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Curious on what to do in order to stay on top of your high school experience?
Take note of the following timelines to keep up with!
Freshman & Sophomore Years 🐣
Start a resume: Track extracurriculars, honors, leadership roles, community service.
Build relationships: Start connecting with teachers, counselors, and mentors for future recommendations.
Explore interests: Join clubs, volunteer, and seek leadership opportunities.
Research: Begin understanding what scholarships are out there and what they require.
Junior Year 📚
Fall (Aug–Oct):
Take the PSAT/NMSQT for National Merit consideration.
Research scholarships that open early (many are available to juniors).
Attend college and scholarship info sessions.
Check out Affordable Colleges to find colleges that fit your budget!
Winter (Nov–Jan):
Build a scholarship tracker (spreadsheet or app).
Draft a personal statement/essay (can be used for multiple apps).
Start browsing specific college scholarship portals.
Spring (Feb–May):
Ask for letters of recommendation.
Apply for local/niche scholarships with spring deadlines.
Consider summer programs that look great on applications.
Senior Year 🎓
Summer Before Senior Year (June–Aug):
Finalize resume.
Start main scholarship essays.
Identify recommenders and request letters early.
Create a master calendar for deadlines.
Read through Scholarship Central's Tips.
Fall (Sept–Nov):
Apply to early-deadline scholarships (ex: Coca-Cola, Jack Kent Cooke, QuestBridge).
Submit college apps early if required for school-specific scholarships.
Attend local scholarship workshops and fairs.
DCHS FAFSA Night is October 15 during Parent Teacher Conferences from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Be sure to stop by and see Sara Rose, a financial aid coordinator and wealth of knowledge, to get set up with your application!
Winter (Dec–Feb):
Apply for state and local scholarships (many open during this window).
Update FAFSA and financial aid info (WV deadline = April 15 for maximum aid).
Submit all rolling and ongoing apps.
Spring (Mar–May):
Check for smaller/local scholarships still open.
Notify schools of any external awards.
Send thank-you notes to scholarship providers.
Submit required documents (proof of enrollment, transcripts, etc.).
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