Governor declares October NSCS Month; High school seniors benefit

Governor Heineman said, “Today students need more than a high school diploma. They need a two or preferably a four-year degree and the Nebraska State College System – Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges – do a great job of providing accessible, high quality education.”

To help celebrate this recognition, the NSCS is offering two extra benefits that will make college more accessible for high school seniors: Campus Visit Book Scholarships and Application Week.

Campus Visit Book Scholarships

Students who visit Chadron, Peru or Wayne State Colleges and take a campus tour during NSCS Month in October will be eligible to win an $800 book scholarship.

NSCS Associate Vice Chancellor Sheri Irwin-Gish said, “Students spend approximately $800 on books each year. We want to assist students who visit our colleges so they can make the best choice for their future. These book scholarships will have a significant impact on the students’ bookstore bills.”

NSCS Chancellor Stan Carpenter said, “The small class size, flexible scheduling and high level of student-faculty engagement found at Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges result in an exceptionally personal college experience that brings out the best in our students. And, the best way to find out about our colleges is to visit. Walk on the campuses; talk with faculty, students and staff. Visiting our colleges is an excellent way to discover that the Nebraska State College System is ‘Three colleges, thousands of opportunities’.”

Application Week

Another benefit offered during the month of October is NSCS Application Week, which starts Monday, October 18 and ends Friday, October 22. During Application Week, Chadron, Peru and Wayne State College representatives will visit more than 100 high schools across Nebraska to help students apply for admission to the three colleges via the Internet. 

Since college representatives cannot travel to every high school, counselors are asked to partner with us in this effort by encouraging students to apply online and assisting them with the online applications.

Carpenter said, “The overall goal of the Nebraska State College System Application Week is to provide access and assistance for every graduating senior who wants to attend one of our colleges. In keeping with our mission of access, we are making it as easy as possible for a student to apply for admission.”

Irwin-Gish added that the college representatives will also provide the NSCS Guide for all seniors when visiting the high schools. The guide includes a checklist of the steps necessary after applying for admission. It also provides information about NSCS scholarships and scholarship applications, a listing of academic majors, facts about financial aid and how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. For a copy of the NSCS Guide, email sirwin@nscs.edu.

“We know that applying for admission is a great start. We also want the students to know what the next steps are in the process. While at each high school, our college representatives will answer any questions about Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges. We want to leave students with the knowledge needed to assist them throughout the process,” Irwin-Gish said.

Students can complete an admission application by going to the Nebraska State College System website at www.nscs.edu and clicking on the APPLY NOW button. They can also go to the college websites listed below.

Campus tours also can be scheduled through the Admissions Offices via phone or web at:

-- Chadron State: 1-800-242-3766 or www.csc.edu/admissions

-- Peru State: 1-800-742-4412 or www.peru.edu/admissions

-- Wayne State: 1-866-WSC-CATS or www.wsc.edu/admission

The Nebraska State College System serves 9,000 students from Nebraska and surrounding states through three geographically diverse institutions: Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges. Combined, the three colleges offer more than 200 degree, certificate and pre-professional programs that are accessible on the three campuses, via the Internet, and in several satellite locations throughout the state. With more than 250 credentialed faculty members and 50,000 successful graduates, the NSCS provides significant human and intellectual capital that contributes to the current and future economic strength of the State of Nebraska.