Grade Level Overview

Throughout all four years we are here to help students navigate through high school and access information and resources. We work with students and families to ensure that academic progress towards graduation is made and help students deal with the social-emotional pressures often found during high school

12th Grade

• Summer leading up to 12th grade:

• College applications are often available mid-summer. You can begin to work on your application during the summer. Get familiar with the Anatomy of the College Application.

• If you haven't already, start putting together a resume of awards, volunteer activities and other accomplishments to help you with your applications.

• Register for your FSA ID so you are ready to complete the FAFSA in the fall.

• Student Aid estimator will help you understand your options for paying for college.

• Have a general meeting with 12th graders to go over the college application process in September. 

• Meet with each students to finish their applications and see who is applying early, regular, rolling admissions

• Meets individually with students to review applications, essays, procedures to ensure that the process is done smoothly, application materials are submitted on time and stress is kept to a minimum.

• Meets with students regarding all options after high school and looks to find the right path for each student whether it be college, taking a gap year, going to work or serving in the military.

• Fall– take students one final college trip in early October overnight.

• May 1- college decision day

This section is a general overview of what to expect in senior year. Timeline is subject to change

For 12th graders 

Choosing a college process-information for parents and students

Choose A College

• Narrow down your list of colleges to 5-8 colleges.

  • If you haven’t yet decided which colleges to apply to, attend the college fair in your area. Be sure to go prepared.

• If you haven’t already, visit the colleges to which you are applying.

Get Ready for Your FAFSA

• Begin to get FAFSA materials together.

• You and a parent each need an FSA ID.

• Check your high school counseling office for financial aid workshops.

• Review deadlines for specific college programs and scholarships.

Get Your College Application Materials Together

• Know the different application types and deadlines.

• Decide if you want to apply for an “early action” or “early decision” at any college and check the application due dates.

• Register for the SAT, SAT Subject Tests and/or the ACT.

• Consult your college advisor/high school counselor and college websites about any other required tests.

• Request letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, employers, and others to include in your college applications.

• Write a strong essay.

• Ask teachers, family members and friends to read your college application essay draft, and give consideration to their suggestions.

• Continue participating in and tracking your extracurricular activities.

October

Financial Aid Application

• Complete the FAFSA as early as possible after October 1.

• Visit startheregetthere.ny.gov to find a local FAFSA completion event and help with the FAFSA.

• File your TAP application at the end of the FAFSA.

• See if any of the colleges you’re applying to require any other financial aid forms, such as the CSS Profile.

College Application

• Make a final check and review of your school records.

• Work on college applications - know what application to use and when the deadines are.

• Request transcripts from your high school to be sent to the colleges to which you are applying.

• Apply for any applicable scholarships/awards from local organizations.

• Check college application deadlines.

• Meet early decision/early action deadlines, if desired.

November

• Complete your college admissions applications.

• Attend financial aid workshops and seminars.

• Keep a folder to track college applications.

• Use the HESC College Finance Advisor to create personalized Pay for College Action Plan.

December

• Are all your college applications submitted?

• Any deadlines approaching?

• Attend financial aid application workshops, if you haven’t yet.

• Look for early admissions notices from colleges, if applicable.

• Talk to alumni and college friends to get more information about the colleges to which you applied.

• Review student financial aid application forms.

January - February

• Continue to check for scholarship opportunities.

  • You may be asked to send colleges your mid-year grade report to your colleges.

  • Look for college acceptance notices.

  • Are you maintaining your folder of correspondence?

March

Resources

TAP Award Status

• Register for Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, if needed.

• Check your financial aid status at your college or university. Check your TAP status.

• Start looking for a summer job.

April

Resources

Award Letter Comparison Tool

• If you’re graduating in the top 10 percent of your high school class, attending a college in New York State in an eligible STEM program, check out the NYS STEM Scholarship.

• Look for college financial aid packages from colleges to which you are accepted. Find out what happens next.

• If you have questions, review your financial aid packages with the colleges’ financial aid offices.

• Complete your last college visits before making your decision.

• Decide what college you will attend, sign college letters of intent, accept or refuse the financial aid offered, and send in the required housing and tuition deposits by May 1. Use the Financial Aid Award Letter Comparison Tool to compare award letters before you accept any offer.

• Celebrate your college decision.

May

• Attending a SUNY or CUNY in the fall? See if you qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship.

• Attending a private college in New York State? See if your school participates in the Enhanced Tuition Awards program.

• Send thank you notes to all who assisted you, including college advisors/high school counselors, teachers and others who wrote recommendation letters.

• Notify the colleges which you decided not to attend. If you have received aid packages from these colleges, notify the financial aid offices so the awards can be offered to other students.

• Notify your high school counselor office and college financial aid office of any scholarships received.

• Follow up with your college about financial aid and orientation.

June - August

• Have your final transcript sent to your college.

• Use your summer job to save for your education.

• If you plan to borrow money from the Federal Student Loan Program, complete your application and promissory note.

• Get ready for your first year of college!