Small Town Times February Newsletterfinal | Page 15
EducationQuest Foundation
College Planning Bulletin
A monthly college planning guide for Nebraska high school students
February 2019
Seniors…where are you in the FAFSA process?
Getting financial aid for college involves more than completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA). Make sure you get through each step of the process so that you don’t miss out on mon-
ey for college.
Did you complete and submit a 2019-20 FAFSA? If you haven’t, complete the form at FAFSA.gov using
2017 income tax data. Before you start, you and a parent must each get an FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov. You’ll
need the FSA IDs to access and sign your FAFSA.
If you DID submit a FAFSA, here’s what happens next:
Expect a Student Aid Report (SAR) via an email link. The SAR acknowledges that your FAFSA
was received and lets you know if you need to take further action before the form can be processed.
You might receive a “verification” notification. The college(s) you listed on your FAFSA may
contact you requesting documents to verify information you included on your FAFSA. You must pro-
vide those documents before your financial aid can be processed.
Watch for an award letter from the college(s) you listed on your FAFSA. This will detail the
types and amounts of financial aid they are offering you. You must have been accepted for admission
before the college will send an award letter.
It’s critical that you watch your email and/or student portal carefully to ensure you don’t miss important infor-
mation about admission and financial aid.
What you need to know about scholarships!
Most scholarships are based on academics, but others are based on community service, school involvement,
or talent. Some are based on financial need as determined by the results of your FAFSA.
Here’s where you can find scholarships:
ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org houses over 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. After
you create a profile, you’ll be matched with scholarships that fit your criteria.
Your school counselor’s office. Visit regularly to check on local and national awards.
The college you plan to attend. Contact the school for a list of scholarships they provide and appli-
cation procedures.
National search sites such as College Board, Peterson’s, and Chegg.
Other resources could include your coach, clubs and organizations, and your parents’ employers and
civic organizations.