• Make an appointment with Cow Creek Career Center manager.
• Make a post-high school plan. (List 3 career interests, consider “right-fit” colleges that has programs which support your career interests, know your college deadlines to apply).Stay on track.
• Clean up your online act. (Create a professional e-mail, set privacy settings on social media accounts.)Explore how to pay for college. Know what to expect when applying for federal aid.
• Sign up for the SAT or ACT. You may want to consider taking the ASVAB (military interest)Look out for special circumstances. (Example if you are in foster care, homeless, disabilities, or teen parent, etc.)
• If you are interested in the arts, military or playing sports in college, make sure you know deadlines and requirements for the programs.
• Look for opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities.
• Attend the Tribal Educational Benefits workshop
• Attend the Southern Oregon Trade and Career Expo (if applicable)

• Monthly check in with your Cow Creek Career Center Manager.
• Update your “Activities List”
• Tell your story. (Practice writing college/scholarship essays)Narrow the field. (Select your list of colleges – 3 to 5. It’s always good to have a backup plan!
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application to Federal Student Aid)
• Request Letters of Recommendation (Scholarships/College Applications-if required).
• Take or re-take SAT or ACT.
• Start searching for National Scholarships that you are eligible to apply to.

• Remind your student to make an appointment with the Cow Creek Career Center manager.
• Finalize your list of colleges.

Talk to your student about their top choices, including looking at the costs for each school. Remember, private schools with expensive price tags often have more scholarships and financial aid to give then the cheaper public schools!

Make sure your student has a backup plan, too.

• Be Prepared.

As your student if they need information from you, such as employment history or tax records.

• Apply!

Congratulate your student on taking the first step and applying to college!

• Follow up.

Make sure your student has submitted ALL of the information necessary for college, financial aid and scholarship applications including letters of recommendation, transcripts, and college admission test scores.

Encourage him/her to check e-mails regularly as this is how most colleges will communicate.

• Remind your student to make an appointment with the Cow Creek Career Center manager.
• Finish applying to colleges.

Again, make sure your student has submitted ALL of the information necessary for the application including letters of recommendation, transcripts and college admission test scores.

Again, encourage him/her to check e-mails regularly as this is how most college will communicate.

• Talk to current college students.

Talk to parents of current college students about the transition to college and what to expect. Ask them what they wish they had done when their students were seniors!

Get set for scholarships.

Help your student search for scholarships online and check in with your employer or organizations you might be a part of for scholarship opportunities.

• Catch up on details.

Remind your student to use the winter break to catch up on tasks not yet completed in the college application and financial aid process.

• Remind your student to make an appointment with the Cow Creek Career Center manager.
• Complete the FAFSA.

Remind your student to complete the FAFSA if he or she hasn’t done so already. Your student will likely need your help obtaining all of the documents needed to file the FAFSA. This may include social security numbers, tax returns, and other financial information.

Attend a workshop at school for hands-on help for completing the FAFSA.

• Continue applying for scholarships.

Help your student search for scholarships online and check with your employer or organization you might be a part of for scholarship opportunities.

• Make a summer plan.

Encourage your student to apply for summer enrichment programs, internships, or jobs.

Many college orientation programs take place during the summer, so help your student plan accordingly.

• Register with Selective Service.

If your student is male, make sure he registers with Selective Service within 30 days (before or after) of his 18th If he does not register, he will not be eligible for federal financial aid for college.

• Remind your student to make an appointment with the Cow Creek Career Center manager.
• Continue applying for scholarships.

Offer to help edit or proofread your student’s scholarship essays.

Help your student search for scholarships online and check in with your employer or organizations you might be a part of for scholarship opportunities.

Remind him/her of key deadlines, especially the OSAC application due at the beginning of March.

• Get a check up.

College in Oregon require (Measles) or recommend (flu, HPV, Hepatitis B) certain immunizations before enrolling, Make sure your student is healthy and ready to go!

• Confirm FAFSA info.

The SAR (Student Aid Report) is a summary of what your student filled out on the FAFSA – offer to go over the information to make sure that everything is correct and make any changes if necessary.

• Remind your student to make an appointment with the Cow Creek Career Center manager.
• Keep up the good work.

Colleges and scholarship applications look at mid-year grades – so make sure your student continues working hard in school. No slacking!

Continue applying for scholarships.

Continue to encourage and support your student in applying to scholarships.

• Confirm summer plans.

Encourage your student to apply for summer enrichment programs, internships or jobs.

Encourage your student to participate in TWD’s job readiness workshops.

• File taxes.

The deadline for filing taxes is April 15. Financial aid awards are based on your and your student’s tax information (federal and state) from previous years, so be sure to file on time.

• Remind your student to make an appointment with the Cow Creek Career Center manager.
• Look for decision letters.

Celebrate acceptances with your student, and be supportive if he/she is on the wait list or denied.

Compare financial aid award letters.

Colleges send financial aid award letters soon after sending acceptance letters. Review these carefully with your student and make sure he/she understands how loans, grants and scholarships work.

Compare the cost of attendance and how much aid is given at each school.

• Make an appointment with Education Dept.

Accompany your student when meeting with Edu. Dept. to discuss Tribal benefits application to help pay for college.

• Sign up for an attend preview days.

Many colleges have days or weekends specifically for admitted students – your student can take advantage of these to help decide between colleges or get to know one better. Some colleges might offer sessions specifically for parents as well.

• Decide where to attend.

Help your student think through the process and consider all of the factors in choosing a college like distance from home, cost, academics, and more. Be supportive in his/her final decision and celebrate!

Many colleges require a confirmation and initial deposit on May 1.

• Monthly check in with your Cow Creek Career Center Manager
• Study for and take tests. This applies if you are attending a community college and require taking a placement test.
• Fill out college forms.
• Continue applying for scholarships.
• Say thank you. Send your appreciation to high school counselors, teachers, coaches, and scholarship providers-anyone who has supported you in getting to college.

• Monthly check in with your Cow Creek Career Center Manager
• Tribal Summer Internship starts.
• Start thinking ahead. What do I need to prepare and transition to college!!!
• Create a budget and track expenses.