APRIL 2025

1. Complete the Senior Questionnaire
2. Apply or Opt Out of FAFSA - REQUIRED!!!!!---
3. Check your email for a 4th quarter status of graduation requirements.
4. Order Cap and Gown

The State of Indiana REQUIRES that every senior file the FAFSA.

The deadline to file the FAFSA is April 15, 2025.

or

If you are opting out of filing, then you must complete the attached form and return to the Northwest Indiana Online School office by April 4: FAFSA Opt-Out Form

Only 22% of seniors enrolled in NWIOS have completed the REQUIRED FAFSA form. Remember if you do not want/need to fill out the Financial Aide paperwork, you can also complete the FAFSA Opt-Out Form!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a vital step in securing financial assistance for college, apprenticeship programs, cosmetology and trade schools, scholarship opportunities and more!

The application is available online at www.fafsa.gov, and it is recommended to complete it as soon as possible to maximize the potential for financial aid. To start the process, both the student and parent will need to create their own FSA ID: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

Students who do not wish to file the FAFSA may opt out in one of the following ways:

• a parent/guardian of the student submits a FAFSA Waiver Form certifying the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it: State Form 57326: 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid Nonparticipation for Students Graduation During the 2024-2025 School Year

• the student, if the student is an emancipated minor or is at least 18 years old, submits a signed waiver certifying the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it; or

• the high school principal or counselor of the student waives the requirement due to not being able to reach the family of the student by April 15 after at least two reasonable attempts.

We understand that the FAFSA process may seem daunting, but there are numerous resources available to assist you:

• INvestEd Indiana (provides free FAFSA Assistance): https://www.investedindiana.org/funding/completing-the-fafsa/

• Federal Student Aid Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/FederalStudentAid

• Financial Aid Info Sheet: https://learnmoreindiana-1f63e.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023_FAFSA_One-Pager_11-14-23a.pdf

Over spring break seniors and their parent/guardian should have received an email from me informing students of their fourth quarter status. The email included a letter indicating how many credits your student has and how many more credits are needed to complete Requirement #1: Diploma Requirement. The message also indicated if your student has completed requirements 2 and 3. "Box or Bucket 2" is the Employability Requirement, and "Box or Bucket 3" is the Post-Secondary Category.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. If you believe the information is incorrect or if you would like to further discuss, please call the office to set up a virtual meeting, in-person meeting or a phone call call.

Thank you,

Mrs. Jarka

Director/Administrator of NWIOS

Did you miss the chance to order your cap and gown during the first semester?

Take a moment to complete this form: https://forms.gle/SnGbNmrwVXzzAqKj6

There is no cost at this time.

Caps and Gowns will be available sometime in May and can be picked up in the NWIOS Office. Payment (exact cash or check) or proof of online payment is required at the time of pick-up.

END-OF-SCHOOL-YEAR GRADUATION: June 4, 2025

• Apprenticeship Programs
• Career Exploration
• College Go Week
• College & Career Information
• College Planning
• Common App
• Create your FSA ID
• Fill Out the FAFSA
• Military Information
• Scholarships
• Use Naviance Student

First Notice 2/7/2025 ongoing through April 15, 2025