Senior Planning Guide
Stevens High School
Senior Checklist
Fall
- _____ Keep your grades up Senior year. You still have to PASS to graduate. So make sure you're doing your homework, even if you have applications and college essays to complete.
- _____ Complete college applications through Common Application or Apply Texas or Alamo Colleges.
- _____ Complete your online application for student aide through FAFSA.
- _____ Talk to your counselor to ensure you're on track to graduate and meet college admissions requirements.
- _____ Visit the College, Career and Military Readiness Center in room A106.
- _____ Keep a calendar, schedule or agenda for all the upcoming deadlines.
- _____ Cafe College provides information, technology resources, and test preparation courses to better prepare students to enter college.
- _____ Ask for TRANSCRIPTS and other important documents way before the deadline! Click here to order your NISD transcript. *Reminder Transcripts are $3 each.
- _____ If you haven't done so, register and take tests such as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT. Check with the colleges to see which one they require for admission. (Your scores could exempt you from taking the TSI). Send scores to colleges and universities.
Stevens College, Career and Military Readiness Center
Please click on the button above and visit the Stevens College, Career and Military Readiness page for information.
Click the image below for Scholarship Opportunities.
Spring: January - March
- _____ Keep a calendar, schedule, or agenda for all the upcoming deadlines.
- _____ Take the TSI. See Ms. Felan in room A106 for information about when Stevens will be TSI testing here on campus.
- _____ Consider college prep classes if you do not score well on the TSI.
- _____ Minimize the amount of loan funds you borrow- apply for scholarships and grants!
- _____ Attend financial aid nights offered at your school and community.
- _____ If you're taking an AP class, study and TAKE THE AP EXAM!
- _____ Make sure you have a copy of your Bacterial Meningitis Vaccine (must provide proof to college/university)
- _____ Request final and official transcript to be sent to college/university.
Letter of Recommendation: Things to Do
- Think ahead! Ask for letters of recommendations way before the deadline (3-4 weeks).
- Help your recommender (counselor, teacher, coach, community member, etc.) by filling out this brag sheet.
- Provide a High School Resume. Check out this link to help you create your own resume.
- Give your recommender enough time to complete the letter (up to 3 weeks). *Don't expect them to write it over night.
- Send thank you cards to recommenders. (It is a nice gesture and should not be a text, or email!)
- Attend financial aid nights offered at your school. (Check the College, Career and Military Readiness page or Stevens website for information on upcoming events).
Click the image below for Graduation Information.
Spring: April - June
- _____ Graduate!
- _____ Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges' financial aid packages.
- _____ Decide which school you want to attend. Notify the school of your choice and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require notification/deposit by May 1.
- _____ Make all of your deposits on time: class spot, housing, etc.
- _____ Send final high school transcript to your college. If you took dual credit, request your college transcript from Northwest Vista.
- _____ Make sure verification documents for FAFSA are submitted.
- _____ Submit all FAFSA required documents, loans, work study, other worksheets.
Paying for College
How are you going to pay for college? Most students are concerned about the cost of college, but it’s important to know that most college students receive some type of financial aid to help them afford the cost of their education. You can make your college dream come true, but it helps if you understand a little about how to pay for college. Click on the links below to explore the types of financial aid available and get an estimate of your eligibility for federal financial aid.
College Board - BigFuture
Finding your big future starts with you. Find colleges, explore careers create a plan at College Board BigFuture
TEA Graduation Toolkit
Please visit the TEA Graduation Toolkit for information on High School years and beyond provided by the Texas Education Agency.
Things to keep in mind your first year of college...
If your tuition is due tomorrow and you don't have the money, what can you do?
- Check on installment payments.
- Meet with a college financial aid advisor/counselor.
- Your college might request additional information and documents. Respond by all deadlines or you will not receive federal student aid.
- Accept your financial awards or contact a school's financial aid office if you have questions about your financial aid.
- Update your required immunizations shots.
- Register for college classes.
- Attend College Orientations.
- Attend class every day: your freshman year is the most important year of college!
- Keep a high GPA throughout college to continue to qualify for financial aid, scholarships, and to get into graduate school, law school, or medical school. Employers look at your GPA too!
- Continue to look for scholarships throughout your time in college.
- Apply for Financial Aid every year (opens October 1st every year) FAFSA
- Stay involved while you are in college. Look for internships and opportunities inside and outside of the classroom.
- Remember, employers look for well-rounded employees.
Joining the military? Going to vocational school? Direct to the workforce?
Military Careers
Interested in exploring a military career? Click on the link to below to go to Today's Military.
ASVAB Prep Programs
The ASVAB exam must be taken by anyone interested in pursuing a military career. To maximize your score on this exam, you need to practice. Click on the link below to get information on the test and preparation programs.
Alamo College Vocational Certifications
If you are interested in a vocational career, check out the Alamo College vocational certification programs. Cling on the link below.
Mapping your future
Are you still undecided about the career you should pursue? Visit CareerShip at the link below. CareerShip lets students review careers by cluster, match careers to interest, or search on and get information about a particular career.