Applying to College

When to apply

• • You can begin applying to colleges as early as the summer before your senior year

  • Students who are ready to apply to their preferred schools by November or December of their senior year can apply early action or early decision. 

    • The important difference is that:

      • Early decision = binding to one school

      • Early action = student can choose between multiple schools, just as with regular decision

It is recommended to have all of your college applications completed before the Spring Semester of your Senior Year 

Benefits to Applying Early 

• Priority admission

  • May have better odds of admission. 

• Faster decisions

  • Applicants may receive decisions faster than regular decision applicants. 

• Demonstrates interest

  • Shows that you are interested in attending the college and are able to meet early deadlines. 

• Priority financial aid

  • May have a better chance of receiving scholarships and other financial aid. 

• Priority housing

  • May have priority selection for on-campus housing. 

• More time to make a decision

  • Provides more time to consider options. 

• Room for improvement

  • Some schools may offer feedback if they think your application has potential. 

• Finances

  • You can learn more about your financial aid packages sooner. 

• Reduced stress

  • Applying early can help you relax and reduce stress

Application form

• • This form collects basic information like your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. 

  • Applications can be found on college websites and are typically listed under an "admissions" tab.  

  • Many colleges accept the common application. This allows you to complete one application and apply to multiple colleges with the same form. 

    • https://www.commonapp.org/ 

    • For step by step instructions on how to link your common application to your Xello account watch the short video linked below:

      • https://xello.wistia.com/medias/o97p9kta4g 

Transcript

• • This document provides admissions officers with important information about your high school performance and the difficulty of your coursework. 

  • Colleges often require an official transcript from your High School. You can email Mrs. Carberry at dcarberry@springcovesd.org to request that your official CHS transcript be sent to colleges/programs you have applied to. 

    • We can provide you a copy of your transcript, but please note that if you send a copy of your transcript to the college on your own it will not be considered official. Colleges refer to transcripts received in this way as "unofficial". 

  • If you took dual enrollment courses while at CHS you will need to request an official transcript from each of the colleges you earned credit through. More information on this can be found under the "dual enrollment" tab on this website. 

Test scores

• • Some colleges require or accept SAT or ACT scores to gauge your academic abilities. 

  • Conemaugh School of Nursing is now requiring the TEAS exam. 

    • Note: Information on how to register for these exams can be found on the announcement tab of this website. 

Recommendation letters

• • These letters provide context for your application from the perspective of teachers and counselors who know you well. 

  • Make sure you ask for recommendations at least 2 weeks before the due date to give the writer a respectful amount of time to complete this request. 

  • Provide a copy of your resume so the person writing your letter of recommendation can personalize the letter and highlight all you have done. 

  • Consider writing them a thank you note to show your appreciation and make a good lasting impression.

Essays

• • Admissions officers use essays to assess your writing ability, personality, values, and critical thinking skills. 

  • For more information on how to write your college essay check out the ultimate college essay guide linked below:

    • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/apply-to-college/application-process/ultimate-college-essay-guide 

Extracurriculars

• • These activities can help diversify your personal narrative and demonstrate your commitment. 

Application fee

• • This fee funds the work involved in screening, verifying, and evaluating applications. 

  • Visiting colleges and talking to admission counselors when they visit CHS can give you access to fee waivers for application fees. 

  • If you qualified for a fee waiver for the SAT, you automatically qualify for a fee waiver for college applications

    • For more information on fee waivers contact the admissions department of the schools you are applying to

• Demonstrate interest

  • You can show how much you want to attend a college by:

    • Visiting the campus

    • Talking with admission officers

    • Participating an interview

Other factors that colleges may consider include: grades, strength of curriculum, class rank, and personal qualities highlighted by participation in extracurriculars, community service, and letters of recommendation. 

CPCF Scholarship Information 

The application for all CPCF scholarships opens on Friday, January 23, 2026.  

All applications must be completed in full by March 6, 2026. 

In order to apply students must follow the link below and complete the application through the online portal. Students will be required to upload a copy of their unofficial transcript to the portal. 

Some applications may require additional information. Examples of additional information include: 

Essay questions

Supplemental questions

Financial aid information 

Letter(s) of recommendation 

Based on student input the system will automatically apply applicants for the scholarships they are eligible for. 

Link to Apply is Listed Below 

If you need any assistance contact Lindsay at scholarships@centralpagives.org 

The following scholarships are available through the CPCF website: 

*Please note there are few scholarships listed below that students will apply to through CHS. They have been stared with note added in bold. Any stared scholarship without a note in bold is one we do not have information about and you will have to contact CPCF directly to learn more : 

Aaron N. Stuckey Memorial Scholarships

Adam Zook Memorial Scholarship

Adolph Benzel Memorial Scholarship*

Adrienne Zoe Fedok Arts & Music Scholarship

Alicia’s Spirit Alive Scholarship*

Amerigo P. & Ann T. Musto Memorial Scholarship

Ardie J. Dillen Memorial Scholarship

Arthur D. & Kay L. Walter Memorial Scholarship

Because We Care Foundation Scholarship – Criminal Justice

Because We Care Foundation Scholarship – Early Childhood Development

Bessie Q. Levine Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Blair Companies Scholarship(s)*

Blair County Civic Music Foundation Scholarship(s)

Blair County United Survivor Scholarship Sponsored by the Scott Garlick Memorial Foundation

Blair Type 1 Diabetes Foundation Scholarships

Brian Morden Memorial Scholarship

Captain Bob Gallardy Memorial Scholarship

Carl S. Russo Memorial Scholarship

Christina Hughes Purcell Memorial Scholarship

Christopher P. Kopac Entrepreneurial Scholarships

Courage for Kiera Foundation Scholarship(s)

Cove Adoptive Families Scholarship

CPCF Board Memorial Scholarship

Dan & Karen Ferut Nursing Scholarship

David & Janet Hileman Scholarships

David D. Brozgal Memorial Scholarship

David McGrath Memorial Award

David O’Connell Memorial Scholarship*

Dawn Morden Memorial Scholarship

Donald “Donnie” F. Rentz Memorial Scholarship

Donald “Donnie” F. Rentz Memorial Scholarship

Donna D. Gority Scholarship*

Donna Sheehan Nursing Scholarship

Dr. William Flora Memorial Scholarship

E. Charles Makdad Memorial Scholarship*

Edgar & Maureen Smithe Scholarships

Erin Dodson Memorial Scholarship

Falon Marie Morris Scholarship

Franklin M. (Frankie) Finelli II Memorial Scholarship

Fred & Joann Imler Sholarship

George Woomer Memorial Scholarship

Graystone Scholarship from the Jeff & Vikki Long Family Foundation

Hancock Group Employees & Associates Foundation Scholarships

Harold L. Price Scholarship*

Harry E. Clarke Scholarships

Heuston Scholarships* (CHS- application will be made available through Xello and ELA classes)

Issac Award*

Jack Shaffer Scholarship* (CHS- application will be made available through Xello and ELA classes)

Jaclyn Marie Locktosh Memorial Scholarship

James & Kathryn Crawford Memorial Scholarship – Agriculture

James & Kathryn Crawford Memorial Scholarship – Education

Jane Purdy Hite & Robert Lee Hite Scholarship

Jeff Koppel Memorial Scholarship*

Joe & Gina Itle Ag Science Scholarship

John B. Gummo Memorial Scholarship

John E. & Elaine M. Smith Education Scholarship

John E. & Elaine M. Smith Education Scholarship- Education

John E. and Elaine M. Smith Business Scholarship

John J. Gallace Memorial Scholarship*

Joseph J. Schamris Memorial Scholarship

Joseph T. & Dorothy E. Stasny Memorial Scholarships

Judith Winfield Hancock Foundation Scholarship

Karen E. Lane Nursing Scholarship

Karen Park Ferut Class of 69′ Nursing Scholarship

Kathy Wagner Memorial Scholarship

Lance Bettwy-Gottshall Scholarship(s)

Lenz Social Work Scholarship

Lisa Meyers Audet Memorial Scholarships*

M. Eudora Meyers Scholarship

Marjorie J. Pennington Memorial Scholarship

Mary M. Bigelow-Sleek Memorial Scholarship

Michael Ratzesberger Memorial Scholarship*

Mikayla “Mick” Focht Memorial Scholarships*

Mr. and Mrs. Trimpey T.A.H.S. Female Leadership Scholarship

Nelson D. Metzger Memorial Basketball Scholarship*

Norma A. Lestochi Memorial Scholarship

Oakes Family Scholarship

Officer Chris Amerine Memorial Scholarships

P. Jules & Pamela J. Patt Memorial Scholarship

Piotr Marciniak Memorial Scholarship

Ralph E. Force Memorial Scholarships

Renee Riccio Memorial Scholarship for Contributions to Women’s Swimming and Leadership

Rex H. Kaup Accounting Scholarship

Richard K. Bouslough Memorial Education Scholarships

Robert G. Mardula Scholarship

S. Rodger Walters Educational Scholarship

Sandra K. Howe Scholarship*

Scott Douglas Sparks Memorial Scholarship

Scott Garlick Memorial Scholarship

Scott Garlick Memorial Soccer Scholarship

Shafer Greaves Family Scholarships

Teeter Group Foundation Scholarships

The Bonnie and Robert Decker Scholarship

The Hetrick Family Scholarship*

The Learning Fund Scholarship for Immigrants

The Robert J. and Lori A. Beck Education Scholarship

The Rosalind Sky LOL (Love of Learning) Future Educator Scholarships

The Sgt. Brandon E. Adams Information Technology Memorial Scholarship

The William E. (Bill) Frank & Swiss Club of Altoona Memorial Scholarships

Timothy A. Bartek Memorial Scholarship

Timothy P. Sissler Memorial Scholarship

Todd Gardner Sparks Performing Arts Memorial Scholarship

Vale Wood Farms Ag Science Scholarship

Vince Frank “Big V” Memorial Scholarship

Wendell B. Gahagan Community Service Award* (CHS- application will be made available through Xello and ELA classes)

Wilt-Gillette Science Award* (CHS- application will be made available through Xello and ELA classes)

WISE Women of Blair County Scholarship*

Zachary S. Hoover Memorial Scholarship

Zack Hinish Foundation Scholarship – Nursing

Zack Hinish Foundation Scholarship – Special Education

The Patrick Wise Sr. Memorial Scholarship