Senior Timeline: see here, or read below.
See Education Quest Senior Guide here.
Spanish Senior Guide sheet here.
Fall Semester:
Visit colleges for last minute tours
See my 'Colleges' Information here.
Look for scholarships
Apply to colleges - make sure you apply to a few and have a “backup” school. Apply to any college that is a possibility of you attending
See my list of dates when college reps will be at SEM.
If you are considering the military: see this link to plan ahead.
August 1-November 1: apply for UNL, UNK, NCTA, and UNO (Nebraska University System colleges) for FREE without paying a fee!
Senior AND Parents: Apply for an FSA ID number at: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing
Complete the federal student aid estimator here.
ACT:
Retake ACT for better score, if needed/desired
I have practice tests available in my office
You can also find practice tests here.
ACT Prep course offered through CCC. More information TBD!
John Baylor ACT Prep: Starting Fall 2024, we have John Baylor prep at SEM. See me or Dr. Conradt for more information.
Kearney High School, Lexington High School, and Overton High School administer tests - those are the closest.
ACT Test Dates **Make sure to check deadlines to register
Date
Registration Deadline
September 14, 2024
August 9/LATE by August 25
October 26, 2024
September 20
December 14, 2024
November 8
February 8, 2025
January 3, 2025
September - Plan to attend a Financial Aid Planning online meeting, and a FAFSA Tutorial online meeting. Calendar of events can be found here - https://www.educationquest.org/events/ - click on the day/time that works for you, and it provides you a link to register.
September 11, 2024: Steps to College and FAFSA training with Education Quest: Register here.
October -
Begin narrowing down colleges you’d like to attend, and apply for them.
Before you decide when to apply to college, you should consider all of the advantages and disadvantages to each application option:
Early Decision (November/December)
Regular Decision (January/February)
Early Action (November/December)
Rolling Admissions (6-Month Window)
Attend college fairs: We will attend one at Lexington High on September 13, 2024.
Start applying for scholarships, if you haven’t already. My scholarship websites will be updated regularly!!
November 1: Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship opens for application. FAFSA needs to be completed for students to apply for this scholarship. On the FAFSA the EFC (estimated family contribution) needs to be less than $10,000. DUE February 1, 2025.
November 1: Deadline to apply for UNL, UNK, NCTA, and UNO (Nebraska University System colleges) for FREE without paying a fee! Apply for multiple schools in Nebraska University system at this link.
December 1, 2024: FAFSA opens - can start filling it out for the 2025-2026 college school year - create an account. One for student and one for parent at https://studentaid.gov/ - will get a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) indicating the FAFSA was processed
Starting with the class of 2025, every senior and parents are required by the government to file a FAFSA, regardless of post-graduation plans. If you choose not to fill out the FAFSA, there is an opt out form you can complete. Please consider carefully before choosing to fill out the opt out form. I’d be happy to visit with you about it for any questions that you have.
***See my FAFSA help sheet here.
Schedule a meeting with Education Quest in Kearney to help you with financial aid and FAFSA questions:
Education Quest-Kearney Office
Phone: 308-234-6310
Email: Jodi Vanden Berge - jodivb@educationquest.org
See me if you need help with the FAFSA!
Winter Time:
Watch for acceptance letters - decide which school you are going to
Make sure you have communicated with teachers to ask for a letter of recommendation for scholarships. Many of them need at least a two week’s notice before the scholarship deadline.
Financial Aid notifications from colleges listed on FAFSA - scholarships, grants, and loans
SCHOLARSHIPS
December 1: Every senior should have finished applications to the colleges they are interested in.
ALL SPRING SEMESTER:
Fill out scholarship applications, check websites, check college, check your email, check school website
My scholarship websites will be updated regularly!!
February/March: Housing contracts will need to be signed - submit housing deposit if required. See the information about housing for students here.
February 1: Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship Deadline
April 1: SEM Local Scholarships Deadline and many other scholarships deadlines.
May 11, 2025: Graduation
Summer:
Attend new student orientation at college and register for classes there.
Apply for student loans if needed
If not going to college: secure a job that makes you excited to get up for work and matches your strengths and interests!
WOOHOOO for senior year! Make sure you are organized and getting everything done. I know it seems like you have time, but this year is going to go by so fast. Filling out scholarships needs to be treated like a part time job, set aside a certain time (every Sunday evening or something) to fill the scholarship applications out. Some are easy, but some will require work.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Mrs. Hothem
308-752-2925