During these difficult times, community support and resilience are vital. Click here for Resources. Compassion, empathy, and ongoing communication are key to fostering a sense of security and community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need extra support.

Tick-tock! Time is ticking—you’re just FIVE months away from graduation! We know this semester brings a lot to juggle, from admissions decisions and financial aid to scholarship applications and graduation requirements. Stay ahead of the game—don’t wait until the last minute to handle these tasks. And don’t forget to check your emails regularly for important updates!

Your senior year grades matter! Even if you've been accepted to colleges, admission offices expect you to finish strong. Failing to do so could result in your acceptance being rescinded. Stay focused, finish the year on a high note, and build a strong momentum into next year!

Cash for College (SENIORS - FAFSA/CADAA)

Whether you're planning to attend a four-year, two-year, or vocational/trade school, you may be eligible for financial assistance! Join us for an in-depth session on the FAFSA and CADAA! The SMC Financial Aid office will guide us through the application process and answer any questions you may have. This is the perfect opportunity to get started on your financial aid application and submit it with confidence.

Date: Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Location: Samohi Cafeteria and D100 (Spanish)

If you haven’t opened your college portals yet, now is the time to do so. They contain important information, including admission decisions, potential missing requirements, financial aid award letters, and more.

If a college asks you to create an account, make sure to do so by setting up a username and password. Be sure to store this login information in a secure place to avoid forgetting it later.

If you requested your mid-year transcripts, they were sent out last week. Please allow a few days for your portals to update. If any schools haven't received them, reach out to your College/Career Counselor for assistance in resolving the issue.

Seniors who wish to be considered for federal, state (Cal Grant & SMC’s Promise Program), and potentially institutional aid must submit the FAFSA or CADAA. Some colleges also require the CSS Profile. Deadline: April 2, 2025 is the priority FAFSA/CADAA deadline for California colleges. To be eligible for the Cal Grant, you must submit the FAFSA, and Samohi will submit your GPA on your behalf.

The CSS Profile is now open. Please review the [CSS Profile Participating Institutions and Programs list] to determine if any of the institutions you're applying to require it. Deadline: Varies by institution.

Be sure to check each college's financial aid website for specific requirements and deadlines.

Don't wait! Do it now!

Here are recourses the Department of Education are hosting. Please take advantage of them if you have any questions, worries, or wonderings. If you want to learn what you need to do to get started filing out the FAFSA, how to submit FAFSA, what happens after you submit the FAFSA, please click this link Federal Student Aid Web Series and check it out.

Quick and easy access to the most up to date information go to the FAFSA Twitter page.

Financial aid award letters will be made available by colleges that accept you between February and April. Once they are ready, you can access them through your individual portal. Be sure to carefully review all of your award letters to compare which institution offers the best financial aid package.

Need help understanding your financial aid award letter? Please click on links below to get more information.

How to read your financial aid award letter

How to View Your Financial Aid Awards Cal Poly

Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Letter Dartmouth Admissions

Financial Aid Overview UCSB

Scholarship search engines:

• Unigo.com
• Scholarships.com
• Fastweb.com

We have a wonderful relationship with the #1 Community College SMC. Please do not wait to submit your application and do all the matriculation steps to receive priority enrollment.

It's the second semester of your junior year—can you believe you'll be a senior in just 5 months? This month, we’ll be meeting with all 11th grade English classes to guide you through the "life after Samohi" process. After that, we’ll be available for one-on-one advising sessions. Yay!

Keep up the great work! Stay focused on doing well in your classes, explore summer opportunities (maybe take an SMC class!), dive into a passion project, and/or find activities you truly enjoy. Now’s a great time to start researching colleges—get to know what you love, what you don’t love, and what stands out to you about different schools.

The Survival Guide is here to help! It's your go-to resource for everything you need to stay on track, from deadlines and applications to milestone checks. If you haven't already, be sure to check it out. It’s designed with you in mind—print it, pin it to your wall, or bind it for easy access whenever you need guidance during the college application process. Inside, you'll find key dates and deadlines that are essential to keep you moving forward.

Keep up your grades. Continue the good work. Check out summer opportunities, take a SMC class, do something fun, something that you love, go out and find a passion project. If you have time check out some college and see if you like the campus. Yes, the older you get things may change but it's always good to see the possibilities.

If you can’t visit colleges in person, be sure to check out their virtual tours! They’re just a click away and a great way to explore campuses from the comfort of home. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a feel for the schools you’re interested in!

We’re here for you! We’ve got your back. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s always best to clarify things before submitting your applications. You can make an appointment with us, or feel free to drop by before school, during lunch, or after school. We’re eager to help you succeed!

College app season has turned our kids into hangry hangry little kiddos! Unfortunately, our wallets cannot handle their insatiable appetite.

To help meet this need, we are collecting donations of non-perishable snacks. Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Here are some examples of popular items that students enjoy:

• Granola Bars
• Fruit Snacks and Fruit Leathers
• Chips Ahoy Cookies
• Any Type of Chips
• Rice Krispies Treats
• Cheez-Its
• Pop-Tarts
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Gummy Bears and similar snacks

Your support will make a big difference, and we truly appreciate your generosity. Donations can be dropped off in the College Career Center before/after school.

Thank you for helping us provide students with the nourishment they need to succeed!