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MISSION: To lead an educational partnership with the Community, maintaining an environment that challenges all students to reach their potential as lifelong learners and responsible members of society.

Parent Action Plan/Checklist: 12th Grade

Bethel Park High School
309 Church Road
Bethel Park, PA 15102
Phone: (412) 854-8581
Fax: (412) 854-8510
District Voice Mail: (412) 833-5000

PARENT/GUARDIAN ACTION PLAN: SENIOR YEAR

Taken from (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org)


Senior year is a whirlwind of activities. This is a big year for your student as he or she balances schoolwork, extracurricular activities and the college application process. Use the suggestions below to help you and your student successfully navigate this important time.


Summer

  • Visit colleges together. If you haven’t already, make plans to check out the campuses of colleges in which your student is interested. Use the Campus Visit Checklist to learn how to get the most out of these experiences.

  • Ask how you can help your senior finalize a college list. You can help him or her choose which colleges to apply to by weighing how well each college meets his or her needs, for example. Find out more about how to finalize a college list.

  • Find out a college’s actual cost. Once your 12th-grader has a list of a few colleges he or she is interested in, use the College Board’s Net Price Calculator together to find out the potential for financial aid and the true out-of-pocket cost— or net price—of each college.

  • Encourage your student to get started on applications. He or she can get the easy stuff out of the way now by filling in as much required information on college applications as possible. Read about how to get started on applications.

  • Help your student decide about applying early. If your senior is set on going to a certain college, he or she should think about whether applying early is a good option. Now is the time to decide because early applications are usually due in November. Read about the pros and cons of applying early.

  • Gather financial documents: To apply for most financial aid, your student will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You'll need your most recent tax returns and an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA, which opens Oct. 1.


Fall

  • Encourage your student to meet with the school counselor. This year, he or she will work with the counselor to complete and submit college applications. Learn more about the counselor's role in applying to college.

  • Create a calendar with your child. This should include application deadlines and other important dates. your student can find specific colleges’ deadlines in College Search. If your student saves colleges to a list there, he or she can get a custom online calendar that shows those colleges’ deadlines.

  • Help your student prepare for college admission tests. Many seniors retake college admission tests, such as the SAT, in the fall. Learn more about helping your 12th-grader prepare for admission tests.

  • Help your student find and apply for scholarships. He or she can find out about scholarship opportunities from the school counselor. Your high school student will need to request and complete scholarship applications and submit them on time. Learn more about scholarships.

  • Offer to look over your senior’s college applications. But remember that this is your student's work so remain in the role of adviser and proofreader and respect his or her voice.

  • Fill out the FAFSA to apply for aid beginning Oct. 1.. The government and many colleges use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to award aid. Now it’s easier than ever to fill out this form because you can automatically transfer your tax information online from the IRS to the FAFSA. Read How to Complete the FAFSA to learn more.

  • Complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®, if required. If your student needs to submit the PROFILE to a college or scholarship program, be sure to find out the priority deadline and submit it by that date. Read How to Complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.

  • Encourage your student to set up college interviews. An interview is a great way for your student to learn more about a college and for a college to learn more about your child. Get an overview of the interview process.


Winter

  • Work together to apply for financial aid. Have your student contact the financial aid offices at the colleges in which he or she is interested to find out what forms students must submit to apply for aid. Make sure he or she applies for aid by or before any stated deadlines. Funds are limited, so the earlier you apply, the better.

  • Learn about college loan options together. Borrowing money for college can be a smart choice — especially if your high school student gets a low-interest federal loan. Learn more about the parents’  role in borrowing money.

  • Encourage your senior to take SAT Subject Tests. These tests can showcase your student's interests and achievements — and many colleges require or recommend that applicants take one or more Subject Tests. Read more about SAT Subject Tests.

  • Encourage your student to take AP Exams. If your 12th-grader takes AP or other advanced classes, have him or her talk with teachers now about taking these tests in May. Read more about the AP Program.


Spring

  • Help your student process college responses. Once your student starts hearing back from colleges about admission and financial aid, he or she will need your support to decide what to do. Read about how to choose a college.

  • Review financial aid offers together. Your 12th-grader will need your help to read through financial aid award letters and figure out which package works best. Be sure your student pays attention to and meets any deadlines for acceptance. Get more information on financial aid awards.

  • Help your student complete the paperwork to accept a college’s offer of admittance. Once your student has decided which college to attend, he or she will need to review the offer, accept a college’s offer, mail a tuition deposit and submit other required paperwork. Learn more about your high school senior's next steps.


SENIOR CHECKLIST


September 

  • Contact or request online to college admissions offices for applications.

  • Plan to visit schools you are interested in – early fall is a good time.

  • Pick up a Transcript Release Form and Application Procedures/Test Dates information in the School Counseling Office.

  • Complete a Student Information Sheet if recommendations are needed.

  • Register for the October ACT, if required by the college of your choice.  Register online at http://www.act.org. 

  • Register for the October and/or November SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests. Register online at http://www.collegeboard.com.

  • Prospective Division I and Division II athletes – Register online http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

  • Submit college applications 10 school days prior to deadline.


October 

  • Register for December ACT, if required.  Register online at http://www.act.org.

  • Register for December SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests, if necessary. Register online at http://www.collegeboard.com.

  • Check if the college requires particular SAT Subject Tests for admissions.  If so, register for December or January SAT Subject Tests.  Register online at http://www.collegeboard.com.

  • Use Naviance to work on college applications.

  • Use Naviance to sign up and meet with college representatives visiting the high school.

  • Take October ACT and/or October SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests, if registered.

  • Early Decision candidates should complete college applications.  Ask teachers for college recommendations in person and then through Naviance.

  • Provide teachers with student information sheet or resume to help them with the process of writing your college recommendation.

  • Plan to attend a regional College Fair ASAP.

  • Submit college applications 10 school days prior to deadline to the Records Office.


November 

  • Take November SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests, if registered.

  • Be in the process of completing college applications.

  • Early Decision deadlines are often November 1, November 15, or December 1.  Be aware of deadlines.

  • CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE application is available in the School Counseling Office for private, non-federal student aid funds at some colleges.

  • Meet with college representatives visiting the school.

  • Check the Scholarship Bulletin Board and file in the School Counseling Office.

  • Submit college applications 10 school days prior to deadline.

  • Attend Financial Aid Seminar (evening program at the high school).




December 

  • Complete all applications by December 1 to guarantee mailing before winter break.  All applications that you request to be mailed before the winter vacation must be submitted to the School Counseling Office 10 school days prior to the break.

  • Register for January SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests, if necessary.

  • Take December SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests, if registered.

  • Take December ACT, if registered.

  • Check Naviance or the Scholarship Bulletin Board to apply for local scholarships.


January 

  • Register online for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

  • Take January SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests, if registered.

  • Watch for January college application deadlines.

  • Check Naviance or the Scholarship Bulletin Board to apply for local scholarships.

  • Check deadline for mailing the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.

  • If needed provide a stamped (3), addressed envelope to the School Records Office if a mid-year report is needed by the colleges to which you have applied.
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