Monthly Newsletter
October, 2026
🎓 Seniors
Many students have not yet officially requested their transcripts for college applications. You do this by matching your common app to your Naviance account (if you are using common app) or adding schools directly to Naviance if it is a non-common app school.
If you are applying to college this fall, please review the steps below and make sure you have completed all required steps at least 20 school days before your first college application deadline. Your application deadline may be earlier than you realize, so do not wait until the application deadline to request your transcript.
At least 20 school days prior to your first college application deadline, you must:
- Submit the Waiver of Rights and Records Release form
- Complete the Naviance Teacher and Counselor Information Forms
- Match your Naviance account to Common App
- Add ALL colleges you are applying to the Naviance “Colleges I’m Applying to” tab
- Send teacher recommendation requests through Naviance
Please double-check the college application deadlines listed in Naviance and make sure you are giving yourself and the school enough time to meet those deadlines.
For additional information, including step-by-step guides, please visit the College Application Process website:
https://sites.google.com/hcpss.org/24-25college-app-process/homeLinks to an external site.
Please note, if these steps are not completed at least 20 school days before your college's application deadline your transcript and letters of reccommendation may not be received on time.
Transcript information
Unofficial Transcripts Available for View!
Unofficial transcripts for all seniors have been posted to Synergy. All seniors should review their transcripts for accuracy and let us know of any issues as soon as possible. Feel free to print your unofficial transcript directly from Synergy if you need it for any purpose.
What About Official Transcripts?
If you need your official transcript for college applications please match your common app to Naviance and add the colleges (if you are applying using the Common App) or Naviance (for non-Common App Schools).
If you need your official transcript for any other reason (scholarship applications, personal use, internships, etc) please complete this request form.
CLASS OF 2027 FAMILIES - 2027-28 FAFSA® Form Now Available - The 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now available to everyone. You can complete the form to apply for financial aid for attendance at college or career school between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Here are some ways you can get ready to fill out your FAFSA form:
Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).
Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.
Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.
If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.
Upcoming Financial Aid Support Sessions:
- Central Scholarship Seminar: Guidance on paying for post-high school education and finding funding.
- FAFSA Completion Workshop: Hands-on assistance for families navigating financial aid applications.
Virtual and In Person options
HCC DROP IN Support- All students (even those not planning on attending HCC) can access these supports.
Self-guided Financial Aid
Coalition for College self-guided sessions on various topics INCLUDING FINANCIAL AID
Juniors
School Counselors will deliver their first round of classroom lessons to our 11th graders in early November. School counselors will present to juniors two additional times this school year to provide additional information about practicing effective interviewing and interpersonal skills and preparation for next steps with post-secondary planning. The objectives for this upcoming lesson include:
Be introduced/reacquaint with the School Counselors
Review post-secondary options
Explore resources to aide in the decision making of post-secondary choice
We look forward to meeting with your Class of 2028 students!!
Sophomores
Freshman
Our school counselors enjoyed visiting our 9th graders in their English classes for our introductory lesson last month! It was a great opportunity to meet you, learn a little about you, and introduce you to the support and resources available through Student Services.
If you did not get a chance to complete the 9th Grade Needs Assessment Survey, you can still access it through Canvas by going to AHS Student Resources → Student Services → Announcements.
We look forward to getting to know you better and supporting you throughout your four years at Atholton! We are excited to be part of your high school journey. 💚🖤
If your family is planning to move it is important that you update your address with the Student Services Office. Please contact Ms. Sultan, Registrar, for more information about what is needed to keep your file accurate.
HCEA Tutor List
As service to the community, the Howard County Education Association maintains a list of educators willing to tutor. If you are interested in hiring an HCPSS teacher to provide tutoring, please pick up a list of these tutors from the AHS Student Services office.
Brainfuse (Howard County Public Library Free Online Homework Help)