Central Catholic - Find Your Path

College Applications - If you are applying to four-year colleges, begin working on applications now if you haven't already done so. Applying through the Common Application? You will need to match your Common App to Naviance Student. It will allow us to send your transcript and recommendation (if needed) to colleges once you request them. Click HERE for instructions.

Letters of Recommendation - If a college requires a recommendation letter, be sure to submit the Transcript & Recommendation Request Form at least four weeks prior to your application deadline. There is some flexibility; however, teachers and counselors need time to write letters in addition to their other responsibilities. If you have a January deadline, please make your requests no later than December 1. See details below about the process.

Thank You Notes - Be sure to thank your recommenders for taking time to write for you.

Paying for College - Get ready to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by creating your FAS ID. See details in the Paying for College section below.

Get ready to submit FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) - The FAFSA for the 2025-26 school year will open in December. Sign up for the upcoming virtual financial aid sessions linked below and watch the recording of Paying for College & Financial Aid webinar if you didn't have a chance to view it live in October.

Complete the CSS Profile if required by one or more colleges - The CSS Profile is an online aid application used by some colleges and scholarship programs to award their own institutional aid. It asks for information in addition to what you will provide on the FAFSA. A list of participating colleges is also found on the CSS Profile homepage. Some colleges may also require divorced or separated parents to complete separate applications. The CSS Profile is free for domestic undergraduate students whose family income is at or below $100,000.

Net Price Calculator - Work with your student to complete a Net Price Calculator for each college on their list. This will give you an estimate of what each one will award in financial aid and scholarship. Search for Net Price Calculators on each college's financial aid page or search HERE.

Please plan ahead and submit the Transcript & Recommendation Request Form (also found in Naviance Student) as soon as possible. Make your requests at least four weeks in advance if your college requires recommendations and letters have not already been written for an earlier deadline.

Need recommendation letters? Be sure to link your Common Application to Naviance first. Click on the Recommendation Request Process button below for instructions. Pleae keep in mind, we are unable to get transcripts sent and/or recommendation requests started until seniors complete the required steps linked below.

Parents/Guardian: Click HERE to share input about your senior to help with the counselor recommendation. It's optional by much appreciated by us!

We are continuing to host sessions for seniors who would like assistance completing their college applications. All sessions will be held in the Commons unless otherwise noted. No sign-up is required and seniors are welcome to join us for any or all of the sessions listed below.

• After School from 2:40 to 3:40 pm
• November 5
• November 13
• November 14
• November 18 in the Counseling Conference Room
• November 21
• Before School
• November 13 from 8:15 to 9:05 am
• Every Thursday & Friday from 7:25 to 7:55 am
• During Lunch in the Counseling Conference Room
• November 13
• November 20

Check out these monthly session the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 3 pm PT. Click HERE for details and to register in advance.

Showcase your artistic evolution! Visit with admission counselors and faculty from art and design schools for a portfolio review before applying to colleges or universities. Register in advance - Virtual: December 8 from 9am-1 pm PT.

Are you a high school student thinking about going to Portland Community College? Would you like to learn more about PCC’s excellent academic programs? Do you have questions about how to fulfill your college goals? Then PCC Preview Day is the event for you! Sign up for the campus that interests you below. Click HERE to register in advance.

Southeast Campus - November 15

Rock Creek Campus - Feburary 21

Cascades Campus - April 25

Join the ACE Mentor Program! Participants get mentoring and career advice from practicing professionals, visit multiple professional workplaces and network, plus design a building project from start to finish. The program is for Seniors and Juniors runs January through May 2025 with students meeting once a week in-person from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Click HERE to learn more and apply by November 12.

Perry Outreach Program is open to students in Grades 10-12 and their goal is to encourage women to pursue careers in medicine and engineering. This is a free, one-day, hands-on experience​ to encourage women to pursue careers in medicine and engineering. The event will be at Oregon Health Science University from 9 am to 3:30 pm on December 14. Students will hear from women leaders in these fields and try it for themselves by performing mock orthopedic surgeries and biomechanics experiments. Click HERE to learn more and apply by November 18.

Community colleges are often at the forefront in offering training programs to get individuals trained and ready to work in high demand fields in one to two years and sometimes less. Microelectronics at Portland Community College is a great example of such a program. PCC enjoys a strong partnership with local semiconductor manufacturers. The job placement rate is close to 100% and starting salaries are around $55,000 per year. Click HERE and check out their degree and certificate programs.

PWA Career Days are in-person opportunities for students to learn about high-demand career fields. Click HERE for details about upcoming dates. Spots fill quickly. Submit your Student interest Form and Parent/Guardian Permission Form as soon as possible. Transportation is not provided.

November 6 at 6 pm PT - The University of Portland will be hosting a virtual presentation to help all students and families with the financial aid process regardless of their interest in U of P. Click HERE to register in advance.

December 3 at 5 pm PT - The Coalition for College is hosting their Completing the FAFSA webinar. Not sure where to begin with the FAFSA? Confused by the process or unfamiliar with certain terms? In this session, admissions and financial aid experts from Coalition schools will share tips to better prepare you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Bring along your questions and get answers to confidently fill out the FAFSA.

Every eligible, college-bound student and at least one parent, will need an FSA ID to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It's very important to create an FSA ID (username and log in) for PRIOR TO completing the FAFSA when it opens in December. Families who attempt to create FSA IDs at the time of FAFSA completion may not experience the benefits of FAFSA simplification or be able to consent to the use of Federal Tax Information.

Here's how to start!

1. The FSA ID is needed to sign and submit your FAFSA. Students will need their own FSA ID plus one parent must also create a FSA ID.
2. Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security Card.
3. Gather your 2023 tax return data.

When the FAFSA goes live in December:

1. Complete the FAFSA for the 2025-2026 school year. Do not complete 2024-25!
2. Add all the colleges you are applying to this year. If you add colleges to your list after you have completed the FAFSA -- just edit it and add to your FAFSA.

Need help determining which parent(s) needs to complete the FAFSA? Click HERE to access the FAFSA Parent Wizard tool. The tool can be helpful for ORSAA too.

Concerned you're not eligible to file the FAFSA? ORSAA and WASFA are alternate forms for undocumented students living in Oregon and Washington respectively. Not sure? Click HERE for the FAFSA/ORSAA Filter Tool. You do not need to create a FSA ID if you are not using FAFSA.

Many colleges award admitted applicants automatic scholarships. The criteria for these scholarships are as varied as the institutions themselves. Many of these scholarships are automatically awarded upon admission and are based on the student's admissions application. So nothing else for you to do -- except make sure your application for admission is strong.

Check the Financial Aid and Scholarship webpage for each college on your list. Are there any additional applications needed (besides the admission application)? Are there any scholarships that fit your profile and need an additional application?

Complete a Net Price Calculator for every college on your list! Net Price Calculator's, available on every college's website, are an easy tool to use to estimate how much each college might give you in scholarship money! Search for Net Price Calculators on each college's financial aid page or search HERE.

THINK LOCAL

Your parent, guardian or grandparent might work for a company or belong to an organization that offers scholarships to dependents or descendants. There is often less competition for these, since they have to be awarded locally.

• OSAC Scholarships (primarily OR residents) -OSAC awards more than $10 million in scholarships annually. Oregon residents planning to attend a two- or four colleges as well as trade schools. The application is now open; however, it cannot be submitted until after first semester. The Early Bird deadline is February 18 by 11:59 pm PT. Error-free applications will be entered into a drawing for one of several $1,000 Early Bird scholarships. You can also check out the Oregon Promise Community College Grant - HERE.
• Ford Scholars Program (OR residents) - The Program Supports students who have significant financial barriers to college. Students must plan to enroll full-time in an institution located in Oregon. THe application open on in December and closes March 3.
• The WashBoard (WA residents) - Washington residents have access to a database of scholarships that might be a good fit. Create an account and start your search today.

SEARCH FOR OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS

There are lots of free search sites for scholarships. You should never have to pay to find or apply for scholarships. Here are some helpful sites:
Fastweb

Oregon GearUP Scholarship List

STAY ORGANIZED

It can challenging to keep track of all the different scholarship deadlines and requirements. Check out the scholarship tools including the Scholarship Tracking Worksheet developed by the University of Portland HERE. You'll find it under the "Scholarship Application" section.

Black United Fund of Oregon Scholarships are open to seniors who identify as Black, African-American, or of African descent. Additionally, ACCESS Scholarships are available to seniors applying to specific universities in Oregon. Deadline varies (Create an account for details)

NOVEMBER

Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders seeks to recognize Hispanic students who share Dr. Andrade’s lifelong commitment to servant leadership. At least one parent must be of Hispanic ancestry. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply (DACA or Undocumented). Deadline: November 30 at 9:59 PM PT

Driver Education Initiative Award is sponsored by the National Driving and Traffic School. The essay contest “In The Driver’s Seat” seeks to have applicants highlight the importance of being a safe and educated driver. The essay must be a minimum of 750 words. Deadline: November 30

Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship is open to high school seniors who are U.S. citizens. Scholarships ranging from $4000 to $50,000 are awarded based on academics, service, leadership and financial need. Deadline: November 12 at 11:59 pm PT

Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards honor Latino 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. Deadline: November 13

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need. They will consider applicants with family annual gross income up to $95,000; however, last year's recipients had a median family income of approximately $35,000. Deadline: November 14 at 11:59 pm PT

National Honor Society Scholarship is open to senior NHS members with a verified NHS student account. Please plan ahead for the verification process. Deadline: November 26 at 2 pm PT

University of Virginia Jefferson Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate excellence and exceptional potential in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and engaged citizenship. Recipients receive the entire cost of attendance at UVA and many supplemental enrichment experiences. Each high school may nominate one student. Interested students should send an email to collegecounselors@centralcatholichigh.org stating your qualifications for this scholarship nomination on November 8 by 5 pm PT.

DECEMBER

The Gold Law Firm Challenge Yourself Scholarship - The scholarships are awarded to students who have spent their early education taking part in challenging skill-building activities such as Scouts, acting or theater, debate club, and speech. Due December 4

Point Flagship Scholarship empowers LGBTQ students with financial support, access to multiple leadership development programs, mentorship or coaching, and the support of a community of scholars and alumni. Deadline: December 5 at 5 pm PT

Reach For Your Peak Scholarship - Get Schooled is awarding scholarships exclusively to high school juniors and seniors living in Oregon & Washington States to support your education goals after graduation. Due December 8 by 11:59 pm PT

Science Ambassador Scholarship is a full–tuition scholarship from Cards Against Humanity for a woman in science, technology, engineering, or math who creates a three–minute video explaining a topic in STEM. Deadline: December 16 at 9:59 pm PT

The Hagan Scholarship provides up to $7500 each semester. The applicant’s Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2023 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not exceed $100,000. Recirpitns also receive free workshops, free Schwab Brokerage Accounts, and a chance to study abroad for free. Due December 1