Senior Year
The senior year is the culmination of your student's high school career. It is the most busy year of all and include many deadlines to meet if your student plans to attend college or other training programs after graduation.
For all up to date information, make sure to check out the monthly Senior/Scholarship Update which is posted at the beginning of each month. It will be posted on this website and also at the the FUHS counseling blog at http://fuhscounseling.blogspot.com, bulletin board in the counseling office and with senior teachers. Your counselor will help with college applications, financial aid and scholarship information, however, it will be up to the student to follow through with all deadlines and tasks associated with these important topics. At the beginning of the senior year, the senior counselor will discuss the senior year calendar with seniors and parents (there will be a parent presentation at Open House Night). For the remainder of the year, plan to check in at least once a month to stay abreast of all the current information. |
Senior Year Timeline
September
1. Register for the October SAT 1- Reasoning Test and or the ACT plus writing. Colleges will accept the highest score from either test. The SAT Reasoning Test contains more math than the ACT. Plan to have all testing completed by November. For fee waiver information, see Mrs. Austin. You can register online atwww.collegeboard.com for the SAT and at www.actstudent.org for the ACT. SAT Subject tests may be required as well for certain select colleges and are recommended for certain University of California campus programs. The SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT II- Subject Tests cannot be taken on the same date.
2. Continue to research college/vocational plans.
3. Prepare for the SAT or ACT by using the practice test booklets or the handy free online website at www.number2.com or www.collegeboard.com
4. Open your “senior file”, which is a resume of your activities, leadership, goals, etc. This is kept on file in the counseling office with Robin Eckerfield. These files are used extensively with local scholarships. This file includes 3 letters of recommendations from teachers. Now is the time to ask them to write letters for you. These letters will be used when you apply for scholarships.
5. Look for scholarship information over the internet, watch the bulletin and be sure to check the senior updates which are posted at the beginning of each month.
6. Any student who wishes to play sports at a Div. 1 or Div. II college will
need to fill out and send in a NCAA Clearinghouse form to establish eligibility for college athletics. Go online to www.ncaa.org and follow instructions to register.
October
1. Try to narrow college choices. Check out college websites for
Admissions information, , financial aid and housing information. Applications for CSUs and UCs will be available online to seniors in October.
2. CSUs begin accepting applications. CSU priority filing period – October and November. Apply at www.csumentor.edu
3. As you receive these materials, create a separate file for each college.
Each file should include a checklist of all the admission items required by each school. READ ALL MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO ALL DEADLINES. MARK THEM DOWN ON A CALENDAR TO MAKE IT EASIER TO REMEMBER
4. Begin to research financial aid resources through the internet and keep checking the counseling office every month for available scholarships.
5. Register for the November SAT Reasoning Test or SAT II- Subject Tests. Some campuses use November as the last date to test and still be eligible for admission. Be sure to check with each campus just to be safe. If you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet, now is the time to sign up.
6. Begin working on your personal essay for UC and certain private colleges. Ask a teacher to give you feedback.
7. Some private colleges may require a Profile form, which is an additional financial aid form. These forms are available online at: www.collegeboard.com
8. If you’re interested in joining the military, sign up for the ASVAB test
9. Make sure you have an email address that works all the time and doesn’t filter important correspondence into your junk mail. Colleges communicate electronically and use email extensively. Be sure to check your email regularly all year. Everything related to college and financial aid is done online.
November
1. This is the month to send in your CSU and UC applications. All UC applications must be sent by the end of the month. You’ll need a transcript to help you fill out these applications. For UC students, you’ll need a transcript and list of UC approved courses. Pick these up from Maureen in the office or your counselor. You can apply online at www.csumentor.edu or www.universityofcalifornia.edu.
2. Check all application deadlines for private colleges, since they all differ.
3. Register for the December SAT or ACT if you still haven’t done so. Depending on your college, this could be the last opportunity to take the SATs and have your scores sent to the colleges on time (some colleges require an earlier SAT deadline so be sure to check with each campus)
December
1. Begin gathering all financial materials together for tax/income information. You will need this in order to complete your financial aid applications. You and your parents do not need to have your 1040 tax form completed before filling out the financial aid application – you may estimate this information, but the more accurate your information, the better.
2. Plan to attend the Financial Aid Workshop in December. This workshop will help you through all the steps in filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Try not to miss this workshop. All parents should attend as well.
3. Apply for a PIN for both you and your parent. You’ll need this PIN number to use as your signature if you plan to apply for financial aid online. If you apply for a PIN ahead of time, you’ll have it ready to use when its time to apply in January. Go to: www.fafsa.ed.gov and click on “register for a PIN”. Make sure to register for both yourself and your parent. You’ll need social security numbers and birthdates.
January
1. You can send in your FAFSA online at this website: http://fafsa.ed.gov, however
be sure to sign with a PIN or mail in the signature page. Do this as soon after January 1st as possible. Don’t do it before Jan. 1st.
2. BE SURE TO CHECK FINANCIAL AID DEADLINES FOR ALL SCHOOLS YOU’RE PLANNING TO ATTEND
3. Continue to apply for any scholarships or grants that may be available.
February
1. If you are applying to private colleges, they will often request a “mid-year transcript”. This is a copy of your transcript after the first semester of your senior year. Notify Maureen in the office if you need to have this sent.
2. Apply to CR online at www.redwoods.edu
3. Some private colleges and CSUs will begin to notify students of acceptance.
4. Notify all colleges in writing if there are any changes in your second semester schedule.
5. After submitting your FAFSA online, your Student Aid Report (SAR) will be available online at the same website (www.fafsa.ed.gov). This confirms what you submitted on the FAFSA. You can make any changes or corrections on this form, including adding additional colleges. Be sure to follow ALL directions, otherwise your financial aid will be held up.
6. Be sure to check out housing options. Send in your housing deposit if you are planning to live on campus. Many colleges have limited dorm space and housing is first come, first serve. Don’t wait. Be sure to plan ahead of time for housing.
March
1. Check with your colleges to make sure they have received all paperwork.
2. UC campuses begin notifying students of acceptance.
3. CR begins its registration process including online applications, placement testing and advising.
4. When dealing with colleges, remember that all departments are separate.
Admissions is separate from Financial Aid, and both are separate from Housing. You’ll need to deal with each department separately. Never assume that what you tell Admissions will be passed on to Financial Aid, and vice-versa.
5. Watch for information on orientation and/or placement tests. The placement tests are designed to figure out the appropriate English/math levels for college courses. Try to complete these tests as soon as possible, otherwise your registration may be delayed. The CSUs require the ELM/EPT and the UCs require the Subject A and math placement tests.
6. Update your parent’s tax information on the FAFSA if it is available using the FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval Tool. If not, do it next month.
April-May
1. Be in contact with the Financial Aid Office of the college you are planning to attend. Is your financial aid file complete?
2. Watch your email. After your SAR is finished, the next email you’ll receive is instructions on how to access your letter of award. Usually you’ll sign into the college financial aid site to access this information. As you begin to receive offers, compare them with each other. When you’ve decided on a school, be sure to sign your award letter (if applicable) and return it by the DEADLINE date. If not, your award will no longer be valid.
3. At the same time, make final decisions about which college to attend.
4. Notify the other colleges that you will not be attending their institution.
June
1. Submit a final transcript request to Courtney in the office if requested by your college
2. If you were fortunate to have won a scholarship, be sure to write a note of thanks to your scholarship donor.
September
1. Register for the October SAT 1- Reasoning Test and or the ACT plus writing. Colleges will accept the highest score from either test. The SAT Reasoning Test contains more math than the ACT. Plan to have all testing completed by November. For fee waiver information, see Mrs. Austin. You can register online atwww.collegeboard.com for the SAT and at www.actstudent.org for the ACT. SAT Subject tests may be required as well for certain select colleges and are recommended for certain University of California campus programs. The SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT II- Subject Tests cannot be taken on the same date.
2. Continue to research college/vocational plans.
3. Prepare for the SAT or ACT by using the practice test booklets or the handy free online website at www.number2.com or www.collegeboard.com
4. Open your “senior file”, which is a resume of your activities, leadership, goals, etc. This is kept on file in the counseling office with Robin Eckerfield. These files are used extensively with local scholarships. This file includes 3 letters of recommendations from teachers. Now is the time to ask them to write letters for you. These letters will be used when you apply for scholarships.
5. Look for scholarship information over the internet, watch the bulletin and be sure to check the senior updates which are posted at the beginning of each month.
6. Any student who wishes to play sports at a Div. 1 or Div. II college will
need to fill out and send in a NCAA Clearinghouse form to establish eligibility for college athletics. Go online to www.ncaa.org and follow instructions to register.
October
1. Try to narrow college choices. Check out college websites for
Admissions information, , financial aid and housing information. Applications for CSUs and UCs will be available online to seniors in October.
2. CSUs begin accepting applications. CSU priority filing period – October and November. Apply at www.csumentor.edu
3. As you receive these materials, create a separate file for each college.
Each file should include a checklist of all the admission items required by each school. READ ALL MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO ALL DEADLINES. MARK THEM DOWN ON A CALENDAR TO MAKE IT EASIER TO REMEMBER
4. Begin to research financial aid resources through the internet and keep checking the counseling office every month for available scholarships.
5. Register for the November SAT Reasoning Test or SAT II- Subject Tests. Some campuses use November as the last date to test and still be eligible for admission. Be sure to check with each campus just to be safe. If you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet, now is the time to sign up.
6. Begin working on your personal essay for UC and certain private colleges. Ask a teacher to give you feedback.
7. Some private colleges may require a Profile form, which is an additional financial aid form. These forms are available online at: www.collegeboard.com
8. If you’re interested in joining the military, sign up for the ASVAB test
9. Make sure you have an email address that works all the time and doesn’t filter important correspondence into your junk mail. Colleges communicate electronically and use email extensively. Be sure to check your email regularly all year. Everything related to college and financial aid is done online.
November
1. This is the month to send in your CSU and UC applications. All UC applications must be sent by the end of the month. You’ll need a transcript to help you fill out these applications. For UC students, you’ll need a transcript and list of UC approved courses. Pick these up from Maureen in the office or your counselor. You can apply online at www.csumentor.edu or www.universityofcalifornia.edu.
2. Check all application deadlines for private colleges, since they all differ.
3. Register for the December SAT or ACT if you still haven’t done so. Depending on your college, this could be the last opportunity to take the SATs and have your scores sent to the colleges on time (some colleges require an earlier SAT deadline so be sure to check with each campus)
December
1. Begin gathering all financial materials together for tax/income information. You will need this in order to complete your financial aid applications. You and your parents do not need to have your 1040 tax form completed before filling out the financial aid application – you may estimate this information, but the more accurate your information, the better.
2. Plan to attend the Financial Aid Workshop in December. This workshop will help you through all the steps in filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Try not to miss this workshop. All parents should attend as well.
3. Apply for a PIN for both you and your parent. You’ll need this PIN number to use as your signature if you plan to apply for financial aid online. If you apply for a PIN ahead of time, you’ll have it ready to use when its time to apply in January. Go to: www.fafsa.ed.gov and click on “register for a PIN”. Make sure to register for both yourself and your parent. You’ll need social security numbers and birthdates.
January
1. You can send in your FAFSA online at this website: http://fafsa.ed.gov, however
be sure to sign with a PIN or mail in the signature page. Do this as soon after January 1st as possible. Don’t do it before Jan. 1st.
2. BE SURE TO CHECK FINANCIAL AID DEADLINES FOR ALL SCHOOLS YOU’RE PLANNING TO ATTEND
3. Continue to apply for any scholarships or grants that may be available.
February
1. If you are applying to private colleges, they will often request a “mid-year transcript”. This is a copy of your transcript after the first semester of your senior year. Notify Maureen in the office if you need to have this sent.
2. Apply to CR online at www.redwoods.edu
3. Some private colleges and CSUs will begin to notify students of acceptance.
4. Notify all colleges in writing if there are any changes in your second semester schedule.
5. After submitting your FAFSA online, your Student Aid Report (SAR) will be available online at the same website (www.fafsa.ed.gov). This confirms what you submitted on the FAFSA. You can make any changes or corrections on this form, including adding additional colleges. Be sure to follow ALL directions, otherwise your financial aid will be held up.
6. Be sure to check out housing options. Send in your housing deposit if you are planning to live on campus. Many colleges have limited dorm space and housing is first come, first serve. Don’t wait. Be sure to plan ahead of time for housing.
March
1. Check with your colleges to make sure they have received all paperwork.
2. UC campuses begin notifying students of acceptance.
3. CR begins its registration process including online applications, placement testing and advising.
4. When dealing with colleges, remember that all departments are separate.
Admissions is separate from Financial Aid, and both are separate from Housing. You’ll need to deal with each department separately. Never assume that what you tell Admissions will be passed on to Financial Aid, and vice-versa.
5. Watch for information on orientation and/or placement tests. The placement tests are designed to figure out the appropriate English/math levels for college courses. Try to complete these tests as soon as possible, otherwise your registration may be delayed. The CSUs require the ELM/EPT and the UCs require the Subject A and math placement tests.
6. Update your parent’s tax information on the FAFSA if it is available using the FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval Tool. If not, do it next month.
April-May
1. Be in contact with the Financial Aid Office of the college you are planning to attend. Is your financial aid file complete?
2. Watch your email. After your SAR is finished, the next email you’ll receive is instructions on how to access your letter of award. Usually you’ll sign into the college financial aid site to access this information. As you begin to receive offers, compare them with each other. When you’ve decided on a school, be sure to sign your award letter (if applicable) and return it by the DEADLINE date. If not, your award will no longer be valid.
3. At the same time, make final decisions about which college to attend.
4. Notify the other colleges that you will not be attending their institution.
June
1. Submit a final transcript request to Courtney in the office if requested by your college
2. If you were fortunate to have won a scholarship, be sure to write a note of thanks to your scholarship donor.