As we move into the second semester, most college applications are either submitted or nearly complete! However, there are still colleges with open applications—be sure to check their websites for deadlines, especially for private and out-of-state schools, as these can vary. Now it's time to shift focus to financial aid and preparing for graduation.

Remember, your senior year grades do count! Even if you've been accepted to colleges, they still expect you to finish strong. Failing to do so could result in them rescinding your acceptance. Don’t put yourself in that position—stay focused and finish the year strong!

We want to wish you all Happy Holidays and a safe New Year. We will see you when get back!

Now is the perfect time to access your college portals, as they contain crucial information, including admissions decisions, missing requirements, financial aid award letters, and more. If a college reaches out for you to do so, it’s your responsibility to create an account with a username and password. Be sure to store this login information in a secure place to avoid forgetting it.

You may need to request another transcript! The Mid-Year Transcript, which includes your first semester senior year grades, is required by most private, out-of-state schools. Be sure to request it from Ms. Savage, just like you did with your Initial Transcript. The private schools want to see how you finished the first semester! CSU/UC schools will likely not ask for a transcript. Be sure to check your portals.

The Samohi Scholarship Program will open TODAY (12/20/2025) at 1:30pm! This is a fantastic opportunity for seniors to apply for scholarships, with over $100,000 in awards available. Don't miss out on this chance to support your future—take full advantage and apply!
Email with all information will be sent to students SMMK12 email.

If you haven't done so, create your FSA ID now: Creating FSA ID.

Seniors who want to be considered for federal, state (Cal Grant & SMC’s Promise Program), and in some cases, institutional aid, the FAFSA or CADAA is required, and for some colleges, so is the CSS Profile. Deadline: March 2, 2025 is the priority deadline for CA colleges.

CSS Profile is NOW open. Please see the CSS Profile Participating Institutions and Programs list to see if the institution(s) you are applying too will require the profile. Deadline: varies by campus

Check the college's respective financial aid website to confirm what is required and by when.

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.

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.

We understand that this can be a stressful time, and we want you to know that we're here for you. Take a moment to breathe. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos, so remember to pause, relax, and reconnect with yourself. Just breath!

You can find all your questions about how to request letters of recommendation and transcripts answered here in the Letter of Recommendation and Transcript Guidelines. Please take the time to read the document thoroughly—it contains important information you won’t want to miss!

UCs and CSUs DO NOT need an official transcript sent at this time, only some private and out-of-state schools will require them.

Dates and deadlines are crucial in the college application process. If you have any questions or need a refresher from when we met you during English class presentations at the start of the year, the Survival Guide is here for you. It’s your one-stop resource for everything you need to know about deadlines, applications, and milestone checks to keep you on track. Check it out!

It's never too early to research opportunities for the summer. Start researching what where you want to go and what you want to do.

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!