12th graders
So much to look forward to!!
What you do today, you will thank yourself for tomorrow!!
This, like your other high school years, will have its challenges, responsibilities, and you will be making some very exciting (and possibly scary) decisions! As your school counselor, I am here to guide you through that process. I expect to work with you as a team to plan out your post high school options. I will also be providing you with a lot of resources available to you regarding college/career/military information.
Remind! (For reminders about deadlines, meetings, and opportunities)
Pick a way to receive messages for the Class of 2024:
A: If you have a smartphone, get push notifications. On your iPhone or Android phone, open your web browser and go to the following link: rmd.at/b8888c Follow the instructions to sign up for Remind. You’ll be prompted to download the mobile app. rmd.at/b8888c Join Class of 2024 Fill in: Full Name First and Last Name; Phone Number or Email Address
B: If you don’t have a smartphone, get text notifications. Text the message @b8888c to the number 81010. If you’re having trouble with 81010, try texting @b8888c to (571) 364-6571. * Standard text message rates apply.
Don’t have a mobile phone? Go to rmd.at/b8888c on a desktop computer to sign up for email notifications.
Timeline in a glance:
Apply to at least 4 colleges or contact a military recruiter.
Strive for the highest ACT or ACCUPLACER score you can obtain.
Search for and apply for Scholarships from your top colleges and outside scholarships.
Watch DEADLINES, finish and turn in applications before they are due!
National ACT Test Dates!!
My goal is for you to have your top ACT scores by the October or December test of your Senior year.
Litchfield High School will be offering ACT prep to help prepare for the ACT. In school, On To College ACT test prep will be available from Mrs. Poland if you would like to prepare independently.
ACCuplacer test
If you are wanting to take a college credit English Composition or any other college course, you will need either an ACT score or and ACCUPLACER score. Contact Mrs. Poland to find out more about this test.
College Application Process:
CLICK HERE FOR A COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST
APPLYING EARLY ALLOWS YOU TO ALSO APPLY FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS!
Go to the the college website and fill out an application.
Double and triple check your application for errors. Then have someone else check it too.
You may need be to pay an application fee depending on the college. (By the way: The University of Nebraska College systems has a one time payment of $45. You pay this amount only once - even if you apply to all three colleges.)
TELL MRS. POLAND YOU HAVE APPLIED!!! :)
Sign a request for transcript to be sent form with Mrs. Poland
Many colleges are waiving the ACT requirement for entry but the results are still linked to Academic scholarships.
If you get stuck on any step, please come to Mrs. Poland or send Mrs. Poland an e-mail.
ACT results need to be requested from ACT. Some colleges are now test-optional but to get the most out of scholarship options, you will want to submit your ACT results.
Note: In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from Litchfield High School to your college.
If you have completed these steps, CONGRATULATIONS! You have applied to college. :)
Nebraska Promise
The Nebraska Promise program covers undergraduate tuition at the University of Nebraska's four campuses (UNK, UNL, UNMC and UNO) and its two-year technical college (NCTA).
Tuition is covered for students who meet academic qualifications (maintain 2.5 GPA) and have a family income of $65,000 or less (Adjusted Gross Income/AGI) or are Pell Grant-eligible.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA - KEARNEY
$45 fee --for Discounted code between August 1 to November 1, 2023, contact your counselor.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA - LINCOLN
Click to apply! (Hint: select Nebraska's application, not the Apply Now link)
$45 fee --for Discounted code between August 1 to November 1, 2023, contact your counselor.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA - OMAHA
$45 fee --for Discounted code between August 1 to November 1, 2023, contact your counselor.
cENTRAL cOMMUNITY cOLLEGE
Mid-Plains Community College
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Chadron State College
Free to Apply
WAYNE STATE COLLEGE
Free to Apply
Peru State College
College Recruiters/College Visits (Polish your handshaking skills!)
College Recruiters:
I highly encourage you to take advantage of college recruiter visits. Even if you are not really interested in a particular college, the more colleges you are familiar with - the more you may realize what you like and dislike. Upcoming College Recruiter visits will be sent to you through e-mail and REMIND.
College Visits:
College visits are HIGHLY recommended! It is extremely helpful to physically be at a college campus in order to know if it is a right fit for you or not. Schedule college visits through college websites and try to schedule for no-school days. Please see Mrs. Poland if you need help! :)
PAYING FOR COLLEGE!
1. Learn what types of financial aid are available.
Scholarships come from private donors or from your college and are not repaid. Some are based on financial need while others are based on criteria such as academics, leadership, athletics, talents, or military involvement.
Grants based on financial need and you don't repay them.
Work-Study, also based on financial need, allows you to earn money while attending college. You get paid for hours worked, so don't expect money up-front to pay tuition.
Loans are a type of financial aid you must repay with interest. Some are in your name and some are for your parent(s).
2. Apply for Scholarships - Start searching for scholarships in the spring of your junior year or fall of your senior year. Resources include:
Your school counselor
The college you plan to attend
EducationQuest.org - ScholarshipQuest
3. You will need: an FSA ID
Both you and a parent will create separate usernames and passwords at studentaid.gov that will serve as your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID for the FAFSA, IRS Data Retrieval, and to apply for student loans. You will each need your own email address to create an FSA ID. If your parents had a school loan in the past or you had siblings in college, your parents should already have an FSA ID.
4. The FASFA opens in December 2023. Parents will use their prior prior year's taxes, two years before their students' freshman year, which means they will have an accurate picture of their financial aid package. Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov
5. Complete the financial aid process. Expect a Student Aid Report (SAR) via an email link. The SAR notifies you that your FAFSA was received, and if you need to fake further action to process your FAFSA.
College Financial Aid Night for Junior/Senior Parents and Students: October 4, 2023 at 6:30 pm in the High School Library--Pizza and water provided-Please RSVP
As your school counselor. . .
A big part of my job in the high school is helping you navigate your way to give you the best possible game plan for after high school. However, I am also here for any academic struggles and social/emotional struggles. Please keep in my mind that I honor confidentiality in that anything you tell me stays private unless it is ok with you that I discuss the matter with someone else or if someone is hurting you, you want to hurt someone, or if you want to hurt yourself. My job is to help keep everyone safe and help them be the best they can be.
Contact Information:
308-446-2244 (school number)