A monthly college planning guide for Nebraska high school students
May 2009
Seniors ... borrow wisely for college!
The financial aid award notification you received from your college(s) indicates the loans you qualify to borrow. It may include loans you borrow directly from the school (Perkins), from a lender (Stafford Loan), or from the federal government (Direct Loan). In addition, your parents may qualify for a PLUS loan. Your college will provide borrowing procedures.
Before you borrow, estimate your future monthly loan payments using our Student Loan Repayment Calculator at EducationQuest.org.
Follow these tips to avoid unnecessary debt:
… Carefully research the college you plan to attend to make sure itís a good fit. Transferring to a different college can add additional years of school and loan debt.
… Compare the estimated starting salary of potential careers to your estimated college debt to ensure you can afford future loan payments.
… Work while you go to college and use that money to pay living expenses.
… Use your student loan money only for tuition, books and fees.
… Keep track of your student loan debt throughout college at nslds.ed.gov so youíre not surprised by the amount when itís time to graduate.
Juniors... use the summer to prepare for college!
If youíre a high school junior, summer is the time for you to do some serious college planning. Here are your assignments:
… Start narrowing your college choices. By the fall of your senior year, you should have narrowed your choices to three or four schools. Visit some college campuses this summer and check out college Web sites.
… Update your Activities Resume at EducationQuest.org. Include extracurricular activities, honors, awards and part-time jobs.
… Look for scholarships. Check out ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org, which has over 2,000 local and statewide scholarships. Pay attention to the scholarships seniors are earning.
May "To Do" List
Seniors
___ Apply for student loans, if necessary.
___ Register for freshmen orientation.
___ Start a list of dorm room essentials.
___ Get a summer job to help pay college expenses.
Juniors
___ Register by May 5 for June 6 SAT.
___ Register by May 8 for June 13 ACT.
___ Continue campus visits.
___ Attend a spring college fair if there is one in your area.
___ Get a summer job and save for college.
For free help with college planning, contact EducationQuest Foundation:
Kearney
308-234-6310
800-666-3721
Lincoln
402-475-5222
800-303-3745
Omaha
402-391-4033
888-357-6300