Senior Success Hub 

June – August

College & Career Planning

• Start thinking about your plans after graduation: college, university, technical/trade school, military, or workforce

• Research colleges and programs that match your interests and career goals

• Create a list of approximately 5–10 colleges you may want to apply to

• Compare:

  • Majors and programs offered

  • Admission requirements

  • Tuition and estimated cost of attendance

  • Scholarships and financial aid

  • Campus location and size

  • Housing options

• Tour campuses in person or virtually when possible

• Review each college's freshman admission requirements and application deadlines

• Determine whether your colleges require SAT or ACT scores

• Register for the SAT/ACT/TSIA if needed

  • For more information about SAT/ACT click HERE

  • To register for the TSIA for free through iSVA HERE

Get Organized

• Create a personal email address that you check regularly

• Create a college application folder to save important documents and information

• Begin a list of activities, honors, awards, volunteer work, leadership experience, and employment

• Start building a résumé if needed for college or scholarship applications

  • You may find student resume templates HERE

• Begin brainstorming college application essay topics

AUGUST – SEPTEMBER

College Applications

• Finalize your college list

• Create your college application accounts

• Begin applications through the platform required by each college, such as ApplyTexas or Common App

• Review each college's individual application requirements

• Begin writing and revising application essays

• Ask for letters of recommendation early if your colleges or scholarships require them

• Determine how each college wants your official transcript submitted

• Review priority and early application deadlines

• Attend college fairs, information sessions, or campus tours when available

Scholarships

• Begin searching for scholarships

• Check scholarship opportunities offered directly by colleges

• Search for local/community scholarships

• Create a scholarship tracker with:

  • Scholarship name

  • Amount

  • Requirements

  • Deadline

  • Application status

• Apply for scholarships throughout senior year — do not wait until spring

Tip: Never pay to apply for a scholarship. Be cautious of organizations that guarantee scholarship money or request payment.

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER

Financial Aid

• Create your StudentAid.gov account

• Make sure the parent/contributor who will participate in the FAFSA creates their own StudentAid.gov account, if required

• Complete the FAFSA as soon as the application becomes available

• Add the colleges you are considering to your FAFSA

• Review whether your colleges require any additional financial aid applications or documents

• Watch your email and college portals for financial aid requests

College Applications

• Continue submitting college applications

• Pay attention to priority deadlines, which may provide better consideration for admission, scholarships, housing, or certain programs

• Request transcripts and other required documents early

• Submit SAT/ACT scores if required or if you choose to provide them

• Check your application portals regularly to make sure your file is complete

DECEMBER

Before Winter Break

• Submit any remaining applications with January deadlines

• Verify that colleges have received required documents

• Continue completing scholarship applications

• Check your email and college portals regularly

• Review your senior-year grades and make sure you are on track to meet graduation requirements

• Keep copies or confirmation emails for applications, FAFSA, scholarships, and other important submissions

JANUARY – FEBRUARY

College & Financial Aid

• Continue monitoring college admission decisions

• Complete any FAFSA corrections or additional financial aid requirements

• Review financial aid offers as they become available

• Compare the actual cost to attend each college — not just the amount of aid offered

• Continue applying for scholarships

• Apply for college housing if needed

• Complete any additional scholarship applications required by your college

Graduation

• Review your graduation progress

• Make sure you are successfully completing all courses required for graduation

• Complete outstanding graduation requirements as early as possible

• Ask questions immediately if you believe something is missing from your graduation plan

MARCH – APRIL

Make Your Decision

• Review college admission decisions

• Compare financial aid packages

• Consider grants, scholarships, work-study, loans, and your remaining out-of-pocket cost

• Visit your top-choice schools if possible

• Make your final college decision

• Accept your admission offer by the college's deadline

• Accept or decline financial aid as appropriate

• Complete housing applications/deposits if applicable

• Register for orientation, placement testing, or other required next steps

Scholarships

• Continue applying — many local scholarships have spring deadlines

• Report scholarship awards as directed by your school and college

Finish Strong!

• Successfully complete all required coursework

• Verify that all graduation requirements have been satisfied

• Complete required senior checkout items

• Complete your Senior Survey

• Send your final official transcript to the college you will attend, when available

• Send final transcripts to scholarship organizations if requested

• Complete college orientation requirements

• Complete placement testing if required

• Review your college billing statement and financial aid

• Complete loan counseling/promissory note requirements if borrowing federal student loans

• Confirm housing and meal plan arrangements, if applicable

• Register for college classes when eligible

Scholarship applications should be an ongoing process throughout senior year.

• Search for scholarships at least once per week

• Check scholarships offered by your college

• Look for local scholarships through businesses, foundations, civic organizations, and community groups

• Search for scholarships related to your:

  • Academic achievements

  • Career interests

  • Extracurricular activities

  • Community service

  • Leadership

  • Talents and interests

• Keep reusable copies of essays and activity lists

• Submit applications before the deadline whenever possible

• Keep track of scholarships you receive

• Notify your college of outside scholarships when required