Review courses, graduation requirements, and scholarship opportunities with your counselor.
Update your CFNC course of study, and your WSHS four year plan.
Take the first SAT or ACT offered in the fall.
Select at least three to five colleges if you are planning on attending a four year college/university. One "dream school", a safety school (where you know you will be offered admission) and a couple in between.
As soon as possible after October 1st, go to fafsa.ed.gov to complete and submit your FAFSA. Check CFNC.org or ask your counselor for the information for a FAFSA Day event to help complete and submit the FAFSA. Or, you can call 1-866-866-CFNC. Stanly Community College also offers help to any student who may need assistance with the FAFSA, even if you are not planning on attending SCC. See your counselor for more info!
Attend the Financial Aid Night Presentation at your school to find out more about the FAFSA and all the ways to pay for college.
Participate in College Application Month and Week at WSHS.
Keep track of the application and financial aid deadlines of your college choices.
Check with college financial aid offices for school-specific scholarship information, deadlines, and forms.
Write, edit, proofread, and rewrite your admissions essays early.
Ask teachers, counselors, or community leaders to write recommendation letters to support your applications.
Use NCResidency.org to determine eligibility for in-state tuition and state grants.
Use the CFNC.org online application system to complete your community college.
You can use CFNC to send your transcripts for free to any college or community college in NC free of charge!
Submit any applications to out-of-state schools through their websites and ask your counselor about sending your transcript to them.
If you are a student athlete, be sure you have signed up at the NCAA Eligibility Center and let your counselor know to upload your transcripts to them.
If you are planning on going straight into the workforce after graduation, make sure you resume is up to date and you are practicing your interview skills.
If you are planning on entering the military, please be sure that you have contacted a recruiter and know exactly what you need to do in order to enlist. See your counselor if you are having any difficulties finding a recruiter.