It’s time for campus visits!

Spring is the perfect time to schedule a campus visit – especially if you’re a high school junior. Be sure to set up your visit at least two weeks in advance and ask for appointments with an admissions representative, financial aid counselor and a faculty member in your area of interest. Try to visit while college is in session as you won’t get the true flavor during breaks or finals week.

Once you’re on campus, ask LOTS of questions. 

• Ask the financial aid counselor how the college may offset tuition costs and about scholarship applications and deadlines.
   
• Ask a faculty member about upper-level classes in your anticipated major. Many students change majors because they didn’t realize the degree of difficulty.
   
• Click here for additional questions to ask.

If you can’t visit a college, check out college websites. You’ll find admission requirements, academic and financial aid information, and campus photos or a virtual tour. Click here for a list of all colleges in Nebraska with links to their websites.

Don’t think college will be possible? Think again. A campus visit can open your eyes to the possibilities. Not only will you see what college has to offer, you’ll learn that some Nebraska colleges offer tuition assistance programs that could cover the cost of tuition for students who meet income qualifications. These programs include Collegebound at all campuses of the University of Nebraska, and Advantage through the Nebraska State College System (Chadron State, Peru State and Wayne State).

Don’t ever let cost be a reason for not going to college. By completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you will receive some type of financial aid – no matter what college you attend.

Check out these resources to help you with your college selection efforts:

• College Profiles
• Cost information for all Nebraska colleges
• “Selecting a College” section at EducationQuest.org.

If you live in the Lincoln or Omaha areas, plan to attend an upcoming college fair – another great way to check out potential schools:

Lincoln College Fair
Tuesday, April 23, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Lincoln Southeast High School
2930 S. 37^th St.

Omaha College Fair
Wednesday, April 24, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Burke High School
12200 Burke St.

The last part of your senior year is packed full with college-related deadlines and decisions. It will feel like you have one foot in high school and one foot in college. We’ll tell you how to stay on the right track with both worlds.

Pay attention to your grades. Contrary to popular belief, your senior year grades count for college! If you slack off and get poor grades, your college admission could be revoked. So do your best to combat senioritis and pay attention to your coursework, grades, and extracurricular activities.

Complete the financial aid process. By spring of your senior year, you should have filed your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). If you haven’t, apply at fafsa.gov. After filing, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) acknowledging that your FAFSA was processed. Use the SAR to make any FAFSA corrections, and then watch for financial aid award notifications from the colleges you listed on the FAFSA.

Compare financial aid award notifications. Use our Award Letter Comparison Calculator to determine which college provides the best financial aid package. Colleges try to offer a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study, and student loans, but you must qualify for them.  The FAFSA results help the college determine what you are eligible to receive.

Make your final college selection. The financial aid package is only one piece of the puzzle when selecting a college. Also consider the academic programs offered at the school, the location, typical class size, the total student population, and the campus culture at each college you applied to. Use our College Comparison Calculator to determine which college is the best fit for you. Once you make your final selection, notify the other colleges so they can take you off their mailing list.

Pay attention to deadlines. Submit your housing deposit before the deadline so you have a better chance of getting the residence hall of your choice.  Also, watch the deadline to register for freshman orientation and courses.

Get a job! Work as much as you can over the summer to help pay for dorm essentials, textbooks, and other college-related costs.  Plan to work part-time after you start college to help with daily living expenses.

All of this can be overwhelming, so remember that you don’t have to do this alone! Involve your family, teachers, counselors, and friends who are already in college.