Seniors,

We're almost to break! You have worked so hard this fall, you all deserve the time off and hope you can enjoy it with friends and family.

This week ends our senior newsletters for the school year. We hope that you have found newsletters and senior office hours to be helpful to you this fall. We have really enjoyed sharing the time with you and helping you along the way. All senior related news will be included in our monthly 9-12 Counseling Corner newsletter for the remainder of the school year. And remember, we are ALL still available for 1:1 appointments!

Don't forget about the Registrar Deadlines! Regardless of the application (job, college, scholarships, etc.), our office needs 15 SCHOOL DAYS to get your materials out by the institutions deadline. Keep those dates posted on your fridge!

Check out the spring tips and timeline below. There is still a lot of time to continue to research and weigh your options. Let us know how we can help!

No matter where you are in your journey, PLEASE come see us this spring. You can easily schedule appointments with your counselor or Mrs. Stern at any time using Bookings or stopping in to see our secretaries.

We wish you a very happy holiday season and new year! See you in 2025!!

Best,

BHS Counseling Office

(585) 242-5000 x4526

https://bhs.bcsd.org/46697_3

Just one left!!

MCC- February 25

Sign up here: https://bhs.bcsd.org/46752_3

Even if you've submitted most or all of your applications, or have a plan for next year, below are some tips on what to do to keep things moving in the spring:

1. Follow-up. If you've submitted your applications, now is a good time to confirm all of the schools/jobs received your application and materials. The first place to start is with the Common Application and the Coalition applications. Check their dashboards to see if a school has downloaded your application. In addition, confirm your school materials (transcript, letters of recommendation, school profile) have been submitted. If you have any doubts, you can reach out to the admissions offices or places of employment and ask for them to confirm receipt.
2. Check your emails (and spam) daily. Most colleges will email you access to a portal. You’ll need to create a login user name and password for each school – keep track of this information. This is where you will find any updates from the school and it’s the best place to confirm that your application is complete for each of the schools on your list. Colleges will notify you if your test scores or letters of recommendation haven’t arrived.
3. Send notes. Now is a good time to show your appreciation to staff who have taken the time to write your letters of recommendation. A simple note is all it takes!
4. Keep researching. Continue to take virtual tours and info sessions for colleges where you’re applying. The more research you do, the better informed you can be when making a decision in the spring.

Spring Timeline:

• Admissions decisions will begin to roll in through March- be prepared for all outcomes.
• Attend any “Accepted Student” days, especially if you weren't able to visit before. It's also good to re-visit to see if it still feels right.
• Continue to have honest conversations- review financial aid packages.
• ALL admissions decisions will be out to students by April 1st . What option will be the best fit for YOU?
• National Decision Day- May 1st. If planning to attend college, you will need to submit your deposit by this day. Even if you are not planning to attend college, May 1 is a good deadline for your decisions so you have time to finalize plans before graduation.

Decisions, decisions:

Accepted/Got the job

• YAY!! Celebrate! Share the good news with friends, family, and BHS staff that helped you along the way.

Letters of denial/not hired

• It’s OK to grieve your loss. Please come see us so we can help you process this.

Put on the wait list? Still not sure?

• What does this mean? Do you really want this?
• Make your plan B, C, D, etc. (Deposit on 2nd choice school, gap year?)
• Next steps- keep in contact with your admissions rep, send updated materials, keep your counselor updated so we can help you navigate your choices.

As you've learned in Senior Seminar, we need 15 SCHOOL DAYS to process your application materials to ensure they are submitted by the deadline. This means you need to be ahead of the game and must have your applications submitted at least 15 SCHOOL DAYS prior to the actual application deadline. More details to come in seminar.

Check out the Registrar deadlines- based on the college/job/scholarship deadlines, the dates below are when your application is DUE TO THE REGISTRARS OFFICE.

While we wait for new information about when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) will be available, now is the perfect time to recommend your students and their contributors get their FSA IDs. That way, they are ready to complete and submit the FAFSA® as soon as it becomes available.

Our office is here to support your students and their families throughout this process. While additional information can be found on our A Better FAFSA® website, we included some key FAQs related to the FSA ID and who needs one and why to help as you work with your students and their supporters:

What is an FSA ID?

An FSA ID is a username and password that is required to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites.c Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

Why do you recommend doing this now?

Processing a new FSA ID can take up to 5 business days. By getting those IDs now, it means your students and their families will be ready to complete and submit the FAFSA® once it's available and not have to wait for their FSA IDs to process.

Who needs an FSA ID?

Beginning with the 2024–25 FAFSA®, all contributors (student, student's spouse, and/or parent) must have their own FSA ID.

To find out if your student is eligible for financial aid and to submit a FAFSA®, please encourage them to visit our eligibility page.

How does someone get an FSA ID?

To create an FSA ID, please go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.

What if the student or contributor doesn’t remember their FSA ID or is not sure if they have one?

To retrieve a forgotten FSA ID or password, please go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing and click either the "Forgot my Username" or "Forgot my Password" links.

What if the parent of a student doesn't have a Social Security Number (SSN)?

Those contributors without an SSN, but whose student is eligible to apply for federal student aid, will need an FSA ID. However, they cannot yet create an FSA ID without an SSN. We expect this access to be available around the same time the FAFSA® is released.

Please feel free to check our website often for any updated information and check your email, as we'll work to update you, your students, and their families as we know more. Let us know if you have any questions at finaid@finaid.wisc.edu.

On, Wisconsin!

Office of Student Financial Aid
University of Wisconsin–Madison

If you have questions specific to BHS testing procedures, please reach out to Deirdre Carter: deirdre_carter@bcsd.org. As things are changing so often, please refer to the testing sites for updated information:

ACT- www.actstudent.org

SAT- www.collegeboard.org

Email: courtney_stern@bcsd.org
Website: https://www.bcsd.org/Page/2063
Location: 1150 South Winton Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 242-5000