Central Catholic - Find Your Path
Class of 2023 - College, Life & Career - October 2022
We've Moved!
Senior To Do List
Determine Your Path - Are you uncertain about going to college or would like to explore other options such as apprenticeships, taking a Gap Year, military enlistment, work, etc? Our Counseling Department Assistant Mr. Ruiz can help you set up an appointment with Mr. Blue.
College Search - Learn more about two- and four-year colleges by attending college visits at CC or research colleges on your own through college fairs and campus visits.
Watch the Senior College Planning Night video - If you were unable to join us in person on September 28, click HERE to watch the presentation recording about the four-year college admission process.
College Applications - If you are applying to four-year colleges, begin working on applications now. Applying through the Common Application? you will need to match your Common App to Naviance Student. It will allow us to send your transcript and recommendation (if needed) to colleges once you request them. Click HERE for instructions.
Letters of Recommendation - Your initial request for a recommendation should be submitted at least four weeks prior to your application deadline. There is some flexibility; however, teachers and counselors need time to do a good job on their letters and still have their other responsibilities too. See below for the process.
Parent/Guardian To Do List
Watch the Senior College Planning Night video - If you were unable to join us in person on September 28, click HERE to watch the presentation recording about the four-year college admission process.
Get ready to submit FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) - The FAFSA for the 2023-24 school year can be submitted now. Some colleges will be able to provide a financial aid award letter along with their admission decision once they receive FAFSA. If you were unable to participate in the virtual Financial Aid Night, check out the recording linked below.
Net Price Calculator - Work with your student to complete a Net Price Calculator for each college on their list. This will give you an estimate of what each one will award in financial aid and scholarship. See details about it below.
***CAREER EXPLORATION***
Career Path Exploration for Students
Check out potential career paths through Naviance Student. Login and go to "Careers" and select "Explore Roadtrip Nation Videos" to get started looking at options. The assessment tools in the Self Discovery section can also be helpful in figuring out potential careers based on interest and strengths.
Community Partners Needed
As we seek to educate and celebrate the multiple pathways available to students after high school we are looking to partner with the Central Catholic community. If you or your organization are interested in providing career learning opportunities, please contact Mr. Blue.
AREAS OF INTEREST
Job Information
Internship opportunities
Job Mentoring or Shadowing
Apprenticeship education
***PREPARING FOR COLLEGE***
College Application Drop-In Sessions
We are continuing to hosting sessions for seniors who would like assistance completing their college applications. No sign-up is required except for the Open Student Life Session on October 28. Feel free to join us for any or all of the following sessions:
- October 13 at lunch in Room 131
- October 18 from 2:45 to 3:30 pm in the Commons
- October 28 during Open Student Life
Requesting a Recommendation Letter
Once you have determined if your college requires a teacher recommendation, what do you do after your teacher agrees to write for you?
You will need to complete the First Teacher Recommendation Input survey under the "Important To-Do's and Tasks" section in Naviance Student. If your college requires two teachers, complete the Second Teacher Input survey for your other teacher.
What if you need a counselor recommendation?
Complete the Letter of Recommendation Info survey also under the "Important To-Do's and Tasks" section in Naviance Student. We also expect students to provide a resume of activities. There is a Resume tool in Naviance Student or students may email their resume to collegecounselors@centralcatholichigh.org and we'll upload it into Naviance for them.
How will your recommender access the survey and upload their recommendation?
After completing the above surveys, you will need to complete the Transcript & Recommendation Request Form (also found in Naviance Student). Be sure to match your Common Application and Naviance Student to allow us to submit your recommendation and transcript electronically as shown in the "How to Request Recommendations" slides below.
What if my college does not want recommendations?
If a college does not require any recommendations, students may request an Initial Transcript by submitting the Transcript and Recommendation Request form referred to above.
***PAYING FOR COLLEGE***
Getting Started with FAFSA
Here's how to start!
- An FSA ID is needed to sign and submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students will need their own FSA ID plus one parent must also create a FSA ID.
- Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security Card.
- Use 2021 tax return data!
- Complete the FAFSA for the 2023-2024 school year.
- Add all the colleges you are applying to this year. If you add colleges to your list after you have completed the FAFSA -- just edit it and add to your FAFSA.
FAFSA and the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
You can save time and effort using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in FAFSA. It will transfer your income tax data directly from the IRS to your online FAFSA. If you are eligible to use it and choose to do so, you’ll be transferred from your online FAFSA to the IRS website, which will guide you through the transfer of your tax information. When you’re done, you’ll be sent back to your FAFSA.
If you do not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and your FAFSA is selected for verification, you will be required to complete IRS Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) during verification.
What is the CSS Profile?
Check each colleges’ information to determine whether they require the CSS Profile. A list of participating colleges is also found on the CSS Profile homepage. Some colleges may also require divorced or separated parents to complete separate applications. The CSS Profile is free for domestic undergraduate students whose family income is at or below $100,000.
How Much Will a College Really Cost?
Search for Net Price Calculators on each college's financial aid page or search HERE
What is a Net Price Calculator?
Net Price Calculators are available on every college's website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.
What does Net Price mean?
Net Price is the amount that a student pays to attend an institution in a single academic year AFTER subtracting scholarships and grants the student would likely receive.
Complete a Net Price Calculator for each institution on your list. Students and families will need to work together to provide the required information.
***COLLEGE FAIRS & UPCOMING EVENTS***
Who will be there? Click HERE for a list of participating institutions and further details about the fair.
When?
October 9 from Noon to 3:30 pm
October 10 from 9 am to Noon (Students do not have school on this day)
Where? Doubletree Lloyd Center
Real Talk for Black Students & Families
Real Talk is a virtual college exploration initiative designed to connect Black students and families with Black representatives from colleges and access organizations across the country.
NYU Careers Edition: Connect with Black professionals about their journey to success.
Black in Tech: October 11 at 4 pm PT
Black in Sports: October 13 at 4 pm PT
Black in Entertainment: October 18 at 4 pm PT
Paying for College Edition: Connect with Black financial aid experts about FAFSA, scholarships and more.
Night 1: November 2 at 4 pm PT
Night 2: Wednesday, November 9, at 4 pm PT
Click HERE to RSVP to attend virtually or access the recordings later. If you missed the Historically Black Colleges & Universities or Career sessions, RSVP to access recordings of the sessions.
Students and their families are invited to attend a virtual United States Service Academy Admissions Workshop on October 20 from 3:30 to 6:30 pm PT. The service academies educate, train, develop and inspire the future leaders of the military services and our nation. Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Attend a joint presentation by the Deans and Directors of Admission
- Meet Admissions Officers, current Midshipmen and Cadets
- Learn about the admissions process and requirements and how to plan a campus visit
Click HERE to register in advance.
Scholarship Search Advice
THINK LOCAL
Let EVERYONE know you are looking for scholarships. Your parent/guardian or grandparent might work for a company or belong to an organization that offers scholarships to dependents or descendants; it never hurts to ask. Check out the Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, churches, foundations and other local organizations, which often offer scholarships based on a variety of factors. There is often less competition for these, since they are awarded locally.- OSAC Scholarships (OR residents) -OSAC awards more than $10 million in scholarships annually. Oregon residents planning to attend a two- or four colleges as well as trade schools will find potential scholarships HERE. The application will open in November but cannot be submitted until after first semester grades are available. You can also check out Oregon Promise - Community College Grant - HERE.
- The WashBoard (WA residents) - Washington residents have access to a database of scholarships that might be a good fit. Create an account and start your search HERE.
SEARCH FOR OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS
There are lots of free search sites for scholarships. You should never have to pay to find or apply for scholarships. Here are some helpful sites:
Fastweb
Oregon Gear Up Scholarship List
STAY ORGANIZED
It can be challenging to keep track of all the different scholarship deadlines and requirements. Check out the scholarship tools including the Scholarship Tracking Worksheet developed by the University of Portland HERE.
FEATURED SCHOLARSHIPS
The scholarship opportunities listed below partner with a broad range of colleges to offer scholarships and additional opportunities for their scholarship recipients. Interested students must apply directly to their campus partners. Each campus has their own application and selection process.
The Bonner Program provides a scholarship award to students in exchange for a weekly commitment to intensive and meaningful service with a local community organization over the four years as an undergraduate student with their campus partners.
The Stamps Scholars Program was founded with the purpose of enabling extraordinary educational experiences for extraordinary students. Through partnerships with institutions across the nation and the U.K. Scholars receive annual awards that range from $5,400 to $75,000 per year with additional funds for enrichment activities such as study abroad, academic conferences, and leadership training.
UPCOMING SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship - This is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students recognizing their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. Deadline: October 31
Seattle University Sullivan Leadership Award - Each year, Seattle University selects nine incoming freshmen to receive the Sullivan Leadership Award. This award covers the entirety of their undergraduate tuition, housing, and meals for four years of study. Competitive candidates are not only strong students and leaders, they also demonstrate a commitment to justice and the well-being of others through service in their communities and school. Deadline: Apply for admission to Seattle U by November 15 and submit the Sullivan Leadership Award Application by November 30.