Dave Woods, Director of Guidance and Counseling 308-385-5574
OPTIONAL SENIOR MERCHANDISE
Mrs. Hoesche jehoesche@gips.org
On Monday, Nov 5th, there will be an assembly for optional senior merchandise. Check last month’s newsletter for specifics.
MIDTERM GRADUATES
MR. Uhing LUHING@GIPS.ORG
On Monday, Nov 5th, there was an assembly for Josten’s to offer optional senior merchandise. Midterm graduates had a meeting after the Josten’s assembly to discuss Midterm graduation.
YEARBOOK REMINDERS
Mr. Holsinger RHOLSINGER@GIPS.ORG
The Nov. 1st deadline for turning in outside Senior Pictures has expired. We will use the photograph taken by LifeTouch earlier in the year.
The last day to order yearbooks will be April 15. Prices for yearbook orders increase as we approach the deadline. The price now through December 21 is $45; from 12-22 to 3-2 the price is $55. To order a yearbook, you can log on to www.jostens.com
This year there will not be a supplement to the book. We have deadlines for each section and when it's all completed, including graduation, state track, prom, etc., it will be sent in to be printed and the complete yearbook will be mailed to the purchaser.
PARENT/GUARDIAN ADS IN YEARBOOK
Mr. Holsinger RHOLSINGER@GIPS.ORG
Senior Ads need to be placed by Dec. 1. The ad must be ready for publication, meaning any proofing or changes need to be made prior to Dec. 1. Again, ads can be emailed to me or dropped off. Ads need to be emailed to Mr. Holsinger at
Senior Ad Size Price
1/8 of page $30
1/4 of page $45
1/2 of page $90
Full Page $180
CCC PLACEMENT TESTING
Community colleges across Nebraska have discontinued the Asset and Compass tests and have replaced them with Accuplacer. To schedule your test call Emily Gildersleve at CCC at 308-398-7378.
JOIN US FOR A FINANCIAL AID presentation
Mrs. Luthi-Placke mluthi@gips.org
Date: November 13
Time: 7-8 PM
Location: GISH North Cafeteria (418) & in Spanish in the MPR
This is for Senior and Junior students AND their parents/guardians.
EducationQuest staff will explain the financial aid application process, the up-to-date details about grants, loans, scholarships and other financial aid opportunities for Nebraska students.
For free help with college planning, contact EducationQuest Foundation:
Omaha Lincoln Kearney Scottsbluff
402-391-4033 402-475-5222 308-234-6310 800-303-3745, ext. 6654
888-357-6300 800-303-3745 800-666-3721
COLLEGE & SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY WORKSHOP
Grand Island Public Schools Foundation
Monday, November 12, 7:00pm in the North Cafeteria
- Seniors and parents/guardians are invited to attend
- Examples, techniques, rubrics and tips will be presented
- Students are asked to bring their laptops
- GIPS Foundation online Scholarship Application preview
- Sponsored by the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation
ACT
Mr. Uhing luhing@gips.org
Seniors who retake the ACT need to make sure that their highest score is sent to the college they plan to attend. Remember that ACT sends only the scores of the dates you have designated to colleges. Be sure to check your ACT testing site when you get your admissions ticket back. Some students have been placed at CCC to test due to not paying close attention to this. Students on the Free or Reduced Lunch program may get two waivers to take this test for free in their lifetime; see your counselor if this applies to you.
Generally, December is the last ACT testing date that will be used for scholarship consideration by colleges.
UNK and UNL will now consider scores from the February test.
SELECTIVE SERVICE
ALL U.S. MALES ages 18 - 25 must register with the Selective Service! IT’S FEDERAL LAW; all males must register with the selective service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. You are not eligible for federal financial aid unless you have registered with the selective service. The fastest way to register is to go online at www.sss.gov. If you would apply for a government position in the future and had not registered for the selective service, you would probably not be hired.
HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE!
Choosing a college can be a tremendous challenge. Until you make your final decision, it can be a very stressful time for you. A good way to begin is to identify your reasons for going to college. Determine your academic needs and your career ambitions and try to find a college that will provide the means to achieve your goals. Study the admissions requirements to make sure you can be accepted in the program of your choice. There may be waiting lists for programs or housing.
Another factor to consider is the type of degree you want. Two-year colleges will provide you with technical skills and can act as a stepping-stone to a four-year college. Depending on your major, you may need a 2-year associate degree or a 4-year bachelor degree.
A huge component in your consideration will be cost. How much can your family afford to help? What type of financial aid is available to you? Certain private colleges seem expensive, but have large foundations to make the cost comparable to public institutions. Talk to the financial aid director at the college. You must not only consider tuition and fees, but also living expenses. Some colleges require that you live in dorms for the first year, while others are considered commuter colleges and you would need an apartment. Often students attend community colleges so they can live at home and save money.
Another consideration is location. What area of the country can you realistically consider? Adjustment to college can be enough without added environmental changes. What is the campus atmosphere? Are there extracurricular activities? Does the community fit you?
The best way to gather information is through a campus tour. Ask questions and begin to form a picture of the college you would like to attend. Remember, sending an application does not obligate you but can help start your search in a positive direction.
NOVEMBER TO-DO LIST
- If you are an 18 year old male, register for the Selective Service.
- Complete college admissions application(s) NOW!!!!!!!!
- Possibly order graduation announcements on November 15th and 16th with Jostens
- Register for the December 8th ACT test by November 2nd
- Apply for Honors Programs at the college of your choice. If you want Early Notification, you must meet Fall deadlines which are usually in November.
- Early Decision Deadlines are often in November.
- Know your college scholarship deadlines.
- Attend a college open house or take a college tour.
- Some of you may already be receiving college award letters. Keep these letters in a safe place.
- To get housing at UNO, students must apply NOW.
- Buy your senior yearbook and get your senior photo to Mr. Holsinger by November 1st.
- Parents/Guardians need to get their ads turned in.
- If you plan to participate in athletics at a Division I or II school, complete the NCAA clearinghouse application online.
- Complete the NAIA clearinghouse application if you are interested in an NAIA school.
Dual credit courses through CCC?
Mrs. Luthi-placke
If you have already earned college credit, or plan to register for dual credit classes for the Spring 2019 session, list them on your college applications under college transfer credit. Be sure to mark them as Early College! You will need to send an official transcript from CCC when you complete ALL your college credits next spring.
For details about transferring credit, check out https://transfer.nebraska.edu/ and to order CCC transcripts please go to www.cccneb.edu then go to Quick Links (at the bottom) and scroll down to Request a Transcript. Download the form, fill it out and mail or fax it to CCC. For transfer information, Go to Quick Links, Transfer, and click on the college you are transferring to, then go to course by course transfer equivalent.
Students may want to confirm transferability with specific colleges before paying CCC tuition. Some other details you may want to discuss with the college include hours the hours impact freshman status, impact on scholarship opportunities and effects of skipping entry level courses. If you are asked if you have been in college before, the answer is “no.” You are a considered a freshman because you have done Early Entry not full time attendance at college.
MIDWEST STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM/TUITION REDUCTION
Over 100 colleges and universities in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin have opened their doors to each others' citizens at more affordable rates. Although the Midwestern Higher Education Compact is composed of twelve Midwestern states, the MSEP is a voluntary program (as are all MHEC programs) and only nine of the twelve states participate. Iowa, South Dakota, and Ohio do not participate in MSEP at this time. Learn more at http://msep.mhec.org/state-contacts Check this out and do not pay the full out-of-state tuition.
UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAMS
Please note: The information listed below is only to give basic information; the actual requirements and deadlines are found on the links listed below.
UNK - HONORS PROGRAM
https://www.unk.edu/academics/honors/admissions/form-page1.php
- Gain the advantage of living and learning with the top undergraduate students.
- Due Date Feb 1 - High school seniors may apply to the Honors Program after being admitted to UNK
- ACT of 27 or higher, and a grade point average of 3.75 or higher.
UNK - Omaha World Herald/Kearney Hub
- This is UNK’s most prestigious scholarship, which pays tuition, books, room, board, and university fees for four year.
- Student must apply and be admitted to UNK and apply to the honors program -application must be submitted by November 15.
- Applicants with an ACT of 30 or higher, and a high school grade point average of at least 3.85.
UNL - Honors
- Learn in smaller class sizes
- Participate in seminars on special topics offered only to Honors students
- Customize your education through Honors course contracts and your Honors Thesis/Senior Project.
- Connect with research opportunities.
- Build relationships with faculty members who are top teachers and researchers, as early as your first semester in college.
- Belong to a community of students who are highly motivated and enjoy intellectual challenges.
- Develop leadership skills through Honors student organizations
- Earn Honors credit for Education Abroad, Internship, Off-Campus Research, and Civic Engagement experiences.
- Enjoy the opportunity to live in Honors housing
To apply for an honors program:
UNK - Apply to UNK and the honors program at http://www.unk.edu/academics/honors
UNL - Apply to UNL and the honors program at http://honors.unl.edu/prospective/
UNO - Apply to UNO AND the honors program at https://www.unomaha.edu/honors-program/index.php
Peter Kiewit Institute at UNO - https://www.unomaha.edu/admissions/financial-support-and-scholarships/types-of-aid/scholarships/uno.php
BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP FRAUD
Throughout the school year, seniors will be solicited by companies who assure students that they can find scholarships for their college education. The fees for these scholarship searches range from $50.00-$500.00. Please be aware that EducationQuest located in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha offers a FREE computerized scholarship search at www.educationquest.org
Parents/Guardians and students should use a three-prong approach when searching for scholarships.
- The Internet offers many scholarship searches. –remember, if something seems odd with the scholarship, contact Educationquest to verify its legitimacy.
- Students should apply for the GIPS Foundation Scholarships online. The GIPS Foundation online scholarship application will open on December 1, 2018 and close at midnight on February 6, 2019.
- Finally and perhaps the best source of landing a scholarship is through the college that the student plans to attend.
Companies that charge for locating scholarships are based out of state and are often unfamiliar with financial awards which Nebraska colleges’ grant. Ask company representatives how much awards are and how to apply for the following Nebraska scholarships: UNL’s Davis and David Scholarships, UNK’s Chancellor’s and Cooperating School awards, CCC’s Merrick and Rebman Scholarships or the Nebraska State System Board of Trustees Awards. Often you will find that the company representatives are unfamiliar with financial aid common to a specific area. Finally, the Federal Trade Commission lists the following claims as red flags that the scholarship search is a rip-off:
- “Guarantees”; No one can guarantee you will get a grant or scholarship.
- “You can’t get this information anywhere else.” You can usually get the information free at schools or on the Internet. Excellent sites are www.collegeboard.org. www.act.org. www.schoolsoup.com. or www.EducationQuest.org (ScholarshipQuest)
- If you have to pay money to get money, it’s usually a scam.
- If you have to give out your credit card number or bankcard number.
- “We’ll do all the work.” You must apply yourself and many scholarship forms are a lot of work!
- “You’re already a finalist.” If you’re a finalist in a scholarship contest you have never entered, something is fishy. Then the whole nation is a finalist.
Goodrich Scholarship Program at UNO
If you are a student with financial need planning to go to UNO, you should definitely complete the Goodrich Scholarship application. The program offers you;
- Financial aid in the form of tuition, general fees, and textbook voucher.
- A specialized writing-intensive humanities and social-science curriculum that emphasizes cultural and intellectual diversity in our local/national communities and global society
- A comprehensive program of other academic and non-academic support services.
- If you have been accepted to UNO and can demonstrate financial need on the FAFSA, check into the Goodrich
Scholarship Program at http://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-public-affairs-and-community-service/goodrich-scholarship-program/
Interested in Nebraska Community Colleges?
Central Community College – (3 campus sites: Grand Island, Hastings and Columbus)
- Before you can apply online, you will need to create an account, do that here: https://cccneb.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Admissions/Pages/createaccount.aspx?f=3a21504b-8285-4087-8e81-f814044ba7e8&o=2f9764ef-b642-421a-af10-59fe16e54280
- Complete the FAFSA. You can set up an appointment with CCC Financial Aid.
Southeast Community College – (3 campus sites: Lincoln, Milford, and Beatrice)
- Before you can apply online, you will need to create an account, do that here: https://southeast.elluciancrmrecruit.com/admissions/Pages/createaccount.aspx?f=5e05431d-9f68-4158-a72f-74cf6dc7b9cf&o=ed6d1828-d525-4868-ae81-8b0b8321e365
Seniors…a reminder of what to do this fall
There’s A LOT going on right now with the financial aid and college admission processes, but don’t get overwhelmed! Here’s a recap of tasks you should complete this fall to stay on track to college:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- First, create an FSA ID for you and one for a parent at fsaid.ed.gov. You’ll need it to access and sign the FAFSA. Here’s a video with instructions.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGir6R8Q-fU&feature=youtu.be) - Review Educationquest’s FAFSA Checklist so you’ll know what documents to gather before you start the form.(https://www.educationquest.org/pdfs/Handouts/FAFSAchecklist.pdf)
- Find free FAFSA Tools at EducationQuest.org to help you through the process.(https://www.educationquest.org/resources/fafsa-tools/)
- For free personal help, call EducationQuest to make an appointment:
- Omaha – 888-357-6300 or 402-391-4033
- Lincoln – 402-475-5222 or 800-303-3745
- Kearney - 308-234-6310 or 800-666-3721
FAFSA COMPLETION
Individual appointments with an EducationQuest representative will be available at GISH -watch announcements for new dates and sign up options.
