College Office Information Page 

• EOP/HEOP/SEEK/ASAP

• FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa 

• TAP: https://www.tap.hesc.ny.gov/totw/ 

• CSS: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/ 

• CSS Participating Schools: https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx 

College Office Submission Checklist - 2027 CC Submission Checklist 

Please review the documents and forms that may be required throughout the college application process. Submission requirements vary by stage of the process, including the Application Season, Pre-Decision Season, and Decision Season.

College Office Road Map: 2026-27 (Available in the Fall) 

College Office Calendar: 2026-27 (Available in the Fall) 

1. Is Early registration for all students at once? Can students apply to more than one deadline type?

All students may sign up to be considered, official approval will be based on each student’s initial fall meeting, summer communication, and overall level of proactiveness and engagement.

• Students may apply to multiple schools under different plans (EA, RD, ED)

• However, they can only commit to one Early Decision school

2. School Apps and how do students apply? (25 schools max per student this includes)

• 3-5 SUNY schools are separate through the State University of New York (SUNY) system onCOMMON APP

• 3-6 CUNY schools is one application through the City University of New York (CUNY) system FASTAPP

• 5-15 - COMMON APP - Students applying to public out-of-state, private out-of-state, and private New York colleges will primarily use the Common App application platform.

• HBCU- Individual Application portal

• UC schools (University of California system) →Individual Application portal

• International Schools- Individual Application portal

  • • Please note that the college office does not provide specific recommendations for international schools. Students and families are responsible for conducting their own research on international institutions and completing the application process independently. Our office can provide general support and guidance to the best of our knowledge throughout the process. 

3. Fee Waivers (important clarification)

• SUNY schools are free to apply during SUNY Free Application Week through the Common App.

• City University of New York schools are free to apply during CUNY Free Application Month through the CUNY application/Fast App platform.

• Common App fee waivers may cover application fees for many colleges, including private New York institutions and private/public out-of-state schools.

• Students will be notified through their application portal if any school requires an application fee payment after submission.

Please note that while the waiver may indicate eligibility through CollegeBound, the college office cannot determine which schools will ultimately accept the waiver, as students apply to a wide range of institutions including in-state, out-of-state, private, and international schools.

4. Advantages of Early Decision (ED) (NEW SLIDE)

• Please refer to Page/Slide 14 & 15 of the presentation for additional information.

5. Does my student need to create their own FAFSA account? Yes, both the student and their contributor(s) must create their own FSA ID to complete the FAFSA.

6. Who is responsible for completing the CSS Profile? The student must sign into their College Board account and complete the CSS Profile. They will need to provide both their personal identifying information and, if they are a dependent, the information of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

7. Do I need to report a 529 College Savings Plan? Yes, if you are the owner and contributor of the 529 College Savings Plan, it must be reported as an investment asset on the FAFSA. If the account is owned by someone other than the student or their parents (e.g., a grandparent), and they are not contributors, it does not need to be reported.

8. Why do both the parent and child need to complete the FAFSA? If your student is considered a dependent, you, as the parent or guardian, will need to help complete the FAFSA with them. This is because the FAFSA requires financial information from both the student and their family to determine the amount of financial aid they may be eligible for. You will need to provide personal details, such as Social Security numbers, tax information, and other financial details, so the government and schools can assess the financial support your student may need for college.

Admissions: 

• Acceptance Rate – The percentage of applicants who are admitted to a college. A lower rate often indicates a more competitive school. 

• Retention Rate – The percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year, reflecting student satisfaction and support services. 

• Graduation Rate – The percentage of students who graduate within a set time frame (typically 4 or 6 years), indicating how effectively the college supports students to completion. 

• Public Colleges/Universities: Funded and operated by the government (state or federal). They typically offer lower tuition for in-state students and offer a wide range of academic programs. 

• Private Colleges/Universities: Funded by private sources (tuition, donations, endowments). They often have smaller student populations and may offer specialized programs. Private colleges may have higher tuition fees but may offer significant financial aid. 

•  Two-Year Colleges: 

  • ○ (Technical/Trade Colleges) Offer specialized training in a specific field, such as computer programming, automotive repair, culinary arts, or construction trades. These colleges focus on practical skills and certifications rather than traditional academic degrees. 

  • ○ (Community Colleges) These colleges offer two-year associate degrees and certifications. They often provide a more affordable education and allow students to transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor's degree. 

• Four-Year Colleges: These institutions offer bachelor's degrees (typically a 4-year program) in various fields of study. They may also offer graduate programs (master's, doctoral degrees) in some disciplines. 

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Institutions established with the mission of providing higher education to African American students, though they now serve a diverse student body. 

• Regular Decision (RD): Submit by a specific application deadline receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time 

• Rolling Admissions (RA): Rather than setting a deadline school reviews applications as they are submitting until they are full 

• Early Decision (ED): An option to submit an application to your first choice college, before the regular deadline. is a binding agreement - you must attend if you get in 12. Early Action (EA): Similar to early decision except it is now a binding agreement (some are restricted to only one school)

• School Size – Refers to the student population. Smaller schools might offer more personalized attention, while larger schools might provide more resources and diverse opportunities. 

• Location – The college’s geographic setting, influencing climate, cost of living, cultural opportunities, and distance from home. 

• Price/Cost – Includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses. It’s essential to also consider financial aid, scholarships, and the potential return on investment.