Scholarships and Financial Aid Information
SCHOLARSHIPS: The counseling center receives information about many scholarships from a variety of sources. Many of the scholarships are through the Lincoln Public Schools Foundation (www.Foundationforlps.org), Lincoln Community Foundation (www.lcf.org) or individual Colleges or Universities. Those that send up paper applications have a file in the counseling center where students may pick up a copy of the application and related information. Many now provide only a website at which students are to access a file to download or complete an on-line submission. The total listing of scholarships includes current notices and past notices for which I have not yet received current year information. The due date column will be the indicator of whether or not current information is available. The document is produced in a table format in WORD. The most current complete listing is linked here Scholarship Listing 2008-2009
Students should come to the NSHS Counseling Center for more information and applications. Please note all deadlines. To conduct your own search of national scholarships visit one of the following sites: www.fastweb.com or www.educationquest.org
The handout of scholarship reminders can be accessed here. For the 2008-2009 school year, Rick Boyle will be the counselor coordinating the scholarship and financial aid information. You are also encouraged to utilize the free services at EducationQuest at 13th and "O", 475-5222, www. edcuationquest.org, for financial planning, college exploration and scholarship searching. They are a unique asset to Nebraska students-- at zero cost, they will assist you with every step of accessing higher education opportunities.
RECOMMENDATION LETTERS: The form to request a recommendation letter may be picked up in the counseling center or accessed here. I suggest completing the information, making a copy and THEN filling in the details of when, where and for what use the letter is being requested. Always allow at least two weeks for a counselor or teacher or administrator to write a recommendation letter or complete a recommendation form.
Winning the scholarship game
Follow these tips to increase your chances of earning scholarships:
Don’t pay for scholarship searches. Free scholarship search sites are available on the Internet including ScholarshipQuest at www.educationquest.org which has over 1,600 state and local awards.
Visit your guidance counselor weekly for information about local scholarships.
Get organized. Place scholarship applications in deadline order and prioritize each award. Local awards and college-specific applications deserve top priority because you're more likely to earn them.
Continually update your activities, honors and volunteer or paid jobs using the Activities Resume at www.educationquest.org.
Use quality references such as a teacher, coach or counselor. Encourage them to write specific examples of your leadership skills. Give them advance notice and a specific deadline.
Get an early start on essays. Describe your interests, hopes for the future, and leadership abilities.
Pay close attention to grammar, spelling and neatness. Ask at least two people to proofread your application.
Most applications for admission and for scholarships will require the submission of an official high school transcript. This is the official school record of enrollment history, attendance history, courses taken with grades received (organized by semester), current classes, class rank, GPA and testing history. In order to release a copy of this information the registrar must received a signed form indicating the institution or organization it is being released to, including the mailing address and appropriate postage if she is to mail it. If the student is under 18, the parent/guardian must sign the request form.
The registrar's office is located within the attendance office Mrs. Jodi Vanek's hours are 7:30-3:30, and her office is closed during her lunch. Please allow at least 24 hours for her to process the request and recognize that she has many duties and cannot always produce your transcript immediately.
LEARN TO DREAM SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE
The Learn to Dream Scholarship program isdesigned to make college possible for low-income students attending a high school in Lincoln by paying tuition and fees up to 45 credit hours, or approximately one academic year, of classes at Southeast Community College.
Eligible students for the Learn to Dream Scholarship program are graduating seniors attending a high school in Lincoln who participated in or qualify for the free or reduced-price lunches under the United States Department of Agriculture program, during his or her senior year.
Applications are now available in the Counseling Center. See Mr Boyle or your own acadmey counselor for more information.
Additional resources to consult to learn more about Financial Aid opportunities are listed below. We do not endorse any particular service or organization but have had positive interactions with those we have listed.