Higher Ed Utah

(Molly Farmer, Deseret News) — Between the state soccer tournament this week and final exams and yearbook day next week, 18-year-old Andrew Nickerson has been a little too busy to worry about his first college semester next fall.

Nickerson, a Murray High student, is like many high school seniors tasked with planning for his soon-to-be college future while having his last high school hurrahs.

“I tried to get some scholarships, but there’s still going to be a lot to cover,” he said Tuesday. “I haven’t thought about how I’m going to do that yet.”

Higher education officials say there’s still time for Nickerson and others in the class of 2011 to make necessary decisions about financial aid and their academic futures.

David Feitz, the executive director of the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority, said it’s not too late for graduating seniors to save up for tuition and apply for scholarships in addition to government grants and loans.

Feitz said the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a great tool that is oftentimes overlooked by teens and their families.

“Completing that FAFSA is the number one step that every student should start with,” he said.

After filling out the FAFSA, students learn if they qualify for Pell Grants, which are needs-based federal grants that don’t have to be paid back. The maximum Pell Grant amount is $5,550 per school year.

Feitz said there are numerous private and public scholarships that are still available and recommended students search for scholarship opportunities at websites like FastWeb and FinAid.org.

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