraskans to visit highschool.nebraska. edu/NEscholars to learn more or obtain an application form. This is a scholarship program with a purpose. The facts are clear: Soon two-thirds of all jobs in Nebraska will require education beyond high school, and we know that the STEM fields are in particularly high demand. One recent study found that Nebraska will need more than 44,000 STEM jobs in 2018 — and that more than 90 percent of those jobs will require college education. If we want to meet the workforce demands of the future, we will need to make sure that all students who want to go to college have access to rigorous, high-quality high school curriculum that prepares them to succeed. Nebraska schools are doing wonderful work
in serving students. But equal access remains a challenge for many of them. From talking with our K-12 colleagues, we’ve learned that many schools in our state aren’t able to offer, for example, advanced math or science courses to students who are qualified to take them, because they don’t have enough demand or enough teachers. Other schools need extra support in providing flexible options for students to take core courses that are required for graduation. Others don’t have the resources to offer unique electives, like business, photography, art or economics, which can help students develop their passions. With Nebraska Virtual Scholars, we hope to work with schools to meet some of those needs. The program has been a great success so far. Last year we awarded 100 scholarships that allowed students around the state — most of them from rural school districts — to take free University of Nebraska High School courses. One student who wants to study aeronautics in college was able to take a physics course. Another student who had fallen behind was able to take advantage of flexible course options to get back on the path to graduation. Overall, the highest demand was for math, science, career education and language courses — all important subjects that can help students successfully complete high school, prepare for college-level work and begin thinking about a career. Nebraska Virtual Scholars is in line with the goals of the state’s P-16 Initiative to improve our state’s high school graduation and college-going rates and expand STEM education in Nebraska. And, it aligns with a goal shared by many of our state’s leaders to increase education levels among Nebraskans so we can remain competitive in the 21st-century economy. I hope Nebraska schools will explore whether Virtual Scholars is right for their students.
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Your senior year at a glance By EducationQuest Foundation
Your senior year will be jam-packed with activities and deadlines for high school and college. It can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Get help from parents, teachers, counselors and college admission representatives. Here’s a summary of what to do for college planning during your senior year. Year-round Combat senioritis. Many colleges request copies of your final grades at the end of your senior year, so resist the urge to slack off. Stay involved in extracurricular activities. Update your Activities Resume at EducationQuest.org for admissions and scholarship applications. Always search for scholarships. Resources include the colleges that interest you, your school counselor, local organizations, and free online search sites such as ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org. August through December n Finish your college visits — narrow your choices to 3-4 schools. n Retake the ACT and/or SAT college entrance exams. Visit actstudent.org and collegeboard.org to register and take practice tests. Ask the colleges you’re applying to if they prefer one test over the other, and if they require the writing portion of the ACT. n Apply to your top 3-4 colleges. Contact the colleges to learn the deadlines. n Apply for scholarships. S cholar shipQuest at EducationQuest.org contains more than 2,000 local and statewide scholarships in Nebraska.
January through March n Complete and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at FAFSA.gov. Visit EducationQuest.org for free FAFSA tools to help you prepare. • Videos teach you how to plan and pay for college. • College Funding Estimator estimates your FAFSA results. • FAFSA Checklist provides a list of items needed for the FAFSA. • FAFSA Tutorial explains each FAFSA question. • FAFSA Demo walks you through the FAFSA website. • If you need additional help with the FAFSA, contact EducationQuest. n Expect admission acceptance letters. n Continue to apply for scholarships. April and May n Expect financial aid award notifications. n Make your final college selection and notify the other colleges of your decision. n Meet deadlines for the housing deposit and course registration. n Get a summer job to help with college expenses. June and July n Register for freshmen orientation. n Apply for student loans, if necessary. Your financial aid award notification will indicate loans you can borrow and the process for applying. If you have questions about college admissions and financial aid, contact the EducationQuest location nearest you: Omaha — 888-357-6300, Lincoln — 800-303-3745 or Kearney – 800-666-3721.
What are you going to major in? By EducationQuest Foundation
It’s a simple question, but the answer may be tough. W hile you don’t have to start college with your major already decided, it can be helpful to have a general idea of what you want to study. Follow these steps in high school to help you make your “major” decision. 1. Evaluate your skills and interests. Personal Strengths — what adjectives describe you? Talents — what do you do well? Interests — what do you enjoy? Values — what’s import-
ant to you? 2 . Gat her fact s about several majors that interest you. Talk to your school counselor about your selections, and look at advanced classes in each major. Some st udents change majors because they become disillusioned with upper-level courses. 3. Job shadow. By observing different careers, you may find some that suit you while you cross others off your list. Follow these steps after you get to college: 1. Join student organizations that relate to potential careers. You’ll meet other students with similar interests and discover if the fit is right.
2. Make good use of your electives. Along with core requirements during your freshman and sophomore year, take electives that are in your potential major. 3. Declare your major before your fourth semester of college. This should allow you to finish in four years if you enroll full time each semester and remain in good academic standing. Talk to your academic advisor about majors, such as education, that may require you to declare when you enter college. Don’t just settle on a major. Take your time, explore your options and make a good decision. Then you can avoid making college a “major” disappointment.
Eastern Wyoming College Wyoming Nebraska
Wyoming Borders Scholarship Eastern Wyoming College is pleased to announce the WYOMING BORDERS SCHOLARSHIP for Nebraska residents. A student can receive this scholarship if they have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 OR have scored 21 on the ACT. Please apply online and send your high school transcript to Zach Smith at Eastern Wyoming College.
Zach Smith
Director of Enrollment Management zach.smith@ewc.wy.edu 307.532.8232
Eastern Wyoming College 3200 West C Street Torrington, WY 1.866.327.8996 or 1.307.532.8200
ewc.wy.edu
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How to find What to expect during your scholarships freshman year of college By EducationQuest Foundation
Thousands of local, state and national scholarships are available, and many could match your criteria. But you’ll never know unless you do the research and submit the applications. Here are a few places you can look: n ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org features more than 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. After you create a profile, you’ll be matched with scholarships that fit your criteria. n Your school counselor’s office is a place you should visit at least once a week during your senior year to check on local and national awards. n The college you plan to attend is one of your best sources for scholarships. Contact the colleges that interest you for a list of scholarships and information about criteria, deadlines and application procedures. n National scholarship search sites such as Fastaid.com, ScholarshipExperts.com, SchoolSoup. com, Scholarships.com and Scholarship Junkies are great places to search for scholarships. n Other resources could include school clubs and organizations, and your parents’ employers and civic organizations. Most scholarships are based on academics, but others are based on criteria such as community service, leadership ability or talent in art, dance, music or athletics. Some scholarships are based on
financial need as measured by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Therefore, to earn scholarships, earn good grades, get involved in your school and community, and complete the FAFSA. Although applying for scholarships takes a lot of time and effort, the benefits can be enormous. If you spend 20 hours applying for 20 scholarships and receive $2,000 in awards, you just made $100 an hour. Follow these tips to increase your chances of earning scholarships: n Organize scholarships in deadline order and set aside time each week to work on them. n On the application, list your activities, awards, honors classes, and volunteer or paid jobs. Track them using the Activities Resume at EducationQuest.org. n If an application requires a letter of recommendation, give the person writing the letter plenty of notice, a specific deadline, and a list of your accomplishments and activities. n After writing an essay, ask an adult (preferably an English teacher) to review the document for spelling, grammar and sentence structure. n Make sure the application is complete and submitted by the deadline or it will be disqualified. n Never pay for scholarship services. Talk to your guidance counselor or contact EducationQuest about the many free options available.
By EducationQuest Foundation
Be prepared to make some adjustments during your freshman year of college, especially the first semester. Here are some challenges you may face. New experiences, new friends. When you get to college, it may be difficult to stay close to your high school friends because they no longer share your experiences. You may also experience homesickness. To gain a sense of belonging, attend freshmen orientation activities, get involved in extracurricular activities, and find a part-time job. It’s important to stay busy and meet new people. Less structure. You’ll go to bed later and get up later. You’re in class for a total of three to four hours each day and those hours are staggered throughout the day. You’ll think you have plenty of time to study and will have an urge to procras-
tinate. Instead, use the time between classes to review notes and study. Lots of reading. Talk to any current college student and they’ll tell you the reading is “huge.” To avoid becoming overwhelmed, set small goals (10 pages at a time) and it will be easier. Weight gain. Oh … you’ll complain about the dorm food. Everyone does. But it’s pretty good and there’s lots of it. Many students gain about 10 pounds by Thanksgiving. That’s why it’s important to use the fitness center and avoid late night snacks. Getting your grades. “Wow, what happened?” Many freshmen ask that question when they get their first set of grades. Your professor will give you a syllabus at the beginning of the class. It’s up to you to follow it. You typically won’t get reminders about due dates for reading assignments or term papers.
Dealing with a roommate By EducationQuest Foundation
You may face some roommate challenges during college — especially if you have never shared a room before. But overcoming those challenges may lead to a lifelong friendship or, at the very least, lifelong skills in getting along. Follow these tips for roommate success. Contact your roommate ahead of time. Learn about each other, and discover what you have in common. Discuss who will bring what (TV, microwave, refrigerator, futon, etc.). Then, when you get to college, you should feel like you already know your roommate. Communicate. From the start, discuss how you both feel about cleanliness, visitation, music, study time, borrowing clothes and other issues you may encounter. This may seem awkward at first, but if
you can establish expectations up front, it will help your relationship run much smoother. Be realistic. You and your roommate will have different habits and expectations so be prepared to compromise. Realize that you don’t have to be best friends to live together. If you encounter a roommate conflict, try to work it out. Here’s how: Look at yourself. Ask your roommate what he or she thinks of the relationship. Ask what you can do to improve things. Negotiate. State the problem calmly, brainstorm alternatives and choose a solution. Developing tactful, effective communication skills will pay off now and in the future. Ask for help. If you and your roommate can’t resolve the conflict, ask your resident advisor to mediate.
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Wrapping up your senior year By EducationQuest Foundation
The last part of your senior year is packed full with college-related deadlines and decisions. It may feel like you have one foot in high school and the other in college. Here’s how to stay on the right track in both worlds. Pay attention to your grades. If you slack of f and get poor grades, your college admission could be revoked, so combat senioritis and pay attention to coursework, grades and extracurricular activities. Complete the financial aid process. By now, you should have filed your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). If you haven’t, apply at fafsa.gov. After filing, you will receive a Student A id Report acknowledging that your FA FSA was processed. Use the SA R to make any necessary FAFSA corrections. Compare financial aid award notifications. After you submit your FAFSA, the colleges you listed on the form will send you a financial aid award notification detailing the financial aid they can prov ide. Caref ully compare the notifications to determine which college provides the best financial aid package. Colleges try to offer a combination of
scholarships, grants, work-study and student loans, if you qualify for them. Make your final college selection. In addition to financial aid, consider the schools’ academic programs, the location, typical class size, the total student population and the campus cult ure. Once you make your final selection — typically by May 1 — notify the other colleges so they can take you off their mailing list. Pay attention to deadlines. Submit your housing deposit before the deadline to increase your chances of getting your top-choice residence hall. Also be aware of deadlines to register for freshman orientation and courses, as well as deadlines for accepting financial aid and admissions. Get a job. Work as much as you can over the summer to help pay for dorm essentials, textbooks and other college -related costs. Plan to work part time after you start college to help with daily living expenses. All of this can be overwhelming, so remember that you don’t have to do this alone. Involve your family, teachers, counselors and friends who are already in college. Also, check out the “Students Transitioning to College� section at EducationQuest.org.
What to consider when choosing a college By EducationQuest Foundation
Start narrowing your college choices during your junior year. This will give you more time to research which school best fits your criteria, and to meet admission and financial aid deadlines Answer the following questions to get started, and read about common mistakes to avoid. What do you want to study? If you know what you want to study, research schools that offer degree programs in that area. If you don’t know what to study, it’s OK — many students begin college undeclared and some pursue academic transfer programs at community colleges. W hat kind of school do you want to attend? Do you prefer a large university or a small college? A re you interested in a community college? What kind of student/teacher ratio do you want? What can you afford? Consider the overall cost of college: tuition, room and board, books, transportation costs and personal expenses. Determine what you and your parents can afford to pay out-of-pocket and plan to apply for financial aid to make up the difference. Calculate the loan debt your family may
need to incur for your college education. Where do you want to go to college? Do you want to live close to home and commute? Do you want to be in a large city or a small town? How big of a factor is out-of-state or private school tuition? If you want to go out of state, investigate reciprocity programs such as the Midwest Student Exchange Program. Avoid these college search mistakes: Don’t limit your search to familiar institutions. Just because your parents or siblings went to a certain college doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you. Don’t limit your search to colleges you think you can afford. The more expensive the school, the more financial aid you may be eligible to receive. Do some financial aid-related research (using net price calculators, talking to an EducationQuest specialist, or a representative from the college) before crossing these schools off your list. Don’t choose a college just because it’s near your boyfriend or girlfriend. The school may not be a good match for you — and he or she may not be either. Don’t insist on an out-of-state school just because you want to “get away.� Even if you attend college in your hometown, you can still “get away� by staying on campus most weekends.
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Be prepared for the college admissions process By EducationQuest Foundation
Most college admission deadlines hit in December or January of your senior year, so contact your top colleges in early fall to ask about their requirements and deadlines to apply for admission, as well as college-based scholarships and financial aid. Most colleges require t hese items with your admission application: n Your high school transcript with class r a n k ( sent t h rough you r h igh school registrar/guidance office) n ACT and/or SAT scores (when you take the exams, have the scores sent to all colleges you’re interested in attending) n List of extracurricular activities n Application fee (may be waived if you qualify for free or reduced lunch) n Some colleges also require an essay and/or letters of recommendation. Stay Organized Keep a calendar with deadlines for each school, and create a folder for each school where you can store correspon-
dence, brochures, notes from your campus visit or other information. Get Help You don’t need to tackle the college admissions process alone. n P a r e nt s or g u a r d i a ns c a n hel p you keep t rack of deadl i nes, gat her required records and visit campuses. You’ll also need your parents’ help with financial planning and with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. n School counselors or teachers can help you articulate your academic goals and match you to appropriate schools and degree programs. n College admissions representatives can help you learn about the campus and make sure you understand important deadlines and application requirements. n EducationQuest Foundation pro vides free college planning services and can help you through the admissions and financial aid process. Call the Kearney of fice at 800 - 666 -3721, Lincoln office at 800 -303-3745 or Omaha office at 888-357-6300.
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Preparing for college entrance exams By EducationQuest Foundation
When it comes to the AC T and SAT college entrance exams, preparation can mean higher scores â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and that means increased college admission and scholarship opportunities. About the exams The ACT includes test areas in English, math, reading, science and an optional writing section. Scores for each section are averaged to create a composite score. A perfect score is 36. The SAT measures critical reading, math and writing skills. Scores for each section range from 200-800 points, which are added together to determine your overall score. A perfect score is 2400. Consider taking the exams at least twice, as colleges will use your best overall score for admission and scholarship consideration. Take the exams in the spring of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year, and be aware of the last test date colleges will accept. While Midwestern colleges typically prefer the ACT and coastal schools prefer the SAT, most colleges will accept either. Consider taking both to see which test suits you better. How to prepare To prepare for test content, school counselors recommend taking challenging
classes in English, math, reading and science throughout high school. As test dates approach, take practice tests, learn test-taking strategies and review course content. Be sure to register by the deadline to avoid unnecessary late fees, and see your counselor about a fee waiver if you qualify for free or reduced lunch. Ask your counselor about resources available at your school or in your area that fit your budget and learning style. They may include self-study preparation books and online resources. If you prefer a group setting, consider school-sponsored workshops and test preparation businesses, though these will often require a fee. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find free test-prep products at actstudent.org or collegeboard.org. Here are some test-taking strategies from ACT: n Carefully read the instructions for each section of the test. n Pace yourself so you can attempt all questions on the exam. n Answer the easy questions first and then tackle the more difficult ones. n For difficult questions, eliminate all incorrect answers then make an educated guess among the remaining options. n Answer every question because there is no penalty for guessing. n Review your work.
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Wondering how you’ll pay for college? By EducationQuest Foundation
Parents — if you and your student haven’t saved enough for college, these options may take some of the sting out of tuition payments. Financial aid Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after Jan. 1 of your student’s senior year to apply for grants, work-study, student loans and some needbased scholarships. To estimate your FAFSA results now, use the College Funding Estimator at EducationQuest.org. Scholarships ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org has more than 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. You’ll also find links to free national scholarship search sites. Your student’s earnings Encourage your student to save at least half of his or her earnings for college. College payment plans Many schools offer a 10 or 12-month payment plan. This allows you to use current income to pay your out-of-pocket college expenses.
Home equity line of credit loan A line of credit allows you to use your home equity to pay college costs. Consult your tax advisor about deducting the interest. Alternative loans Talk to the college financial aid office about alternative loans that don’t require the FAFSA. They typically have a higher interest rate, so exhaust all federal financial aid before pursuing these loans. Community college transfer program If your student is striving for a four-year degree, an option might be to start at a less expensive community college and then transfer to a four-year college. Live at home Although there are many benefits to living on-campus, room and board at a four-year college runs about $7,000 a year. If your student lives at home, that money can go toward tuition and fees. The military All branches of the military offer education assistance ranging from the Montgomery G.I. Bill, to tuition reimbursement, to student loan repayment. Encourage your student to talk to a recruiter for details.
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Types of financial aid By EducationQuest Foundation
There are several types of financial aid available to help pay college expenses. To apply for federal financial aid, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after Jan. 1 of your senior year at fafsa.gov. Scholarships come from private donors or your college. Some are based on financial need, while others are based on academics, talents or community involvement. Grants* are awarded based on financial need and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t repay them. They include: n Pell Grant n Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant n Nebraska Opportunity Grant n College-based grants Work-Study*, also based on financial
need, allows you to earn money while attending college. You get paid for hours worked so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect money up-front to pay tuition. Work-Study*, also based on financial need, is a federal program that provides money you earn by working a part-time job while in college. Loans* are a type of financial aid you must repay. Some are in your name and some are for parents. Types of loans include: n Perkins Loan n Direct Stafford Loan n Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan n Direct PLUS Loan (loan for parents) For more details about financial aid, see the Paying for College section at EducationQuest.org. *These types of financial aid are based on FAFSA results.
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How to apply for financial aid By EducationQuest Foundation
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the application for federal, state and college-specific financial aid. Typically, you apply after Jan. 1 of your senior year and every year youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in college. Follow these steps to apply: 1. Ask your prospective colleges for their FAFSA priority date Since some financial aid is awarded firstcome first-served, plan to complete the FAFSA before the priority date. 2. Request a PIN Request a Personal Identification Number for you and one for a parent at pin. ed.gov. The PIN is your signature for the electronic FAFSA and is used to track your financial aid application. 3. Complete your income taxes early The FAFSA requires current tax information. 4. Complete the FAFSA Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. The results will be sent to the colleges you list on your FAFSA. For free help with the FAFSA, see FAFSA Tools at EducationQuest.org or make an appointment with EducationQuest location nearest you: Kearney â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 800-6663721, Lincoln â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 800-303-3745 or Omaha â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 888-357-6300. 5. Expect your SAR and award notifications After submitting your FAFSA, expect a Student Aid Report that acknowledges your
form was processed. Your SAR can also be used to make corrections to your FAFSA. The colleges will then send you a financial aid award notification detailing the assistance theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re offering. You might receive a combination of scholarships, grants, workstudy, and student loans. 6. Compare and accept award notifications Compare financial aid awards from the colleges where you applied. Calculate your out-of-pocket expenses for each school to get the entire financial picture. Accept and return each award notification so you can keep your options open until you make your final college selection. 7. Apply for student and parent loans, if needed After you select a college, inform the other schools of your decision. Work with your college to apply for student loans, if you need them. The college will provide the required documents. How college award financial aid All colleges use this formula to calculate financial aid eligibility. Financial Aid Formula Annual cost of education Expected family contribution (FAFSA results) Financial need The college will come as close as possible to meeting your financial need through scholarships, grants, work-study and student loans.
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