GISH Senior Newsletter: February

• Parent/Teacher Conferences
• February 10, 12 3:30-7:15 p.m., February 13 8:00-11:30.
• FAFSA support at conferences with GEAR UP at the Islander Annex. Call to schedule, 308-385-5977.

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.

• Formally accept your scholarship
• Send a thank you note to the Scholarship Committee.
• 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.
• Watch your college account to ensure that you received the scholarship.

Hopefully, you have submitted your Susan Buffett Scholarship by now.

Don't forget the financial document is due March 11 before 5 p.m. CST.

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.

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.

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- Graduation Rehearsal all morning. Watch for more information and times.

Sunday, May 11- 2:00 Graduation at the Heartland Events Center.

• 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.

• There are still about 65 seniors who have not ordered a cap and gown with their height and weight. See your counselor if this could be you.

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 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, 2026.
• 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.

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!

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.