Resources for South Dakota School Counselors and Financial Aid Professionals
Welcome to Mapping Your Future. We provide information and tools to help you provide effective service to your students and families, especially as they explore higher education as a means to a better future.
Mapping Your Future offers:
The South Dakota College Access News provides information and resources for counselors, students, and parents on planning, paying and succeeding in college.
Understanding Military Education Benefits webinar recording available
In the August 15th webinar, "Understanding Military Education Benefits - Three Perspectives," panelists provided information and insight on educational benefits for veterans.
Join us at the Fall School Counselor Workshops
If you plan to attend the 2019 Fall School Counselor Workshops, look for and introduce yourself to Mapping Your Future.
Schedule your fall financial aid night event
At Mapping Your Future, we’re looking forward once again to participating in financial aid night events at South Dakota high schools.
Order printed brochures, flyers, bookmarks for students and parents
The Estimated Costs and Resources for College-Bound Native American Students flyers have been updated.
2020-21 FAFSA training available for counselors
Financial aid professionals or counselors helping students with the FAFSA or managing the verification process should be aware of changes to the 2020-21 FAFSA.
Boost your career opportunities through Career Launch SD
If you are between the ages of 16-24 with little to no work history and want to gain real world work experience, Career Launch SD may be able to help.
The best week to apply for college
The college application process can be costly if you want to apply to more than one school or institution.
Do these three things for a great school year
The 2019-20 school year is underway, and it is a time of excitement and anticipation.
September tasks for high school seniors
During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice.
New South Dakota academic programs to develop workforce
Students can pursue some new career fields after the South Dakota Board of Regents approved new academic programs at their June meeting.
How one little habit can mean huge success in college
It only takes a few minutes a couple of times a day, but it can mean the difference between success and failure.
August tasks for high school seniors
Starting your senior year is an exciting time.
From SDASFAA: Ask a Financial Aid Professional
Hello counselors! SDASFAA is back this month with a few more frequently-asked financial aid questions and answers.
South Dakota teacher honored in Washington, D.C.
Erica Boomsma, a Huron School District fourth grade teacher named South Dakota's Teacher of the Year is being honored this week in Washington, D.C. Recognition at the SDASFAA Conference
At the recent South Dakota Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SDASFAA) conference, Mapping Your Future was honored to be one of those recognized.
The ABCs of being a good student
The ABCs aren't just for younger students. Knowing the code is key to financial aid
Higher Education institutions all have names - sometimes a reflection of the institution's location or history.
Packing list for college bound students
Packing for college is an exciting time, but it can be challenging to know what to pack, and easy to forget something important.
A new and improved user experience coming soon for the myFAFSA
Filling out the FAFSA will get just a little bit easier soon with some new features announced by the Department of Education.
The cost to attend a South Dakota public institution going up slightly
Students will pay a little more next year to attend one of the South Dakota public institutions.
Celebrate College Decision Day
It's a decision that will impact your life significantly. New academic programs to meet workforce needs
Students will have some new options when considering programs of study at South Dakota public higher education institutions. Get access to your federal student aid info with your phone number
For students, parents, and borrowers, getting access to their accounts on the Department of Education websites may soon be as easy as remembering their own phone number.
Spring cleaning your social media accounts
Spring is known for a good time to do some cleaning, and your social media accounts are no exception.
July tasks for high school seniors
During your senior year, you finalized your college choice.
June tasks for high school seniors
During your senior year, you finalized your college choice.
May tasks for high school seniors
As your senior year winds down, don't let yourself become distracted by solely focusing on celebrating graduation.
April tasks for high school seniors
As your senior year winds down, don't let yourself become distracted by solely focusing on celebrating graduation. March tasks for high school seniors
As your senior year winds down, make sure to complete the necessary admission applications, scholarship essays, and financial aid information. February tasks for high school seniors
During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice. January tasks for high school seniors
During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice.
Scholarship application webinar materials, recordings available
To provide insight on completing scholarship applications, two webinars were recently held.
Schedule a College planning event for juniors
College planning events are a great way to encourage juniors to prepare for their senior year and to be ready to complete the FAFSA in the fall. Free text tips and reminders for your students and parents
Everyone is pretty busy these days - even high school students. Deadline near for students seeking Critical Teaching Needs scholarship
South Dakota students interested in applying for the Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship Program have just over a month to get their application in for priority consideration. Countdown to high school graduation
If you are a high school senior getting ready to graduate, the countdown to graduation is exciting but it is a reminder that you have a lot to do in just a few short months. Reviewing your Student Aid Report
If you completed the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report. Providing summer meals for students
The South Dakota Department of Education is seeking schools and other organizations to participate in a federally funded program that provides meals and snacks to children in low-income areas during the summer months.
Jobs in South Dakota and in the United States
Software developer is one of the fastest growing jobs in South Dakota, according to research done by Yahoo Finance.
Apply for these South Dakota scholarships
South Dakota students can now apply for the Board of Regents Endowed Scholarships. Where do I start applying for financial aid?
If you are a high school senior or the parent of a senior, the next few months can be crucial to applying for financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, and loans.
South Dakota Report Card for Education indicates progress for schools
More than two-thirds of South Dakota high school graduates pursue postsecondary education, and the majority of those students choose to stay in the state for their education beyond high school.
Five facts everyone should know about parent student loans
It may be hard to believe, but parents do have a huge influence on the lives of their children. Guide to Life after High School reinforces discussions
Students can benefit from learning in a variety of formats. South Dakota students ready for future success
South Dakota students are scoring better on their ACT exam than students nationwide, and those same students have a high interest in pursuing postsecondary education.
Featuring South Dakota high schools
Mapping Your Future is glad to partner with SDEAF to provide early awareness tools and services to South Dakota high schools, students, and families. U.S. Presidential Scholars Program candidates in South Dakota
Congratulations to the sixty-five South Dakota high school students who are among the list of candidates for the 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, which honors some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
Apply now for the Build Dakota Scholarship
If you plan to attend one of South Dakota’s technical institutes next fall and pursue a degree in an area designated as high need, you could have your education paid for through the Build Dakota Scholarship Fund.
Using South Dakota website resources
The SouthDakota.MappingYourFuture.org website is designed to provide college planning information for South Dakota students and parents, as well as resources and information for South Dakota high school counselors and educators. Dakota Corp Scholarship Program
The Dakota Corps Scholarship Program was created to encourage South Dakota’s high school graduates to: Obtain their postsecondary education in South Dakota Remain in the state upon completion of their education Contribute to the state of South Dakota and its citizens by working in a critical need occupation