I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Below, I’m sharing some important information to help navigate the college planning process after your holiday break.
Scholarship Resources
If your family is looking for scholarship opportunities, then definitely register for StudentScholarships.org’s newsletter. This free site shares a variety of scholarships indicating monthly deadlines.
Going Merry is another great site that shares free personalized scholarship lists and other key financial resources.
Don’t wait! Start applying for scholarships as soon as possible.
Marking Period Reports
If your senior applied early action, they might need to send their first-quarter report cards to their desired college. Encourage your teen to connect with their high school guidance or college counselor to see what they need to do. (Colleges often list this requirement in their application portal, so have your teen check it regularly.)
College Application Deadlines
Many seniors are continuing to work on their college applications. Note that (when possible) counselors highly recommend submitting all college applications before Winter Break. This allows for a smoother admission process and avoids last-minute stress.
Remind your teens that they don’t need to wait for supplemental documents (recommendations, school documents, etc.). They can submit their applications as soon as they are complete.
Financial Aid Event
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) offers virtual financial aid events on multiple dates. Their Senior Basics Presentation is especially noteworthy. It is designed to help equip high school seniors with a smooth transition to college. Covered topics include the following: the college application process, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and time management skills.
NYS Dream Act
With the NYS DREAM Act, New York State offers grants and scholarships for undocumented students who are ineligible for federal aid.
Let’s continue working to make our teens’ college dreams a reality!