Columbia Central High School Senior Info

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Begin shopping for a photo studio for your senior pictures. Most likely, you will receive many flyers in the mail offering photographing services. Also, check with last year's seniors about their experiences and recommendations. Call and make your sitting appointment ASAP to get the best time slot available.

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If you haven't already, call and make a sitting appointment for your senior portraits. Remember that studios are very busy this time of year and so are you. Scheduling your sitting around school, sports and other extra-curricular activities may be difficult.

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Begin watching for Columbia's Guidance News in your mailbox. It will have scholarship listings and low interest loan information. Local scholarships come out in the spring. Colleges usually offer the biggest scholarships. If you are attending a four-year college, call or write for an application, or apply online if available.

Early this month is really an absolute last minute effort to make a portrait sitting appointment, if you haven't already. You may have a difficult time getting an appointment for after school or on Saturday. Remember: having your senior pictures taken is NOT an excused absence.

Students who need to take or retake the ACT - Ask your counselor for the deadline for registration.

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Finish up applications for all colleges and get them sent in. If application fees are a problem, see your counselor. Sometimes arrangements can be made.

Your portrait sitting should have already taken place and you should be receiving proofs two to three weeks after your sitting date. Make sure you give your photographer yearbook information (sizes, color/black and white, and deadlines). Yearbook Requirements. Special note: Purchasing a large package of senior portraits can be expensive, and it is not necessary. For a nominal fee, many professional photographers will take a simple portrait and print one for the yearbook. Call a professional photographer and inquire about a yearbook photo cost; don't be left out! Some studios mail the yearbook print directly to the school; others expect the student to deliver the print to the yearbook staff. Ask your photographer what his/her policies are on this matter.

Set aside time to complete several scholarship applications and get them mailed out. Always keep a copy of your application and accompanying documents.

JCC College Night	See calendar for date/time. Location is at the Field House
ACT Test	See calendar for date.
MEAP retests	Contact counseling early in the month to reserve your test.

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Applications for 4 year colleges and universities should be in by the end of this month for best opportunities with admissions and scholarship considerations. Let those colleges know of your interest in financial aid by contacting their Financial Aid Offices.

Send in a Financial Aid Profile if you are applying to the following private colleges: Albion, Concordia, Cornerstone, Hillsdale, Hope, Kalamazoo, Marygrove, Olivet, Reformed Bible or Saint Mary's. This is a financial aid form that is required in addition to the Federal Financial Aid Form.

By about November 10, you should have placed an order for your yearbook photo. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT MOST STUDIOS WILL NOT PRINT A YEARBOOK PHOTO UNTIL YOU HAVE PLACED YOUR PICTURE ORDER. JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE HAD HAD YOUR PICTURE TAKEN DOES NOT MEAN THE STUDIO WILL GO AHEAD AND PRINT A PHOTO FOR THE YEARBOOK.

Set aside time to complete several scholarship applications and get them mailed out. Always keep a copy of your application and accompanying documents.

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Pick up a FAFSA (Federal Financial Aid Form) in the counseling office or get online at www.fafsa.ed.gov to prepare for filing for financial aid. The government is recommending filing online if possible, as there are less chances for mistakes and the process is quicker. This month is a good time to get online and apply for a pin number for you and your parents to use as a signature for the online application. Please note that you cannot apply or submit the form for financial aid until January as it goes by your income tax information, but this is the time to begin to compile information. You should apply for financial aid even if you don’t think you will qualify for federal money, as the information is also used by the state and the colleges and universities, to evaluate students for their scholarships. Completing a form also automatically qualities you for low interest loans.

Attend Columbia's Financial Aid Workshop. Watch the Guidance News for those dates or contact the counseling office for those dates. Attending these meetings will help you avoid needless , time-consuming mistakes. Bring your Financial Aid file and questions.

Set aside time to complete several scholarship applications and get them mailed out. Always keep a copy of your application and accompanying documents.

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If you did not attend the Financial Aid Workshop in December, be sure and attend this one scheduled for January 11th. Begin completing the Financial Aid Form. If you have not filed your taxes yet, estimate the amounts as close as possible. The college will usually ask for a copy of your completed tax form if you estimate it at this time. The deadline for for the form is in February.

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Send in your Financial Aid Form, keeping a copy for your files.

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Approximately six weeks after filing your Financial Aid Form, you should receive a four-page report. (It may say that you do not qualify for Federal funds, but the colleges and the state will still use this information.) Check over your report to make sure it is correct. Check with the financial aid office of colleges to make sure they got the information.

March 25th - AP TESTS MUST BY ORDERED AND PAID.

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Watch for award letters from colleges to which you have applied, and sent financial aid information. The letter should tell you what they can offer you in scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, etc. You are now ready to compare award letters, follow your heart, and make your final choice.

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Notify the schools you have decided not to attend. Double-check any final deadlines for housing, financial aid, etc.

AP Exams:
Dates coming soon...

Last Day for Seniors (May 21) - Senior exams are scheduled for this week. Make sure you have paid all fees and turned in books at this time or you will not receive your cap and gown. It is your responsibility to check with the office and your individual teachers.

Senior Honors Dinner - If you are supposed to go to this, you will receive a special invitation in the mail. You will be asked to invite a teacher who is special to you to honor at the dinner where you will stand up and introduce him/her and briefly tell why they are special to you.

Senior Awards Night (May 25) - All are invited to attend, but if you are receiving an award, you will receive a special letter inviting you and your parents.

Graduation Practice (June 2) - This is a required activity for graduation.

Baccalaureate (June 3)

Class of 2010 Graduation
June 3 – 7PM Columbia Options HS @ CCHS Auditorium
June 4 – 7PM Columbia Central HS @ Potter Center (JCC)

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Have your final transcripts sent to your new school.