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  2. Career and Graduation Planning

Career and Graduation Planning

     Countdown to Graduation

     Countdown to Graduation  
Days
Hours
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August – December 2024

Congratulations you made it to your senior year!

It's going to go by quickly.

You will be receiving a binder with important graduation, scholarship, and college information. Please use it and let me know if there are other things we can add to it.

Below are a few important things to consider in the next few months:

  1. Meet with the counselor – double-check graduation requirements to ensure you are on the right track. Take the opportunity to discuss deadlines and timelines.
  2. Review/Create a plan for after graduation – Are you going to college? Joining the workforce? Entering a program? Enlisting in the military? Regardless of where your next step takes you, it’s important to be prepared. Speak with your parents, a trusted adult, or your school counselor to explore your options.
  3. Complete Financial Aid Application – The registration opens in October. It’s important to complete this step as soon as possible to view your financial aid packets from your intended college.
  4. Register/Apply – It’s important to take the SAT, ACT, and TSIA exams. The TSIA exam is required in most schools. Check with your future school or with your counselor to find out what the requirements are and the deadlines for applications.
  5. Don’t Procrastinate! Get ahead of the game, keep up with your graduation binder, and advocate for yourself. 

 

 

January - March

Please continue to check your emails, college portals, and personal emails. They are great sources of information and can help guide you through this process - from me and your college!

I know some of you feel lost and you may not have come to see me BUT here is a list of things you should be doing for the next few months - you are almost done!
 
  • Submit scholarships - Thankfully, we have so many community scholarships in our area right now and it doesn't hurt to apply for all of them. You never know unless you try! (remember to ask for recommendation letters from teachers and staff in a timely manner)
  • Staying updated - check emails and portals - super important!
  • Financial Aid - Make sure you have completed your FAFSA and understand your report
  • Housing and Health - Where will you live? Can you get to classes consistently? Do you have your meningitis shots?
  • Make a decision - Where will you go to college? Work? What program? Next steps?
  • Celebrate - Celebrate your accomplishments. You are a graduate! Life is open to you. Make memories!

March – July

We are on our last stretch! 

 

  1. Graduation – Make sure you have everything you need for graduation, graduation party, and graduation invitations. 
  2. Transcript Requests – Please make sure you send me an email requesting transcripts. We have to verify all the information before sending the official ones to them however, they may require a preliminary one to check grades, completion, etc. It takes us some time so send an email early.
  3. Celebrate – Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments and enjoy the admissions and acceptance letters. If you choose not to go to college or university, celebrate your new job or whatever next steps are right for you. You have worked hard.
  4. Review Scholarship/Financial Aid Awards – This is the time where most of the scholarships are due, financial aid applications should be completed, and you should be receiving financial aid summary reports and awards packets. Please see me if you get an email that you don’t understand. Also, you should NEVER pay for scholarship applications or anything like that. If you are a TRIO member, many of the applications are free.
  5. Pack it up - if you are going to stay in the dorms or are moving - make sure you begin packing and checking to see what you will need. Many schools provide a checklist - I can help with that too. Do you need supplies? Come see me!

Graduation Requirements

FAFSA

Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, all high school seniors must submit a financial aid application to graduate. Yes, it’s true. The State of Texas has made the FAFSA a graduation requirement! 

The date of completion goes on your transcript.

Begin completing your form HERE.

Wonderful Tutorial HERE

Proper Interaction with Peace Officer

Senate Bill (SB) 30 required the State Board of Education to adopt a rule (Title 19) that required students in grades 9-12 to complete instruction on proper interaction with peace officers.

The date of completion goes on your transcript.

CPR Training

State law (TEC §28.0023) requires school districts to provide instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to students and students must receive instructions at least once before graduating.

The date of completion goes on your transcript.

 

Scholarships

Our community has graciously contributed many of the scholarships below however there are many local, regional, and national scholarships included. Emails are sent out periodically to seniors to remind them of deadlines and submission requirements. I have also hosted a Scholarship Workshop for all seniors to help them edit and submit scholarships as well as complete reference letters upon request. Please work with your student to ensure they have submitted all necessary paperwork to me prior to submission. I try to submit the application at least two weeks before the deadline.

All scholarship information can be found on the Counselor’s Google Classroom.

Scholarship List

 

What is CCMR in Texas?

Being College Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) ready means that high school students are prepared for life after graduation. HB 22 made CCMR an important part of preparing students for college, the workforce, or the military. If you aren’t sure whether or not you have met the CCMR requirements, speak with your counselor.

Readiness indicators are achieved by:

  • Meet TSI criteria via SAT, ACT, TSI-A, or College Prep Course in English and math
  • Complete a dual credit course (9 hours in any subject or 3 hours English/mathematics)
  • Earn an associate's degree
  • Earn a Level I or Level II certificate
  • Earn an industry-based certification (IBC) 
  • Complete a program of study in CTE
  • Graduate with completed IEP and workforce readiness
  • Enlist in one of the armed forces