October Newsletter

October 1-FAFSA / CADAA application has opened

October 5 - No School Fall Break

October 14- College Application / Financial Aid Workshops @ Lunch time

October 16 - 10 Week Grades

October 28 - College Application / Financial Aid Workshops @ Lunch time

Every Tuesday & Thursday: Library Nights

If your senior could use a little extra academic support, please encourage them to attend Library Nights.
👍🏽Every Tuesday and Thursday 4pm to 6pm
👍🏽Teachers, Instructional Assistants, Peer Tutors.
👍🏽Textbooks, Chromebooks, Quite Place to Study.
For more information about Homework Help and Tutoring, visit our Tutoring Website.

Senior year comes with a lot of deadlines and due dates. Let's get you caught up. What should seniors be taking care of at this point?

✅ NCAA Eligibility Center (College-Bound Athletes)

✅ Senior Portraits (Due October 31)
✅ Senior Tributes (code 6848)

✅ Yearbook Orders (code 6848)

✅ Cap and Gown Orders (Don't forget the tassel!)
✅ Register/Pre-Register to Vote (Make Your Voice Heard)

🎓 College Application Season is Here!

It’s time for seniors to apply! In California, students will choose from four main application systems:

• ✏️ California Community Colleges (116 campuses)

• ✏️ Cal State Universities (CSU) (23 campuses)

• ✏️ University of California (UC) (9 campuses)

• ✏️ Common App (Private & Out-of-State universities)

Key Tips for Applying:

• Launch from CaliforniaColleges.edu: Starting here auto-fills Hart District coursework into CSU/UC applications, saving hours! Non-Hart courses must be entered manually.

• Requirements: UCs, CSUs, and Community Colleges do not require SAT/ACT scores or letters of recommendation. Common App schools may require both (students needing recommendations should submit counselor/teacher brag sheets).

• Workshops & Support: I will host Wednesday lunch time drop-in sessions and visit English classes to assist with applications and financial aid (FAFSA).

• College Rep Visits: College representatives are visiting campus! View schedule details on our College Rep Visit Website.

Students filling out the Common Application and/or University of California applications will notice that they will have to do some writing. The Common Application includes essay prompts. The University of California Application includes Personal Insight Questions (PIQs).

If you have a senior applying to the UC system, or using the Common Application, be sure to encourage them to check out these valuable resources:

👉🏼 A GUIDE TO UC's PIQs /👉🏼 UC SANTA BARBARA's GUIDE TO PIQs

👉🏼 A GUIDE TO THE COMMON APPLICATION ESSAYS
👉🏼 COLLEGEBOARD's GUIDE TO WRITING ESSAYS
👉🏼 US NEWS & WORLD REPORT's GUIDE TO COLLEGE ESSAYS

Seniors still have an opportunity to take the SAT or the ACT. If your student has recently discovered that they may need an SAT or ACT score for college or scholarship applications, they will want to act quickly. Register for the SAT or the ACT today!

🎓 Free Tuition: California Community Colleges & Canyons Promise

First-time college students in California can attend community college tuition-free for up to two years!

Community college is a great fit for students who want to:

• Explore career options or complete short-term certificates quickly

• Save money before transferring to a 4-year university

• Transition smoothly while staying close to home

⚠️ Canyons Promise Update:

Due to state funding cuts, College of the Canyons (COC) accepted 1,000 students into the Promise Program. We strongly encourage all seniors to apply!

Next Steps for Seniors:

1. Apply for Fall admission to COC over the next couple of months.

2. Select "Yes" when asked if interested in the Promise Program.

3. Complete the FAFSA or CADAA as early as possible.

4. Watch for follow-up Promise application steps sent in January.

🔗 Learn more: Canyons Promise Program

💰 Free Financial Aid Night at COC – Tuesday, October 6!

College of the Canyons (COC) is hosting a free Cash for College Financial Aid Workshop for all students and families! This event is extremely valuable for all seniors, whether they plan to attend a community college or a 4-year university.

• 🗓 Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

• ⏰ Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• 📍 Location: COC Performing Arts Center (PAC)

• 🌐 Languages: Presented in both English and Spanish

COC Financial Aid experts will be on hand to walk you step-by-step through completing your financial aid applications (including the FAFSA/CADAA) and answer any questions about funding options.

See attached flyers (English and Spanish) for full details!

💰FAFSA & CADAA Now Open!

Financial aid applications are live! Every senior planning on trade school, community college, or a 4-year university should apply to qualify for grants, work-study, and loans.

• How to Apply: Launch applications directly through CaliforniaColleges.edu.

• FSA ID Tip: Student names must match Infinite Campus exactly. Joint-tax filers need one Parent FSA ID; separate/divorced filers need two.

• Which Application? Students determined whether to use FAFSA or CADAA during their September CaliforniaColleges.edu lesson.

Hands-on Support at Hart:

We are hosting Financial Aid Workshops on December 02, January 20, and February 3! Check out the attached flyer for locations and times.

💰 Search & Apply for Scholarships Weekly!

Seniors should be actively searching and applying for scholarships every week! Don't overlook smaller awards—every bit adds up to help cover tuition, books, supplies, and living expenses.

Explore available opportunities and resources on our Scholarships & Financial Aid website today!

Discover Opportunities in the U.S. Military

Looking for a meaningful career with great benefits? The U.S. Military offers competitive healthcare, paid time off, retirement savings, and strong community support.

Explore day-to-day life, hear firsthand experiences from service members and parents, and learn about career opportunities at the link below!

🔗 Learn More: Military Life & Careers

If your student is looking for a part-time job, have them check out our Job Board. Our General Work Experience teacher, Mr. Thurm, posts open positions throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Check it out!

Email: LTrujillo@hartdistrict.org
Website: www.harthighschool.org