HPHS Postsecondary Counseling News
Seniors - March 2021
A Message from your Postsecondary Counseling Team
Class of 2021 ~
It is March of your senior year and one full year since you have had to dig deep and find opportunities to connect and continue to learn in new ways. As much as this last year has challenged you, we would like to acknowledge each of you for rising to the occasion and continuing to find the right fit for your life after high school. We realize that everyone of you is at your own unique point on this path to graduation and we continue to be here to support you, wherever you are on it! We believe that there is a light ahead of us and we also know that each of you has been the light to so many in your families and communities during the past year. As you finish your 3rd quarter we wanted to provide you with some updates and resources to consider at this time of year. Please review the information shared in this newsletter and reach out to us if you have any questions or need any support regarding your postsecondary plan.
Your PSC team:
Dr. Aliza Gilbert - agilbert@dist113.org
Dr. Bill Morrison - wmorrison@dist113.org
Mrs. Jennifer Pendergast - jpendergast@dist113.org
Mr. Rob Becker - rbecker@dist113.org
The role of Postsecondary Counseling
Website: https://www.dist113.org/Page/349
Location: 433 Vine Avenue, Highland Park, IL, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HPHS-Postsecondary-Counseling-520027864823500
New Graduation Requirement:
Beginning with this school year, the state of Illinois requires every student to complete a FAFSA, an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid or a waiver form.
Last week, HPHS sent an email out to any student that we do not have a record of completing one of these three required forms.
If you do not plan to enroll in college next year, or plan to enroll but will not be applying for financial aid, please complete the waiver (FAFSA Non Participation Form) below and email it to Rob Becker at rbecker@dist113.org.
If you are planning to enroll in a two-year or four-year college and are concerned with paying for college, we strongly encourage you to complete the FAFSA or Alternative Aid Application (for transgender and undocumented students) immediately. For more details on how to do this and resources click here.
If you have any questions, please contact your assigned postsecondary counselor.
Financial Considerations & Decision Making
- Financial Aid Packages should be reviewed as you consider your decisions. If you were selected for Verification, you will not receive a final financial aid award from a college until you submit the required documentation.
- You might see a note on your SAR saying you’ve been selected for verification; or your school might contact you to inform you that you’ve been selected. Verification is the process your school uses to confirm that the data reported on your FAFSA form is accurate. If you’re selected for verification, your school will request additional documentation that supports the information you reported.
- Don’t assume you’re being accused of doing anything wrong. Some people are selected for verification at random; and some schools verify all students' FAFSA forms. All you need to do is provide the documentation your school asks for—and be sure to do so by the school’s deadline, or you won’t be able to get financial aid.
- If you have any questions about the status of a financial aid award, you should contact the financial aid office at the specific school you are considering.
- If you would like to compare financial aid packages you can make an appointment with your PSC or make an appointment with Ciara White, our Illinois Student Assistance Commission representative.
- An online tool for you to compare different awards yourself, is linked here .
MAIALearning & Scattergrams
National Reply Date:
- All offers of admission require that you choose one college to enroll in and you have until May 1, 2021 to do this.
- We highly recommend going to visit the campus if at all possible. You can check on a college’s admissions webpage or your admitted student portal to learn about any admitted student days.
- This tool from NACAC allows you to filter to see which schools are offering in-person visits as well as what virtual programming they are offering at this time.