Fee Waivers:

• Fee waivers may be available for students receiving free or reduced lunch.

• Fill out the Household Data Form to determine your eligibility for a waiver on the application fee.

How to Apply for College:

• ApplyTexas - https://goapplytexas.org/

• Common Application - https://www.commonapp.org/ 

• Through the college directly.

Take note of the early and standard application deadlines.

• If you are not eligible for an application waiver, submit the application fee when submitting your application.

The Dallas County Promise provides "last-dollar scholarships" to students who graduate from a Promise high school with a high school diploma or an associate degree. The Promise scholarship covers the gap between need-based financial aid and the cost of tuition. The steps for the Dallas County Promise are below. 

• Step 1: Complete the Promise Path

• Step 2: Apply to one or more of the participating institutions before the college's posted Promise deadline date

• Step 3: Complete financial aid before the February 15th deadline or by the posted college date for Dallas County Promise.

• Step 4: Register for fall classes at the participating college for Dallas County Promise. 

For additional information, visit https://dallascountypromise.org/. 

Request your high school transcript in Greenlight. https://bit.ly/RISDgreenlight

• • Greenlight also has an APP that you can download to access your Greenlight locker. The APP can be downloaded from your App Store, and the name is GreenLight Credentials Wallet. 

• The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the form required to apply for federal financial aid for college. Annually, over 13 million FAFSA applicants receive more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education.

• Many states and colleges use the FAFSA to decide student financial aid amounts. The money is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

• The FAFSA requires details about your family's finances, including 2024 tax returns, so you might need your parents' assistance.

• To complete FAFSA, you and your parent/guardian must have an FSA ID. 

  • Request your FSA ID. https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

• To submit FAFSA, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. 

  • When submitting, make a note of the priority and regular financial aid deadlines.

• When funding college, prioritize scholarships over federal or private student loans. College scholarships are free funds you never repay. You can apply for unlimited scholarships, so submit as many applications as possible. 

• Some scholarships require a completed financial aid application, so ensure it's submitted! 

• Consider a CSS Profile® via College Board, an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award Institutional (their own) aid. https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

• • Students need to log into the CSS Profile® using the same login credentials they used to register for the SAT if they want to be considered for an SAT-based Profile waiver.

• Some colleges are test-optional. Do your research, and find out if an admission test is required.

• Register for and take an admission test, if needed.

• When you register, list the colleges where you want to receive your test scores.

  • SAT - https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat

  • ACT - https://www.act.org/

    • SAT dates are linked here, and ACT dates are linked here. 

• Students will need to complete the SENIOR PACKET when requesting a Letter of Recommendation from their counselor. 

• The SENIOR PACKET is a form that the student completes and one that a parent/guardian completes.  

• The Senior Packet must be completed and sent to the counselor 15 school days before the first deadline. 

• Work on your essay(s) if necessary/required.

• Suggestions for the essay writing process:

  • Draft the initial essay.

  • Proofread essay for spelling and grammar.

  • Have two people read your essay.

  • Revise your essay.

  • Proofread your revision.

• If you want to play college sports and you did not register as a junior, do this ASAP.

• Which one you register with depends on the school you would like to attend.

  • NCAA - https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

  • NAIA - https://play.mynaia.org/ 

• Please be aware of private companies or individuals that will charge you a fee to recruit for you. Before registering with these companies or individuals, please discuss this with your coach.

• Confirm receipt of application materials by logging into your college portal or by contacting the Admissions Office.

• Send additional materials if needed.

• Receive acceptance, denial, or waitlisted letters from the office of admission.

• Receive financial aid award letter if accepted.

• Meet the deadline to accept admission and send any necessary deposits.

• Accept financial aid offer.

• As a courtesy, notify the colleges that you decide not to attend.

• Send other test scores (like AP Exam scores, TSI, or other placement test scores) if necessary/required, only to the school you plan to attend.

• • Dual Credit - Request your transcript from Dallas College through GreenLight.

  • OnRamps - Request your transcript from The University of Texas at Austin.

  • AP Exam Scores - Contact College Board https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores