SENIORS
Welcome to your Senior Year!
Senior year is a very exciting and busy time. College applications and post-secondary planning will keep you busy throughout the Fall and early Winter.
The Counseling Department is equipped to assist you and your family through this extremely eventful and thrilling time. Below you will find information on College Applications, Financial Aid for Colleges, SAT testing, and several other topics.
If you have any questions concerning this information or other concerns, please stop by and talk to your guidance counselor.
Have a great year!!!
COLLEGE PLANNING
Winter/Spring Timeline
- December
As you finish and send your applications and essays, be sure to keep Application Deadlines in mind. - January
Continue to apply to colleges
Parents can access and complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See link below. - February
Stay motivated and continue to work hard. Accepting colleges do look at second-semester senior grades. - April
You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April. If you have not done so, visit your final college before formally accepting. As soon as you decide, notify your counselor of your choice.
If you have questions about housing offers, call the college.
RELATED DOCUMENTS FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
Applying for Aid
Colleges require families to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA). The FAFSA becomes available in December and is filed after January 1st. This form is completed online and must be submitted by the colleges deadline. A missed deadline can mean lost aid. See www.fafsa.ed.gov for forms and information. Click here for a Step by Step tutorial on filling out the FAFSA.
Types of Financial Aid
- Scholarships
money that does not have to be paid awarded on the basis of merit, skill, or unique characteristic. Each college has their own guidelines and requirements for scholarship eligibility. Click here to learn more about private scholarships.
Grants: money that does not have to be paid back usually awarded on the basis of financial need. Click here to learn more about grants. - Loans
money that students and parents borrow in order to pay for educational expenses. Click here to learn more about loans.
Useful Financial Aid Links
- FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov
- Fafsa4Caster (Provides eligibility estimates for the FAFSA): www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
- The Financial Aid Information Page: www.finaid.org
- Maryland Higher Education Commission: www.mhec.state.md.us