A week into the fourth quarter, seniors reach their final stretch of high school.
Sadly, it isn’t all easy-breezy, and students must prepare for the next chapter of their lives. In the last few weeks of school, seniors have many things to do in order to prepare for college.
I met with Carrie Paquette, college adviser at Lakeland High School, and she explained to me the final steps seniors need to take to be ready for college.
- Financially prepare
Paquette explained that students must finish applying for scholarships because it’s almost at the point where most of the scholarships are going to be unavailable by the middle of May.
“Finish the FAFSA, I know there are a lot of students who are planning to go to college, where filling out the FAFSA could definitely benefit them,” Paquette said.
Paquette emphasizes the urgency for students to try and obtain as much free money from scholarships and grants as possible.
“Make sure you’re maximizing the money that you can get to help you pay,” Paquette said.
Now is also the time when you can start making financial aid appeals to colleges, so that would be where your personal circumstances or your family circumstances from the fiscal tax year of 2023 have changed, Paquette explained.
Students are also receiving their financial aid awards around this time of year, and they must go in to their college accounts and accept scholarships.
Loans that have been offered will be ready to accept soon, students can accept loans now without fully committing to them. All loans and scholarships can be fully committed by August, when college payments are due.
If you accept a loan or scholarship from a specific school, you are not obligated to go to that school.
Students are typically advised to let 4-year-colleges know they are planning to attend by the first of May, also known as National Decision Day.
- Organize and Register
Seniors should make sure their student email accounts are set up for the college of their choosing.
Class registration is coming up, and it is important for students to try and register for classes as soon as they can. Students can meet with college advisers via email, Zoom, phone or in person to register for their classes.
Paquette explained that students have the freedom to plan their schedule to fit their personal needs and plan around work schedules and such if they register for their classes as soon as possible.
Paquette plans to do a workshop with NIC advisers so LHS students can meet with advisers and register for classes within the next month.
Students should also be preparing their housing plans for next year, securing dorms, etc.
Students who plan to enlist into the military should make sure they have enlisted by May 28th to be recognized at the senior awards night.
The senior awards night will also recognize each senior receiving scholarships.
Those going into apprenticeships should plan to have a job secured by the end of the school year.
Seniors planning to go into trade school should start registering for classes as soon as they can as well.
- Summer Activities
Throughout the summer, there are many orientations held by colleges to introduce students to the school.
“It helps you get familiar with the campus, you learn what maybe all the different clubs are or have chances to talk to financial advisers and other students,” Paquette said.
Students should also look for Idaho launch final offers after the school year has ended, which need to be accepted, and to get the launch money, you must follow the instructions given after accepting the final offer.
Paquette has a list of things students should get done by the end of the year in her Google Classroom.