Counselor Updates
October 2026
UNO Financial Aid 101
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is hosting Financial Aid 101, a series of virtual sessions designed to help prospective students and their families understand the financial aid process, FAFSA, scholarships, financial aid offers, and more.
No registration or application is required! Anyone of your students and families can simply join us using the link below:
Join Financial Aid 101:
UNO Financial Aid 101 Zoom Session
Upcoming Sessions for Prospective Students
October 6, 2026 at 6 p.m.
All Things FAFSA
Learn about the FAFSA and what students and families need to know as they begin the financial aid process.
November 3, 2026 at 6 p.m.
UNO Scholarships
Learn more about scholarship opportunities at UNO and how students can find and apply for scholarships within UNO and other organizations.
December 1, 2026 at 6 p.m.
Understanding Your Award and Your Bill
Learn how to understand a financial aid offer and how financial aid applies to a student's bill.
January 5, 2027 at 6 p.m.
FAFSA Verification
Learn what FAFSA verification is, why a student may be selected, and what to expect if additional documentation is required.
We would greatly appreciate you sharing these sessions with your college-bound seniors and their families. These sessions are a great opportunity for students to get their financial aid questions answered directly by UNO's Financial Support and Scholarships team.
For more information about Financial Aid 101, visit:
UNO Financial Aid 101
Upcoming College Representative Visits
Nebraska Wesleyan - Wednesday, October 28th
Truman State University - Thursday, October 29th
University of Nebraska at Lincoln Honors Program - Wednesday, November 4th
Bellevue University - Thursday, November 5th
AFROTC Scholarship - Thursday, November 12th
Here are the steps for students to sign-up to attend:
- Log-in to Schoolinks
- Click on the 'Events' tab at the top of the page
- Click on the blue tab that says 'unregistered events'
- Click on the event you would like to attend
- Then click 'register for this event' on the blue tab on the right hand side of the page
The list changes frequently this time of year - so be sure to check it often.
All visits will be held on Wednesday or Thursday during FlexTime (11:04-11:34), location will vary.
UNL Chemical Engineering Department High School Senior Day: Monday, November 2nd!
From 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
All high school seniors interested in chemical engineering are invited to register and attend. If you are interested, please register by October 19. The day will include current chemical engineering student panels, alumni career presentations, hands-on engineering design challenges, lab tours, and research presentations. High school seniors should register HERE
U.S. Senate Youth Program - Applications due by October 16th
Applications are NOW OPEN for the 2026-2027 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) 65th annual Washington Week to be held March 6th-13th, 2027 in Washington, D.C. Two Nebraska students will be selected for the week-long government and leadership education program and will each receive a $12,500 college scholarship. This is a unique experience for outstanding high school students, and an opportunity for motivated student leaders to have direct contact with the highest-level elected and appointed officials in the nation. The USSYP mission is to encourage the best and brightest students in America’s high schools to pursue careers in public service. Applications are due by October 16th, 2026. Please visit United States Senate Youth Program – Nebraska Department of Education for more information or contact marissa.payzant@nebraska.gov with questions.
Nebraska Maintenance Academy - Vocational Training!
What NMA does:
To offer vocational training to those most in need, including but not limited to non-college-bound high school students, veterans, and any individual who desires a meaningful career change.
To provide educational training, resources, and certification for the Nebraska maintenance prospective and current workforce.
To immediately place those now trained individuals into careers. This is what differentiates NMA from other vocational training; namely, NMA is confident that a very high percentage of our trainees will get well-paying jobs with good benefits.
Train 45 people per year.
Each student is put through a 12-week intensive training.
12-week classroom hands-on training covering the following topics to achieve certification level:
•Drywall & Carpentry •Appliance Repair •Tile & Flooring •Pool Maintenance
•Electric •HVAC •Plumbing •OSHA
4-week onsite paid training will cover the following:
•Turns/Make Ready •Customer Service •Work Orders
•Workshop Safety •Grounds work •Employer Expectations
Click HERE to complete the student application
Click HERE for the website and more information
If you've ever thought of being a health care professional who saves lives or wondered what it's like to research the next breakthrough in medicine, then the UNMC High School Alliance is for you.
The program is your opportunity to observe, shadow and work alongside world-renowned health care professionals and researchers at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and public health advocates.
The year-long experience offers innovative courses for juniors and seniors that are not available in the traditional high school setting, such as infectious diseases, biomedical research and medical decision-making.
To learn more about the program, click HERE.
Athletic Training Program Shadowing Opportunity at Wesleyan University
If you are interested, please contact:
Jason Ensrud, ATC
Director of Sports Medicine
Nebraska Wesleyan University
5000 St. Paul Ave.
Lincoln, NE 68504
402-465-7508
Scholarship Opportunities:
Click HERE for Scholarship Opportunities
Schoolinks (under the College < Scholarship matching)
OnToCollege Test Prep for Wildcat Students
Ready to boost your ACT® or SAT® score?
Millard West partners with OnToCollege to give you access to engaging, proven Test Prep that helps you build confidence, earn scholarships, and open doors to your future.
With your OnToCollege account, you’ll find:
Short, entertaining lessons that teach real test strategies
Practice tests, quizzes, and solution videos
Tips for managing time and reducing test anxiety
College and scholarship planning tools
If you’ve already started your OnToCollege course, keep going! Explore additional practice materials and videos to sharpen your skills before test day.
Don't forget to check out our Live! Online Help before every National Test Date.
If you’re new to OnToCollege, log in now to get started. Don’t know your login? Ask your school counselor for your OnToCollege access information so you can jump in today!
Selective Service Registration
Most scholarships are based on academics, but others are based on community service, school involvement, or a talent. Some are based on financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA.
Here’s where you can find scholarships:
- ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org houses over 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. After you create a profile, you’ll be matched with scholarships that fit your criteria.
- Your school counselor’s office. Visit regularly to check on local and national awards.
- The college you plan to attend. Contact the school for a list of scholarships they provide and application procedures.
- National search sites such as College Board, Peterson’s and Chegg.
- Other resources could include your coach, clubs and organizations, and your parents’ employers and civic organizations.
Schoolinks
Parents can also explore scholarship opportunities that are available to students. Parents may set up their own Schoolinks account by emailing your student's name and grade to Mrs. Denise Marshall at dkmarshall@mpsomaha.org.
Education Quest
EducationQuest provides free college planning services, need-based scholarship programs, college access grants for high schools, college access resources for middle schools, and outreach services for community agencies.
With that being said, EducationQuest is an incredible resource that is located right here in Omaha. They are located in Rockbrook Village and can help parents complete the FAFSA and with their scholarship search.
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Both the student and a parent will each need a Federal Student Aid ID to access and sign the FAFSA. To create an ID, please visit https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm.
Millard West Counseling Office
Website: https://mwhs.mpsomaha.org/counseling
Location: 5710 S. 176th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68135
Phone: 402-715-6015
Twitter: @MWHS_Counseling