GISH Senior Newsletter: October

• October 7, 9, 10: FAFSA FSA ID Parent Workshops @ Parent Teacher Conferences
• In West Gym Foyer before entering Gym for Conferences
• October 22 & 23: Senior Launch Sessions w/ Senior English Classes
• All things FAFSA w/ Nuria Lemus
• October 29, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Apply2YourFuture Workshop, see more info below!
• West Commons Foyer

Seniors, if you’ve been too busy to apply to colleges, now’s your chance! Join us on October 29th in the West Commons from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for a drop-in session. Sit down with Gear Up staff, your counselor, or a college representative to get personalized help with your applications. You can:

• Apply to any colleges of your choice
• Get your transcript immediately
• Apply for free to University of Nebraska schools
• Fill out as many applications as you'd like!

Come when you can, get your questions answered, and make the most of this opportunity!

Sign up to take a Saturday ACT Exam at act.org. If you are qualified for Free/Reduced lunch, your test fee can be waived. Using this waiver also qualifies you to send scores up to 6 colleges for free before taking the test, and more colleges after you receive your score if needed. You also will have access to Official ACT prep. Please see your academy counselor for a waiver. Visit this LINK for free test prep. Check the image for exam dates and deadlines.

***Please note: GISH only does paper tests, not online tests. If you choose to do an online test, you will be sent to another test center.

If you are hoping to join the military you must take the ASVAB. The ASVAB is also a great option if you are in need of some guidance regarding what to do after high school. It does not obligate you to join the military. Rather, it gives you some great career guidance and advice on what to do next if you just can’t decide what to do. The ASVAB will take place at the Islander Annex on October 16, 2024. Email Mr. Westerby (jwesterby@gips.org) for more information and to sign up.

October is a critical time in your senior year. With college application deadlines approaching, it's essential to stay organized and on top of things. Dedicate this month to submitting your applications, keeping up with deadlines, and checking your email regularly for updates and opportunities. Your counselors and Gear Up staff are here to support you every step of the way - stay motivated and keep pushing forward!

We are so excited for you as you embark on this important journey. We're here to guide you through all the challenges and milestones along the way! Our first tip: USE THIS INFORMATION & REFER BACK TO IT - make sure you don't forget to share it with your parents. If you ever have questions, reach out to your counselor - we're happy to help. This newsletter will be updated monthly, so be sure to check your email often for new information and announcements.

We know senior year can feel overwhelming, and you likely have a lot of questions. Check out the resource center below for answers to FAQs and other tools. Hopefully, this will address many of your concerns ... for now!

APPLICATION DUE DECEMBER 1, 2024

Students accepted into Chadron, UNK, or Wayne can get free tuition for their undergraduate degree and provisional acceptance to UNL College of Law. Great opportunity for students interested in law! Check the image for more information and links.

APPLICATION DUE DECEMBER 1, 2024

Students accepted into Chadron, UNK, Peru, or Wayne can get free tuition for their undergraduate degree and guaranteed admission to UNMC. Great opportunity for students interested in health and attending medical school. Check the image for more information and links to the applications.

Students! Check out this flyer for an incredible scholarship & career opportunity through Wayne State College. This may be a great fit for you!! Visit the link through the flyer for more.

Provides scholarships to Peru State Criminal Justice students who are completing a degree while working at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) during the school year and summer. Students accepted will receive $12,500 per academic year, plus an additional $2,500 for housing in addition to pay received for hours worked at TSCI ($16.74/hr). Deadline for scholarship is January 2025. Click this link for more information and the application.

We recently received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to strengthen and expand student-centered activities and infrastructure in STEM education. More than $540,000 of the funds have been earmarked for scholarships for students pursuing a career as a biologist, chemist, or mathematician and who intend to pursue careers in research and discovery.

Our goals for this grant include the following:

• Support low-income, academically talented students.

• Build a foundation for success through a week-long academic skills summer camp before the students first year

• Establish a residence hall community where scholars live for two years and support each other through learning activities and shared experiences

• Provide scholarships to meet student unmet need (averaging $7,500, up to $10,000 while in the program)

Your student/s must be admitted to apply for the Nebraska STEM Scholars opportunity and other scholarships at: wsc.edu/scholarships. The application deadline is December 1st, 2024!

A select number of students will be invited to interview for this fantastic opportunity in the Spring.

Once you have applied and been accepted to CCC, head to their website to learn more about the types of financial aid and scholarships available to their students. You can apply to their scholarship programs from this page.

Students should always head to educationquest.org to get started on their scholarship search. They have a link called ScholarshipQuest where you can fill out a profile. They in turn will send a list of scholarships right for you (from a database of 2,000 Nebraska scholarships!). They have been vetted so they will not send you things that will clog up your email. In addition, doing this puts you in the running for scholarship opportunities on the EducationQuest website! Click here for more.

There are also other resources available! We provide a list of additional local scholarships for students on the GISH website. If you click on the link that says “Current Scholarship Information“ at the top, it will take you to a page that is updated as we receive scholarship information. This is continuously updated, so it is up to you to check it.

It is really never too early to start getting ready for scholarship applications. Whether you are looking out of state, instate, two/four-year schooling, trade, or university, you can apply for scholarships.

***It is important to secure at least three positive recommendations for your applications. In fact, when preparing, ask the person, “Would you please be able to write me a positive letter of recommendation?” Doing this in person is always best.

***Give your recommender plenty of time to complete the letter. Allow 2-3 weeks for them to complete it, but check in to see if they need any more information from you before finishing.

***Look for a mixture of male and female recommenders. Work to have letters from both in-school (teacher, coach, counselor, administrator) and out-of-school (employer, pastor, neighbor, etc.). Be sure to provide a contact person and an envelope for your recommender so they can address and send it off if needed.

***DO NOT assume someone will be willing to write a recommendation letter. Ask first before adding their email to a recommendation form.

***Provide a resume for your recommendation writers. Include contact information in case they have questions while writing your letter. Your academy counselor will need one, too.

***Send a thank you note to your letter writer after he/she submits your recommendation. Give updates if you receive the scholarship, get accepted, etc.

Preview the Scholarship Fair here

Follow the GIPS Foundation on social media! Facebook Instagram

Use this link to pay your $40 graduate fee. You may also pay in cash at the West office.

Mid-Term & May Grads: $40 graduate fee payment is due December 1.

Now is a great time to apply to University of Nebraska schools—and for a limited time, you can do it for FREE! Here's how:

• University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL): Normally $45 to apply, but use the code HUSKER at this link to apply for free until November 1.
• University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK): Select "fee waiver" when applying and enter the code NUforNE to waive the $45 fee.
• University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO): Good news—it's always free to apply to UNO!

Even better, you can apply to all three schools with the same application! Just be sure to select which campuses you'd like your application sent to. If you need help applying, attend our Apply2College event on October 29!

Many of you are asking whether the class(es) you are taking will transfer to your college of choice. You can start asking your admissions representative but you can also search the college‘s website for “Course Equivalency Information.” You can generally find what you need on their website.

Hear us out on this: Just because a course you are taking for dual credit doesn’t apply directly to your program of study, doesn’t mean it’s not going to benefit you. Often you will need to take additional courses as electives in a certain area. These can apply to that, and it will still save you money. Check out Nebraska’s Transfer website for all the information you’ll need on course equivalency.

Senior year can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. If you're feeling anxious, remember that it's okay to take a step back and focus on self-care. You don’t have to do everything at once—start small. Here are some simple ways to calm your mind and body during the day:

• Deep Breathing: Try using a guided video like "Box Breathing" to help regulate your breathing and bring calmness.
• Take a Break Outdoors: A little fresh air and sunshine can work wonders for your mood.
• Talk About Your Feelings: Sharing your thoughts with someone you trust can lighten the emotional load.
• Move Your Body: Whether it’s stretching, walking, or jogging, physical activity can relieve stress.
• Walk and Talk: Combine movement with conversation to clear your head and process your feelings.
• Keep a Gratitude Journal: Writing down a few things you’re grateful for each day can shift your perspective.
• Eat Something Healthy: Nourishing your body can help support your mental well-being.
• Find Quiet Time: Sometimes, all you need is a few moments of peace. Sit quietly and allow yourself to be in the moment.

Remember, it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. Take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support.

• AET: Mindy Ulmer - mulmer@gips.org
  
• ABC: Dave Woods - dwoods@gips.org
• ATS: Melissa Luthi-Placke - mluthi@gips.org
• AMS:
• Alex Niederklein - aniederklein@gips.org
• Julie Markvicka - jmarkvicka@gips.org
  
• Alternative Sites: Jeff Westerby - jwesterby@gips.org
• Alternative Programs: Kathleen Townsend - mtownsend@gips.org
• Gear Up College Advisors:
• Mayra Ramallo - mortizquintan@gips.org - Annex 385-5977 ext. 461008
• Joana Reyes - jreyes2@gips.org - Annex 385-5977 ext. 461003

• Senior need-to-knows (class rank, yearbook, cap & gown, etc.)
• Requesting GISH Transcripts:
• Students with last names A-L should email Mrs. Gentry at bgentry@gips.org
• Students with last names M-Z should email Ms. Perkins at cperkins@gips.org
• Counselors can provide an unofficial copy
• Requesting Wayne State College Transcripts and CCC Transcripts
• Check your email DAILY!
• Educationquest resources:
  
• Reality Check - How do you see your future?
• ScholarshipQuest - a free database of more than 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. Complete a profile to find awards that match your criteria
• Nuria Lemus (nurial@educationquest.org) can help with any FSA & FAFSA questions
• FAFSA Checklist
  
• Upcoming FAFSA webinars
• Apply for Scholarships NOW!
• FAFSA website:
• FAFSA can help you obtain funding for college through the Pell Grant, scholarships, loans, and work-study.
• Filling out the FAFSA give you access to more scholarships like the Buffet Scholarship
• Grand Island Community Foundation scholarship traditionally opens in December, watch your email for updates
• Grand Island Public School Scholarship page - click "Current Scholarship Information" for updated list
• Send your AP test scores by requesting them from the College Board
• PASS YOUR DUAL CREDIT COURSES!
• If you are college-bound, an "F" on a college transcript can affect the amount of scholarship money you are offered and it can start out in academic probation to start the year.

If you need support in passing your classes and earning the best grade you can - visit ASP for help. Click the image for a schedule on subjects & teachers available.

STUDENTS: Great selection of womens and mens business professional clothes for presentations, interviews, jobs, and more! All items are FREE! Click the flyer for more information and email gearup@gips.org to set up an appointment to visit.