Counselor’s Corner OCTOBER 2016
For more information, contact:
Susan Poland
Litchfield High School
308-446-2244
[email protected]
EducationQuest Foundation
College Planning Bulletin
A monthly college planning guide for Nebraska high school students
November 2016
Seniors…a reminder of what to do this fall
There’s A LOT going on right now with the financial aid and college admission processes, but don’t
get overwhelmed! Here’s a recap of tasks you should complete this fall to stay on track to college.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It’s earlier this year – and you can use 2015 tax
info!
First, create an FSA ID for you and one for a parent at fsaid.ed.gov. You’ll need it to access
and sign the FAFSA.
Watch this FAFSA Demo video for an overview of the FAFSA form.
Check out other FAFSA Tools to help you through the process.
Participate in a free Financial Aid Webinar, Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. CT.
Apply to your top college choices
If you attend one of over 200 Nebraska high schools holding an Apply2College event, you’ll get
help with your applications. If not, no worries…Here are steps you should take to apply. You’ll
also find a college application checklist listing everything you need.
Retake the ACT and/or SAT. Colleges use your best scores for college admission and scholarships.
Juniors…start researching colleges
If you narrow your college choices by the end of your junior year, your senior year will be less
stressful. Here’s how to get started:
Review College Profiles at EducationQuest.org for information about colleges in Nebraska and across the country. If
you’re interested in an out-of-state school, check out the Midwest Student Exchange Program to learn about tuition
discounts.
Meet with college representatives who visit your school, and then visit the websites of the colleges that interest you to
learn more about the schools.
Once you’ve narrowed your choices, schedule campus visits. Try to visit in the spring of your junior year while
colleges are still in session.
For more tips, see the Selecting a College sect ion at EducationQuest.org.
Omaha College Fair October 23
If you live in the Omaha region, don’t miss the Omaha Area College Fair, Sunday, October 23 from
1:00-4:00 p.m. at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Sapp Fieldhouse. Before you attend, visit NebraskaCollegeFairs.org to register for a
barcode. Take the barcode to the event so college reps can scan it to retrieve your demographic information.
November “To Do” List
Seniors…complete these tasks in November to stay on the path to college:
Complete the FAFSA.
Apply to your top college choices.
Register by November 3 for the December 3 SAT.
Register by November 4 for the December 10 ACT.
Juniors…complete these tasks:
Research colleges that interest you.
Take a prep course for the ACT college entrance exam.
For free help with college planning, contact EducationQuest Foundation:
Omaha
Lincoln
Kearney
Scottsbluff
402-391-4033 402-475-5222 308-234-6310 800-303-3745 ext. 6654
888-357-6300 800-303-3745 800-666-3721
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