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2026 Seniors
2026 Seniors
It is a big year for you; you are graduating! To make sure you have what you need, the counselor will meet with you one-on-one to make sure you are working toward graduation and you have the information you need for life beyond Perham High School. You will find information we cover in your senior meeting here. Check out the "Events" tab above to see important dates.
Credits Required for Graduation
Note: one HS course = .5 credit
English 4
Social Studies 4
Math 4
Science 4
Art 1
Public Speaking .5
Technology 1
Physical Education 1
Community Health .5
Career Readiness .5
Personal Finance .5
Electives 13
Total Credits 34
Community Service Hours = 16 total
Helpful Links for Financing College:
FAFSA, Free Application Information: FAFSA Site
North Star Promise (further financial aid for students): North Star Promise in MN
MN Dream Act (financial aid for undocumented students): MN Dream Act Information
Checklists and Planning Guides
Look at the documents below to make sure you are on track with your post-secondary goals:
October is College Knowledge Month
October is College Knowledge Month
Some Minnesota college waive application fees in October. To see what colleges have free applications, go to: https://sites.google.com/view/minnesotagoestocollege/home
If you are applying to more than one college, consider using Common App (free account to navigate your college applications: https://www.commonapp.org/
Questions for Financial Aid Officers:
What is the average total cost -- including tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board travel, and other personal expenses -- for the year?
How much have your costs increased over the last three years?
Does financial need have an effect on admission decisions?
What is the priority deadline to apply for financial aid, and when am I notified about financial aid award decisions?
How is financial aid affected if I apply under an early decision or early action program?
Does the college offer need-based and merit-based financial aid?
Are there scholarships available that are not based on financial need, and do I need to complete a separate application for them?
Does the college require me to fill out the CSS profile? (If needed, fill it out at cssprofile.college.org)
If the financial aid package the college offers is not enough, are there any conditions under which it can be reconsidered, such as changes in my enrollment status or my family's financial situation (or that of a family member)?
How does the aid package change from year to year?
What are the terms of the programs included in the aid package?
What are the academic requirements or other conditions for the renewal of financial aid, including scholarships?
FAFSA Overview
FAFSA Overview
MDE site for helpful webinars about the FAFSA: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/about/news/PROD082986
Go to www.fafsa.gov to fill out the free application for student aid.
Useful Tips:
Attend the financial aid night in October (see events) to learn about the process and ask questions.
Start the process early. Get the FAFSA filled out as close to the opening of the application as possible. It is advised to have everything submitted by December.
Ask financial aid questions when you visit a college campus. Ask the school representative if it is possible to visit the financial aid office or make an appointment to visit with someone in the financial aid office.
Ask financial aid representatives about cost medians instead of only looking at a college's published cost.
Review forms and deadlines required by each college.
When in doubt, ask a financial aid professional. They can answer many general questions and are happy to help.
Keep all tax records and documents up-to-date and handy when speaking to financial aid officers. If your financial situation changes (loss of job, health issues, etc.), alert your financial aid representative immediately.
The FAFSA application includes a feature called the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) that allows you to transfer your tax return information to the FAFSA. Information is available on the FAFSA and IRS websites.
Look out for the Student Aid Report (SAR) that confirms you completed your FAFSA. It will provide your eligibility index for federal and state aid. If there are errors or incorrect information on the SAR, you can make corrections online.
Compare financial aid packages side by side. Using an award letter comparison tool will allow you to get a clearer picture of where your student's financial aid is coming from and will help you make a more informed decision. There is a "Compare Your Aid Awards" tool, along with other free tools, on the BigFuture website (bigfuture.collegeboard.org).
Source: College Board 2018
**North Star Promise is a financial aid program for families who make less than $80,000 per year. To find out more about this program (and others), go to: https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/sPages/northstarpromise.cfm
For further FAFSA assistance:
Federal Student Aid Information Center
Federal FAFSA hotline: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
Tips for Applying to Colleges and Scholarships
Scholarships
Scholarships
Where to Find Scholarships:
PHS Counseling Google Classroom -- enter with this code: ji5cios -- NOTE: all local scholarships open December 1 and close February 28. Watch your email for updates.
Watch your email for scholarship opportunities.
Minnesota Career Information Systems (MnCIS): mncis.intocareers.org. Go under the "Education" tab and look for scholarships and financial aid information.
Do a Google search for scholarships.
What Evaluators Look for When Awarding Scholarships:
Eligibility: Whether or not you meet the criteria
Neatness: Type your essay and check for grammar and spelling errors. Make sure it looks presentable and that it is organized.
Complete: Make sure to include all required academic transcripts, references, and letters of recommendation, and anything else that is required. Make sure all questions are answered completely and accurately.
Tips for Letters of Recommendation
Tips for Letters of Recommendation
This quick video gives some helpful hints about getting the best letters of recommendation.
Tips for Building a Resume
Tips for Building a Resume
You may need to submit a resume for college applications, employment, and scholarships. Find out how to write one here.
Tips for Writing a College Admissions Essay
Tips for Writing a College Admissions Essay
A college essay can help admissions panelists get to know you. It can be an important part of the college application.
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