It's that time of year again... FAFSA time!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened on October 1 for the 2019-2020 school year. Encourage your students to fill out the FAFSA to help them determine what aid they are eligible for to help fund their college education. The application can be found at FAFSA.gov. 

Registration for our Annual Conference opens on November 5!

As we know, Generation Z is in our midst. In our roles as high school guidance counselors and college admission professionals, it will be more important than ever to learn, come to know, and engage with the needs and hopes for this new generation as we assist them in navigating their future. So, join us for our Annual Conference this April in Omaha. Through networking, ideating and engaging, we will "Navigate the Next Generation" together. Check out our conference website for more details. #gpacac2019

Membership Renewal Drive for 2019

Current GPACAC members will be receiving email notices to renew membership for 2019. Be on the lookout for this email! GPACAC offers unique tools and resources to help members stay current on the college admissions landscape. The membership fee is only $15 per calendar year. Renew by December 31, 2018 for the 2019 membership. Renew now!

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for a way to get involved in Great Plains ACAC? We have the perfect opportunity for you! The following committees are in need of volunteers:

• Communication
• Governance & Nominating
• Government Relations
• Scholarships & Grants
• Technology

If you have a particular skillset or interest in any of these areas, we would love to have you on our team! For more information and to sign up, please visit our volunteer site.

ICYMI: NACAC 2018

The 74th National Conference was held September 27-29, 2019 with over 6,000 conference attendees gathered in Salt Lake City. Over 55 Great Plains ACAC members were in attendance.  Read the National Conference Highlights provided by the GPACAC president here.

News

Here is some information on what's going on in the world of college admissions:

Paying for College

There are hundreds of websites that purport to offer families advice about the complicated issue of financial aid for college. Not all of them are truly helpful. Not all are accurate. Some of them attempt to steer you to particular lenders. NACAC has compiled this list of trusted, up-to-date sources to help your students and their families navigate this process here.

Saving High School Admission Visits

We all know the cycle. Unpredictable admission yields put pressure on earlier communication and a push to apply earlier and earlier. This drives up anxiety for students concerned about checking all the boxes ASAP, causing a greater focus on the Big Four—rigorous classes, leadership, athletics, and community service. More academic rigor means that it is harder to miss class, so fewer students attend on-site high school admission sessions. With less student contact, more stealth candidates are in play and yields are unpredictable. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. ... Read more.

Expanding Access: CBOs & Regional Reps Working Together

Students involved in community-based college access and success programs are an untapped resource, said Erica Padilla, director of New York City Engagement at Utica College and a member of Regional Officers of Admission Metro NYC (ROAM NYC). ... Read more about how regional reps like Padilla are tapping into that resource and joining forces with community-based organizations here.

What is One Thing Counselors Can Do or Should Strive to Do to Improve College Access?

I think counselors should help students see the value in the breath of college and university options that exist across the spectrum. Sometimes, it seems, students and tiger families become fixated on  colleges and universities that are popular or that they consider “the best” and “catastrophize” their future prospects when they aren’t admitted to them. As counselors, we can and should be talking about the best fit for students and the reality that fit is not a singular notion when referring to optimal college and university options. Read more about how counselors can help improve college access here.

Nontraditional Students Now the Norm on College Campuses