GISH Senior Newsletter: March 2025

• March 10 - 14: Spring Break!
• March 28: FAFSA Sessions @ Islander Annex from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Call 308-385-5977 EXT. 461008 or email mortizquintan@gips.org to schedule your appointment!

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• Formally accept your scholarship.
• Make sure to be regularly checking your email & physical mail. Some scholarships may have an "Accept by" date, aka: DEADLINES TO ACCEPT!
• Send a thank you note to the Scholarship Committee.
• Thank them for the opportunity, and what you plan to do with this scholarship, such as what you will major in and what you want to do for a future career.
• Organize contact information for any scholarships you receive, so you can find it later.
• Check your email regularly.
• Respond in a timely manner to any requests made by your scholarship donor. For example, some scholarships will require you to send a copy of your college schedule or proof of enrollment.
• Watch your college account to ensure that you received the scholarship.

The Barrientos Scholarship Foundation has been dedicated to empowering Latino students in Nebraska since its founding. Students can apply online at www.barrientosscholarship.org from March 1 to 31, 2025. All applications must be submitted by midnight on the 31st of March. To be eligible for our scholarships a student must be Latino, maintain a GPA of 2.5 and be attending college in Nebraska.

This year, the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation will award $59,000 to new students in scholarships. Some of our scholarships are tied to Metropolitan Community College as we have formed a partnership with them to assist students that are pursuing their education at their school. Attached is a document which specifies each scholarship and who should apply.

The Barrientos Scholarship Foundation was founded by Marcos Mora in 2005 to promote the value of higher education by supporting and mentoring students to develop Latino community leaders. This small volunteer foundation has awarded over $335,000 to Latino high school and college students in Nebraska, since its founding. It is our mission to strengthen our community, and inspire a generation of leaders who will shape Nebraska's future. Every step we take together brings us closer to a world where every Latino student has the resources, opportunities, and encouragement to dream big and achieve more.

To upload your FAFSA Submission Summary to your Buffett application, follow these steps:

1. Go to studentaid.gov and log in to your account.
2. Scroll down to "My Activity" and click on "2025-2026 FAFSA".
3. You'll see a timeline showing when you started and submitted your FAFSA. Make sure your FAFSA says "Processed."
4. Scroll down slightly until you find a green box with a blue button inside. Click it to open your Submission Summary.
5. You’re in the right place if you can see your financial aid details, like your Pell Grant and Loan eligibility.
6. In the top right area of the screen, click on “Print Submission Summary.”
7. When the print screen pops up, change the destination or printer to “Save as PDF.”
8. Save the PDF file to your computer.
9. Log into your Buffett application and upload the PDF where requested.

Reminder: The financial document is due March 11 before 5 p.m. CST.

If you need help, see your counselor or a GEAR UP College Advisor (Joana or Mayra).

Students! Check out this flyer for an incredible scholarship & career opportunity through Wayne State College. This may be a great fit for you!! Visit this link for more information. Due May 1, 2025.

1) A high school senior currently attending one of the following schools; (Grand Island Senior High, Heartland Lutheran High School, Central Catholic High School, or Northwest High School)

2) A high school senior who has committed to a college or university.

Students who have a family member who is an active member of FOP Lodge #24 are not eligible for this scholarship.

Application must be submitted by March 15th, 2025, by mail to:

Grand Island Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #24

PO Box 103

Grand Island, NE 68802

Scholarship will be awarded in April 2025.

The GIPS Foundation scholarship application window concluded on February 5, 2025. Presently, we are engaged in the review phase of the scholarship selection process. Below are the key dates in our award process to mark on your calendars.

Each student will receive personal notifications regarding which events they will attend.

• March 26-27: Scholarship offer letters distributed at GISH West Office
  
• March 31 - April 3: Return offer letters and donor thank yous
• April 3: If a scholarship offer is declined, an alternate offer is mailed
• April 10: Scholarship offer process complete
• April 23: Scholarship Reception
• April 25: Martin Family Scholarship Reception
• July 1 - August 15: Claim scholarships

Contact Candi WIemers at cwiemers@gips.org with any questions about the GIPS Foundation scholarship process.

Follow the GIPS Foundation on social media! Facebook Instagram

• Wednesday, April 30 - Deadline to finish online classes and passing what you need to graduate.
• Thursday, May 8 - Class Day and Graduation Rehearsal all morning. Watch for more information and times.
• MANDATORY ATTENDANCE IN ORDER TO GRADUATE
• Sunday, May 11 - 2:00 PM Graduation at the Heartland Events Center.
• Graduates must be in the Bosselman rooms by 1:00 PM

DUE MARCH 7TH, 2025

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

Please take care of your fee as soon as possible.

If you haven't completed this survey, please finish this today. This survey is required for all seniors and ensures your transcripts go to the right place and helps us best help you. Click the title or here to access it!

Song: Where'd All the Time Go? by Dr. Dog

Motto: "What's funnier than 24? 25!" - SpongeBob SquarePants

Colors: Black and Purple

Flower: Hibiscus

Prom theme: Met Gala / Red Carpet

• AP testing will be May 5-9 and May 12-16, 2025.
• Testing will be held at the Islander Annex. Look at the College Board website for specific dates or see your AP teacher.
• All AP course students are expected to take the AP exam for their course. You can only receive the weighted grade for the course by taking the AP exam.

Congrats to those who have received college acceptances! Now it’s time to complete your next steps, like setting up your student accounts, which are essential for getting updates from your school. Need help? Reach out to a counselor or any Gear Up team member – we’re here to support you through the process!

Other things to do:

Sign up for new student orientation

Sign housing contract

Keep moving forward, Islanders!

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.

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.

• 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 Ms. Benedict at kbenedict2@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.