Senior Planning

• Parents and/or Students meet with your Connections Advisor to plan classes for graduation credit requirements, APS scholarship requirements, and to meet post-secondary plan needs.
• If you know which college that you are interested in apply, check out their admission requirements.
• Additional items to review as you prepare:
• The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is an amazing resource to check out now!
• Considering an out-of-state school? Check out Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). With the WUE, out-of-state students pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition at participating schools (compared with nonresident rates that can exceed 300% of in-state rates).
• College Athletics Eligibility: To participate in collegiate sports, it’s required that individuals properly register and verify completion of specific high school coursework, which can be above and beyond what some universities require for normal admission. See the following websites for more information: NAIA or NCAA.

• Sign up for SAT and/or ACT testing (if necessary). Sign up to test at your local testing site, but use “Connections” as your school. The Connections school code is 020-360. Students should finish testing by December of their senior year.
• Determine if you need letters of recommendation for scholarships or post-secondary applications. Consider using the Senior Brag Sheet to help recommenders know all the awesome stuff you have done.
• EXPLORE the following Scholarships & Financial Aid:
  1. Alaska Performance Scholarship
  2. State Aid thru ACPE
  3. FAFSA
  4. Federal Student Aid
  5. Local and Statewide Scholarships via KPBSD OneStop (scholarships are added as KPBSD receives them every year and they are listed by due date)

• Begin to complete college admission applications.
• Begin to complete scholarship applications, and any necessary essays.

• Complete your selected college applications
• Request transcripts and counselor recommendations be sent to colleges within the timeline recommended by the admissions department.
• Watch those college application due dates. It’s better to ‘beat’ the deadlines, rather than just to ‘meet’ the deadlines!

• The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) has now opened – please fill it out if you intend to seek financial aid, including scholarships.
• Complete SAT/ACT testing.
• Review college application deadlines and submit as needed.
• Submit official transcript requests through Parchment for schools with January 1st deadlines. Please note that transcripts will NOT be processed during school vacation.
• Follow-up with your Connections advisor to resolve any outstanding questions about classes and credits for graduation.

• Turn in Diploma Order Form
• See your advisor for a graduation credit check.
• Continue to research and apply for scholarships. Don’t forget the Local and Statewide Scholarships via KPBSD OneStop (new scholarships are added as they are received).
• Follow up with colleges to confirm that all application materials have been received, including FAFSA and financial forms.
• Early decision students must submit a deposit on or before the deadline specified by that college. 

General

• Compare offers of admission & financial aid from each school.
• Visit campuses as needed (some are available virtually).
• Discuss options with family, and make a final enrollment decision.
• Notify financial aid office at your selected school that you will select their offers. Failure to do so may result in loss of financial assistance.
• Send letters to colleges that you’ve chosen not to attend informing them of your decision. Remember to thank them for their consideration.

By May 1

• Complete all Distance Education, Correspondence, and College Courses and take the FINALS

By May 9

• Turn in Semester Reports for all parent-taught classes.
• Return Computer/Printer, iPad, Kindle, Cameras, Microscopes, and/or all hardware to your Connections office.
• To be included in the Graduation Ceremony, you MUST have all requirements completed.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

• Attend Graduation Practice (REQUIRED for those walking), at the SoHi Auditorium 2:00 – 3:30 pm
• Student Transcript Requests (Click Here)