Prepare for the FAFSA with free programs and resources
If you’re a senior, it’s time to start preparing for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You should complete the form after January 1 (after you and your parents have completed your 2014 tax returns) but before your college’s priority deadline (typically before April 1). Colleges will use your FAFSA results to determine how much they will award you in federal, state and college-based financial aid.
To prepare for the FAFSA, take advantage of these free EducationQuest programs and resources:
Financial Aid Programs
EducationQuest is conducting statewide Financial Aid Programs that explain the financial aid process and the FAFSA. The programs are free and open to the public. Find the program nearest you. Juniors and seniors and their parents or guardians are encouraged to attend. If you attend, you will be eligible to register for a $500 Financial Aid Program Scholarship!
FAFSA Webinars
EducationQuest will conduct free “How to Complete the FAFSA” webinars on the following dates:
Tuesday, December 9 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/110PHjx
Wednesday, December 17 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/112ADCd
Monday, January 12 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1zmonbq
Wednesday, January 14 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1upQdmV
Tuesday, February 24 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1u5EpVG
To join the Webinar, click on the link under your desired date. The password is college.
College Funding Estimator
To estimate your FAFSA results now, use the College Funding Estimator at EducationQuest.org. This program will ask for 2014 income tax information. You may estimate your tax information to complete the Estimator but should use your completed 2014 tax returns when you complete the FAFSA.
Seniors…have you submitted your college applications?
If you haven’t submitted your college admission applications yet, it’s time to get serious! Contact your top college choices to determine application deadlines and procedures. Ask if the admission application is also the application for college-based scholarships. If not, ask about the scholarship application process.
Winning the scholarship game
Follow these tips to increase your chances of earning scholarships:
Don’t ever pay for scholarship searches! Use free resources such as ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org with over 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. Free national sites include Fastaid, ScholarshipExperts.com, School Soup, and Scholarships.com.
Visit your school counselor often for information about local scholarships.
Focus on local and college-specific scholarships because you're more likely to earn them.
Update your activities, honors, community service or paid jobs using the Activities Resume at EducationQuest.org.
Earn the best possible ACT/SAT scores by taking the exam in the spring of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year.
Use quality references such as a teacher, coach or counselor. Encourage them to write specific examples of your leadership skills. Give them advance notice and a specific deadline.
Tailor your essay to the scholarship. Ask an English teacher to read your essay and offer advice on making a big impact. Your essay will need to stand out from other applications.
December “To Do” List
Complete these tasks during December to stay on the right college planning track.
Seniors
__ Submit college applications.
__ Estimate your FAFSA results using the College Funding Estimator at EducationQuest.org.
__ Attend the Financial Aid Program in your area. Thursday, November 20th @ the Distance Learning Room
__ Continue to apply for scholarships.
Juniors
__ Attend the Financial Aid Program in your area.
__ Search for scholarships.
__ Register by January 9 for the February 7 ACT.
Note: Optional writing test is not necessary for any Nebraska college.
For free help with college planning, contact EducationQuest Foundation:
Kearney
308-234-6310
800-666-3721
Lincoln
402-475-5222
800-303-3745
Omaha
402-391-4033
888-357-6300
EducationQuest.org
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for college planning tips!
Your Journey to College Begins with Us
If you’re a senior, it’s time to start preparing for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You should complete the form after January 1 (after you and your parents have completed your 2014 tax returns) but before your college’s priority deadline (typically before April 1). Colleges will use your FAFSA results to determine how much they will award you in federal, state and college-based financial aid.
To prepare for the FAFSA, take advantage of these free EducationQuest programs and resources:
Financial Aid Programs
EducationQuest is conducting statewide Financial Aid Programs that explain the financial aid process and the FAFSA. The programs are free and open to the public. Find the program nearest you. Juniors and seniors and their parents or guardians are encouraged to attend. If you attend, you will be eligible to register for a $500 Financial Aid Program Scholarship!
FAFSA Webinars
EducationQuest will conduct free “How to Complete the FAFSA” webinars on the following dates:
Tuesday, December 9 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/110PHjx
Wednesday, December 17 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/112ADCd
Monday, January 12 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1zmonbq
Wednesday, January 14 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1upQdmV
Tuesday, February 24 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1u5EpVG
To join the Webinar, click on the link under your desired date. The password is college.
College Funding Estimator
To estimate your FAFSA results now, use the College Funding Estimator at EducationQuest.org. This program will ask for 2014 income tax information. You may estimate your tax information to complete the Estimator but should use your completed 2014 tax returns when you complete the FAFSA.
Seniors…have you submitted your college applications?
If you haven’t submitted your college admission applications yet, it’s time to get serious! Contact your top college choices to determine application deadlines and procedures. Ask if the admission application is also the application for college-based scholarships. If not, ask about the scholarship application process.
Winning the scholarship game
Follow these tips to increase your chances of earning scholarships:
Don’t ever pay for scholarship searches! Use free resources such as ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org with over 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. Free national sites include Fastaid, ScholarshipExperts.com, School Soup, and Scholarships.com.
Visit your school counselor often for information about local scholarships.
Focus on local and college-specific scholarships because you're more likely to earn them.
Update your activities, honors, community service or paid jobs using the Activities Resume at EducationQuest.org.
Earn the best possible ACT/SAT scores by taking the exam in the spring of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year.
Use quality references such as a teacher, coach or counselor. Encourage them to write specific examples of your leadership skills. Give them advance notice and a specific deadline.
Tailor your essay to the scholarship. Ask an English teacher to read your essay and offer advice on making a big impact. Your essay will need to stand out from other applications.
December “To Do” List
Complete these tasks during December to stay on the right college planning track.
Seniors
__ Submit college applications.
__ Estimate your FAFSA results using the College Funding Estimator at EducationQuest.org.
__ Attend the Financial Aid Program in your area. Thursday, November 20th @ the Distance Learning Room
__ Continue to apply for scholarships.
Juniors
__ Attend the Financial Aid Program in your area.
__ Search for scholarships.
__ Register by January 9 for the February 7 ACT.
Note: Optional writing test is not necessary for any Nebraska college.
For free help with college planning, contact EducationQuest Foundation:
Kearney
308-234-6310
800-666-3721
Lincoln
402-475-5222
800-303-3745
Omaha
402-391-4033
888-357-6300
EducationQuest.org
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for college planning tips!
Your Journey to College Begins with Us