Scholarship Links & Financial Aid Resources

Local Scholarships 2026

Below are all details and links for the comprehensive local scholarship form.

By completing this one form and providing the extra documents required

FCHS seniors can be considered for over 30 local scholarships!!!

Including:

• Class of 1984 Scholarship

• Fort Calhoun Booster Club Scholarship (4)  - revised in 2026!

• FCEA (Fort Calhoun Education Association) Scholarship - revised in 2026!

• FC Women’s Fitness Club Scholarship 

• Paul and Bea Kruger Scholarship 

• Pioneer Fund Foundation (multiple awards)

• Cody White Trade School Scholarship 

• Washington County Bank Scholarship (2)

• Solomon Lodge #10 Scholarship

• “Learning with Laughter” Scholarship 

•  Zig Drywall Inc. Trades Scholarship

• G.R.I.T. Scholars ( up to 3)

• Cathy Tietz Nursing Scholarship - new in 2025!

• Rock Hard Concrete Hometown Scholarship

• Isaac Blizzard Memorial Scholarship  (multiple awards) 

• FCCS Foundation Leadership and Community Service Scholarship

• The Fitzgeralds of Garryowen Scholarship

• FC Rural Fire Department Scholarship

• FC Presbyterian Church Scholarship

• Fort Calhoun PFE Scholarships (3)  - revised in 2026!

• FCYSO Basketball Scholarships (2)  - new in 2026!

2026 Local Scholarship Description packet

2026 Scholarship App (google form)

2026 G.R.I.T. Evaluation Form (you need two)

2026 Booster Female Athlete Checklist .pdf

2026 Booster Male Athlete Checklist .pdf

Local Scholarships Cheatsheet

Other Local Scholarships

This link takes you to are a considerable number of other 

"local area scholarships" (that don't use the comprehensive application).

these will not be updated until after February 9th

you can find those on the Scholarship opportunities page... 

Educationquest Foundation Resources

• 2026-2027 FAFSA Checklist – The .pdf below lists the documents and information you need to gather before completing the FAFSA.                        

• Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID) Handout – The .pdf below tells you how to set up your account.  

• Financial Aid FAQs – Click here to get answers to frequently asked questions about financial aid.

• FAFSA Demo – Watch a short video that walk you through each section of the FAFSA.

How to Pay for College

Follow these steps to apply for federal financial aid and scholarships:

Step 1. Apply for scholarships.

Follow these tips for scholarship success:

• Research potential awards by using free scholarship-search resources including your school counselor, the college you plan to attend, ScholarshipQuest, and other free internet-based scholarship searches.

• Complete an Activities Resume or track this in the resume tab on your PLP (Pioneer Learning Plan) so you’ll have a list of your activities, honors, and awards handy when completing applications.

• Create a list of scholarships you’re eligible to apply for. Tackle the most difficult applications first and pay attention to deadlines. If you miss a deadline, your application will not be considered.

• Request letters of recommendation from adults who know you well. Give them plenty of notice, a deadline, information about the scholarship, and a copy of your Activities Resume.

Step 2. Create an FSA ID

To begin the process of applying for financial aid, create a Federal Student Aid account (FSA ID) at studentaid.gov. Your parent will also need an FSA ID if you’re a dependent student.

Step 3. Complete the FAFSA

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is your application for federal, state, and college-based financial aid. Complete the form at studentaid.gov in the fall of each year. The colleges you list on the FAFSA will use your information to award financial aid.

Submit the form before the colleges’ FAFSA priority date to get the best financial aid offers. Use Educationquest's  free FAFSA Tools to help you prepare for and complete the form.

Renew the FAFSA every year you’re in college.

Expect a FAFSA Submission Summary

After you submit your FAFSA, expect a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) via an email from Federal Student Aid. The FSS indicates your Student Aid Index (the number a college uses to determine how much financial aid you can receive), your eligibility for a Pell Grant, and if you were selected for verification. Some need-based scholarship applications will also require your FSS.

Step 4. Be Prepared for Verification

Watch your student portal and email closely, as colleges may request verification of your FAFSA information. Respond to this request quickly, as the colleges will not process your financial aid offer until you provide the required documents. 

Step 5. Expect Financial Aid Offers

The colleges you listed on your FAFSA will notify you of the types and amounts of financial aid they offer. You will only receive offers from colleges that accepted you for admission. Accept or decline the financial aid offers by the deadline.

The colleges will use this “financial need” formula to calculate how much to offer you in financial aid:

  Cost of Education – Student Aid Index = Financial Need

Step 6. Apply for Student Loans

If you qualify for student loans, your college will direct you to studentaid.gov to complete the necessary forms. Depending on your financial need, you might receive a Subsidized Direct Loan (interest begins accruing after college) or an Unsubsidized Direct Loan (interest begins accruing immediately). Your college determines the amount you can borrow.

You must repay your student loan after you graduate or drop below half-time status. Click here for details about loan limits, interest rates, and repayment.