Counselor's Corner

Federal Student Aid (FSA) has announced that the processing of FAFSAs will be delayed until mid-March.

What Does This Mean for Parents & Students?

• FAFSA Submission Summaries will not be available until the first half of March.

• Families cannot make any changes to the FAFSA until they receive an email confirming the FAFSA was processed. They can then see their FAFSA Submission Summary.

• Colleges will not receive Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) until March, so financial aid offers will be delayed until April or May.

The good news is the tables used in the FAFSA calculations are being updated. This will increase the number of students receiving Pell Grants and the amount they receive.

Advice for Those Applying for Need-Based Scholarships

• Advise students to keep the following correspondence as it will be all they have available to prove financial need until their FAFSA Submission Summary is ready:

  • PDF of the FAFSA confirmation page. View a sample.

  • PDF of the confirmation email (Subject: We’ve Received Your FAFSA Form). View a sample.

  • The documents must include their first and last name and the Student Aid Index (SAI).

Students, due to the delay please contact scholarship providers for guidance on how best to proceed with need-based applications.

Getting financial aid for college involves more than completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete each step of the process so that you don’t miss out on money for college.

1. If you haven’t already, complete your 2024-25 FAFSA at studentaid.gov using income tax data. Before you start, you and a parent must each create a Student Aid account. If you need help with your FAFSA, contact EducationQuest to set up a free virtual appointment.

2. Expect a Student Aid Report (SAR) via an email link. The SAR acknowledges that your FAFSA was received and lets you know if you need to take further action before the form can be processed.

3. You might receive a verification notice from the college(s) you listed on your FAFSA requesting documents to verify your FAFSA information. The college will not process your financial aid until you provide required documents.

4. Watch for financial aid award notifications. Once you’re accepted for admission to the colleges you listed on your FAFSA, they will notify you of the types and amounts of financial aid they’re offering.

Watch your email and student portal carefully for important details from colleges about admission and financial aid.

Scholarships will be awarded to students demonstrating high academic achievement, community service, leadership, religious participation, and demonstration of high personal character. The application and two references sent to the foundation are needed.

Due February 16th

One Wisner-Pilger high school senior who is interested in pursuing a career in health related fields will be awarded this scholarship. The application and two references sent to the foundation are needed.

Due February 16th

The Henry and Ramona Stalp Scholarship will be awarded to 5 students from Wisner-Pilger. In addition, this particular scholarship is for students who are attending in-state schools only. Applicant must have a minimum of a “C” average on the alpha scale or 2.0 numerically.No emphasis is given for academic success other than the applicant having met this requirement.

Due March 1st

School managed local scholarships will roll out the week of February 12th! Students will be given time in Government on Monday the 12th to learn about the application process and apply for local scholarships.

Education Quest will be hosting a livestream on February 7th at 4:00 p.m. Four Nebraska college students will join the livestream to discuss how they earned big money in the form of scholarships! The livestream will discuss topics like:

• Where to find scholarships.
• How many applications students should complete.
• What college expenses the students have been able to cover.
• Insider tips and tricks!

Click here to join the livestream at its scheduled time!