(LINCOLN Neb. September 23, 2004) – Nebraska students have access to hundreds of scholarships to help them pay for college and they’re available year-round, according to Tammy Stevenson, Director of Scholarships at EducationQuest Foundation. She recommends that students start looking for scholarships in September and continue throughout the year.

EducationQuest provides these scholarship search tips:.

Apply for as many scholarships as you can. For local and state awards, see ScholarshipQuest at www.educationquest.org and check with your high school guidance office. For national awards, visit free sites such as www.fastweb.com and www.fastaid.com.

Seniors, ask your top colleges about criteria for their college-based and major-based scholarships.

Don’t think scholarships are just for high school seniors. Be sure to check out awards for younger students, current college students and adult learners.

Don’t EVER pay for scholarship services! Ask your guidance counselor or EducationQuest about the many free resources that are available.

“We’re promoting scholarships in September because it’s the beginning of the school year and we want to encourage students to start applying now – especially seniors,” Stevenson said. “If they get into the routine now, it won’t be so stressful later in the year.”

EducationQuest – a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska – disburses over a million dollars in need-based scholarship funds to Nebraska students each year. They recently honored statewide recipients of their Reaching Your Potential scholarship program during celebration parties at EducationQuest’s college planning offices in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha.

“With the shortage of need-based financial aid in Nebraska, we’re proud to offer support through our scholarship programs and through our efforts to promote scholarships to students across the state,” Stevenson said.

EducationQuest Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska. Through a permanent endowment, EducationQuest provides free college planning services at its locations in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha; funds need-based scholarship programs; and supports community organizations that enhance college access. For more information, call EducationQuest Foundation, headquartered in Lincoln, at 800-303-3745 or visit www.educationquest.org.