NHEG EDGuide December 2016

2016

2016 HSLDA Essay Contest Now Open! Whose History Will You Bring to Life? History will always have a mysterious side for us because we were not there to witness most of the events that have taken place. We’ll never truly know what it was like to sit among the Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving, or to build bomb shelters in the backyard during the Cold War. This year, we want you to explore that mystery! We can’t time-travel, but we can study the past and learn how to rise above the challenges we face today and embrace a greater vision for our future. There’s a lot to choose from for your essay—depending on your age, you can select a person, day, or event from world history, U.S. history, your state history, or even your family history. To get started, put yourself in someone else’s shoes (or boots or moccasins) and let your imagination take you to their world! Category 1 (ages 7-10) – If you could go back in time, who would you most want to have a conversation with? Why? What would you want to talk about? Category 2 (ages 11-14) – If you could go back in time, what day would you most like to witness up close, like a fly on the wall, and why? Category 3 (ages 15-19) – If you could go back in time, what historical event would you like to have been involved in, and why? Enter the contest today! And as you ponder the people and events of the past, we invite you to consider how what you’re living out today will one day become your personal history. 12

Completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the single most important action you can take to get money for college. The FAFSA is used by schools to put together your financial aid package, including grants, work-study, federal student loans, and even state and school financial aid. If you’re applying for financial aid for academic year 2017–18, you can now submit your FAFSA starting October 1, 2016, using your 2015 income tax return. Be sure to submit the FAFSA every year you’re in college. Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so know your deadlines and apply as early as you can to maximize your financial aid. For the most current information on this and other changes, be sure to visit studentaid.ed.gov. How to complete the FAFSA These three simple steps can make the process faster and easier. Step 1: Gather all the information you’ll need, including: · Your drivers’ license and Social Security number Your parents’ Social Security numbers and birthdates · Your family’s latest federal income tax returns W-2 forms · Bank statements Information on your family’s investments Step 2: Bookmark FAFSA.gov · Don’t fall for scams. The only site you should use to fill out and submit your application is FAFSA.gov. · There’s no charge for submitting the FAFSA. · This is where you get your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID; the user name and password give you access to the site. · The site also has the most up-to-date information on upcoming changes. Step 3: Submit your FAFSA · The easiest and fastest way is to file online with your FSA ID. Your application will be processed within 3-5 days. · You can mail in a paper application, but the processing time will take about 7-10 days. 13 13