Class of 2025 Senior Bulletin

October 2024

We are here to help!

Feeling overwhelmed? Stressed? Not sure where to start?

Meet with Mrs. Sturgis. She can help with all of your post-secondary questions and get you started on your college applications. Parents are always invited as well.

Financial Aid Info

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is delayed until December 1 (maybe even January 1). All eligible students need to file the FAFSA - even for accessing Free College.

Here are things to do now to get ready for the 2025-2026 FAFSA:

Learn about the FAFSA from Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).
Create your student account (FSA ID)
Have your parent(s) create their account (FSA ID) if they don't already have one.
Wondering who is the parent on the FAFSA?
Students who are seeking asylum in the United States are not eligible for Federal financial aid. Here is the FAFSA definition of Eligibility for Non US Citizens.
FAME offers assistance to New Mainers. Find out more information here and/or meet with Mrs. Sturgis about other options to help pay for college.

Parents: If you would like help with creating your account or have questions about financial aid, please reach out to Mrs. Sturgis to schedule an appointment.
Make sure to use a college's net price calculator to see how much the college will cost you. Google the college name and "net price calculator".
Some colleges are also adding financial aid worksheets for you to complete after you apply so you can get a preliminary financial aid award letter before the official FAFSA comes out.

CSS Profile

Applying to a private school? If so, you may need to complete the CSS Profile. Here is a list of colleges that require the CSS Profile.

In Maine, Bowdoin, Bates and Colby Colleges require the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile application is available October 1 and is required if you want to receive institutional aid from colleges that require the CSS. You will also need to complete the FAFSA in December.

The CSS Profile is not free. If you qualify for a fee waiver reach out to Mrs. Sturgis for the fee waiver code.

Scholarship Information

What are scholarships and how can you apply? Here is a link to a google doc about finding scholarships.

Here is a list of state scholarships (and some national) that I keep track of.

Local scholarships come out in the spring. Check out the list here. It will be updated as we start getting local scholarships in March/April.

College Admission Rep Visits to WHS

Many colleges are signing up to meet with WHS seniors in the Aspirations Center! It is very important that you attend these meetings if you are applying to their college. The person coming to the high school will be the person making the decision on your application. Check Scoir often to see the full list and to sign up. Space is limited!!! First come first served.

Here is the list of colleges visiting in October and November - click on the links to be taken to their websites!:

Suffolk University: Wednesday, October 2

The University of Maine @ Farmington: Wednesday, October 2

Boston University: Wednesday, October 2

Hofstra University: Thursday, October 3

Husson University: Thursday, October 3

University of Southern Maine: Thursday, October 3

Mount Holyoke College: Wednesday, October 9

University of New England: Wednesday, October 9

Central Maine Community College: Thursday, October 10

Washington County Community College: Thursday, October 10

Springfield College: Wednesday, October 16

Southern New Hampshire University: Wednesday, October 16

Boston College: Wednesday, October 16

Saint Anselm College: Wednesday, October 16

Wheaton College: Thursday, October 17

Clarkson University: Thursday, October 17

Bates College: Thursday, October 17

Emmanuel College: Wednesday, October 23

Rhode Island College: Wednesday, October 23

UMASS - Lowell: Wednesday, October 23

College of the Holy Cross: Thursday, October 24

Bentley University: Thursday, October 24

University of Rhode Island: Wednesday, October 30

Maine Maritime Academy: Wednesday, October 30

Thomas College: Wednesday, October 30

Endicott College: Thursday, October 31

Colby-Sawyer College: Thursday, October 31

Bishop's University: Wednesday, November 6

University of New Hampshire: Wednesday, November 6

Franklin Pierce University: Wednesday, November 6

Plymouth State University: Thursday, November 14

Lasell University: Thursday, November 21

Husson On the Spot Admission Day

Husson University will be at WHS Tuesday, Nov. 5 for an On the Spot Admission Day. Get a college application fee waiver, have your application reviewed, be accepted, and learn about your merit scholarships all in one appointment! Common application must be submitted by Oct. 28

Husson has some amazing majors including: Business, Software Development, Audio Engineering, Nursing, Conservation Law, Financial Planning, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Education, and Psychology.

Interested? Limited Spots. Sign up here

University of Southern Maine On the Spot Admission Day

USM will be at WHS Friday, Nov. 8 for an On the Spot Admission Day. Have your application reviewed, be accepted, and learn about your merit scholarships all in one appointment! Common application must be submitted by Oct. 30.

Interested? Limited Spots. Sign up here

SAT Exams

Many colleges are still SAT optional for the 2025 admissions cycle but many are going back to requiring scores. Check your college websites to find out if you need to submit scores or not. If you still want to take the exam, you will need to register yourself in your CollegeBoard account. WHS will not be offering the SAT this year. SPOTS ARE FILLING UP FAST!

The remaining fall SAT dates are:

Saturday, November 2 (register by October 18)
Saturday, December 7 (register by November 22)

If you need a fee waiver or help registering for your SAT please stop by the Aspirations Center or contact Mrs. Sturgis @ sturgisn@westbrookschools.org

Common App

Applying to a four year college? Most 4 year colleges accept the Common Application. Have a question? Contact Ms. Sturgis to get help.

What is the common app?
Important information from WHS to help you complete your common app
How the common app works
Common App vocabulary definitions
What is the FERPA waiver and how is it used?
Don't stress over the essay! Here is some good advice about it.
Don't apply to college without Ms. Sturgis looking over your application and updating Scoir so transcripts can be sent out.

Your transcript will be uploaded to your Scoir account by Mrs. Sturgis at the beginning of the school year. You will need this transcript to complete the common app.

NEW THIS YEAR! College application help every Tuesday in September and October during ACE in the library. Ms. Sturgis and Ms. Enkosky will be there to help with applications and essays. Help also available in the Aspirations Center (room 210) during academic prep and before/after school.

Teacher/Counselor Recommendations

Applying to a 4 year college? If so, you probably need at least one teacher recommendation. Please make a "formal" request for a recommendation by email or in person as soon as possible. Use this teacher recommendation form. Your teacher needs at least 4 weeks notice. When you receive a yes, choose the teacher's name in the "My Colleges" then "Application Documents" then "Request a Recommendation" section in Scoir. Don't forget to do your brag sheet in Scoir.

Need a counselor recommendation? Either your school counselor or Mrs. Sturgis can do a counselor recommendation. Check the admissions requirements of the colleges your are applying to and ask them asap if you need a counselor recommendation.

Did someone say free college?

Maine community colleges will be tuition free for class of 2025!

Here is a link to a flyer that explains how the program works.

If you want to apply to any of the community colleges in Maine use these links to their applications. Make sure to let Mrs. Sturgis know you applied so we can send your transcript. You must still complete the FAFSA when it becomes available December 1.

Many programs fill up fast so apply early.

Applied to college?

Please update your Scoir account or email Mrs. Sturgis so that your transcript and recommendations can be sent on time. This is very important. If we don't know you applied to college we can't send a transcript.

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