Class of 2026 Senior Bulletin

October 2025

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 available!

All eligible students should file the FAFSA to access financial aid to pay for college.

Most scholarships also require that you submit the FAFSA.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for the Class of 2026 (for school year 26-27). All colleges and universities accept the FAFSA.
The FAFSA application is in two parts - the student has their own section and their parent(s) has their own section. I can help all students at the high school with their section as long as they know their Social Security Number. Please have your student stop by the Aspirations Center in room 210 for help with their portion of the FAFSA.
Divorced and/or remarried and not sure who the parent is on the FAFSA? Here is some guidance on who should complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA also has a tool to help you decide which parent should complete the FAFSA.

FAFSA Help

The FAFSA has been simplified and should only take 30 minutes to complete. Need help to complete the FAFSA? We are here to help! Mrs. Sturgis, Aspirations Counselor, can help you complete the FAFSA. The whole month of October has been set aside to help families with the FAFSA and you can select a day and time that works best for you using this scheduling link: https://calendar.app.google/HoGEsoVAEZk7YLMH9
New Mainer? Only citizens or eligible non-citizens are eligible for federal financial aid. Here is information on eligibility for non-citizens.
If you have trouble using the calendar link or need to schedule an appointment after school you can reach out to Mrs. Sturgis via email at sturgisn@westbrookschools.org or via phone at 207-854-0810 ext. 2058.

CSS Profile

Many private schools, and some public schools, require the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile is an additional financial aid application that calculates how much institutional aid you could receive.

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.

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:

Endicott College, Thursday, October 2

Johnson & Wales University, Thursday, October 2

Hofstra University, Friday, October 3

UMaine - Farmington, Monday, October 6

University of Maine, Tuesday, October 7

Roger Williams University, Thursday, October 9

Saint Anselm College, Monday, October 20

University of New England, Monday, October 20

Xavier University, Tuesday, October 21

Merrimack College, Monday, October 27

Regis College, Tuesday, October 28

Mount Holyoke College, Thursday, October 30

Fisher College, Thursday, October 30

Lesley University, Thursday, October 30

Colby College, Friday, October 31

Nichols College, Tuesday, November 4

Community college can be an affordable option. Here is a link to all of their programs.

No essay or teacher recommendations needed to apply to community college.

If you want to apply to any of the community colleges in Maine use these links to their free applications. Make sure to let Mrs. Sturgis know you applied so we can send your transcript AND they want you to upload your transcript to your account. You can get your transcript in your Scoir drive.

Many programs fill up fast so apply early.

Common App

Applying to a four year college? Most 4 year colleges accept the Common Application.

New for class of 2026 - Common App and Scoir will be integrated. Here is a pdf that has important information about how to sync your Scoir and Common App accounts. It is very important to work with Ms. Sturgis to make sure this is done correctly.

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
Don't stress over the essay! Here is some good advice about it.
Very important! Don't apply to college without Ms. Sturgis looking over your application and making sure Common App and Scoir are synced so transcripts and recommendations can be sent out.

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

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.

SAT Exams

Many colleges are still SAT optional for the 2026 admissions cycle but many have also gone back to requiring them. It is very important to 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 8 (register by October 24)
Saturday, December 6 (register by November 21)

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

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