For the week of March 24, 2008

Earn College Credit Though CLEP
Most of you have heard of College Board’s A.P. Credit and A.P. Exams BUT most have not heard about CLEP-College Level Examination Program. CLEP is another rigorous College Board program that allows students to demonstrate their mastery of college-level material in introductory subjects and earn college credit. CLEP differs from AP because CLEP exams do not relate to a specifically designed college-level course taught in high school. Rather, CLEP exams test mastery of college-level material however acquired, whether through general academic instruction, significant independent study, or extra-curricular work. There are 34 CLEP examinations. Each exam is 90 minutes long and, except for English Composition with Essay, is made up primarily of multiple-choice questions. Some exams have fill-in questions. CLEP exams are administered on computer at college test centers. More than 2,900 colleges and universities have CLEP credit and/or placement policies. Students who take CLEP exams do so to demonstrate that they have mastered the material taught in introductory college courses. The preparation needs of students vary widely – some need only a quick review to refresh or fill in gaps in their knowledge of a subject; others need to spend several weeks studying for an exam. Students can gauge their readiness to take a CLEP exam by reviewing the exam descriptions on the CLEP website. They can also examine textbooks and other resource materials used in introductory college courses to determine whether they know most of the topics and terminology. A valuable review tool is the CLEP Official Study Guide that includes sample questions for all 34 exams. It is available in most bookstores, and through the College Board Website at www.collegeboard.com/clep Also available on the website are guides for individual examinations and the free CLEP Sampler. All are excellent tools to familiarize a student with exam questions and format. For more information about CLEP, see your counselor. CLEP exams are administered at UNO.

SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION
ATTENTION ALL 17 & 18 YEAR OLD MALE STUDENTS: If you are not registered with the Selective Service, you must do so within 30 days of turning 18. This is important guys - - it’s the law! If you don’t register, it will make you ineligible for Federal student loans. You won’t be able to participate in job training programs and will be denied access to government jobs. And if you are a male immigrant, it could even prevent you from becoming a U.S. citizen. So, do it now! You can register on-line at www.sss.gov or you can fill out a Selective Service registration form at any U.S. Post Office. If you have questions, see Mr. Carlson.

Deadline Watch:

ARE YOU LOOKING AT AGRICULTURE?
The Agriculture Institute of Nebraska and Farm Progress Companies are offering the Husker Harvest Agricultural Scholarship to nine lucky students. To be eligible, you must be pursuing a career in agriculture or agribusiness, have a 3.0+ GPA, and planning to attend a 2-4 year college or technical school that offers a program in agriculture. See the rack for all the information. Deadline: March 28, 2008.

A $500 OPPORTUNITY
Lutheran Metro Ministries is offering a $500 scholarship to persons of color. To be eligible you must have a 2.0+ GPA or higher, be a participant in a local Lutheran congregation, planning to attend an accredited school at least half-time and be a person of color. Please see the application for all the information. Deadline: March 31, 2008.

A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR NEIGHBOR
The Iowa West Foundation is again offering 25 scholarships worth $5,000 per year for up to four years. To be eligible you must have a 25 ACT or higher and demonstrate financial need. See the rack for an application and read it carefully for all the details. Hurry!! Deadline: April 1, 2008.

Previous Editions of the Weekly Guidance News:
August 27, 2007

September 4, 2007

September 10, 2007

September 17, 2007

September 24, 2007

October 1, 2007

October 8, 2007

October 15, 2007

October 29, 2007

November 5, 2007

November 12, 2007

November 19, 2007

November 26, 2007

December 3, 2007

December 10, 2007

December 17, 2007

January 14, 2008

January 21, 2008

January 28, 2008

February 4, 2008

February 11, 2008

February 18, 2008

February 25, 2008

March 3, 2008

March 10, 2008

March 17, 2008

Metro Community College/UNO
S.T.E.P. into the future with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. S.T.E.M. is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and is the basis for the STEP the STEM Talent Expansion Program. The National Science Foundation, is sponsoring a University of Nebraska Omaha and Metropolitan Community College effort to increase the number of STEM graduates. Toward this effort Metro has new articulated programs that transfer to UNO. UNO has developed four additional multi-discipline degrees that complement their existing science degrees. As part of this program, Metro is offering transferable Associate of Science Degrees in the following areas:

• Pre-Biology
• Pre-BioInformatics
• Pre-BioTechnology
• Pre-Chemistry
• Pre-Mathematics
• Pre-Physics
• Computer Science

UNO has developed interdisciplinary programs and majors such as: BioInformatics, Information Assurance, Medicinal Chemistry, Neuroscience, and many other opportunities. This program has many advantages such as undergraduate research opportunities, internship, mentorships and scholarships. For more information contact Mr. Reyes, the STEP Outreach Liaison for Metro at 457-2562 or visit http://www.mccneb.edu/careeroptions/transfer.asp#Step

CAN’T DECIDE WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GRADUATE?
Give AMERICORPS a look! Put your idealism to work through AmeriCorps. Make a community safer. Help a kid get a real education. Protect the environment. Whatever your interest, there’s an AmeriCorps program that needs your courage, your skills, and your dedication. Do something special, something unique, and something exciting. You decide where and how to serve. You can tutor kids in your own community, or build new homes for families far away from your home. Restore coastlines or help families traumatized by domestic violence. You’ll learn teamwork, communication, responsibility, and other essential skills that will help you for the rest of your life. You’ll receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, student loan deferment, and training. Plus after you complete your service you’ll receive a $4,725 education award to help pay for college, grad school, vocational training, or to pay off student loans. Choose from nearly 1000 national & local groups. Visit the AmeriCorps website at www.americorps.org or call the area recruiter at 800-942-2677.

DO YOU WANT TO BE AN ACTUARY??
If you are planning to attend UNL, UNO, UNK and majoring in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Economics, you may be eligible to earn up to $4,000! The Nebraska Insurance Federation and Nebraska Actuaries Club is offering two $4,000 scholarships for students attending one of the three University of Nebraska campuses and one $1,000 scholarship for students attending a school in Nebraska. See the rack or log on to www.n-a-c.org for more information. Deadline: March 31, 2008.

DO YOU HAVE DCFB CONNECTIONS?
The Douglas County Farm Bureau offers four $2000 scholarships for those planning to major in an agricultural field or a field to support the agricultural community. Applicants must be a family member of Douglas County Farm Bureau, graduate of a Douglas County high school, have a GPA of 3.0+ and show leadership. See the rack for all the details. Deadline: April 1, 2008.

MASONIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION HAS $$
The JO-DE-RA CAVALIERS unit of Omaha’s Tangier Shrine Center is offering a $2,000 scholarship. To be eligible you must be a member of Job’s Daughters, Rainbow Girls or DeMolay. There is no application form, but several written statements are required. See the rack. Deadline: April 1, 2008.

Please turn in all your scholarship awards. If it is an athletic scholarship, please indicate the sport(s) it is awarded for. Please don’t wait!