Black Hills Counseling Center Senior Exit Interviews
What is it?
Senior Project / Exit Interview
Who: You & 3 panel members
What: A story of your high school career
When: March 30th & 31st
Why: Graduation Requirement
Where: Black Hills HS
Exit Interview Details
Important Notes
You will need an advocate.
You will need a completed resume.
You will need a visual aid.
You will need to have completed your 30
hours of community service.
Click link below to get more detailed info about
the exit interview process including…
● Project Procedures
● Project Checklist
● Sample Resume
● Sample Advocate Request Form
● Grading Rubric
https://www.tumwater.k12.wa.us/Page/272
Graduation Credit Requirements
SBA Testing English/Math
Minimum (4) years of English Minimum (3) years of Social Studies
Minimum (3) years of Science (2 Lab
Science)
Minimum (3) years of Math
Minimum (2) years of World Language or
Personalize Pathway
Minimum (2) years of Fine or Performing
Arts (1 can be Personalized Pathway)
Minimum (1) year of Occupational
Credits/CTE
Minimum 1½ years of PE, ½ year of Health
Naviance
● Yes you have to do this!
● Yes it is a graduation requirement!
● We will hound you until you get it done! (:
Login: https://id.naviance.com/
Graduation Pathway Requirements
• Smarter Balance Assessment
ELA- score of 2548 or better is passing
Math- score of 2595 or better is passing
• ACT/SAT/AP Exam
• Dual Credit Couse
College in High School
• Transition Course
Bridge to College Math
• ASVAB Test
Military Pathway
• CTE Pathway
Smarter Balance Testing
• Math- Oct 13th and 14th
Done in Math Class
• ELA- Oct 19th and 20th
Done in English Class
• Science- Oct 26th
Done in History Class
What is the SAT/ACT?
SAT
● Testing Sections○ Reading○ Writing & Language○ Math○ Essay (optional)
● Colleges may ask for Subject Test if going into a specific field○ Different categories chemistry,
biology, more math, etc.
● Fee waivers available in counseling center (for free or reduced lunch)
ACT
● Testing Sections○ Science○ Math○ Reading Comprehension○ Writing (optional)
● Recommended for going into STEM● Fee waivers available in counseling
center (for free or reduced lunch)
Dates and Registration
SAT
● October 2nd
● November 6th
● December 4th
● March 12th
● May 7th
● June 4th
ACT
● October 23rd
● December 11th
● February 12th
● April 2nd
● June 11th
REGISTER EARLY
Due to COVID-19, dates subject to change!
Where to register:
https://www.act.org/content/act/en.htmlWhere to register:
https://www.collegeboard.org/
Test Optional/Blind
Due to COVID-19, many schools
have become test optional/blind.*
Check here to see if the schools
you’re applying to require testing.
*You may still need to take the
SAT/ACT to qualify for certain
scholarships.
Applying to College
● Apply early - don’t miss the deadlines!
● College visits
When applying to schools…
● Read and follow the application process carefully. They are all a little
different.
● Some require official transcripts; some are okay with un-official transcripts.
● Even more important these days with everything being done electronically,
make sure you check the schools portal where you submitted your
application. Or your email you gave them.
Even if you think you want to take a GAP year after
high school, it’s a good idea to apply to the schools
now, get your acceptance, then defer enrollment.
Applying to College cont.
Letters of Recommendation
Use this link for more detailed
info about requesting a letter
of recommendation.
Essays and Personal Statements
Most schools will want an
essay or personal statement
Very important, this is your
opportunity to personalize
your application and tell
them anything additional you
want them to know.
Common Essay Errors
● When reusing your essay for multiple schools, make
sure you change the NAME of the school in each one
to match where you are sending it.
● Make sure you answer the prompt in your essay.
● Not having your essay proofread.
● Not checking your school portal and responding to
follow up to financial aid questions.
How do I apply?
● Specific School Application
● Common App
○ Gonzaga, Bellevue College, Pacific Lutheran
University, Saint Martin’s University, Seattle Pacific
University, Whitman, Whitworth, Evergreen State
College, University of Puget Sound, Seattle U,
Cornish College of the Arts
● Coalition App
○ University of Washington – Seattle & Bothell,
Western Washington University
SAT / ACT
● Washington State Colleges and Universities
○ For students entering fall of 2022
○ Test optional or test blind
Black Hills Counseling CenterFinancial Aid: What is it?
Financial assistance to help families payfor the cost of attending college
FAFSA
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
● Grants
○ Pell
○ TEACH Grants
● Scholarships
● Direct Student Loans
○ Subsidized
○ Unsubsidized
● Parent PLUS Loans
● Work Study
FAFSA cont.
● Application opens October 1st
● Free - Always free. If you’re asked to
pay, you are in the wrong spot!
● Create your FSA ID first.
● Apply at studentaid.gov
You WILL need the help of your parent or guardian to
complete the FAFSA. It requires their tax information,
that you will likely not have.
Washington State Aid Opportunities
● WASFA for those not eligible for the FAFSA due to immigration status. You
don’t need to do both FAFSA and WASFA. Just one!
○ Click here to take a short survey to see which application to use.
● Washington College Grant (awarded by the school)
● State Work Study Program (awarded by the school)
● Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (must apply)
● Washington College Bound Scholarship (enrollment in 7th or 8th grade)
● Western Undergraduate Exchange - WUE
What do you need for FAFSA application?
● Prior Prior Year Tax Return (2020), W-2s and other records of money earned
● Emails Parent and Student
○ DO NOT USE SCHOOL EMAIL
● Your Social Security Number
● Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
● Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
○ Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
● A FSA ID to sign electronically.
○ DO NOT LOSE - stays with you forever!
(Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA
using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
Where to get help?
● Talk to your Counselor/Career Center
● SPSCC Financial Aid Office
○ 360-596-5241
● Financial Aid Nights – see next slide!
Financial Aid Advising Days
Financial Aid Advising Days: In partnership with Washington Student Achievement Council and the 12th Year Campaign, we have some great opportunities for you and your guardians to get help with completing the FAFSA or WASFA.
Use the link below to register for one of the five dates available. October 13th 5:30-7:30 October 27th 5:30-7:30 November 10th 5:30-7:30 November 17th 5:30-7:30 December 1st 5:30-7:30 Click link to registerhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1oELovlvqYmCD7NY0nDw7A_b1Bbeoj4-M7VNBDaQfxoI/edit
After FAFSA
● After completion of FAFSA or WAFSA the schools you’ve applied to provide a
Financial Aid Award Letter. This letter provides eligibility and award amounts
for U.S. Dept of Education programs and school awards.
● Use this Federal Student Aid calculator to get an estimate of potential
financial aid.
● What do I do if my income has changed?
Types of Scholarships
● Foundation Scholarships
● Business or Career Based Scholarships
● Parent Employer Scholarships
● Religious Groups and Church Scholarship
● Professional Association Scholarships
● Employer Scholarships
● Ethnicity Based Scholarships
Types of Scholarships cont.
● Institution Scholarships
○ Academic or merit
○ Talent scholarships
○ Athletic scholarships
○ Donor sponsored scholarships
○ Need based grants or scholarships
○ Work study
Note: Some will request your FAFSA Student Aid Report
Tips for Applying
Applying for scholarships can be time consuming but think about your return on the investment.
● Most scholarships require an essay!
○ Make sure you save your essays.
● Keep a file or calendar of scholarships you qualify for, websites where to
find them, and the timelines of all the due dates.
● If a scholarship asks you to pay for it, it’s likely a scam! You shouldn’t
have to pay for free money.
Where to Find Scholarships
Check the Scholarship Bulletin frequently, as it’s updated often.
Check out these websites! You might have to create accounts for some of
them, but once you do, they’ll send you the scholarships you qualify for.
The Wash Board CheggScholly NicheUnigo Scholarships.comPetersons Scholarship MonkeyCappex Career One StopThe College Board JLV College Counseling