The Susan T. Buffett Foundation Scholarship Prepared by: Susan Buffet Foundation and EducationQuest Revised by: TeamMates Mentoring Program January Zoom Video presentation

SUSAN T. BUFFETT FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

Eligibility 1. Be a resident of the state of Nebraska 2. Graduate from a Nebraska high school or earn a Nebraska GED 3. Earn at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA 4. Be a first-time freshman when entering college ◦ Students obtaining dual enrollment credits in high school are still eligible 5. Plan to enroll in a Nebraska public institution 6. Be in need of financial assistance

Eligibility A Nebraska public institution includes: UNL, UNO, UNK, NE College of Tech. Ag. Peru State, Wayne State, or Chadron State College Southeast CC, Central CC, Metro CC, Northeast CC, Mid-Plains CC, McCook CC, Western NE CC *Students can transfer from a community college to a four year college with the scholarship

Financial Eligibility Students with an EFC below $15,000 are encouraged to apply for the scholarship (Less than $90,000 a year gross income) *Students do not need to be Pell Grant eligible to qualify 1. Refer to the EFC chart in your senior packet 2. Visit the ‘FAFSA’ section on our TM Post-Secondary website page 3. Use the College Funding Estimator to learn more about EFC funding-estimator/

Scholarship Details Maximum Term (Semester) Awards Institutions Full Time (12+hours) Three- Quarter Time (9-11 hours) Half Time (6-8 hours) Quarter Time (3-5 hours) Less than Quarter Time (1-2 hours) MCC and SECC$1,300.00$975.00$650.00$ $ All other community colleges$1,900.00$1,425.00$950.00$ $ Nebraska State Colleges$3,900.00$2,925.00$1,950.00$ $ University of Nebraska$4,350.00$3,262.50$2,175.00$1, $ NCTA$2,800.00$2,100.00$1,400.00$ $ The scholarship renews for up to five years at a four-year college or up to three years at a two-year college or until they graduate - whichever comes first.* *As long as scholarship requirements are met

Changes This Year 1.Essay Question Format Type in Text Box, no uploading documents Word limit enforced (1500) 2.Mobile Friendly Application Students and recommenders can use mobile devices to complete application requirements 3.Videos Tutorials to assist students 4.A Few Additional Application Questions

Deadlines February 1, 2016 at 11:59pm CST: 1.Application – students must click “submit,” answer final survey questions, and sign consent to release by this date, or the application will be locked 2.2 Recommendations (on-line template) 3.High School Transcript 4.Essay – must be responsive to prompt questions March 15, 2016 at 11:59pm CST: 1.Student Aid Report (SAR) or College Funding Estimator.

Recommendations Type in Recommendations using on-line tool o Form available through link sent via o Recommenders can save and come back o A PDF copy of the recommendation will be ed to recommenders when they submit o reminders and confirmations sent to both students and recommenders

Recommendations 4 specific questions and a place for additional comments 1.Please speak to the student’s work ethic and leadership skills. 2.Discuss the student’s understanding of him/herself and how you have seen this play a role in his/her life. 3.Discuss the student’s motivation, goals, and any challenges they have overcome. 4.How have you seen this student be active in the community and/or giving back to others?

Recommendations

Essay 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. 1.What are your goals and how will you reach them? 2.Describe some of your strengths and weaknesses. How have you developed/learned from these? 3.How have you demonstrated leadership in your life (community, school, job, etc.)? 4.How are you involved in giving back to others and/or your community? 5.Tell us about an obstacle or challenge you have faced. 6.Tell us about a time you worked hard to achieve something. We expect your essay to run about words

Essay 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. 1.What are your goals and how will you reach them? 2.Describe some of your strengths and weaknesses. How have you developed/learned from these? 3.How have you demonstrated leadership in your life (community, school, job, etc.)? 4.How are you involved in giving back to others and/or your community? 5.Tell us about an obstacle or challenge you have faced. 6.Tell us about a time you worked hard to achieve something. TALK ABOUT TEAMMATES IN YOUR ESSAY!!!!

Essay

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 o The will let the student know if s/he has submitted all required documents, and recommendations have been received o 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 on the application Also when student requests to “resend request” on the application 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, 1/27, and 2/1 Sent to Recommender if they have not yet submitted: 1/15, 1/27, and 2/1

Communication about Decisions Decision s sent to all students who completed the application Decisions always sent prior to May 1

Common Errors ESSAY Essay prompts are not addressed Student gives general essay responses, without sharing personal experiences/stories Forget to mention TeamMates Impact and plan to give back in the future GENERAL Incorrect documents uploaded Eligibility requirements not met (student does not have a 2.5 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

Questions or Concerns?!?!

A Look at the Application

Questions?

For additional FAQ’s, visit the Susan Buffett Foundation website at scholarships