Use this presentation with our College Prep Handbook to help students learn about the types of colleges, and the application process for admissions and financial aid. Includes timelines for juniors and seniors.

1. HOW TO PLAN
FOR COLLEGE

2. 5 things you need to know
5 THINGS WE’LL COVER
1. Getting started
2. Finding the right college
3. Types of entrance exams
4. How to pay for college
5. Where to get free help

3. THINK ABOUT
YOUR FUTURE What are your
interests & skills?
What careers fit
your interests &
skills?
What colleges
offer related
majors?

4. RESEARCH COLLEGES
• Talk to your school counselor.
• Talk to admissions reps who
visit your school.
• Use College Profiles at
EducationQuest.org.
• Attend a College Fair or
Educational Planning Program.
• Explore college websites.

5. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY COLLEGE?
COMMUNITY
COLLEGES
(2-year)
• Certificates
• Diplomas
• Associate degrees
• Academic Transfer
Programs
COLLEGES &
UNIVERSITIES
(4-year)
• Bachelor’s degrees
• Many offer master’s
and doctorate degrees
CAREER SCHOOLS
(Trade schools)
• Diplomas
• Certificates
• Some offer associate
and bachelor’s degrees

6. GO ON CAMPUS VISITS
• Start in the spring of
your junior year.
• Visit while school is in
session.
• Meet with an
admissions rep and
financial aid counselor.
• Ask LOTS of questions!
Find campus visit questions
at EducationQuest.org.

7. NARROW YOUR CHOICES
CAREER PREP
LOCATIONSIZE
SOCIAL CLIMATE
ACADEMICS
COST

8. WHAT IF YOU TRANSFER?
Transfer.Nebraska.edu
Discover if classes
you take at a
Nebraska college
will transfer to
another.

9. TAKE ENTRANCE EXAMS
ACT
• Test areas include English, math,
reading and science
• Perfect score = 36
• Average score in Nebraska = 21.4
SAT
• Test areas include critical reading,
math and writing skills
• Perfect score = 2400
• Average score in Nebraska = 1758
ACCUPLACER
Evaluates
abilities in
reading, writing,
and math.

10. TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
• Take free practice tests.
─ Practice like you’ll test.
• Pace yourself.
• Answer easy questions
first.
• Know your calculator.
• Eliminate wrong answers.

11. Narrow your choices
• Dream school
• Plan B
• Back-up plan
PREPARE FOR ADMISSION
Understand types of
admission
• Early Admission
• Early Decision
• Regular and Rolling Admission

12. • Apply to 3-4 schools in
fall of your senior year.
• Most will require:
– Application and fee
– High school transcripts
– ACT/SAT test scores
• Find a college
application checklist at
EducationQuest.org.
APPLY FOR ADMISSION

13. 5 things you need to know
COST OF EDUCATION
includes:
• Tuition and fees
• Books and supplies
• Room and board
• Personal and
transportation
WILL COLLEGE COST?
HOW MUCH

14. *Based on FAFSA results
4 WAYS TO
PAY FOR COLLEGE
SCHOLARSHIPS GRANTS*
WORK-STUDY* STUDENT LOANS*

15. SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES
Don’t EVER pay for
scholarship services!
• School counselor
• Your college
• ScholarshipQuest at
EducationQuest.org
• Private organizations
• Free internet sites

16. COMMON SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA
GPA
Financial
Need
Ethnicity
ACT/SAT
score
Field of
study
First-
generation
student
Talents Community
Service
Employer
College
choice
Leadership Activities
Military
service
Disability
State of
residence
Gender

17. • Get organized.
• Put in the time.
• Write a good essay.
• Think local and
small-dollar.
• Meet deadlines.
• Check, double-check,
triple-check!
SCHOLARSHIP TIPS

18. SUSAN THOMPSON BUFFETT
SCHOLARSHIP
• Financial need (EFC < $10,000)
• 2.5 GPA on 4.0 scale
• Attend a public 2- or 4-year college in Nebraska
ELIGIBILITY
IMPORTANT DATES
• November 1: Application opens (online)
• February 1: Application deadline (5 p.m. CT)
• Up to $5,250 per semester
AMOUNT
BuffettScholarships.org

19. Scavenger Hunt Scholarship
• Complete a ScholarshipQuest profile to find details.
• Two $500 scholarships awarded.
EducationQuest SCHOLARSHIPS
Financial Aid Program Scholarship
• Get details at a Financial Aid Program.
• Six $500 scholarships awarded.
Get Social Scholarship
• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
• Enter to win a $500 scholarship each time we hit
another 250 followers.

20. GRANTS
Based on financial need; you don’t repay them
FEDERAL
• Pell Grant ($657-$6,195)
• Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grant
STATE
• Nebraska State
Opportunity Grant
COLLEGE-BASED

21. TUITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS
All University of Nebraska
campuses
Chadron, Peru, Wayne State
Colleges
Nebraska Wesleyan University

22. WORK-STUDY
• Based on financial need
• Part-time job, typically
on campus
• Earn as you work

23. DIRECT LOAN FOR STUDENTS
How much can you
borrow?
1st year - $5,500
2nd year - $6,500
3rd year - $7,500
4th year - $7,500
What’s the interest rate?
4.53% (changes annually)
Who pays the interest?
Subsidized – Government
pays while you’re in school
Unsubsidized – You pay all
interest

24. DIRECT PLUS LOAN FOR PARENTS
How much can you
borrow?
Determined by the college
When does repayment
begin?
60 days after loan is disbursed
What’s the interest rate?
7.08% (changes annually)

25. DUAL-CREDIT
Ask about dual-credit classes at your school.
• Get a head start on college.
• Pay reduced college tuition.
• Be better prepared for
college.

26. KNOW YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION
Household
Bills
Cars
Other
Debt
Savings
Other

27. JUNIOR TIMELINE
Check academic
requirements for
college. On track?
Get involved.
Research
colleges.
Attend a
Financial Aid
Program.
Attend a
College Fair
or EPP.
Prep for the ACT.
Set up a
ScholarshipQuest
profile.
Update your
Activities
Resume.
Attend a
College Fair.
Visit
colleges.
Narrow your
college choices.
Take the ACT.
Apply for a
summer job.
Retake the ACT.
Update your
Activities Resume.
Job shadow.
FALL
WINTER
SPRING
SUMMER
Take a career
assessment.

28. SENIOR TIMELINE
Check academic
requirements for
college. On track?
Visit your top
colleges.
Attend a
Financial Aid
Program.
Attend a
College Fair
or EPP.
Start applying
for scholarships.
Create an FSA ID
for you & one for
your parent.
Complete the
FAFSA on/after
October 1.
Watch for
acceptance
letters.
Be prepared
for verification.
Expect financial
aid award
notifications.
Update your
Activities
Resume.
FALL
WINTER
Apply to your
top colleges.
Retake the ACT
and/or SAT.
Expect a
Student Aid
Report.

29. Compare
financial aid award
notifications.
Make your final
college decision.
Apply for
scholarships.
Register for
campus housing.
Register for
new-student
orientation.
Apply for a
summer job.
Attend
new-student
orientation.
Apply for
student/parent
loans, if needed.
Coordinate dorm
purchases with
your roommate.
SPRING
SUMMER
SENIOR TIMELINE

30. GET FREE HELP
from EducationQuest
• Visit us in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney &
Scottsbluff.
• Sign up for Countdown2College emails.
• Follow us!

31. EDUCATIONQUEST.ORG
• Activities Resume
• College Funding Estimator
• College Planning Timeline
• College Profiles
• Countdown2College
• FAFSA Tools
• Reality Check
• ScholarshipQuest
• Spanish Resources
Blogs
Upcoming Events

32. FINANCIAL AVENUE
Learn money management skills
• Financial literacy tool from
Inceptia
• Free for Nebraska students
– FinancialAvenue.org
• Access code: pr3kqu

33. QUESTIONS?
Kearney
800.666.3721
308.234.6310
Lincoln
800.303.3745
402.475.5222
Omaha
888.357.6300
402.391.4033
Scottsbluff
800.303.3745
ext. 6654