OPS Counseling Apply2College
October 2020 Newsletter
Apply 2 College Month
This year's Apply2College Campaign will look a little different than years past where we were able to invite our seniors to apply in-person to colleges. Your counselors have been planning a NEW way to get this done. That includes following just a few steps.
STEP 1: APPLY to COLLEGE
Visit the website for the COLLEGE(s) you intend to apply to. Look for an APPLY link on the home page OR go to Undergraduate ADMISSIONS.STEP 2: ADD YOUR COLLEGE(s) TO NAVIANCE
(Request Transcripts be Sent*)
After you submit an application to your college(s), ADD your College to Naviance. This step alerts counseling staff to send your transcripts*. (see below in the USING NAVIANCE section for instructions)
* UNO/UNL ask students to self-report initial transcripts. MCC only requires final transcripts.
STEP 3: COMPLETE THE 2021-22 FAFSA APPLICATION
Create an FSA ID & prepare and complete your FAFSA* (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It’s best to complete this step by mid-December! (see below in the PAYING FOR COLLEGE section for instructions)
NOTE: Please use your given name on all college applications, FAFSA and scholarship applications.
October College Prep
- Create an FSA ID/Federal Student Aid account for you and one for a parent. You’ll need them for the FAFSA.
- Complete the FAFSA on or after October 1.
- Complete college applications. October is Apply2College Month.
ACT/SAT
Virtual College Fairs
HBCU Virtual College Fair
Oct. 8, 12:30-2 p.m
HBCUCollegeFair's goal is to expose students to the academic and career opportunities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This virtual college fairs will provide you the chance to hear first hand from recruiters and representatives from some of the nation's most esteemed HBCUs.
To Attend:
Select EVENTS
Scroll down to Event Listing
Find Omaha Public Schools (near the bottom)
Click Register Here
Click the GREEN Register button and fill in your information
EducationQuest Virtual College Fair Still Open
The official EducationQuest Virtual College Fair is over, but the site will remain open until Dec. 1 so that you can visit college booths and watch recorded sessions about college admission, selecting a major, campus visits, finding scholarships, and paying for college. You must register and log in to visit booths and watch sessions. Bonus! If you visit at least 3 college booths, you will be entered into a drawing for a $500 scholarship!
Using Naviance
Naviance is an App that helps students reach their goals by developing skills critical for college, career and life.
As Seniors, you may use Naviance to:
- Search for and research colleges
- Indicate college(s) you've applied to (so we can send your transcripts to them)
- Complete college planning tasks
- Take important surveys
- Sign up for college Rep visits
- Complete assigned counseling curriculum
- Search for scholarships
- and much more
Sign in to Naviance…
- Sign in to your CLEVER account
- Click on the Naviance App
To Add your College to Naviance (so counselors can send your transcripts out)
NOTE: You may NOT be fully admitted without this step, so it’s best to get it done as SOON as you complete your application.*
- Click on COLLEGES, then Colleges I'm Applying To
- Use the big RED plus sign to add your college (Type in the FULL name of your college, ex: University of Nebraska Lincoln, Metropolitan Community College Omaha).
- Mark that you’ve submitted your application
- Click Add and Request Transcript
* UNO and UNL ask students to self-report their initial transcript. MCC only requires a final transcript
To sign up to visit with a College Rep
- Go to Colleges, then Research College, then College Visits
- Find the college visit you would like to attend
- Click REGISTER NOW
- If virtual you will be emailed a link to used on the day of the visit, save this on your calendar
To Complete Assigned Naviance Curriculum
- From the HOME page, scroll down to the Naviance College, Career and Life Readiness Curriculum box & click on the name
- Click on a lesson and complete it
To Complete a Naviance Task
- From the HOME page, scroll down to the To Dos and Tasks box
- Click on a task and complete it
Paying for College
It's FAFSA Time!
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application opens October 1 for students planning to attend college during the 2021-22 school year.
- Create a Federal Student Aid account at fsaid.ed.gov Both the student and one parent or guardian will need create an FSA ID before filling out the FAFSA. You'll need your user names & passwords to access and sign the FAFSA, so write them down and store them somewhere safe.
- Review this FAFSA Checklist for items you need to complete the form.
- Complete your 2021-22 FAFSA at studentaid.gov
Need help? See FAFSA Tools at EducationQuest.org for free resources, or call the EducationQuest location nearest you to make a virtual appointment for free help.
Click here for short videos that explain the financial aid process
SCHOLARSHIP INFO
- Check the OPS scholarship Handbook (PDF attached below) OR in Navaince
- Register with ScholarshipQuest through www.educationquest.org
- Search for scholarships on the College website where you've applied
University of Nebraska at Omaha Goodrich Scholarship
Both merit and need based scholarship that pays tuition and fees at UNO.
Due March 1st. Apply Here
Nebraska College Virtual Tours
Nebraska College Virtual Tours
Check out these 2-year, 4--year colleges and trade schools without leaving home. EducationQuest provides you with links to over 30 Nebraska colleges for:
- Virtual campus tours
- College application tutorials
- Student housing tours
- COVID-19 information