Your Journey to College Begins with Us!

Welcome to College Planning Presented by EducationQuest Foundation

What we will cover…

Preparing for collegeApplying to college and testingPaying for college

Preparing for College!

Think about your future

What are your

talents?

What do you like to

do?

What is important

to you?

WIN

What are my college options?

College type: Degrees and other info:

Private Career Schools (for-profit)

• Variety of degree types• Shorter program lengths

Community Colleges

• Associate Degree, Certificate, Diploma

• Academic Transfer

• Bachelor’s and Advanced Degrees

• Public or Private

Colleges and Universities

How do I narrow my choices?

Use College Profiles or Big Future Check out college websites Attend the College Fair or Educational

Planning Program in your area– Register for a barcode at

NebraskaCollegeFairs.org!

Talk to admission reps at your high school Visit, Visit, Visit!

Things to consider…

Career Preparation Location School Size

Cost Social Climate Academics

Why visit a college?

Get answers specific to your college

Learn about programs Get a feel for the college Meet students and staff

Visit EducationQuest.org for campus visit tips and questions.

Applying to College!

Apply for admission

Make a list of 3 – 4 schools to apply to– Dream school– In-the-middle schools– Sure-bet school

Understand the types of admission– Early Admission• Early Action• Early Decision

– Regular and Rolling Admission

Complete admission applications– Online or paper format– Meet deadlines for full scholarship consideration!

What will I need to apply for admission?– Admission application– High school transcripts– Test scores– Application fee– Recommendations– Essay

DEFINITELY

MAYBE

Apply for admission

What tests will I have to take?

ACT– Test areas include English, math, reading and science– Perfect score = 36– Average score in Nebraska = 21.5

SAT *– Test areas include critical reading, math and writing skills– Perfect score = 2400– Average score in Nebraska = 1734 (updated 6/19)

ASSET/COMPASS– Evaluates abilities in reading, writing and math* SAT will see significant changes for 15-16 school year

I’m thinking about attending a four-year college in the

Midwest. Which standardized test should I take?

I would love to live by the ocean! East or West Coast –

both sound great to me. I just don’t know what tests those

schools prefer.

I may start at the local community college and live at home. Do I still have to

take the ACT or SAT?

I am so confused! I don’t know where I want to go.

Should I take all the tests or just skip them?

Test-taking strategies

Take free practice tests (online)

Practice like you’ll test

Pace yourself

Answer easy questions first

Mark answer sheet with care

Know your calculator

Eliminate wrong answers

Paying for College!

Understand the costs

Tuition & Fees Room & Board

Transportation & PersonalBooks & Supplies

Loans*

Types of financial aid

Scholarships Work-Study*

Grants*

*Based on FAFSA Results(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

$ $

$ $

ScholarshipsCommon criteria

GPA Financial Need Ethnicity ACT/SAT

score

Field of study

First- generation

studentTalents Community

Service

Employer College choiceLeadership Activities

Military service Disability State of

residence Gender

Begin research early Colleges School counselor ScholarshipQuest at

EducationQuest.org Private organizations The Internet

ScholarshipsSearch tips

8

“You’ve been

selected.”

“You’re a finalist.”

“The

scholarship is

guaranteed or

your money

back.”

“May I have your credit card number?”

“The scholarship

will cost some

money.”

ScholarshipsWARNING!

8

• Get organized• Put in the time• Write a good essay• Check, double-check,

triple-check• Think local and small-

dollar• Meet deadlines

ScholarshipsHelpful hints

NOT following directions NOT meeting the deadline NOT typing – or turning in a sloppy

application NOT proofreading NOT including all necessary components NOT answering the essay question as asked NOT meeting the criteria

ScholarshipsCommon mistakes

$

Eligibility Financial need

2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale

Attend a Nebraska public college (two- or four-year)

Amount Up to $4,250 per semester

Dates to remember

Online application opens: November 1, 2014

Deadline: February 1, 2015

Student Aid Report due: March 15, 2015

Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship www.buffettscholarships.org

Tuition Assistance Programs

Collegebound Nebraska– UNO, UNL, UNK, or UNMC– NE resident, full-time student,

Pell eligible– Must complete FAFSA by April 1

Advantage– Wayne, Peru, Chadron– NE resident, full-time student,

Pell eligible– Must complete FAFSA by June 1

If youmeet the criteria, tuition is

COVERED!

!

Know your financial situation

House Payment

Household Bills

Cars

Other Debt

Savings CollegeGivingOther

Junior Year (SPRING)

Visit colleges Start a scholarship file

Prepare for and take the ACT and/or SAT

Update Activities Resume

Junior Year (FALL/WINTER)

Research colleges

Set up an Activities Resume

Attend a College Fair or

EPPTake the PSAT

Senior Year (WINTER)

Prepare to complete the

FAFSA

Watch for acceptance letters

from colleges

Complete the FAFSA before the college’s priority

date

Continue to apply for scholarships

Senior Year (FALL)

Retake the ACT/SAT

Narrow list of colleges

Apply to 3 – 4 colleges

Begin applying for scholarships

Senior Year (SUMMER)

Apply for student and parent loans

Attend freshman

orientation

Work to save for college

costs

Read a variety of

books

Senior Year (SPRING)Continue to

apply for scholarships

Complete verification, if required

Compare award

notifications

Make your final decision

by May 1

Questions??