SUSAN T. BUFFETT FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

OVERVIEW Changes this Year Deadlines Eligibility Recommendations Essay Prompts Communication with Applicants Common Questions and Errors Application Questions and Clarification

CHANGES FOR 2015 APPLICATION Essay Word count suggestion increased to One Additional Essay Prompt Question How are you involved in giving back to others and/or to the community? Recommendations must be completed using the on-line template (no uploading of letters) PDF copy ed to recommender when submitted Twitter - Text Messaging Reminders Some additional clarification language to help students be more informed

DEADLINES The following are due February 1, 2015 at 11:59pm CST: Application – students must click “submit” and sign consent to release by this date, or the application will be locked 2 Recommendations (on-line template) High School Transcript Essay (must be responsive to prompt questions) Student Aid Report or College Funding Estimator is due March 15, 2015 at 11:59pm CST.

ELIGIBILITY Be a resident of the state of Nebraska Graduate from a Nebraska high school or earn a Nebraska GED Earn at least a 2.5 cumulative unweighted GPA in high school (or 80 on a 100 point scale) Be a first-time freshman when entering college Students obtaining dual enrollment credits in high school are still eligible

FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY Students with an EFC below $15,000 are encouraged to apply for the scholarship Students do not need to be Pell Grant eligible to qualify Use the College Funding Estimator to learn more about EFC funding-estimator/ funding-estimator/

RECOMMENDATIONS Type in Recommendations using on-line tool Form available through link sent via Recommenders can save and come back A PDF copy of the recommendation will be ed to recommenders when they submit reminders and confirmations sent to both students and recommenders 4 specific questions and a place for additional comments Please speak to the student’s work ethic and leadership skills. Discuss the student’s understanding of him/herself and how you have seen this play a role in his/her life. Discuss the student’s motivation, goals, and any challenges they have overcome. How have you seen this student be active in the community and/or giving back to others?

ESSAY/PERSONAL STATEMENT Please compose an essay describing your reasons for wanting to attend college. It is important that your essay addresses all of the questions below throughout the essay. What are your goals and how will you reach them? Describe some of your strengths and weaknesses. How have you developed/learned from these? Describe how you have been a leader and/or were a role model to others in your life (community, school, job, etc.). How are you involved in giving back to others and/or your community? Tell us about an obstacle or challenge you have faced. Tell us about a time you worked hard to achieve something. We expect your essay to run about words, but you are welcome to write more if need be.

COMMUNICATION Subject: Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation - Application Creation When students create account Subject: Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation - Application Submitted When the student signs the consent to release and submits the application The will let the student know if s/he has submitted all required documents, and recommendations have been received The will indicate if the student is still missing something due for the first deadline when they submit (i.e. recommendation)

COMMUNICATION Subject: Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation - Application Complete All application materials (including SAR/CFE) have been received.

/TEXT COMMUNICATION Deadline 1 (February 1) Reminder Subject: Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation – DEADLINE REMINDER To remind students who have missing requirements for the first deadline (February 1) Sent via and Text 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, and 1/29 Deadline 2 (March 15) Reminder Subject: Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation – ACTION REQUIRED To remind students who are missing the SAR/CFE due March 15 who have already submitted the required materials due at the first deadline Sent via and Text 2/17, 3/2, 3/8, 3/12, and 3/14

COMMUNICATION (RECOMMENDATIONS) Subject: Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation - Recommendation Request Sent to recommender when student enters a reference in the application area Also when student requests to “resend request” in application area Subject: Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation - Recommendation Submitted Sent to student and recommender when a recommendation is submitted

COMMUNICATION (RECOMMENDATIONS) Subject: Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation - Recommendation Reminder Sent to student if they are missing one or more recommendations: 1/15 and 1/27 Sent to Recommender if they have not yet submitted: 1/15 and 1/27

COMMUNICATION WITH COUNSELORS ABOUT APPLICANTS Deadline 1 (February 1) Communication An from EducationQuest during the week of January 12 asking if Guidance Counselors would like a list of students who have started the application Deadline 2 (March 15) Communication An from EducationQuest during the week of February 23 asking if Guidance Counselors would like a list of students who submitted by the February 1 st deadline

COMMUNICATION ABOUT DECISIONS Decision s sent to all students who completed the application Decisions always sent prior to May 1

COMMON ERRORS Essay prompts are not addressed Student gives general essay responses, without sharing personal experiences/stories Incorrect documents uploaded Eligibility requirements not met (student does not have a 2.5 cumulative GPA) Students have all application materials complete, but do not officially “submit” after the consent to release Students ask recommenders who cannot answer the questions Procrastination (Students and Recommenders) Forgetting to check the “status” page

COMMON QUESTIONS What is the purpose of the Financial questions in the application when I have to submit the SAR? If I’m a DACA student do I put in my SS#? How do I let you know I’m DACA? If I have a 2.49 GPA or an EFC of $15,001, can I apply if I address it in my essay? How to complete the FAFSA - EducationQuest Others?

A LOOK AT THE APPLICATION

STATUS PAGE

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

Page where recommenders complete form

RECOMMENDATION PDF SENT TO RECOMMENDER This student works….. This student likes to…. This student wants to be….. This student takes the time to….. This student is great!

QUESTIONS?