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.
Survey Shows Students Need Help Completing FAFSA
Paying for college is challenging, but receiving some financial aid can ease the burden on students and families. Dealing with FAFSA technical issues
Many of us know that feeling of frustration – you’re trying finish an online task, but it just doesn’t work.
South Dakota ACT scores above national average
South Dakota students continued to score above the national average in its ACT composite score for 2021, according to information recently released by the state’s Department of Education.
PSLF Tool updated to help borrowers determine eligibility
Student loan borrowers who haven’t checked their eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness lately may want to try again using the updated tool provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
The bottom line on financial aid offers
Choosing a college is an important financial decision.
The where and how of a successful scholarship search
If you are looking for scholarships to help you play for college, there are a lot available.
Displaying your accomplishments
Winter break is a good time to get caught up on projects that are harder to find time for during the school year.
December tasks for high school seniors
During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice.
The best time to apply for college - College Application Month
The college application process can be costly if you want to apply to more than one school or institution.
Follow “Our Dakota Dreams” on social media
Taking the first step toward making a dream come true, especially when it requires attending college, can feel difficult – so difficult that many people abandon their dreams.
Steps to repayment flyer updated
With student loan repayment set to begin February 1, your former students may be asking for guidance.
Board of Regents Launches Our Dakota Dream Coalition
All SD Colleges, Universities Extend Free Application Period to Six Weeks for South Dakota Residents. Troubleshooting the FAFSA’s IRS Data Retrieval tool
Applying for financial aid is easy when you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool – unless the tool doesn’t work for you.
Finding the right college on SouthDakota.MappingYourFuture.org
Students can now research prospective schools and colleges using the new College Explorer tool on the SouthDakota.MappingYourFuture.org website. Planned outages to impact financial aid application and repayment plan
If you want to make applying for financial aid as easy as possible, you may want to avoid completing the application during a few specific times in November. These numbers have a huge impact on your financial aid offer
Whether you love or hate math problems, figuring out the amount of money you’ll need for college can be overwhelming. November tasks for high school seniors
During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice.
FAFSA completions in South Dakota
Mapping Your Future is publishing a monthly FAFSA update flyer for South Dakota with facts and figures related to FAFSA completion.
Order printed brochures, flyers, bookmarks for students and parents
Several South Dakota publications have recently been updated
New tool launched to estimate federal financial aid
Students and parents can get a peek at how much federal financial aid they might receive with a new tool released this week by the U.S. Department of Education.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program overhaul
The Department of Education announced a major overhaul of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Fall enrollment at South Dakota’s public universities
The number of students at South Dakota’s public universities is mostly unchanged from year, according to a report from the Board of Regents.
Schedule your fall financial aid night event
Now is a great time to schedule your fall financial aid night event with Mapping Your Future. Students now have more time to save money on college admissions
As a part of a state-wide College Access Campaign, students can apply to several South Dakota institutions, and they won’t have to pay an application fee. Alert for 2022-23 FAFSA filers with 2020 unemployment income
Some students and parents who received unemployment income in 2020 could see an incorrect reduction in their eligibility for need-based aid for the 2022-23 academic year. October tasks for high school seniors
During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice. 2022-23 FAFSA materials now available for training and presentations
In another sign that a new FAFSA season is upon us, the Department of Education has released the final versions of the 2022–23 FAFSA form and worksheet.
A worksheet to prepare for the 2022-23 FAFSA
Students and parents seeking financial aid for college can get a head start on the application process by reviewing a worksheet released earlier this month by the U.S. Department of Education. Two questions to be removed from future federal aid applications
Two questions will be disappearing from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). . . but not just yet.
2022-23 FAFSA information posted by Department of Education
It is a sign that fall is almost here. Answering student and parent questions about the 2022-23 FAFSA
Although the future may still seem a little uncertain now with the pandemic, completing the FAFSA is one way students can keep their options open. New South Dakota educational opportunity in the medical field
Students interested in the medical field now have another educational program to choose from in South Dakota.
Jobs program for students featured on South Dakota Public Radio
A job program for high school students in the state recently took the spotlight on a South Dakota Public Broadcasting Radio program.
September tasks for high school seniors
The college preparation that takes place during your senior year is filled with a lot of details and paperwork.
A four-step process to making good decisions for your future
The decisions you make today will have life-long significance.
The secrets of scholarship-winning students
Applying for scholarships can seem like a lot of work when there’s no guarantee that you will receive any money for your education.
Strategies for students and parents when money for college runs short
Not to ruin anyone’s summertime vibe, but just a reminder - it won’t be long now before fall semester tuition bills come due. August tasks for high school seniors
Some facets of your senior year may look different than past years, but starting your senior year is still an exciting time. South Dakota students named presidential scholars; teachers honored
Despite dealing with educational challenges brought on by the pandemic, high school seniors from across the country, including three South Dakota students, accomplished enough to be named U.S. Presidential Scholars.
Reduced tuition rate approved for Ellsworth program
Active-duty Airmen and some of their family members are among those who can take advantage of reduced tuition for a new postsecondary education program to be offered at Ellsworth Air Force Base in the fall.
Research reveals educational, performance benefits of taking a break
It was a little unscheduled break in the action during the Tuesday night game.
Selective Service, drug questions won't impact financial aid
Students completing the FAFSA for the next couple of years will see questions about Selective Service and drug convictions, but no matter how students answer the questions, it will not impact their financial aid.
TEACH Grant program changes to benefit teachers, students
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced changes to the TEACH Grant Program that will support teachers and encourage students to enter the teaching profession.
Accomplishing career goals with stackable credentials
For some students, knowing what education they want to pursue is clear, but finding a program that matches their interest is a challenge.
Making the grade when it comes to financial matters
As a high school student, you probably often aspire to getting a good score when it comes to your classes. New resources and features on StudentAid.gov
Since students have finished their studies for the academic year, it's a good time to think about the future.
Borrowers should research Student Loan Forgiveness options
Student Loan Forgiveness is trending topic both online and in offline conversations. Scholarship opportunities on Department of Labor website
Although the main purpose of the site is to provide information about careers, CareerOneStop also offers scholarship information to help with funding the education needed for a chosen career.
The Full Student webinar recording available
As a college student himself, Kadeem Leslie recently provided his unique insight into the challenges currently faced by many students in a Mapping Your Future webinar presented in early May.
Parking spots and five other advantages to attending summer classes
Even if you don't list summer school at the top of your list of summer fun activities, it can be a very rewarding experience.
Practice budgeting skills with summer job earnings
A summer job offers many benefits for students in addition to the money earned. 
StudentAid.gov to be only site for students, parents to create FSA ID
To make StudentAid.gov a one-stop location for all federal financial aid functions, the Department of Education announced it will retire the previous website used for creating an FSA ID.
CareerShip information recently updated
The ability to research careers is important to selecting a career path.
Packing list for college bound students
If you plan to live in a dorm for the fall semester, you can start preparing now by knowing what you plan to take with you.
Three things students should do to prepare for their senior year
Senior year of high school is exciting, but the truth is – it can also be very overwhelming. How a campus tour can be critical to your college success
A key to a successful college experience for some students is being in the right environment. Schedule 2021 online presentations for your students
Plan now for next fall by scheduling online presentations for your students. Borrowers warned about student loan scams in social media campaign
While a friendly April Fool’s joke can be amusing, it’s no fun to be fooled by student loan scams.
Handout created to explore SouthDakota.MappingYourFuture.org site
Mapping Your Future created a handout to help students explore the SouthDakota.MappingYourFuture.org website in conjunction with the Council on College Admission in South Dakota (CCASD) Virtual College Fair to be held March 22-April 1. Celebrating work in South Dakota
Work is essential to our lives, and as such, it deserves a week-long celebration.
Fall semester to look more like normal at state’s public universities
Students and parents can look forward to a return to more normal operations at South Dakota’s six public universities and two special schools, according to an announcement from the Board of Regents.
Understanding what it means to be a dependent for financial aid
It is an important term in financial aid, but one that often creates a lot of confusion among students and parents.
The secret of successful students
Students who do well in school know there’s a strategy that helps them make good grades, earn more awards, and, overall, enjoy the learning experience. South Dakota grant and scholarship information
South Dakota students have a variety of state grant and scholarship programs available to them. CareerShip helps with career planning and college selection
Choosing the right career takes research. Tips for encouraging your students to complete the FAFSA
With 36 percent of the state’s high school seniors competing the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA), South Dakota now ranks 28th in the country in terms of FAFSA completion*.
Applying for federal financial aid will be different in the future
Students attending college in the 2023-24 academic year will see a shorter, simpler form when applying for federal financial aid. New number and access code for college planning texting service
Mapping Your Future encourages high school counselors, parents, and students or anyone interested in valuable college planning tips to sign up for its new texting service.
Important facts about the FSA ID
Students and parents should think of the FSA ID as the key that unlocks access to their federal financial aid. Asking for a lower tuition bill
Controlling the cost of higher education is an issue on the minds of many students and parents. Five things you’ll need for a successful scholarship search
To find something, you first need to know what it is you are searching for and such is the case with scholarship searches.
Brookings counselor named South Dakota Counselor of the Year
Randi Hartman, counselor at Dakota Prairie Elementary School in Brookings, was named the South Dakota School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association
South Dakota among states with the lowest student loan balance
South Dakota is among the states with the lowest student loan balances, ranking 48th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to a report released by AdvisorSmith.
Scholarship application webinar materials, recordings available
To provide insight on completing scholarship applications, two webinars were recently held. Promoting local scholarships through SDMyLife
A scholarship could make all the difference for a student trying to pay for college.
The difference between sticker price and what you will pay for college
One look at a college's sticker price and many students and their parents wonder how they will ever be able to afford higher education. Four things to consider before taking classes at another school
Most college programs are designed so you can take all the necessary classes to graduate within four years.
Five important things you should know about grad school financial aid
For many students, pursuing a graduate or professional degree can provide important career advantages, but for some students the advanced degree is not be possible without financial aid. Applying for financial aid? There's an app for that
It's never been easier or more convenient to apply for financial aid for college.
New college, career resource guide created for South Dakota students
To help students navigate the overwhelming world of resources, the South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center (SFEC) created "The Ultimate College and Career Resource Guide." Guide aims to help parents understand, engage with digital learning
Just as the experience grows with digital learning, so may be some of the frustration for students and parents. Guide to Life after High School reinforces discussions
Students can benefit from learning in a variety of formats.
College Readiness Coursework available for South Dakota students
South Dakota high school students, who want to attend college, but didn’t meet certain college readiness benchmarks, can take advantage of the College Readiness Coursework program. Session for high school students now on StudentAidPandemic.org
Planning for life after high school is challenging at any time. Common FAFSA questions addressed in podcasts
Mapping Your Future teamed up with South Dakota financial aid professionals to develop a series of podcasts to help students and parents preparing for higher education.
StudentAidPandemic.org site released
Our world today is dramatically different that it was just a few weeks ago. 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.
Deuel School District Financial Aid Event
Thursday, December 16 at 10:00 AM CSTRutland School District Financial Aid Night
Thursday, February 10 at 6:30 PM CST