FAFSA Completion & Financial Aid Workshops/Events:

SUNY On-line workshops for FAFSA Completion & Financial Aid Sessions: Join a SUNY financial Aid workshop.  Click the link for event dates/times and to register. SUNY has a variety of upcoming on-line Financial Aid workshops and FAFSA Completion workshops that we encourage you to attend for support in completing your FAFSA and Financial Aid applications. See all upcoming SUNY FAFSA Completion Workshops; See all SUNY upcoming Financial Aid Info Sessions

CUNY Workshops for FAFSA Completion & Financial Aid:  Click the link for event dates/times and to register. CUNY has a variety of upcoming on-line Financial Aid workshops and FAFSA Completion workshops that we encourage you to attend for support in completing your FAFSA and Financial Aid applications.

HESC Events: Click the link to browse by topic for event dates/times and to register. HESC offers a wide range of virtual events that can connect students and families with the information, resources, and financial aid experts they need to help them navigate the college application and financial aid process. Please also refer to this FAFSA/TAP Completion Events and HESC Events Calendar for more information on event descriptions, dates, and registration.

HESC Text Alerts: Students and their families can stay on track for college success by signing up for HESC Texts.  You will receive reminders about important deadlines,  financial aid updates, and tips—right to your phone.   

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE MHS SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

MAY  2026

Dear Class of 2026 Seniors,  and Parents and Guardians:

As we enter the month of May, we recognize this is a meaningful and emotional time for the Class of 2026. You are approaching the culmination of your high school journey while also making important decisions about what comes next. There is a great deal to celebrate, along with a few key steps to complete as you transition to your post-secondary plans. Please also take note of important graduation reminders and requirements! We are committed to supporting your goals, answering questions, and helping you move forward with confidence as you prepare for what comes next. We are here to support you every step of the way. 

The MHS Counseling Department has created a comprehensive program to support you in your journey toward graduation, post-secondary planning, and college and career exploration.  Please take time to explore dedicated pages on this site to support your post-secondary planning, college and career exploration, and the college application process throughout your Senior Year.  Please refer to important information, dates, reminders and next steps to keep in mind listed in our “Announcements” Section below.  Additionally,  please don’t forget to check out upcoming events in our “Upcoming Events For All” section above. 

Seniors, You got this! We want to highlight and share with you some important information, reminders,  and goals to keep in mind for the month ahead to support you in staying on track with your post-secondary goals: 

Service Learning Graduation Requirement:  Engage in Service Learning activities towards meeting the MHS Service Learning Graduation Requirement (minimum 60 Hours).  Submit your Service Learning Hours  in our Digital Service Learning System in IC!

Review Your College Admissions Decisions Carefully:

• Take time to revisit each acceptance, waitlist, or denial.

• Compare academic programs, campus environment, financial aid packages, and overall fit.

• Talk through your options with your family and your school counselor.

If You Are Waitlisted:

• Students who wish to remain on the waitlist should follow the college’s instructions carefully and notify the college of their continued interest, if required.

Admissions Decisions:  Please update Naviance with admissions decisions!

 College Decision & Commitment Reminder:  

• If you are planning to attend college or university this fall, you may have submitted your enrollment deposit by May 1st (National Decision Day) or the deadline provided by your institution. 

• Submit your deposit only to one institution.

• Once you decide, be sure to decline other offers to open spots for fellow students.

• Log into your college portal to confirm your enrollment is complete.

• Regularly check your email and college portal for important updates and deadlines.

 Attend Accepted Student Events:

• Many colleges offer in-person or virtual admitted student days.

• These events can help you better understand campus life and confirm your decision.

Understand Your Financial Aid Offers from Colleges:

• Carefully review financial aid award letters from each college.

• Make sure you understand grants vs. loans vs. work-study etc.

• Accept/decline financial aid packages through your college portal.

• If needed, contact college financial aid offices with questions.

• Be mindful of payment deadlines

Financial Aid & Scholarships:

• Submit your FAFSA, NYS TAP, (and CSS Profile, if required) 

  • FAFSA or DREAM Act Application Waiver Form: If you have chosen NOT to complete the FAFSA or, if applicable, the DREAM Act application, please complete the application waiver form linked HERE and return it no later than June 27, 2026 to April Ljumic, Administrator for School Counseling.  See details in Announcements section below)

• Check out the NYS Scholarships & Awards opportunities and APPLY!

• Continue to regularly check Naviance & School Google Classroom and apply for Scholarship Postings. Many deadlines extend into May and June.

Finalizing Post-Secondary Plans:  No matter your path, take steps to secure your next move: 

• College-bound students: Submit your deposit, housing application, and orientation registration per college deadlines.

• Career/Workforce plans: Confirm employment, start dates, training programs, or certifications. Ensure all required documentation is completed.

• Military enlistment: Stay in close contact with your recruiter for next steps. Confirm start dates, contracts, or training schedules. Ensure all required documentation is completed. 

Finish Senior Year Strong:  Even as decisions are made, it is critically important for students to remain focused and engaged academically.  Colleges will review final transcripts, and admission offers are contingent upon successful completion of senior year.  Your hard work continues to matter. We encourage seniors to:

• Maintain strong academic effort

• Stay engaged in your classes and complete all assignments

• Attend school & classes regularly

• Continue demonstrating responsibility and integrity

• Stay engaged in school and extracurricular activities

Final Transcripts:

• MHS FINAL TRANSCRIPTS: At the end of the school year,  MHS will send your FINAL MHS TRANSCRIPT directly to your attending college through Naviance electronically. 

  • **We cannot send your final transcripts to the college/university you are attending in the Fall if you do not complete the “College that I’m Attending” section in the Senior Survey. 

• Concurrent Enrollment College Course Credits & Transcripts:  MHS does not keep or send Concurrent College Course Transcripts to your attending college. 

  • *Students must request their Concurrent College Course Transcripts directly from the affiliated colleges by contacting the colleges.

Support Matters! Check In with Us:  This is a major milestone. It is a time of excitement, change, and important decisions. Please remember you do not have to navigate this process alone. Your School Counselor is here to answer questions,  provide perspective,  and support you as you move forward.

A Final Word of Encouragement:  May is a month of transition. It is filled with excitement, reflection, and sometimes uncertainty. It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions as you prepare for what’s ahead. Take time to celebrate how far you’ve come. Lean on your support systems: family, friends, and your School Counseling team. Stay organized, meet your deadlines, and continue putting forth your best effort. This is an exciting chapter filled with new opportunities, growth, and discovery. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and all that you have accomplished! Please reach out to your School Counselor if you have any questions or need support. We are always here for you. Wishing you a strong finish to the school year and all the best in the journey ahead!

Warm regards, 

April J. Ljumić,  Administrator for School Counseling 

MHS School Counseling Department

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE MHS SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

MAY 2026

Dear Class of 2027 Juniors,  Parents and Guardians:

As we enter the month of May, we recognize this is a pivotal time in the college and post-secondary planning process. Junior year is quickly coming to a close, and the steps you take now will help set a strong foundation for your plans after high school. We encourage you to stay focused, organized, and proactive as you move through these final weeks. As a reminder, Junior year is the last full year of courses and final grades that will appear on transcripts that go out with your college applications Senior Year. It is important to stay diligent on your academic success while also maintaining your involvement in extracurricular activities.  As always, remember to speak to your teacher about after school extra help and suggestions for success in their course. Please be sure to see your School Counselor if you are in need of STEP or would like additional information about other academic supports.  We are here to support you every step of the way and encourage you to stay focused, proactive, and continue building momentum as you prepare for the transition into senior year.  

The MHS Counseling Department has created a comprehensive program to support you in your journey toward graduation, post-secondary planning, and college and career exploration.  Please take time to explore dedicated pages on this site to support your post-secondary planning, college and career exploration, and the college application process throughout your Junior and Senior Year.  Please refer to important information, dates, reminders and next steps to keep in mind listed in our “Announcements” Section below.  Additionally,  please don’t forget to check out upcoming events in our “Upcoming Events For All” section above. 

Juniors, You got this! We want to highlight and share with you some important information, reminders, and goals to keep in mind for the month ahead to support you in staying on track with your post-secondary goals: 

Schedule Your Junior Conference with your School Counselor:   If you have not already done so, it is essential to schedule your Junior Conference with your School Counselor. This individualized meeting is a cornerstone of the college and post-secondary planning process. During your Junior Conference with your School Counselor, you will review academic progress, discuss post-secondary goals and pathways, and begin shaping a personalized plan for the college process,  senior year and beyond. 

Request Teacher Letters of Recommendation for College:  Before the school year ends, students should begin requesting  letters of recommendation from teachers for the college application process. Many colleges require at least one (possibly two) teacher letters of recommendations as part of the application process.  Being proactive now supports strong and thoughtful letters for your college applications in the fall. As discussed in the Junior Conference,  Juniors should be thinking about:

• Teachers who know them well academically and via school based interactions

• Teachers from core academic subjects

• Individuals who can speak to their strengths, work ethic, and character

*Before the end of the school year (before the last day of classes): PLEASE SEE YOUR TEACHER IN-PERSON to formally ask/request a letter of recommendation.

Complete Your “College Profile Survey” in Naviance (Required):
All juniors are required to complete the “College Profile Survey” in Naviance. This survey provides your School Counselor with important information needed to write your School Counselor letter of recommendation for your college applications. 

• Students should thoughtfully complete all sections of the survey. 

• Parents/guardians also have a  component to complete in the survey.

The “College Profile Survey” helps your counselor better understand your strengths, experiences, and goals so they can write a strong and personalized letter on your behalf.  *Please complete your “College Profile Survey” in Naviance by the end of June. 

Continue Your College Search in Naviance:  Continue using Naviance as a key tool in your college search process and to explore  postsecondary options (careers, military options, technical/trade schools etc.). Naviance provides valuable resources that help students explore colleges to match academic interests, goals and preferences.  Spending time researching and learning about different schools will help students create a balanced and thoughtful college list over the coming months. We encourage Juniors to: 

• Research colleges and explore academic programs that match your interests and academic profile.

• Consider Campus size, location & environment

• Review admission statistics, application requirements and selectivity

• Keep in mind financial considerations

Continue to Build & Refine your College List:  Developing your college list is an ongoing process.  Add your list to  “Colleges I’m Thinking About” in Naviance. As you research:

• Compare colleges &  build/refine  a balanced “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list. 

• A balanced list includes target, likely and reach schools.

• Begin tracking colleges you are “thinking about, “; “interested in;” or “applying to”

Plan College Visits & Campus Tours:  Spring & Summer are excellent times to visit and explore college campuses. Experiencing campuses in person can help students get a better sense of the academic environment, campus culture/environment,  and overall fit that is best for you!  It also provides an opportunity to ask questions directly to admissions staff. We encourage you to register for campus tours and schedule information sessions and student-led tours  when possible. These visits often help students refine their preferences and identify what they value most in a college experience. Participate in virtual tours or online information sessions if travel is not possible.  Reflect on what environment feels like the best fit! Document impressions to support thoughtful decision-making.  

Stay Focused on Academics:  Finish the year strong! We want to remind you that Final Junior Year grades are critically important. Junior year grades are the final full year of grades reviewed by colleges during the application process. Your grade point average (GPA) will be calculated at the end of your junior year which includes grades 9-11.  Students should continue to:

• Stay organized and manage coursework effectively.

• Maintain strong and consistent effort and engagement in all classes.

• Seek extra help from your teachers when needed.

• Sign up for STEP after school if needed.

• Balance academics with extracurricular involvement.

• Communicate with teachers and your School Counselor for support. 

• Prepare thoroughly for final exams and assessments.

Update Your Activities List:   Continue tracking your extracurriculars, volunteer work, jobs, and leadership roles. This will be helpful for future applications, scholarships, and letters of recommendation when it’s time  for College Application Season Senior Year. 

Plan for Standardized Testing:  Continue thinking about the SAT and/or ACT.  (Register for Spring testing).  It's good to know your timeline and test registration deadlines. Make a Study Plan!  Revise specific college admissions requirements for standardized testing. 

Explore Summer Opportunities: Explore summer opportunities that support your interests, goals, and future plans. Whether through employment, internships, volunteering, enrichment programs, camps, courses, or other structured experiences, summer activities can help you build skills, gain real-world experience, and discover new passions.

Service Learning Graduation Requirement:  Engage in Service Learning activities towards meeting the MHS Service Learning Graduation Requirement (minimum 60 Hours).  Submit your Service Learning Hours  in our Digital Service Learning System in IC! 

Junior Year Timeline &  Checklists: Review information on our site pages to stay on track! These pages are designed to guide you through every stage of your college and post-secondary planning journey.

A Final Word of Encouragement:  We understand that this process can feel both exciting and overwhelming at times. Remember, you do not have to navigate it alone. Take things one step at a time, stay organized, and lean on your support systems: family, friends and your School Counseling team for support along the way. This is a time of exploration, growth, and important decision-making. Stay curious, stay motivated, and continue putting forth your best effort. Your hard work now will open doors to many opportunities ahead.

We are proud of the work you are doing and all that you have accomplished so far. We look forward to supporting you every step of the way. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your School Counselor.

Warm regards, 

April J. Ljumić,  Administrator for School Counseling

MHS School Counseling Department

Start Exploring Summer Opportunities ☀️

Junior year is an ideal time for students to begin exploring summer opportunities that support their interests, goals, and future plans. Whether through employment, internships, volunteering, enrichment programs, camps, courses, or other structured experiences, summer activities can help students build skills, gain real-world experience, and discover new passions.

We encourage you to begin these conversations early, as many summer opportunities have application deadlines in late winter or early spring. Students may also want to connect with their School Counselor, teachers, or other mentors for ideas and guidance when identifying opportunities that are a good fit.

Meaningful summer experiences don’t have to look one specific way! What matters most is engagement, responsibility, and personal growth. Planning ahead can help you  make the most of their summer and continue building toward their postsecondary goals.