Happy New Year, Bearcats!

We hope you had a restful break and are ready for semester 2!

This semester brings lots of activities, especially for Seniors. Be on the lookout for communication from Mr. Martinak and AHS Communications for all Senior events and timelines. If you haven't already, please begin the process of completing your FAFSA! Information can be found below, and is required for graduation. You can reach out to the financial aid department at your respective college or university if you have questions!

Parenting Teens can be challenging! Check out this article on how to help your teens start the new year on a positive note!

We are excited to work with our current 9th-11th graders on course selection for the 2025-26 school year! Check out all you need to know for helping your student choose their courses below!

As always, if we can be of help in any way, please reach out!

The most valuable resource for course selection will be the AHS Academic Planning Guide. This guide contains all of the information you need when planning your courses. Please take time to look through it as you begin to plan.

Another resource we have created for you is the AHS Course Selection website. This resource houses all kinds of information that will be helpful in your planning process. The presentation from Info Expo, as well as the presentations the students will see are housed here.

Counselors will be available during FLEX to answer any questions students may have about course selection.

Counselors will be meeting individually with students for course selection meetings on the following dates:

AHS 9th graders: January 21-24

AHS 10th graders: January 27-29

AHS 11th graders: February 3-7

Courses will be verified after Spring Break. As per policy, students may request 1 change to their initial requests. Changes will be accepted via the Google form only, and are due by the last day of school, May 22, 2025.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to ahscounselors@aledoisd.org

https://tafb.wufoo.com/forms/z1hcj2gw1fqa9gt/

Class of 2025,

Seniors are required, by the state of Texas, to complete the FAFSA (or TAFSA) as a graduation requirement. The application opens on December 1st, and applying early is the best chance at starting the process to receive available funds. Students (age 18+) or their parents can opt-out of this requirement by completing the FAFSA Waiver. Either the FAFSA completion or the FAFSA waiver have to be turned in to your counselor for your student to walk at graduation.

Follow the steps below to prepare for these upcoming opportunities.

FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID can be awarded by the government and by the institution of higher learning that you attend. The amount of financial aid offered is based on the need and can come in the form of grants or loans. The FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) can be filled out starting December 1, 2024. We have linked some resources below:

• Learn How Financial Aid Works
• Overview of Financial Aid Video
• Use the FAFSA4Caster to estimate your eligibility
• Types of Financial Aid Video
• Sign up for your FSA ID number (for both students and parents; used to “sign” documents electronically).
• How to create a FSA ID video.
• Start your FAFSA Application.
• Need step-by-step help working through your FAFSA application? Use this guide from Nitro.
• 
  

Students will submit their completion or waiver by completing this form:

AHS Class of 2025 FAFSA Completion

You will upload proof of your completion to the form. This is the only way we will track your FAFSA graduation requirement. We will not be able to accept paper copies of the form, it must be submitted via this link for tracking purposes.

Students not completing the form by May 23 will not be able to walk at graduation.

If you have additional questions about FAFSA or the college application process, you can reach out to the financial aid department at your respective school or check out our College & Career Website.

5 Myths About Parent Information on the FAFSA

How Colleges Admit Students Based on Major

Just for Juniors (and their parents) is a night you won't want to miss! Save the date and make a plan to join us for all things post-secondary planning!

The AHS College and Career Readiness website is a great resource for students and families who are taking the steps for post-secondary planning!

Check it out HERE!

Major Clarity is a great resource and is also where you will request transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Major Clarity Resources

• Career Exploration
• Post-Secondary Exploration
• Portfolio
• Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation (12th grade only)
• Connecting Your Common Application (12th grade only)
• Common Application Evaluator (12th grade only)

FAFSA 101- Top 10 to-dos for financial aid

5 FAFSA Tips Every Parent Needs to Know

5 Reasons to file your FAFSA

University of Texas, MIT and others announce free tuition for some undergraduates

Best Scholarships for High School Juniors

Want to visit a college, but can’t make it in person? Check out these virtual tour options!

https://campustours.com/

https://www.thecollegetour.com/tour-colleges/

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/virtual-tours

Check out My Texas Future for more college and career planning information! It's a great site that also has direct admissions information for 25+ schools in Texas!

https://www.mytexasfuture.org/

Follow us on Instagram and X (twitter) and like our Facebook page (Aledo High School Counseling Department) for all things AHS Counseling and even some Bearcat fun! We will share upcoming dates, important information, and show you a look at AHS/DNG through our eyes.

Lindsay Fuller, Lead Counselor Grades 9-12 Last Names A-B lfuller@aledoisd.org

Maggie Alexander, Counselor Grades 9-12 Last Names C-Go malexander@aledoisd.org

Mandy Fernihough, Counselor Grades 9-12 Last Names Gr-Ma mfernihough@aledoisd.org

Annie Walker, Counselor Grades 9-12 Last Names Mc-R awalker@aledoisd.org

Tricia Hackfeld, Counselor Grades 9-12 Last Names S-Z thackfeld@aledoisd.org

Email: AHScounselors@aledoisd.org
Website: https://ahs.aledoisd.org/staff/counselors

Location: 1000 Bailey Ranch Road, Aledo, TX, USA
Phone: 817-441-8711
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063129766467&mibextid=2JQ9oc
Twitter: @AledoHSCouns