Summer is a great time to plan for life after high school. Earlier in the spring you had the opportunity to attend our Next Steps Presentations. This was a chance for you to learn more about options for after high school and what steps you may need to take. Here are some links and dates to keep in mind as you are planning for your future.

We will spend more time this fall with the college admissions process, financial aid and scholarships. Students who are not looking for college, trade or tech school options can get assistance with connecting with recruiters, apprenticeship opportunities and job placements. We are here to assist you with your goals and visions.

Mrs. Chargualaf is the Class of 2024 Counsleor. Mrs. Kellison will serve as a Senior Support Counselor along with College and Career needs. Seniors new to OHHS will have Mrs. Kellison as their counsleor.

• September 20 | Senior Parent Night | 5:30 pm | SUB
• October 1 | Financial Aid Opens
• October 2 | College and Career Fair
• October 11 | School Day SAT
• November 3 | Senior Submission Deadline for Yearbook

• Start Your College Search: Explore Xello or bigfuture.collegeboard.org
• Consider majors and academic options
• Set criteria for what you want in a college
• Know the admissions criteria for schools
• Create a list (include safety, match and reach schools)
• Note application deadlines
• Are SAT/ACT test scores required?

• Visit campuses when possible (Xello has virtual tours built in)
• Plan for a rigorous senior course load
• Sign up for SAT or ACT if needed
• Get letters of Reccomendation
• Financial Aid opens October 1st
• Scholarships - Start now for national level
• Planning to play DI or DII sports? Register with the NCAA

Parents an Access Xello in our Xello for Families. Look for an email to access your students Xello account.

Many Colleges are trending towards the holistic review when making admission selections.

Here is a sample of how one university conducts a holistic reviews:

In a holistic review process, we consider the applicant as a whole individual, not merely select parts, such as GPA or test scores. In doing so, we evaluate applicants based on who will contribute to the university's academic community in meaningful ways. Holistic review takes into account factors such as a student’s strength of high school coursework, academic and extracurricular interests, unique talents, and personality. By evaluating an application from a holistic perspective, we take the time to get to know applicants as people, not as numbers. - UO

Oak Harbor High School will be offering the School Day SAT on Ocotber 11, 2023. Prepare for the SAT by taking the SAT Practice Test. Sign ups will be at school. More details will be available in September.

The SAT and ACT are offered at other nearby locations. Students can sign up at SAT.org and The ACT.org

Many schools are no longer requirig SAT or ACT scores for admissions.

Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch will want to contact Mrs. Kellison for a fee waiver.

There are many sites to apply for National and State scholarships. These can be quite competitive as you are applying along with other students around the nation or state. Local scholarship opportunities will come available starting in December 2023.

National Sites

www.fastweb.com

www.collegeboard.org

www.scholarships.com

www.cappex.com

WA State Site

thewashboard.org

We have a wonderful community that provides scholarships to local seniors. Many of these scholships will will be awarded specifically to OHHS students. Look for these opportunities in December of your senior year. Local Scholarship Link

The Elks Most Valuable Student is a Scholarship that starts locally and can progress to a national level. The contest will open in August 2023.

America’s largest regional interstate tuition savings program

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an agreement among WICHE’s 16 member states and territories, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate. Since full nonresident college-tuition rates may exceed 300 percent of resident rates, WUE increases affordable higher-education choices for students, and minimizes the adverse impacts of student loan debt.

https://wuesavingsfinder.wiche.edu/

The ROTC offers college scholarships for students who commit to serve in the military.

An ROTC scholarship will cover most of your college expenses in return for your participation in military training while in college and service after you graduate. Whether you are a student interested in a career in the military or looking for a well-structured career path after college, an ROTC scholarship may be an option to consider. Here's what you need to know before you apply.

WHAT IS ROTC?

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is an officer training program for college students who commit to serve in the U.S. military after college. There are over 1,700 civilian, military, and junior military colleges that host and participate in an ROTC program. The Army, Navy and Air Force each has its own ROTC, and while the Marine Corps does not have its own ROTC, there is a Marine option of the Navy ROTC. You can find information about ROTC programs (including host schools, tuition assistance, eligibility requirements, post-graduation benefits and more) on their websites.

Remember that ROTC scholarships are among several forms of aid offered by the military. Another form of aid is offered by the Coast Guard through the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI). If accepted into this scholarship program, students will be enlisted in the Coast Guard, complete basic training during the summer, and receive full funding for up to two years of college.

Sourced from Collegedata.com

The CSS Profile is an online application that collects information used by nearly 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal aid. (For federal aid you must complete the FAFSA, available Oct. 1 at fafsa.ed.gov). Some colleges may require the CSS Profile from both biological/adoptive parents in cases of divorce or separation.

https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

The United States Military Academy (USMA) located in West Point, NY

The United States Naval Academy (USNA) located in Annapolis, MD

The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) located in New London, CT

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) located in Kings Point, NY

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) located in Colorado Springs, CO