Don’t miss the opportunity to meet with representatives from colleges across the region during upcoming College Fairs in Lincoln and Omaha. If you’re a junior or sophomore, this is a great way to start your college search process!

Lincoln College Fair
Lincoln Southeast High School, 2930 South 37th Street
Monday, April 23, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Omaha College Fair
Burke High School, 12200 Burke Street
Tuesday, April 24, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

EducationQuest will conduct financial aid presentations at both events.

May 2012

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Seniors … borrow wisely for college!

Review these tips before you decide how much to borrow in student loans:

• Borrow only what you need, even if it’s less than the amount offered in your award letter.
• Try to use your student loan money only for tuition, books and fees. Get a job during college to pay living expenses.
• Compare the estimated starting salary of potential careers to your estimated college debt to ensure you can afford future loan payments.
• File the FAFSA at fafsa.gov each year you attend college.
• Continue to look for scholarships while you’re in college.
• Keep track of your student loan debt throughout college at nslds.ed.gov.

To learn more about student loans, see the “Paying for College” section at EducationQuest.org. Use the Student Loan Repayment Calculator to estimate future loan payments.

Making the transition to college …

Seniors, check out the “Students Transitioning to College” section at EducationQuest.org. You’ll find information about: 

• Wrapping up your senior year
• How to manage your money
• Selecting a major
• What to expect your freshman year of college
• Helpful apps to download before you head to college

Juniors … what you can do this summer to prepare for college!

• Start narrowing your college choices. By the fall of your senior year, you should have narrowed your choices to three or four schools. Visit some college campuses this summer and check out college websites.
• Watch some videos. EducationQuest’s “Find the Right Fit” video features two high school seniors who go through the process of finding colleges that match their career interests. The “Go.Visit.College!” video provides campus visit tips from college students and college representatives. Find them in the “Videos” section at EducationQuest.org.
• Update your Activities Resume at EducationQuest.org. Include extracurricular activities, honors, awards and part-time jobs.
• Look for scholarships. Check out ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org, which has over 2,000 local and statewide scholarships. You should also pay attention to the scholarships seniors are earning.
• Find a summer job to help pay for college expenses. Ask prospective employers if they offer education assistance programs.

May “To Do” List

Seniors:

___ Apply for student loans, if necessary.

___ Register for freshmen orientation at your college.

___ Start a list of dorm room essentials.

___ Get a summer job to help pay college expenses.

Juniors:

___ Register by May 8 for the June 2 SAT.

___ Register by May 4 for the June 9 ACT.

___ Continue campus visits.

___ Get a summer job and save for college.

College-bound students…it’s time to prepare for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)! EducationQuest has free resources to help you prepare for – and complete – the form.

• College Funding Estimator – estimates your FAFSA results
   
• FAFSA Demo – walks you through the FAFSA
   
• “FAFSA Made Easy” video – demonstrates that the FAFSA isn’t as difficult as it seems
   
• FAFSA Podcasts – explain what the FAFSA is and how to apply
   
• FAFSA Checklist – provides a list of items you need to gather before you complete the FAFSA
   
• FAFSA Tutorial – explains each FAFSA question

 If you are filing a FAFSA for the first time and would like free personal help, call the EducationQuest location nearest you to make an appointment. Kearney: 308-234-6310 or 800-666-3721; Lincoln: 402-475-5222 or 800-303-3745; Omaha: 402-391-4033 or 888-357-6300.

Want to know how to apply for financial aid? EducationQuest will answer these questions during Financial Aid Programs held at locations across the state. See “Upcoming Events” for the program in your area.

During a Financial Aid Program, an EducationQuest representative will explain the types of financial aid, how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), how colleges award financial aid, and types of student loans.

The programs are free and open to the public.  

Information about financial aid and the FAFSA is also available on our website. Check out these sections:

• Paying for College (11^th and 12^th Grade Students)
• How to Pay for College (Adult Learners)
• FAFSA Tools

For free help with the FAFSA, contact the EducationQuest location nearest you to make an appointment: Omaha – 888-357-6300, Lincoln – 800-303-3745, Kearney – 800-666-3721, or Ogallala – 800-303-3745 ext. 6654.

College-bound students and their parents are invited to participate in one of several upcoming free webinars on “How to Complete the FAFSA.”

EducationQuest College Planning Director Jodi Vanden Berge will explain the basics of financial aid and how to complete the (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the same information provided during EducationQuest’s Financial Aid Programs. Webinars are scheduled for:

Monday, January 9 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Registration link: http://goo.gl/1lthi

Wednesday, January 11 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Registration link: http://goo.gl/97LtJ

On the date and time of the Webinar you wish you join, click on the link under that date to sign in. The password is Presentation.

If you have questions, call EducationQuest at 800.666.3721 or email info@educationquest.org.

Print this flyer for handy instructions and Webinar dates.