GISH Senior Newsletter: January

• FAFSA support, January 13-17, Islander Annex
• To make an appointment, contact 308-385-5977, ext. 461008

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.

This year, all students receive free lunch, but if you were eligible for free or reduced lunch in previous years, you’ll need to submit income verification forms to ensure you remain eligible for scholarships, fee waivers, and other financial assistance.

To keep your eligibility on file, please complete both the Direct Certification Form and the Income Eligibility Form as soon as possible. These forms are necessary to qualify for several scholarships and resources, including:

GIPS Foundation Scholarships Requiring or Giving Preference to These Forms:

• Marilyn Arrants Scholarship
• Duane D. Curtin Scholarship
• Marjorie Curtin Scholarship
• Eakes Family Scholarship (2)
• Charles R. and Bessie E. Frith Scholarship (2)
• Dr. Carlos Guerrero, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
• Marilyn Huebner Memorial Scholarship
• Joel Family Scholarship
• Kahrhoff Family Scholarship
• Patty and Mike Kneale Education Scholarship (2)
• Lofgreen Family Scholarship
• Lucile C. Martin Dream Scholarship
• P.E.O. Chapter EZ Scholarship
• "Build GI" Reed Family Scholarship (3)
• Gene Schneberger Memorial Scholarship
• Roberta Slack Scholarship
• Bob and Marge Sorensen Family Scholarship
• Dr. Joe and Bonnie Watkins Scholarship
• David and Helen Young Scholarship

Completing these forms is also essential to qualify for ACT fee waivers, college application fee waivers, and more. For any questions, please reach out to Kari Price at kprice@gips.org.

• Ask recommenders early and give them plenty of time. You will get a better recommendation if your recommender is not rushed.
• Set time aside every week to work on scholarships. Treat it like a job.
• Have someone else read your Scholarship Essay. Even better, ask 2 people.
• Organize scholarships by due dates. Start with the earliest deadlines.
• Continue using Xello and Scholarshipquest to find scholarships. Also, check your college website for more scholarships.
• Need help with your scholarship essay? Contact GEAR UP or your school counselor for more help.

Let’s make the most of this season and secure those scholarships!

APPLICATION DUE FEBRUARY 1, 2024

GREAT scholarship opportunity for students interested in attending a Nebraska public college and show financial need (Fill out FAFSA but do NOT have to be Pell grant eligible). Check the image for more information and click here to head to the Buffett website.

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.

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.

Due February 12, 2025.

• $1,500 individual scholarships

• For high school graduates in 10

central and south central

Nebraska counties

• To attend any accredited college,

technical/cosmetology school, or

university in Nebraska

• Based on citizenship, involvement

and potential

• No ACT/SAT or class ranking

criteria

• Financial need considered

• Non-renewable

See your counselor to apply.

• Scholarship Application Preview - presentation slides and handouts here
• Scholarship Essay Strategies - presentation slides here
• $500 Scholarship Drawing - Submitted your drawing slip? Next step is completing the GIPS Foundation application. Winner drawn in February 2025.

Follow the GIPS Foundation on social media! Facebook Instagram

• Complete one application
  The GIPS Foundation uses one online application for all of their scholarships. Students complete the forms in the application. Their answers determine which scholarships they qualify for.
  
  
• Over 200 scholarships for the Class of 2024
  All scholarships offered through the GIPS Foundation are open to Grand Island Senior High seniors with additional eligibility requirements unique to each scholarship.
  
  
• Scholarship Guidelines
  Learn more about each scholarship offered by viewing the scholarship guidelines.
  
  
• Frequently asked questions and important dates
  Important information about our scholarship application and process is listed on our website.

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

Please take care of your fee as soon as possible.

https://photos.jostens.com/G7NMUV

The deadline is January 10.

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

If you missed the October Senior Launch, you’ll still need to create your own FSA ID at studentaid.gov – and remember, a parent will also need to make an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA together.

Important Dates & Reminders:

• FAFSA Opens: December 1
• Graduation Requirement: Completing the FAFSA is required to graduate, so make sure you’re prepared to file as soon as it opens!

Let’s get FAFSA-ready and check that off your graduation list! FAFSA Support is available the week of January 13th, 2025 at the Islander Annex.

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!

Application Fees: Some colleges may charge an application fee, but many offer options to defer it. And remember, UNO applications are always free!

Keep moving forward, Islanders!

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.

Your mental health matters.

And you’re not alone.

If you feel like you can’t get through the day, it’s OK to reach out to a trusted professional.

Call the Nebraska Family Helpline at (888) 866-8660.

• 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.

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.