Counselor's Corner
December 2021
Seniors: What to expect after you submit your FAFSA
The FAFSA opened October 1, so many of you have already completed and submitted your form.
Here’s what happens next:
- Expect a Student Aid Report (SAR) via an email link. The SAR tells you that your FAFSA was processed and lets you know if you need to take further action.
- Watch for verification requests. The college(s) you listed on your FAFSA might request verification of your FAFSA information. If so, send the required documents to the colleges’ financial aid office. The college will not process your financial aid until they receive the documents.
- Watch for financial aid award notifications. The colleges you listed on your FAFSA – and were accepted to – will send you financial aid award notifications detailing the types and amounts of aid they’re offering based on your financial need.
Haven’t completed your FAFSA yet?
- No problem! You and a parent can complete the form at studentaid.gov. Before you start, create a Student Aid Account (FSA ID) for you and one for a parent. You’ll need them to access and sign the FAFSA.
- For free help with the FAFSA, watch these brief FAFSA Demo videos, use our FAFSA Tools, or call the EducationQuest location nearest to you to make a virtual appointment: Omaha – 402.391.4033 or 888.357.6300
Just for Juniors
Horatio Alger Scholarship for Juniors
As one of the nation’s largest college financial aid programs in the country, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. The scholarships are funded by Horatio Alger Members who, like the Scholars, have experienced challenges but ultimately overcame them to become successful business and civic leaders. This scholarship is valued at $25,000.
To be eligible to apply for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
- Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
- Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
- Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
- Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
- Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
- Be a United States citizen
2022 Youth Salute for Juniors
This year, the Greater Omaha-Council Bluffs Area Council on Youth Leadership, will sponsor the annual “Youth Salute” in cooperation with the National Council on Youth Leadership. The Purpose of this Program is to honor high school juniors in your community who maintain a high scholastic average and have demonstrated leadership ability.
To qualify students must:
- be a high school junior
- hold or have held at least two leadership positions
- have a minimum 3.0 GPA
Winning the scholarship Game!
- Don’t ever pay for scholarship searches! Use free resources such as ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org with over 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. You’ll also find a list of free national sites that we recommend such as Chegg, College Board, and Fastweb.
- Focus on local and college-based scholarships because you're more likely to earn them.
- Update your Activities Resume.
- Earn the best possible ACT scores by taking the exam(s) 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 a specific deadline, and a copy of your Activities Resume.
- 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.
Scholarship Spotlight
Susan T. Buffett Scholarship
The award amount varies based on the school in which you enroll. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see award amounts at various schools: Award Amounts
The application opens November 1st and closes February 1st at 5:00pm
2021-2022 ACT Test Dates
Emily Reese, School Counselor
Email: ereese@igators.org
Website: https://wpscounseling.weebly.com/
Phone: 402-529-3249