Seniors - College Information

Graduation Information for Seniors

Class of 2023 Information - Handout given to seniors in September

College Information for Seniors

** Future Plans Notes

** Naviance Information - How to request Letters of Recommendation, Transcripts, etc. 

COLLEGE VISITS: 

• Although we'd like seniors to schedule a college visit on a day FHS doesn't have school, seniors are allotted 2 on-campus college visits.  Students should set up the visit with the college, pick up a 'College Visit' form from the main office and turn the form in 1 week before the visit.
• In-school visits take place at 9:00 during Advisory. Students should sign up for visits on Naviance then students will be called to the Media Center.

APPLYING TO COLLEGE:

• Students should begin applying to college(s) beginning in August of his/her senior year. Students can apply via the Common App or Direct to the Institution (through the college's website). 
• The counselors would like for any student interested in attending college after high school to please apply by Thanksgiving of his/her senior year.  Seniors should make sure he/she is paying attention to deadlines!! 

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (LOR):

• Not all schools require a LOR in order to apply. For those schools that do require a LOR, seniors should make sure they talk to his/her teacher before sending the teacher the electronic LOR request!  Give the teachers 2 weeks notice prior to that college's deadline. 
• Also, if seniors are applying via the Common App, the counselors must write a LOR. Please give them 2 weeks notice as well.
• All seniors must fill out a Brag Sheet to help school staff write the glowing LOR that you deserve. Students have been asked to fill out their Brag Sheet on Naviance. 

REQUESTING TRANSCRIPTS:

• Transcript requests are processed through Naviance.  Please give counselors a 2 week window to get this step completed. 
• AFTER a student has applied to a college, he/she needs to request the transcript be sent to the college via Naviance. 
• Naviance step-by-step screencast(s) for how-to request transcripts, LOR's, etc. 
• Access the Naviance Guide here
• Review this presentation for a step-by-step guide of the college application process in Naviance.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):

• All families with a college-bound Senior should fill out the FAFSA in the fall. The application opens October 1 every year.
• Every October, the counselors, in conjunction with either Sinclair College or Wright State University, hold a FAFSA night for senior students and parents. All students planning to attend college after high school need to apply for the FAFSA at fafsa.gov 
• FAFSA Resources
  • FAFSA Info
  • Wright State's FAFSA Presentation (previous year)
  • FSA ID Information
  • Virtual recording of Wright State's 2021 FAFSA Night
  • Tackling the FAFSA presentation
  • FAFSA Step-by-Step Guide that walks students and families through each question of the FAFSA, including screenshots and explanations and a FAQ page for students with special circumstances.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS:

Scholarship opportunities will be also posted in Naviance each year. New scholarships are posted daily. On the Naviance homepage, at the top, click on 'Colleges' ---> a window will pop up with more options ---> click on 'Scholarship Search' on the far right under 'Scholarships & Money'.

• Scholarship Presentation
• Scholarship packets are also available in the Guidance Office in mid-November - Scholarship & Financial Aid Information and Scholarship Internet Resources 
• Ohio Scholarship Directory, a list of 100+ vetted scholarships for students across the state, broken down by month.
• The Middletown Community Foundation scholarships are open each year until February 14. See this YouTube video for more information
• Franklin's local scholarships are posted on Naviance in February of each year.