Campus Tours/Campus Visits: Students/Parents Explore Colleges/Universities- Visit College Campuses of Interest: Students/Parents Continue to explore colleges by registering for summer visits and information sessions. Make appointments with the Admissions Office or register  on-line through the College/University.

Narrow down your list of Colleges/Universities

Work on your College Essays & Begin Supplemental Essays (for applicable college application requirements)

College Profile Survey in Naviance: If you haven’t already, Complete your College Profile Survey in Naviance. The College Profile Survey is required in order for the School Counselor  to write their letter of recommendation.

Register for Fall SAT Exam and/or ACT Exam (if taking exams again). Check the College Board calendar for dates/registration information. You may register for exams at  www.collegeboard.org or actstudent.org.

Consider making  a “college-admissions only” email address: Use this email address for corresponding with colleges and for your college applications

The Common Application: OPENS AUGUST 1:

• Create your Common Application Account at  www.commonapp.org and begin completing the Common App general application. After you have decided which colleges to apply to, then you can add them to your My Colleges list on the Common App and be ready to submit. When creating your Common Application account, this account must be registered with your student's email account and not a parent’s email account. 

• Refer to MHS Common Application FAQ

• Common App announces the essay prompts. (See  LINK for Common App essays Prompts)

NAVIANCE: Update Naviance with Colleges you are applying to: With deadlines for the Colleges. Make sure your “Colleges I’m Applying To” list in Naviance is accurate and up to date - that your list includes all of the colleges you are applying to with the correct deadline dates.  This is to ensure that your school documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) are submitted on time. 

Requesting Teacher Letters of Recommendations: Students will speak to the teachers in person whom they would like to request letters of recommendation (Either before the end of their Junior Year or Early Fall upon returning to School in September).  Students must complete and then provide the  “MHS LOR- Letter of Recommendation Request Form” to the teachers they ask to write them a letter of recommendation. Students will receive this LOR form directly from their School Counselor.  *You must allow at least 10 days for your teacher to complete the recommendation. You will include the colleges/universities you are applying to and their application deadlines on this form. NAVIANCE: Request Teacher Letters of Recommendations  through Naviance at least 3 weeks before your deadline date. 

Begin College Applications: Note deadlines;  List requirements for your preferred College List

Prepare for your Senior Year: Students should do as much prep work as possible over the summer so by the time Senior students return to MHS in the Fall, they have visited colleges and have a list of colleges they are interested in applying to.

Service Learning Graduation Requirement- Submit Service Learning Hours via MHS Digital Service Learning System in Infinite Campus (IC):  Be mindful of minimum 60 Hour Service Learning graduation requirement. Submit your Service Learning Activities in IC to meet your graduation requirement.

FINANCIAL AID:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® Form):  ANTICIPATED TO OPEN:  OCTOBER 1

• Parents/Guardians and Students: For more information regarding the FAFSA Application, please refer to the Federal Student Aid Website: FAFSA HOME

• Steps you can take to get ready:

  • Create your FAFSA ID: This is required prior to completing the FAFSA. Go to https://studentaid.gov/help/fsa-id. 

  • Visit HESC's Prepare What you Need Page for more information on documentation needed to complete the FAFSA.

  • Reporting Parent Information

NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC):  HESC has an unwavering commitment to ensuring New York State students, parents, and academic partners have access to the critical financial aid information, tools, and resources they need to pursue their educational goals.

• • Receive Text Messages from HESC: High school students and their parents can sign up to receive text messages from the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation to get connected to the resources they need to prepare for college and apply for financial aid. Text messages include key information about financial aid programs, how to apply, important deadlines, available events to assist students in completing applications, and resources to help put them on the right path toward their college careers. Sign-up is quick and easy at: HESC Text Messaging Registration.  Any questions can be sent to: thepath@hesc.ny.gov. 

    • (HESC) Higher Education Services Corporation:  Financial Aid  Comparison Tool: Comparing College Award Letters:  HESC has an interactive Financial Aid Award Packages Comparison tool. This tool can help you determine the "bottom line" for each college to which you've applied and received a financial aid award offer.  The college financial aid award letter contains important information about the financial aid package being offered.  Review &  Compare financial aid awards carefully!  

HESC Financial Aid Opportunities:  Explore all NYS Financial Aid Programs.

New Application Pathway for NYS Financial Aid: New York State continues to take meaningful steps to ensure that all students have access to an affordable, high-quality college education, regardless of their family’s immigration or citizenship status. With a commitment to sensitivity, security, and access, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has launched a new application pathway for eligible students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who do not want to complete a FAFSA due to concerns related to the privacy of their information, but want to apply for New York State financial aid. This application offers a clear and secure pathway for impacted students to access many New York State grants and scholarships, including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), without requiring them to complete the FAFSA. While this path provides access to many New York State financial aid programs, it’s important to note that students who apply for state-funded financial aid through this path, will not be eligible for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship or the Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA) program, both of which require a completed FAFSA as part of their application process. They will also not be eligible for federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans, unless they submit a FAFSA. Updated guidance, eligibility criteria, and FAQs are available on the application information page. For additional outreach or questions, please contact HESC at www.hesc.ny.gov.

NYS Scholarships & Grants Opportunities:  Please review the complete list of NYS Scholarships & Grants available to students using the linked above. This will take you to the HESC website. There are hyperlinks within the master list that will take you to each specific NYS Scholarship & Grant providing general information, application eligibility, deadlines, opportunities to receive notifications, help, resources, links to apply etc.  Please take the time to review the list and details therein to see the opportunities available and applications.