Working with partners to help Nebraska students access college.

Fall/Winter 2008

EducationQuest.org

Working with partners to help Nebraska students access college.EducationQuest.org

I N S I D E

• President’s Message Page 2

• Promoting Campus Visits Page 3

• Apply2College Campaign Pages 4-5

• College Access Coffee Break Page 5

• Mentor of the Year Page 6

• KnowHow2GO Efforts Page 6

• Scholarship Winners Page 7

• Spring College Fairs Page 8

• Mobile-friendly website Page 8

Helping Nebraska students Apply2CollegeA

These Creighton students are in EducationQuest’s newest commercial. Read about it on page 3.

pplying to college can be a daunting process for high school seniors. That’s

why EducationQuest is sponsoring an Apply2College Campaign next fall.

The campaign is October 19-30, 2015, and we’re inviting all Nebraska high schools

to participate and give students the help they need to successfully complete college

applications.

Read about Apply2College and other college access efforts in this issue of Aspire.

Spring/Summer 2015

Retired counselor Tim Davis returned to Lexington High School to help seniors like Ana Hernandez-Cruz complete college applications during last year’s pilot college application campaign.

Published biannually by EducationQuest Foundation for education leaders in Nebraska.

Liz S. KoopPresident and CEO

Daphne HallSenior Vice President College Access Programs

Mike Timmins Senior Vice President Fiscal Operations

Eric Drumheller Assistant Vice President Grants & Scholarships

EditorTricia Dunn 402.479.6666

EducationQuest Foundation

Lincoln (headquarters)1300 O Street800.303.3745

OmahaRockbrook Village108th & W. Center Road888.357.6300

Kearney2706 Second Avenue800.666.3721

EducationQuest.orgFacebook.com/EducationQuestTwitter: @freecollegehelp

Working with partners to help Nebraska students access college.

Fall/Winter 2008

EducationQuest.org

Working with partners to help Nebraska students access college.EducationQuest.org

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

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Liz S. KoopPresident & CEOEducationQuest Foundation

Why your school should participate in the Apply2College Campaign

Last fall, EducationQuest piloted a college application campaign during which six Nebraska high schools set aside time during the school day to help seniors complete college applications.

As president of an organization focused on college access, I know how critical the college application process is; but it wasn’t until I participated in the college application event at Lincoln North Star High School that I witnessed how important it is for students to receive one-on-one help.

I was one of the volunteers in the school’s computer lab helping students complete their applications. Their questions ranged from “what’s another name for “speech” class?” and “what’s a suffix” to “this website just crashed, now what do I do?”

Some students wanted to apply to two or three colleges, which brought about another challenge. Each application was different and thus produced a new set of questions.

The difficulties students face when completing college applications quickly became obvious to me that day. I thought about low-income and first-generation students who may not have help available at home. Left to their own devices, I imagine quite a few would give up after the first few questions.

By participating in the 2015 Apply2College Campaign, your school can remove this barrier and help more students fulfill their dream of pursuing higher education.

The campaign is October 19-30, 2015, and all high schools in Nebraska are encouraged to participate. You can choose to hold the event over one or several days; whatever works best at your school. It costs your school nothing to participate and EducationQuest will provide free resources to help make your event a success.

For all the details, and to register, see the Apply2College article in the Professionals section at EducationQuest.org.

Thank you for all you do to help your students make college possible.

This banner is one of many free resources EducationQuest will provide for participating high schools.

Nebraska College Application CampaignSponsored by EducationQuest Foundation

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Eighth graders from Humboldt-Tablerock-Steinhauer Public Schools learned about medical careers when they visited Southeast Community College.

These are just a few of the many Nebraska students featured in EducationQuest’s new commercial about campus visits.

Grant funds campus visits for 8th gradersEighth grade students at 32 Nebraska schools went on campus visits this school year through funding from 8th Grade Campus Visit Grants awarded by EducationQuest.

“Getting eighth grade students onto a college campus can help them realize college is possible,” said Eric Drumheller, Assistant Vice President of Grants and Scholarships. “It can also motivate them to take rigorous courses in high school and other steps to prepare for higher education.”

New 30-second spot promotes campus visitsNot only are campus visits a vital part of the college selection process, they’re also fun!

EducationQuest portrays both of those elements in a new commercial that features photos of real Nebraska students on campus visits. We found the photos on social media, tracked down the students to get their consent, and included them in the spot.

The spot is currently airing on statewide television, or you can find it at GoVisitCollege.org, a page on the EducationQuest website that provides campus visit tips.

Boone Central Middle School, Petersburg

Burwell Jr.-Sr. High School

Davis Middle School, Omaha

Douglas County West Middle School, Waterloo

Falls City Middle School

Fremont Middle School

Goodrich Middle School, Lincoln

Gordon-Rushville Middle School

Holdrege Middle School

Johnson County Central Schools, Tecumseh

Schuyler Middle School

South Platte Schools, Big Springs

South Sioux City Middle School

St. Teresa’s School, Lincoln

Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Middle School

Twin River Public Schools, Genoa

Valentine Community School

Walthill Public Schools

Wayne Junior High School

West Point-Beemer Jr.-Sr. High School

Wisner-Pilger Jr.-Sr. High School

The 2014-15 recipient schools are:

Lewis and Clark Middle School, Omaha

Lexington Middle School

Lifegate Christian Middle School, Omaha

Litchfield Public Schools

McMillan Magnet Center, Omaha

Millard Central Middle School

Niobrara Middle School

Oakland-Craig Public School

Platteview Central Junior High, Springfield

Ralston Middle School

Schoo Middle School, Lincoln

During last year’s pilot campaign, students at Bryan High School in Omaha received this t-shirt after completing five tasks - including a college application - they had to do to “get their ducks in a row.”

54

CApply2CollegeNebraska high schools helping seniors

ompleting a college application can be daunting — especially for low-income and first-generation students who may not have the help they need at home.

That’s why EducationQuest, with help from a statewide steering committee, is sponsoring the Apply2College Campaign October 19-30, 2015.

During the campaign, Nebraska high schools are encouraged to conduct college application events during the school day to help seniors apply to at least one college.

The deadline for high schools to register for the campaign is June 1, 2015.

“Through this campaign, we want all seniors to complete a college application – even those who don’t think college is possible,” EducationQuest Assistant Vice President Eric Drumheller said. “By going through the application process, students often realize the possibilities that college can offer and go on to pursue education beyond high school.”

The registration form, campaign details, and free resources are in the Professionals section at EducationQuest.org.

EducationQuest sponsored a pilot campaign last fall with six Nebraska high schools. Based on the success of that effort, the campaign is expanding statewide. The 2014 pilot schools were Bryan High School, Omaha; Chadron High School; Lexington High School; North Star High School, Lincoln; Santee Community School; and Southern High School, Wymore.

“Completing a college application can be overwhelming for many students – especially those who don’t get help at home,” Lincoln North Star High School Counselor Rick Boyle said. “We’re excited to be part of a program that will encourage more students to consider postsecondary education.”

All states are now conducting campaigns as part of the American College Application Campaign sponsored by the American Council on Education.

Nebraska College Application Campaign

Nebraska College Application Campaign

APPLY

I APPLIED

See the Professionals section at EducationQuest.org, or contact:

Eric Drumheller, Assistant Vice President of Grants and Scholarships, at 800.303.3745, ext. 6622 or

Les Monroe, Director of College Planning, at 800.303.3745, ext. 6989

Learn more about the Apply2College Campaign

Left: Seniors at Southern High School in Wymore participated in last year’s pilot college application campaign.

Below: Seniors at Lincoln North Star High School gathered in the computer lab to complete college applications.

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E

College Access Coffee Break

Interested in a College Access Coffee Break? That’s what EducationQuest offered school and agency professionals over the past year as a way to learn college access-related information from the comfort of their own desks.

The “coffee breaks” are webinars that covered topics such as financial aid updates, the Buffett Scholarship, common questions on the FAFSA, and KnowHow2GO best practices. EducationQuest provides the webinars as an alternative to College Access Training sessions held around the state in previous years.

“It’s getting more and more difficult for busy professionals to find the time and funding to travel to training sessions,” said

Treve Florom, EducationQuest Director of Outreach Services. “They appreciate the opportunity to learn about these topics without leaving their school or agency.”

An average of 90 participants joined each webinar, which is more than the attendance at the previous on-site College Access Training sessions.

Nebraska College Application Campaign

Nebraska College Application Campaign

APPLY

I APPLIED

Offering busy professionals a…

• Dr. Gabrielle Banick, Nebraska P-16 Initiative

• Gordie Coffin, Nebraska Wesleyan University

• Mike Conley, Mo-Kan-Ne Education Opportunity Programs

• Joel Dickinson, Southeast Community College

• Eric Drumheller (co-chair), EducationQuest Foundation

• Amy Gade (representing NACRAO), Wayne State College

• Kevin Halle, Wayne State College

• Fran Hassler, Ponca High School

• Matt Heusman, Nebraska Department of Education

• Les Monroe (co-chair), EducationQuest Foundation

• Ritchie Morrow Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education and NeASFAA

• Ralph Schnell, Lincoln Northeast High School

• Dr. Dan J. Schnoes, Educational Service Unit #3

• Lori Staab (representing NSCA), Sutherland High School

• Lina Traslaviña Stover, University of Nebraska at Omaha

“It’s getting more and more difficult for busy professionals to find the time and funding to travel to training sessions,”

Treve Florom, EducationQuest Director of Outreach Services

Apply2College Steering Committee

6

I

Eighth graders from across Nebraska were honored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as Big Red Stars during an April 28 event in Lincoln.

EducationQuest staff and KnowHow2GO Ambassadors kicked off the event with a KnowHow2GO Pep Rally that demonstrated four steps the students should follow to prepare for college.

Following the pep rally, students were honored during a recognition and awards ceremony hosted by UN-L.

Big Red Stars

Four eighth graders try to “find the right fit” by trying on different types of clothes during a KnowHow2GO Pep Rally at the Big Red Stars event. Cheering them on are EducationQuest’s Kristin Ageton (third from left) and KnowHow2GO Ambassador Vincent Chechevi Wellington (far right).

UNL Career Coach named MENTOR of the YEAR

n honor of National Mentoring Month in January, EducationQuest awarded the Reaching Your Potential Mentor of the Year Award to Sarah Barg, Career Coach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Barg was nominated by Augusta Kamara and Justice Wright.

Kamara and Wright, both students at UN-L, are recipients of EducationQuest’s Reaching Your Potential Scholarship, which is awarded to students who have overcome tremendous obstacles to attend college. Each recipient is assigned a college mentor to help them succeed – and that’s what Barg is doing for these two students.

“My schedule is pretty hectic but Sarah has been extremely helpful in locating resources for me, meeting with me on a regular basis, checking up on me to make sure everything is going great, and just being there whenever I need her,” Kamara said.

Wright said, “Each day Sarah and I meet up, I feel as if I gained something each session. She gives me hope to not give up and I know if I’m having trouble, she will make sure I get the care I need.”

KnowHow2GO to College!

Each day Sarah and I meet up, I feel as if I gained something each session. She gives me hope to not give up and I know if I’m having trouble, she will make sure I get the care I need.” Justice Wright

”

Augusta Kamara (left) and Justice Wright (right) pictured with Mentor of the Year Sarah Barg.

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In February, three Nebraska high school students were selected as winners of EducationQuest’s Financial Aid Program Scholarship.

Karrie Sestak, a senior at St. Paul High School, Bryce Eigsti, a junior at Friend High School, and Jared Renken, a senior at Millard South High School, were among the nearly 1,500 students who registered for the scholarship

when attending an EducationQuest Financial Aid Program held between October 2014 and January 2015. EducationQuest conducted a drawing to select three winners from those who registered.

Sestak, Eigsti and Renken each received a $500 scholarship.

Fremont student winsScavenger Hunt ScholarshipCongratulations to Cari Leick, a senior at Fremont High School, who is the winner of this year’s EducationQuest Scavenger Hunt Scholarship.

Through this program, students create a profile in ScholarshipQuest – EducationQuest’s database of over 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. They then

apply for the scholarship by “scavenging” around the EducationQuest website to find answers to questions in a survey. This helps students become more aware of ScholarshipQuest and other resources on the website.

Cari’s name was drawn from those of nearly 2,000 Nebraska students in grades 9-12 who were eligible to apply. She won $500 to invest in a NEST 529 college savings account.

Three students win Financial Aid Program Scholarships

College giveaways and KFRX radio station DJ Matt McKay were some of the attractions that drew over 300 students and parents to a KnowHow2GO event March 12-13 at Gateway Mall in Lincoln.

EducationQuest holds the event every year during the Nebraska Boys State Basketball Tournament in an effort to share college planning information with students from across the state. During the event, EducationQuest staff and KnowHow2GO Ambassadors gave away college planning materials and items donated by Nebraska colleges.

KnowHow2GO is an EducationQuest program that provides steps that 8th, 9th and 10th grade students should follow to prepare for college.

Mall event draws statewide basketball fans

Pictured left to right:Karrie SestakBryce EigstiJared Renken

Cari Leick

KFRX DJ Matt McKay (center) shows off college giveaways with Sawyer and Antonia Kean from Falls City during the KnowHow2GO mall event.

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EducationQuest’s spring college fairs, held during March and April in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha, drew nearly 1,500 students – many of them sophomores and juniors.

The fairs were held March 8 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, March 29 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and April 19 at Southeast Community College in Lincoln.

“Spring fairs are a great opportunity for seniors to finalize their college decision, and for younger students to get started on their college selection process,” said EducationQuest Vice President Daphne Hall. “We were pleased to see so many sophomores and juniors, and even freshmen, learning what they need to do to qualify for college admission.”

David Speckmann and Benjamin Clark from Johnson-Brock High School were among the nearly 400 attendees at the Lincoln Area College Fair.

EducationQuest recently revamped its website making it mobile friendly for those looking for college planning information from their phones or tablets. The site will automatically adapt to the size of any screen a visitor is using.

Check it out at EducationQuest.org!

Two of the most popular tools on the site – Activities Resume and ScholarshipQuest – will soon be mobile friendly as well.

EducationQuest website now mobile friendly

Spring college fairs draw younger students