Senior Newsletter #4
September 24, 2018
Facts on Federal Financial Aid
The next few senior newsletters will contain information on Federal Financial Aid. The 1st day that students can apply for Federal Financial Aid will be Oct. 1st!
There are 4 Types of Financial Aid:
- Scholarships (merit and need-based)
- Grants (need-based) - money given by the government based on FAFSA results that you do not have to pay back
- Work-Study (need-based) - based on FAFSA results
- Loans (need-based and non-need-based) - Money given by the government based on FAFSA results that you do have to pay back.
- FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID) - This is a username and password that the student and one parent have to get to complete the FAFSA. The next senior newsletter will have instructions for obtaining this.
- FAFSA (Federal Application for Free Student Aid) - the online application to apply for Federal Financial Aid. You will use your 2016 household income tax information to complete it. It will be available on October 1st.
- SAR (Student Aid Report) - This is the summary of your processed FAFSA application. Some scholarships will ask for this summary (ex. Susan Buffet Scholarship). It also contains your EFC number that is sent to the colleges.
- EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) - a number determined to be the amount of money your household can contribute towards college. Colleges determine your student aid package using this number and other information.
- FAFSA Priority Date - The date that the college sets for students to complete the FAFSA to receive the best possible financial aid package.
- IRS Data Retrieval Tool - The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows applicants who have already filed their federal income tax returns to prefill the answers to some questions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by transferring data from their federal income tax returns. This can save the family some time in completing the FAFSA. It may also reduce the likelihood that your FAFSA will be selected for verification.
- Verification - Colleges randomly select approximately 1/3 of students for verification. You may also need to provide IRS tax transcript, W2s, court filing for proof of state ward/guardianship, or death certificate. Colleges will NOT award financial aid until student submits required documents.
Upcoming Events
FAFSA opens
ASVAB
8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
@ Johnny Carson Lobby
Sign up in the Counseling Center
Apply2College Day
8:00 - 11:30
@ the Main Gym
Several College Reps Here!
College Scholarship Deadlines
Quest Bridge
Quest Bridge offers a National College Match for high school seniors. It is a full four-year scholarship to only certain colleges. Students also need to meet the following academic recommendations:
- Excel academically and exhibit strong personal character. Usually ranked in the top 5-10% of their class and earn A's in most challenging courses available.
- Come from households earning less than $65,000 annually, with minimal assets, and may be eligible for their school's free or reduced-price lunch.
Apply online at www.questbridge.org by September 27th!
United States Senate Youth Program
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has begun its annual statewide selection process. Two Nebraska students will join 102 other delegates March 2-9, 2019 for the program’s 57th annual Washington Week.
More than 5,500 students have participated in this extremely competitive merit-based leadership program which brings two students from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity to Washington each year to experience an intensive week-long educational program about the workings of the Senate and the federal government overall. Each of the 104 student delegates will receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship in addition to an all-expenses paid trip to the nation’s capital.
In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to volunteer work, the student delegates generally rank academically in the top one percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors. Alumni of the program continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service.
The Nebraska delegate selection is administered by the Commissioner of Education, Matthew L. Blomstedt, in cooperation with high school principals. Delegates must be juniors or seniors and elected student officers for the 2018-2019 academic year, and they must reside in the state where they attend school. Eligibility considerations may also be made for student representatives elected or selected (by a panel, commission or board) to district, regional, or state-level civic or educational organizations where the delegate is serving a constituency in a high-level leadership position for the entire 2018-2019 academic year.
Interested students can find more information and download an application at:https://www.education.ne.gov/ss/USSYP.html. The Nebraska application deadline is October 3, 2018.
Wendy's High School Heisman
This scholarship is for senior athletes with a GPA of a B or better. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $5000.
- 90 State Winners receive a $500 scholarship
- 8 National Finalists receive a $1,000 scholarship
- 2 National Winners receive a $5,000 scholarship along with national honor and recognition during ESPN’s telecast of the college Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation.
Go to this website for more information and to apply by October 17th at 5:00 p.m. CT . You will need to enter a "reviewer's email". This should be your school counselors email (ex. brandibartels@npsne.org).
Horatio Alger Scholarship
The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program awards 106 National Scholars in the amount of $25,000 and over 800 State Scholars in the amount of $10,000. We usually have at least one state scholarship every year if not more! Seniors must have at least a 2.0 GPA and require financial assistance to attend college. To learn more and apply, visit scholars.horatioalger.org.
Other eligibility criteria:
- Be enrolled as a full-time high school senior in the US with plans to enter college no later than the Fall semester following graduation.
- Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor's degree at an accredited non-profit, public, or private institution in the US.
- Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required - refer to household income taxes)
- Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities.
- Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity.
- Hold a minimum GPA of 2.0
- Be a US citizen.
The application deadline in October 25th.
Norfolk Senior High Counseling Center
Brandi Bartels E-K
Heather Marotz L-Ri
Kendra Marshall Ro-Z
Connie Ingram - Administrative Assistant
Website: http://www.norfolkpublicschools.org/schools/norfolk-high-school/counseling/
Location: 801 Riverside Boulevard, Norfolk, NE, United States
Phone: 402-644-2534
Twitter: @NHSGuidanceNews