College Planning Information and Timeline

Community College (2 year)

To access student needs to graduate from high school and apply to the community college of their choice. To attend a community college you do not need to take the ACT or the SAT.  The community college has their own test they will have you take.  You should apply to the community or technical college as soon as possible in order to ensure getting into the program you want.  Applications are available on the internet and in the counseling center. 

University or four year collegeTo access student needs to:

• Complete college entrance requirements while in high school.  In addition to FHS graduation requirements, students need to take TWO years (three recommended) of the same Foreign Language, Math through Advanced Algebra and a second lab science like chemistry or anatomy and physiology.

• Take the ACT (www.act.org ) or SAT (www.collegeboard.com ).  Students need to register online to take one of these exams in the Spring of their Junior year or the fall of their Senior year.  When registering you will need to indicate which 4-6 schools you want to receive your test scores.  FHS school code is 481375. 

• Apply to college and universities. 

Applications are available on the internet.  Many applications have a January 15 admissions deadline so students should be completing their applications in the fall of their Senior year.

• Apply for financial aid. 

Students will need to complete a FAFSA form on or after January 1 of their Senior year in order to qualify for any financial aid.  FAFSA forms can be completed at www.fafsa.ed.gov .  Students and parents will need an electronic PIN number to sign their electronic fafsa.  Students and their parents should be signing up for a PIN number the spring of the Junior year or the fall of the Senior year.    Go to www.pin.ed.gov  now to register for a PIN so you can complete your FAFSA in January. 

• If applicable, investigate and apply for scholarships

This in an ongoing process throughout your senior year.  Best places to look include the scholarship office of the school (2 year or 4 year) that you want to attend, the FHS web site scholarship listing and www.fastweb.com and www.finaid.org .