Freshmen + Seniors 

Freshmen will stay at home and complete e-learning. They will meet with their advisory teacher on Zoom who will help them plan their 4-year high school career. This includes taking personality assessments and planning which high school courses would be best for their diploma and post-secondary plans.  The expectation is that by the end of the day, Freshmen will have a solid 4-year plan.  Seniors will use the day to prepare for their future through college visits, job shadowing, college research, application letters, or by working towards completing their Graduation Pathways.  

Sophomores + Juniors

All Sophomores and Juniors will be taking the PSAT in preparation for the SAT. Sophomores and Juniors will report to school at the normal 7:40 start time and go to their advisory class. See PowerSchool for your advisory teacher's name and room number. After completing the test, students will eat lunch and attend periods 5, 6, and 7. 

Grade 9:

On Tuesday, October 7th, Grade 9 students will be supported by their Advisor and working from home (eLearning) to accomplish the following:

• Students will utilize the provided resources on Canvas to explore career interests.

• Students will create or update their working academic course four-year plan for high school. 

• Students will create a Dual Enroll account with Ivy Tech Community College in preparation of the opportunity to earn free, transferable college credit during their time at HHS. Parents, please know that students will need access to their social security numbers to complete this application. 

Grade 10:  

October 7 is the PSAT exam (on campus at Homestead) for ALL sophomores. 

• Grade 10 students are expected to be at school at the normal 7:40 start time. Students will test in your Advisory teacher’s classroom. Please see your schedule in PowerSchool for your Advisory teacher’s name and classroom number. Students will still eat lunch at school on this day after completing the test, as well as have periods 5 and 7. 

Grade 11:

October 7 is the PSAT exam (on campus at Homestead) for ALL juniors. 

• Grade 11 students are expected to be at school at the normal 7:40 start time. Students will test in your Advisory teacher’s classroom. Please see your schedule in PowerSchool for your Advisory teacher’s name and classroom number. Students will still eat lunch at school on this day after completing the test, as well as have periods 5 and 7. 

Grade 12:  

Tuesday, October 7th is a day designated for seniors to participate in postsecondary opportunities outside of the school building. Seniors will not report to school on Tuesday, October 8th but will pursue a post-secondary activity of interest instead. While sophomores and juniors are completing PSAT testing in school on this day, seniors will be afforded the opportunity to gain information regarding their postsecondary aspirations.

Some options to consider on this day include:

● Job Shadow –Make arrangements to go to work with someone in a career of interest. The day may be split between two occupations.

● Postsecondary Visits - Make arrangements to visit, virtually or on-site, places that the student is considering attending for post-secondary training, certifications, or degrees. This includes any location where the student would be able to receive valuable information and guidance concerning their post-secondary aspirations, such as visiting businesses to learn about potential apprenticeships, traveling to a base or recruiting center to learn about enlisting in the military, traveling to a college campus to learn more about degree programs and scholarship opportunities, etc. Parents are encouraged to participate in these activities with their students. Students and their parents who wish to visit a location in person are reminded to make an appointment in advance so that the facility they will be visiting is prepared to provide information and answer questions. Use the institution’s website to locate contact information and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Students and parents may also explore post-secondary opportunities virtually, visiting websites and learning more about the career and college options they are considering.

● Other Educational Activities - Seniors may also use this day to complete other post-secondary activities, such as writing college essays, working on and completing college applications, and/or applying for scholarships. Please visit Homestead's Scholarship page for links and information regarding scholarship opportunities.

Parent Club Offers SAT/ACT Practice Sessions

• Lilly Endowment Community Foundation Scholarship: Awarded to five students in Allen County. Full tuition, required fees, and $900 stipend for four years at an Indiana college or university. Deadline: 9/8/25 by 2:45 p.m.

• P.E.O. STAR Scholarship: $2,500 scholarship recognizing graduating HS senior women who demonstrate outstanding leadership, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and community service. Deadline: 9/12/25 by 12:59 p.m. 

• Coca-Cola Scholars Program: Achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. A total of 150 Coca-Cola Scholars will be selected to each receive a $20,000 scholarship. Deadline: 9/30/25 by 5:00 p.m.

• The Gates Scholarship: The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Deadline: 9/15/25

• Army ROTC Scholarships: Full-tuition scholarships for 2-4 years are available. Includes room and board with an additional stipend for books and fees. Deadlines vary.

• Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne: All scholarships listed (except for a few) require students to be residents of Allen County, Indiana. Scholarship deadlines will vary by institution.

• MadeByMe Scholarship: $1,000 award for residents from Allen County pursuing a certificate or degree in a skilled manufacturing or trade program.

• The Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant: offers free job training from Ivy Tech or Vincennes for Hoosiers in high-demand sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Building & Construction, Health & Life Science, IT & Business Services, and Transportation & Logistics.

• BigFuture Scholarship Search: Students in the class of 2024 who use BigFuture Scholarship Search and save 3 scholarships to their list will earn entries in monthly drawings for $500 and $40,000 scholarships. Deadlines vary.

• College Board Opportunity Scholarships: Scholarship deadlines will vary by institution. Students can complete college planning steps for separate chances at $500. If all 6 are completed, students are entered into drawing for $40,000.

• Indiana Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV): For current/former foster care youth who are enrolled in a qualified college or vocational education program. 

• Think BIG Program: Opportunity for graduating high school seniors to receive an Associates Degree at no cost to the student. Think BIG program will reimburse tuition and pay students while they achieve an Associates Degree in Diesel Technology from Owens Community College in Ohio. 

FAFSA

It’s never too early to start financial planning for college. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October 1st, 2025 for students attending college for the 2026-2027 school year. A few things to note: 

1. It’s recommended that you file a FAFSA at your earliest convenience. Some types of aid are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

2. To qualify for Indiana state aid, a FAFSA must be completed by April 15th each year.

3. Be sure to check your college’s deadlines. Many colleges have deadlines as early as February.

To file your FAFSA, you will need the following:

• Student’s and parents’ Social Security numbers

• Student’s driver’s license number

• Parents’ 2024 federal taxes and taxes for student if filed

• Information on untaxed income for student and parents

• Information on cash, savings and checking account balances, and investments for student and parents

Want to know more? Join us for one of our two Financial Aid Nights to learn more about the FAFSA, scholarships, and other ways to pay for college on October 7th, 2025 or February 10th, 2026 at 6pm in the HHS Gray Box.

College Go Week!

College Go Week is September 22-26, 2025.  Some Indiana colleges waive application fees for this week or more.  Check the link for participating colleges and more information: College Go Week 

College Fair- Fall

Do you or your student want to get to know some colleges near us better? Fort Waynes college fall fair is on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Indiana Tech's Schaefer Center from 5:30-7:00 PM. Click this link for more information! Fort Wayne Area Fall College Fair