This page has information on a number of scholarship opportunities available to Grand Island Senior High students.
The best way to locate the most up-to-date available scholarships is to find your desired college’s website and look for scholarships. Students can only apply for these scholarships after completing the desired college's admission application.

Current Scholarship Information

Grand Island Public Schools Foundation - Scholarship Page

The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation’s Scholarship Program allows students to complete one online application to be considered for 180 scholarships totaling approximately $625,000. Scholarships range from $250-$220,000 each. Find application information, scholarship events, important dates, scholarship guidelines, how to claim scholarships and more here.

Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship Program

Ace Instructions

Authorized by the Nebraska Legislature in 2007, the Access College Early (ACE) Scholarship Program Act (LB 192) pays tuition and mandatory fees for qualified, low-income high school students to enroll in college courses from Nebraska colleges or universities, either through dual-enrollment or early enrollment agreements with these institutions. High school students may apply for funding under this program by completing the ACE Student Application, which is reviewed by the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (CCPE) for award consideration.

EducationQuest

For more information on scholarships, visit the EducationQuest Finding Scholarships page. 

The National Scholarship - We think of our National Scholarship as the “Pell Grant” for highly motivated DREAMers with significant, unmet financial need. While we consider your GPA and test scores, we place great emphasis on your demonstrated commitment to community service and your ability to overcome the barriers and challenges that DREAMers face each and every day.

Midwest Exchange Program - The Midwest Student Exchange Program, or MSEP, is a multi-state tuition reciprocity program. Through the MSEP, public institutions agree to charge students no more than 150% of the in-state resident tuition rate for specific programs; private institutions offer a 10% reduction on their tuition rates.

The Susan T. Buffett Scholarship- The Susan T. Buffett Foundation has offered scholarships to college students in Nebraska for over 50 years. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to first-time freshman entering college who live in Nebraska, graduate from a Nebraska high school (or GED) with plans to attend a Nebraska public college, and demonstrate financial need. There are a limited number of scholarships, so the Foundation is unable to provide awards to all eligible candidates.

Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship
Deadline is February 1
Deadline for applications: The application deadline is February 1st before 5 pm CST/4 p.m.
The requirements for the online application are as follows:
 Application forms
● One recommendation
● Student Aid Report (this is from your FAFSA)
● High school transcript
● Essay- a 500 to 1000 word essay that addresses specific prompts.
● Consent form
https://buffettscholarships.org/

Greater Grand Island Community Foundation Scholarships
Stay tuned for more information.
Bookmark this link to follow up in the coming weeks.

UNO Applicants: Goodrich Scholarship
https://goodrich.smapply.org/ This scholarship requires that you complete your FAFSA report and
complete the EPPE. The EPPE is all online and is required for all Goodrich applicants (we use this
as baseline data). Directions for this process can be reviewed here.

Applicants must have their UNO NetID credentials (username and password) to
register for this ONLINE free exam. Generally, your last chance to take this exam is February 2023. Planning ahead is essential for processing.

Deadline is March 1, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

Winning the scholarship game:

Follow these tips to increase your chances of earning scholarships:

• Don’t pay for scholarship services! Free resources include ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org, your school counselor’s office, and EducationQuest offices in Omaha, Lincoln, and Kearney.
• Focus on college-based and local scholarships. You’re more likely to earn them over large national awards.
• Continually update your activities, honors, and volunteer or paid jobs using the Activities Resume at EducationQuest.org.
• Earn the best possible ACT/SAT scores by taking the exams in the spring of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year.
• Use quality references such as a teacher, coach or counselor. Give them advance notice, a specific deadline, and a copy of your Activities Resume.
• Ask at least two people to proofread your application. 

The key is to make yourself stand out!

Where can I start for scholarships?

It is best to start at educationquest.org to get started on the scholarship search. They have a link there called ScholarshipQuest where you can fill out a profile. They in turn will send a list of scholarships
right for you. They have been vetted so they will not send you things that will clog up your email. In addition, doing this puts you in the running for scholarship opportunities on the Education Quest website!

What about the GIPS Foundation and Community Foundation scholarships?
These scholarships traditionally open in early December. We will provide a variety of workshops for you to get questions answered and the application completed. Please watch the school announcements, your
email and future newsletters for these dates and times. Getting your recommendations and resume done now saves you time later.

Are there other resources?

We provide a list of additional local scholarships for students. If you click on the link that says, “Current Scholarship Information” at the top, it will take you to a page that is updated as we receive
scholarship information. This is continuously updated, so it is up to you to check it.

Remember, scholarships are like being paid to complete a job: you need to work to get them, and maintain them.

College Applications:

1. Know your deadlines.  Create an excel spreadsheet.
   a. Early Decision-100% commitment to this school.  Submit applications around November.  Decisions from school by December.  You must withdraw your application from any other colleges if accepted.
   b. Early Action-submit your application around November.  School decisions are out by December.  If accepted, not required to go.  Typically still have until May 1 to decide.
   c. Regular Decision-extend into January and February.  Schools can send their decisions in April.  You are not required to attend if accepted.
   d. Rolling Admissions-Schools go through applications as they come in.  Again you get to choose if you want to attend or not if accepted.
   e. If you are laser focused on one school, apply early.

Letters of Recommendation

It is really never too early to start getting ready for scholarship applications. Whether you are looking out of state, instate, two year or four year schooling, trade or university, you can apply for scholarships.

• It is important to secure at least three positive recommendations for your applications. In fact, when preparing, ask the person, “Would you please be able to write me a positive letter of recommendation?” Doing this in person is always best.
• Give your recommender plenty of time to complete the letter. Allow 2-3 weeks for him/her to complete it.
• Look for a mixture of male and female recommenders. Work to have letters from both in school (teacher, coach, counselor, administrator) and out of school (employer, pastor, neighbor, etc.). Be sure to provide a
  contact person and an envelope for your recommender so they can address and send it off if needed.
• Provide a resume for your recommendation writers. Include contact information in case they have questions for you while writing your letter.
• Send a thank you note to your letter writer after he/she submits your recommendation.

Tips for the Common Application

1. Utilize the entire app.  It has an “explore colleges” function which allows you to search by certain criteria.
2. Start your application early.  The Common App goes live on August 1.Don’t wait until the last minute.  Focus on quality.
3. Ask for help.  The Common App has a Solutions Center that can be reached any time of the day or night.  
4. Only apply to schools that align with your goals for the future.

Tips for the College Application Essay

1. Pick the perfect topic-write about something you are passionate about.  Let the college see a unique side of you that is different than your transcripts and list of activities.
2. Look ahead of time for essay prompts.  Sometimes they are published early.  
3. Take advantage of your resources.  Sometimes a conversation with a friend or teacher can spark an idea.  There are online resources. For example, College Essay Guy-will guide you through the process.
4. Be honest. 
5. Proofread and proofread again.Stay structured.  Ask a friend or family member to read it.  Maybe your English teacher would be willing to read it also.