Seniors
The College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is where seniors will complete their NC Residency Determination (RDS) to get in-state tuition. On CFNC seniors can also explore colleges, careers, complete applications, apply for scholarships and send their high school transcript.
Senior year is full of questions, but the main one you will hear is: What do you want to do after high school? Start your senior year by preparing for your after high school plans; finalize your college list, talk with a military recruiter, or prepare for job interviews.
Explore your prospective schools’ financial aid requirements to plan your college budget. Complete your FAFSA so you can get the most possible financial assistance for college. Continue to hunt for scholarships and apply for scholarships. Verify your financial aid before you make any college budget decisions.
To begin both student and parent need to create their FSA ID. Once you have completed the process for your FSA ID, you will be ready to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when it opens on October 1st. Completing the FAFSA application is many times the first requirement for eligibility for many scholarships.
College Access Coordinator, Bridget Oberg
College Access Coordinator, Bridget Oberg, helps students plan, prepare, apply, and pay for their post-secondary opportunities. Through working with the school's Counselors on ACT/SAT support, FAFSA assistance, college applications, and scholarships.
CAC understands that many options are available to our students as they graduate, including bachelor degree and associate degree programs, and certificates, diplomas, and apprenticeship programs. We want to support students to find and achieve the best post-graduation pathway and opportunity that prepares students for success in their future careers.
Senior parents, would you like to sign up for texts from your students college adviser? Sign up for the Family Academy initiative to receive bi-monthly, brief messages and a way to communicate with the adviser. Messages will include upcoming services and events, important milestone reminders, support and resources for students, and motivation. Sign up here!
Career and College Promise
The Career and College Promise program, referred to as CCP, is North Carolina’s dual enrollment program. The CCP program allows students in the eleventh and twelfth grade to take college courses. However, students may only take courses designated as CCP by the state. Courses are arranged into pathways to give students an opportunity to begin their college careers through earning certificates and/or college transfer credit. To explore what classes are available check out the CCP Brochure
Eligibility
Students must be a junior or a senior in high school
Students must have a 2.8 Unweighted Grade Point Average
Students must meet the minimum testing requirements identified for their class or pathway
Interested in learning more about opportunities with Career and College Promise?
Contact our SCC Liaison- Laura Allen
Mrs. Laura Allen is at Smoky Mountain High School and available to meet with students on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Discover Life Center.
Most recent updates from Counselors
Below is the information that has recently been emailed to all senior students. This document will be updated with each email sent to the Senior Class email list.
Senior Information for Parents & Students
Below is the powerpoint that was reviewed by your Senior Counselors, Mrs. Macke, Mrs. Stiffler, and Mrs. Jeleniewski at our Senior Parent night. This goes over many of the Senior Year To-Dos. Click on the image below to pull up the video.
Senior Parent NIght 2022.pptxAssistance with Financial Aid Process
Southwestern Community College's Financial Aid Department has a lot of resources to help our students and parents with the process of applying for financial aid. Even setting up appointments to help parents and students complete FAFSA! Check out the resources below:
Cap & Gown Ordering for Graduation
All seniors that will be participating in the 2023 Graduation Ceremony need to order their Cap & Gown Unit from Jostens, this includes a cap, gown, tassel, diploma and diploma cover. Jostens offers other graduation materials such as Senior clothing, invitations and more; none of these items are required but can be ordered if students are interested.
Cap & Gown Units need to be ordered by December 10th. Students that are borrowing Cap & Gowns from friends or family will need to order their tassel and diploma set. Payment is not due at the time of order, but before students can pick up their cap/gown unit. Payments are due by April 1, 2022.
Jostens will be at SMHS in the cafeteria lobby on October 13th during lunches to collect student orders.
If you have questions feel free to contact your Jostens rep at manueloffice@jostens.com or 828-681-1712.
Seniors that are just interested in the basic Cap & Gown Unit (cap, gown, tassel, diploma, and diploma cover) can also contact their school counselor and let them know their height and we will place the order before the deadline.
*Any student that needs financial assistance, please contact your school counselor*