February 2011
Seniors and Parents:
If you have questions relating to the federal financial aid form please contact EducationQuest for assistance. They are experts at this so please call and set up an appointment with them as soon as possible.
Just a reminder: Before you can send your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (FAFSA) you will need to go on-line and apply for your PIN numbers. (Both the student and one parent must get a number) It is best to do it now rather than later. www.pin.ed.gov
If you want to receive information monthly from the EducationQuest you can go to www.educationquest.org. This is a nonprofit organization that will give information about college and financial aid in general. Also, if you or your parents have an e-mail address that you check on regular basis let me know and I will send you information regarding scholarships and colleges. I will also have hard copies available to all students on a monthly basis.
Selective Service – It’s the Law – If you are a male and 18 years of age you are required to register! If you're a male U.S. citizen, age 18 through 25, and are living INSIDE the United States or its territories, or if you have an APO/FPO address, you are required to register with Selective Service by going to www.sss.gov or you can wait until you complete your FAFSA and complete the information at that time.
New this year for NAIA schools, student-athletes are required to get registered with the NAIA eligibility center.. The address is www.playnaia.org
Please note: * It’s important that the student register early! The Eligibility Center is now a big part of the NAIA’s recruiting process. The sooner you get it done, the better. * There is a one-time $60 fee, which goes to the NAIA Eligibility Center. Some students will qualify to have the fee waived. Please check the waiver exemptions listed on the web site. * Students will need to send your ACT or SAT scores directly to the NAIA. Simply place the NAIA’s code number on your list of schools. The NAIA code number is 9876. * Students' high school guidance counselor will need to send your final official academic transcripts to the NAIA.
**Requesting Recommendations: Need help with requesting recommendations: Go to www.cccneb.org and click on Programs, Courses and Workshops. Scroll down and on the left side click on High School Articulation, then scroll back down and on the left side under High School Articulation click on Career Prep Handbook. The handbook contains a lot of information including Exploring Careers, Resume’ Tips, Request for Recommendation Letter. This information can be very useful as you begin to complete scholarships. The request form will be very helpful when asking a teacher, business person, or a boss for a letter.
Tips for getting letters of recommendations for scholarships:
1. Ask the person if they can give you a good recommendation.
2. Give the person a request for recommendation letter - using the form found on the cccneb.org web-site talked about above. Name of scholarship, criteria, date due
3. If they have to mail it directly to the scholarship committee – then you provide the envelope and have it addressed with a stamp on it.
4. Make sure that the person has enough time to write the recommendation. I would recommend at least one week, but preferably two weeks.
5. Most people writing recommendations will be o-k with writing more than one letter. Usually they will revise the letters to fit the requirements/criteria., so don’t be afraid to ask for more than one letter.
6. If you have questions please come and see me.
Test Dates 2010 - 2011
Test Date / RegistrationDeadline / (Late Fee Required)April9,2011 / March4,2011 / March5 – 18,2011
June11,2011 / May6,2011 / May7 – 20,2011
It is highly recommended that you register to take the ACT on line at www.actstudent.org Choose “SIGN UP NOW” and follow the directions. To register on line you must pay by “VISA” or “MasterCard”. You can also register using the ACT packet. You can get a packet from me. If you have never taken the test before, please allow extra time in filling out the registration packet. If you have already taken the test and you want to retake it, I highly recommend registering on-line as it will save you a lot of time because you will just go in and update the info. Remember our school code is 282 285.
COMPASS or ASSET TEST
Not all colleges or universities require you to take the ACT. Most community or technical colleges will allow you to take the COMPASS test. The COMPASS is a computerized test developed by ACT. If you are thinking about going to a community college you can usually take the computerized test when you go for a college visit. You can take the COMPASS test at Central Community College in Hastings, Grand Island, or Columbus, even if you are going to go to Southeast in Milford, Lincoln, or Beatrice, or Northeast in Norfolk, or to Mid-Plains in McCook. The sooner you take the test the sooner you will know if you need to retake it. You can call and register for the test at 1-877-222-0780. Follow the prompts for Hastings Campus and then ask for the office where they give the COMPASS test. If you plan to visit any of the community college campus’s then try to schedule a time to take the compass during your visit.
www.studentedge.com StudentEdge is a free online college and career planning resource center. It offers tools to help all high school students take ownership of the college planning process by letting them find scholarship money, prepare for exams, search for colleges, and explore career interests. To open an account to access this site go to www.studentedge.com then click on New User. The access code will be GKXBEMMC, next you will be prompted to complete your registration. This is just another resource for you to use.
A well developed free online test prep resource is: www.march2success.com The Army hosts the site and contains well known Peterson's prep and timed practice tests for ACT/SAT. Included is a fun video game-like practice test call Zero Hour Threat. There is also a high school test prep for practice for all HS students.
UNL requirements: The years refer to courses – 4 courses and 3 courses. 4 Years of Math, 4 years of English, 3 years of Social Science, 3 years Science, and 2 years Foreign Language.
**UNL – September 1 Nebraska begins processing application for Fall 2011
Make sure that you have your ACT scores sent to UNL if you are interested in attending the university. Effective immediately the university will only accept ACT scores directly from the testing center. So make sure that when you register to take the test you put the college/university code on the form.
**UNL – Most successful candidates for the University Honors Program present one or more of the following credentials: ACT composite of 29 or above or combined SAT of 1300; High school class rank in the top 10%; A demonstrated commitment to academic and intellectual pursuits; Evidence of engagement in school and community activities
**November 15 - Deadline for University Honors Program Early Application March 1, 2011 is the final application deadline.
**Common Application - If you have chosen a college which uses the Common Application you can now complete the application on line at www.commonapp.org
Open Houses and Special Visit Days
University of Nebraska at Omaha – Open House Dates: Feb. 21, Mar. 14
www.BEaMAV.com email 1-877-884- MAVS
Chadron State College – Open House Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 Register on line at www.csc.edu/visitors or call them at 308-432-6233
College of Hair Design – Fall Open House – Wednesday, April 6, 2011 You can register by emailing: or call 1-800-798-4247. Scholarships are available. More information about the college can be found at www.collegeofhairdesign.com
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION:
http://www.educationquest.org/scholarshipquest.asp
SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES ON THE WEB:
www.scholarshipmonkey.com www.ScholarshipExperts.com www.StudentAid.ed.gov
www.Schoolsoup.com www.scholarships.com www.collegeboard.com
www.fastaid.com
**University of Nebraska at Kearney Dates vary
If you are interested in the University of Nebraska at Kearney scholarship descriptions and applications can be found at www.unk.edu/offices/financial_aid
**Nebraska Department of American Legion and Legion Auxiliary Due Dates Vary
www.nebraskalegionaux.net for the list of scholarships, the criteria and the dates due.
**American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Scholarships Due Dates Vary
Several scholarships are available at www.legion.org www.legion.org/needalift or www.legion-aux.org
**Southeast Community College Open Application Dates Dec. 1 through Feb. 22
For a list of available scholarships, please go to www.southeast.edu Apply, register and get a list scholarships.
Must be a U.S. citizen, graduate from high school this academic year (preference will be given to those who rank in the top one-half of their class). You must complete the scholarship application on-line then request your school counselor to send a copy of your transcript to SCC. Transcripts must be received by March 1, 2011.
**NMC (Nebraska Machinery Company) Heavy Construction and Ag Diesel Technician Feb. 8
The programs are offered at Central Community College in Hastings, NE. There are two separate programs: The NMC Student Sponsorship Program (for Ag and Heavy Construction) and the Caterpillar Foundation Scholarship. The sponsorship provides funds to cover tuition and book fees along with tools and a tool box ($5400.00 value). The two year sponsorship is worth an estimated $14,000.00 to the selected students. To qualify for the sponsorships you must: visit CCC campus in Hastings, complete an application and be accepted to CCC, complete an application for the NMC Sponsorship, and take the COMPASS or ACT. Online application is available at: http://www.nebraskamachinery.com/whatsnew.asp?id=4
**University of Nebraska Campuses Hope for Sudan Scholarship Fund Feb. 14
The Hope for Sudan Scholarship Fund will be awarding a $2,000 scholarship in the fall of 2011. All students who are admitted to the University of Nebraska are eligible for this scholarship, which is renewable for up to four years.
To apply students must submit an essay of no more than 500 words describing how events in the nation of Sudan have directly or indirectly affected their own lives. Scholarship recipients will be chosen largely on the basis of the essay. In addition, preference will be given to applicants who speak one of several dialects native to southern Sudan, the most common being Dinka and Neuer.
Essays should be submitted with a cover letter that includes the applicant’s name and contact information, as well as the name and contact information of one personal reference. Applicants should also indicate the University of Nebraska campus(es) to which they have applied, if they have been accepted, and any additional scholarships they have received to date. Materials must be received by the end of the business day on Monday, Feb. 14, 2011.
Materials should be mailed to:
Hope for Sudan Scholarship
Attn: Alicia Risk
University of Nebraska Foundation
1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300
Lincoln, NE 68508
Materials may also be e-mailed to
**National FFA Organization Feb. 15
www.ffa.org Each year the National FFA Organization awards approximately $2 million in scholarships designed to fit the diversity of our applicants. Scholarships are sponsored by businesses and individuals through the National FFA Foundation and are given for a wide variety of experiences, career goals and higher education plans. The selection process takes into account the whole student - FFA involvement, work experience, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), community service, leadership skills and academics. More than 1,000 scholarships available – just one application to complete! Click here for details and a current list of 2010-2011 scholarship sponsors!
You must log in to complete the application process. https://scholarshipapp.ffa.org/OnlineApps/welcome.aspx
**Monsanto Company Agriculture Scholarships Feb. 15
www.monsanto.com/scholarships
Monsanto Commitmentto Agriculture Scholarship - Must be a high school senior from a farm family with above-average academic record, and plan to enroll as a full-time student in an agriculture-related academic major at an accredited school. FFA membership is not required to be eligible for the scholarship program.
DEKALB®Ag Youth Scholarship - Available to both high school and collegiate students who are pursuing agricultural-related degrees and demonstrate strong leadership skills and community involvement. FFA membership is not required to be eligible for the scholarship program.
**Cornerstone Ag Day Scholarship Feb. 21
Primary Requirements: Attendance at 2010 Career in Agriculture Day.
Major course of study must be related to agriculture or business.
Eligible Colleges: University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Southeast Community College, Beatrice or Milford; Central Community College, Columbus; Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Curtis.
Amount of Scholarship: $500.00, payable jointly to the recipient and the college at the beginning of the first semester.
(Scholarship has been sent to all via e-mail)
**Nebraska Press Association Scholarship Feb. 22
Scholarship is available to Nebraska high school graduate enrolled or planning to enroll in post-secondary educational program in Nebraska-based college or university leading to careers in print journalism. Preference will be given to students with a specific interest in news, editorial, photography, circulation, production, or advertising careers in weekly, semi-weekly, or daily newspapers. See me for the application.
**Independent Insurance Agents of NE Foundation – Chet Linder Scholarship March 1
Applicant must be a current graduating senior who is attending a Nebraska high school that is approved and accredited by the State Department of Education. Applicant must demonstrate scholastic application and intend to continue his/her education. The selection committee will also consider the applicant’s participation and leadership in school and community activities, and educational goals. There are no criteria relative to gender or financial need. Scholarship recipients are free to select any accredited college or university. It is recommended that the applicant intend to major in business or a business-related field.
**Insurance Studies Scholarship March 1
The Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska Foundation is now accepting applications for up to two Insurance Studies Scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each. At least one scholarship will be awarded to a student who is graduating from high school this year, and is registered as a full-time student in a Nebraska community college with an accredited program of study recognized by Project InVEST®. Project InVEST® is a national insurance studies educational organization which is based in Alexandria, Virginia. The Insurance Services program includes a one-year certificate option, and a two-year business degree option. Both programs can be completed online. Go to www.northeast.edu for more information on the Business- Insurance Services program.