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Congratulations Class of 2025! We hope you are as excited as we are for your final year of high school! We are here to help you reach your post secondary goals, whether you are applying to a university, going to college to transfer or learn a trade, or entering the world of work. This newsletter will be sent to your school email every quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring) and also posted to the school website. Make sure you read it to stay in the know for all things Class of 2025!

High School Codes are necessary for standardized test results, such as the ACT and SAT, to reach the proper schools and scholarship programs. You may also be asked for it in a college application.

Yosemite Valley Charter 052194

Monarch River Academy 054941

Join us for live information sessions offered this Fall! Links to the slides and recording will be made available here after the session.

• Applying to a CSU and UC
• Tuesday October 8th at 12pm and 6pm
• CSU Slides and UC Slides with recording link

• Taking college classes in high school (Concurrent Enrollment)
  
• Wednesday October 16th at 6pm Slides with recording link
• Scholarships
  
• Tuesday October 22nd at 6pm Slides with recording link
• Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CADAA
• Wednesday November 13th at 6pm Slides with recording link

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) announces an upcoming series of Statewide Cash for College Webinars. These free webinars will provide information to help students and families complete their financial aid applications - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) - for the 2025-26 academic year to maximize their financial aid eligibility

• December 3, 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
• *December 12, 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
• *January 13, 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
• January 23, 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
• February 6, 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
• February 12, 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
• February 18, 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
• February 24, 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
• March 3, 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM

* The dates with an asterisk will be translated live into Spanish*

Click here to register for a workshop

Take a community college class in Spring 2025! It's free!

• Interested in a trade? Start the first course in the many pathways available to you-Welding, Construction trades, Medical Assistant, Business, Graphic Art...too many possibilities to list! You can earn 3or more college units, 10 high school elective credits, and get a grade point boost to your GPA! Best of all...it's FREE!
• Want to be prepared for College and Life in general? Try COUNSELING 53 College and Life Management available through the State Center Community College District. You'll earn 3 college credits, 10 high school elective credits, get a grade point boost to your GPA, and it's transferable to both UCs and CSUs!

Talk to your IST and see our CVCS Guide to Concurrent Enrollment Programs for live links to everything you need to register for a college class next semester. Attend our information session for more!

Taking college classes in high school (Concurrent Enrollment)

Wednesday October 16th at 6pm Slides and recording

Our high schools are happy to announce the availability of CaliforniaColleges.edu for College & Career Exploration. This platform provides the tools to match student interests and skills to college and career opportunities. Take career assessments and use search tools to develop college, major, and career lists, write goals and journals, track activities, and read and complete lessons on all things college, career, and financial aid! You can also launch Cal State Apply, CCCApply, the UC application and your financial aid application right from their account! It's a one-stop-shop for planning your future! Student login information was sent to the student's school-based email. You will be reminded to complete this step during your LP3 meeting as well as complete one or more Career Interest Inventories. Please click on the flyer for links to resources on how to register as well as how to use the tools.

If you aren’t able to use this platform, here are some other great alternatives:

• CA Career Zone

• Road Trip Nation

• Big Future

Continuing your education after high school doesn’t necessarily mean going to a 4-year college. There are many options for finding a well-paying career in an area that makes the most of your skills and interests!

Find out more about Apprenticeships here.

Many CSU campuses have extended their Fall 2025 application deadlines! Fresno State is now accepting applications until January 10th and are holding webinars to help with applications. Check deadlines by campus here.

Here are some tips to help you build a better, cost-conscious college list:

1. Include Variety: Apply to a variety of types of colleges with varying costs. Be sure you include at least one private, public, and community college on your list, as well as at least on "meets needs" university.
2. Know Your Budget: Now is the time to have conversations with your family about how much they can afford to pay out of pocket and if you have any savings.
3. Get Estimates: Use Net Price Calculators and the Federal Student Aid Estimator to give yourself an idea of what your cost might be.
4. Do Your Homework: Learn about the post-graduation outcomes for each of the college’s you’re interested in. Going Merry has a great worksheet to help you do that.

CSU Campus Events for Prospective Students

CSU Monterey Bay Open House

October 5, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Immerse yourself in college life and learn more about transitioning to college for the first time. Dive into a catered academic showcase, explore first-year residence halls and experience our vibrant student life.

CSU Stanislaus -Warrior Expo 2024

Saturday, October 19, 2024

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Stan State - Turlock Campus

Join prospective and current students, families, friends and esteemed alumni come together to immerse themselves in the true Warrior experience. Whether you’re curious about our academic programs, looking for financial aid advice, or excited to experience campus life, Warrior Expo is your chance to see it all firsthand.

UC campus fall events for prospective students

UC Berkeley: Open House Sat November 2nd; programming throughout September and October

UC Davis: Open House events throughout October

UC Irvine: Discover UCI October 19

UCLA: Open House October 14

UC Merced: Programming in October

UC Riverside: Discover UCR October 5

UC San Diego: Fall Showcase October 5

UC Santa Barbara: Programming throughout October and November

UC Santa Cruz: Open House November 2

CA Community College Applying for Admission

• Fresno City College New Student Help

• Reedley City College New Student Help

• Clovis Community Application Instructions, Clovis Community College: Welcome Center, Playlist

• Merced Community College New Student Help

• Monterey Peninsula College New Student Help

• Hartnell College New Student Help

• Gavilan College New Student Help

• The priority application period for the Fall 2025 semester: September 1st -March 1st

CSU Fresno, Monterey Bay, Bakersfield and all other California State Universities:

• Application help: High School Guidance - First-Time First-Year Students | CSU

• Application period: October 1 - December 2

UC Merced and all other University of California campuses:

• Application help: Applying as a freshman | UC Admissions

• Admissions Workshops | Undergraduate Admissions| UC Merced

• Application period: August 1 - December 2

Colleges using the Common Application: An application guide for first-time students

Attend our information session Applying to a CSU and UC

Tuesday October 8th at 12pm and 6pm

CSU Slides and UC Slides with recording link

See our full 2024-2025 Preparing for College Calendar here

October 18, 2024

Registration deadline for November 2, 2024 SAT

Students who wish to apply to 4-year colleges or universities that require an SAT or ACT will need to register. Late registration deadline: October 22, 2024.

• Registration Website: SAT Registration | Coll Board

• Practice Exams: Free Official SAT Practice Tests | College Board

• SAT vs. ACT: SAT vs ACT: Which Test is Right for You?

October 26, 2024

Test Day: ACT

Students must bring an admission ticket, an acceptable photo ID, two No. 2 pencils with erasers, and an approved calculator.

• Test Day Checklist: ACT Test Day - The ACT Test

November 2, 2024

Test Day: SAT

Students must bring an admission ticket, an acceptable photo ID, two No. 2 pencils with erasers, and an approved calculator.

• SAT Test Day Checklist | SAT Suite of Assessments – The College Board

November 8, 2024

Registration deadline for December 14 ACT

Students who wish to apply to 4-year colleges or universities that require an SAT or ACT will need to register. Late registration deadline: November 22, 2024.

• Registration - The ACT Test

• Practice Exams: ACT Test Preparation - The ACT Test

• SAT vs. ACT: SAT vs ACT: Which Test is Right for You?

November 22, 2024

Registration deadline for December 7, 2024 SAT

Students who wish to apply to 4-year colleges or universities that require an SAT or ACT will need to register. Late registration deadline: November 26, 2024.

• Registration Website: SAT Registration | College Board

• Practice Exams: Free Official SAT Practice Tests | College Board

• SAT vs. ACT: SAT vs ACT: Which Test is Right for You?

December 1, 2024

FAFSA opens

Students who wish to be considered for federal and state financial aid for 2025 - 2026 must complete the FAFSA. Students will need a verified account username and password (FSA ID), parent or spouse contributor name, date of birth, social security number, email address, income, and asset information (if required).

• Website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

December 2, 2024

Deadline for UC Applications

Students who wish to apply to a UC for Fall 2025 must complete an application. The personal statement has been updated, so students should review the new personal insight questions; they must answer 4 of the eight questions. Each application costs $80.

• Application: UC application

• Minimum admission requirements

• Personal Insight Questions

Deadline for CSU Applications

Students who wish to apply to a CSU for Fall 2025 must complete an application. The CSU uses A-G course completion and GPA to make admission decisions but has temporarily suspended using the SAT/ACT. Each application costs $70.

• Cal State Apply | CSU

• Freshman: Admission Requirements

December 7, 2024

Test Day: SAT

Students must bring an admission ticket, an acceptable photo ID, two No. 2 pencils with erasers, and an approved calculator.

• SAT Test Day Checklist | SAT Suite of Assessments – The College Board

While UC (University of California), CSU (California State University), and many private colleges are not requiring the SAT or ACT for admission, some colleges may use scores for placement and some scholarships may request scores with applications. Please research whether the SAT or ACT will benefit you!

• Check here to see if your school requires test scores.
• Click here for information about Fee Waivers.
• Go here for free SAT prep from the College Board and Khan Academy or here for a free SAT Boot Camp through Schoolhouse!

CalKIDS is the long-awaited children’s savings account program that offers all newborns and eligible low-income public school students in California between $25 and $1,500 to start saving for college and career training. Families are encouraged to build on this investment by opening and contributing to a ScholarShare 529 account of their own and see their college savings balances all in one place. Visit www.calkids.org today to learn more about eligibility, registering for the program, and getting started on your savings!

All graduating students need to fill out a financial aid application to access free money to go to college. This includes the California Promise Grant (2 years of free tuition at CA community college), Cal Grants (which can pay in-state public, private or career/technical/vocational schools), the Middle-Class Scholarship (for families that make up to $217,000), and other scholarships and aid that a particular college may offer.

The FAFSA application will be available on December 1st. Prepare now by creating an FSA ID, the first step in the financial aid process.

The CADAA application (for undocumented students) is open now.

Need Help?

• Attend a free CASH FOR COLLEGE workshop! Click here to register
• Attend out information session Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CADAA
• Wednesday November 13th at 6pm Slides with recording link

The Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards

Deadline 11/3/24

The Youth Awards honor Latinx high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Community Service, Education, Engineering, Entrepreneurship & Business, Green Sustainability, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, Public Service & Social Justice and Technology.

Eligibility:

• Be currently enrolled in high school or home school program and graduating in the spring of 2025
• Must have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 7.5 on a 10.0 scale
• Must enroll at an accredited higher education institution in 2025-2026
• Be of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, Philippines)
• If selected, attendance to the virtual regional awards ceremony is mandatory

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Deadline: 11/14/24

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship is the largest undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities. In addition to the monetary award, Cooke Scholars receive comprehensive educational advising, significant cohort-based programming, and graduate school funding. Students must have a 3.5 GPA and unmet financial need. Families making up to $95,000 will be considered.

Fresno State Smittcamp Family Honors College Scholarship

Deadline 12/14/2023

The Fresno State Smittcamp Family Honors College Scholarship is awarded to 50 incoming freshmen per year who are admitted to the honors college. This award covers in-state tuition and includes credit for a dorm room on campus! Open to students in the top 10% of their class or a minimum of a 3.8 high school GPA (grades 9-11).

**Register for an information webinar on Oct 8th or Oct. 24th

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Attend our information session Financial Aid and Scholarships

Tuesday October 22nd at 6pm

Slides with recording link

Click on the button below for our Central Schools Scholarship Bulletin for more scholarships!

As a high school student, creating a resume is an excellent way to prepare yourself to enter the workforce and provide you with important information to complete your college and scholarship applications. Here are some links to help you get started:

• How to create a high school resume (video, tips, and template) with limited work experience
• High school resume template (editable Google Doc)
• Sample high school resume (pdf with explanations of the different sections as well as a word bank of action verbs)

Ready to enter the workforce? Check out your local county employment agency.

• 📩 Need a letter of recommendation? Fill out this form and make an appointment with us using our link.
• Need an unofficial copy of your transcript? Download from the parent portal, email us or contact your IST.
• Need an official copy of your high school transcript? Request one here

High School Counselor

Last Names A-L

carmen.marroquin@centralvcs.org

(209) 720-7177

Schedule an appointment

High School Counselor

Last Names M-Z

yessenia.medina@centralvcs.org

209-720-7577

Schedule an appointment