February College Planning Bulletin
January 24, 2019
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 money 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 provide 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 information 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 application 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.
Click here for more details about scholarships and tips to help you complete a successful application.
Follow us on social media and you might win a $500 scholarship!
Nebraska students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to follow EducationQuest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a chance to win a $500 Get Social Scholarship. Each time EducationQuest reaches specific follower milestones on our social media pages, we’ll invite current and new followers to enter into a drawing for a $500 scholarship.
We’ll conduct a:
Facebook drawing when we hit 7,750 followers
Twitter drawing when we hit 3,750 followers
Instagram drawing when we hit 1,500 followers
EducationQuest will continue to award $500 Get Social Scholarships each time we reach an additional 500 followers on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Click here for more details.
February “To Do” List Seniors:
___ If you haven’t already, complete the FAFSA.
___ Expect financial aid award notifications from the colleges you listed on your FAFSA.
___ Apply for scholarships.
Juniors:
___ Start preparing for the ACT. Here are test-prep resources to consider.
___ Register by February 8 for the March 9 SAT.
___ Register by March 8 for the April 13 ACT.
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 EducationQuest.org Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Your Journey to College Begins with Us