December/January Checklist
 
All Students:
 

• Review the career/major research information later in this issue.
• If you have not yet met with your counselor for a Senior Meeting, please schedule one at the counseling website.
• Visit our Aspire mentors if you need help with career exploration, college/post high school planning, FAFSA, scholarships, essays, and more. You can find resources and their appointment links at the college and career support website.

 
College Bound Students:
 

1. Finish your college/program applications. Make sure you know the deadlines and requirements for each application.
2. Apply for any scholarships for which you qualify at the schools you have applied to and begin searching for other scholarships.
3. Go online to start your scholarship application for OSAC Scholarships; if you are considering community college, apply to the Oregon Promise Grant.
4. File your FAFSA or ORSAA if you plan to seek financial aid. Even if you do not plan to accept loans, this can be helpful information for your financial aid package and is necessary for the Oregon Opportunity Grant and the community college Oregon Promise Grant.
5. If you are applying to private schools, check to see if you need the CSS Profile for financial aid in addition to a FAFSA.
6. Talk with your counselor and teachers about letters of recommendation at least three to four working weeks before your deadlines and let them know your deadlines. If you add schools, please add/notify your recommenders. They will not otherwise know to send materials.
    

Information Needed For Your Diploma

Your diploma is an important document. Please click the link below to fill out the form with all of the information we need to order your diploma with the name as you would like to see it. All Students must submit a response by January 9th, 2026.  

Diploma Information

**Any students who have not submitted a response by the date listed above will have their name as listed in our system added to their diploma. (First, Middle & Last)

FAFSA/ORSAA

Need help paying for college, community college, or an eligible trade school? 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) are open! FAFSA is available for United States citizens and eligible noncitizens. The ORSAA is available for Oregon residents who have undocumented status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or a valid U-visa. Not sure which one to fill out? Use this FAFSA/ORSAA filter tool to find out. Make sure you and your family are applying for the 2025-2026 school year. See your counselor or Aspire mentors with questions. 

• Attend the drop in FAFSA/ORSAA workshops in the Hawk College/Career Center December 9 and 10 during the day from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (details for financial expert support will be coming closer to the event) and December 10 from 6:00 - 8:00pm. 
• Watch the virtual Financial Aid Presentation Video!

Post High School Options

Not planning on four year college? Here are some post high school options to consider:

Associates Degrees - CCC Has 48 associate (2 year) degrees. Other schools have more.

Certificate Training Programs - CCC has 10 month to one year certificate programs in over 70 career areas. Other local schools have them as well. Check out the 9 in 9 – Nine CCC programs that lead to employment in 9 months or less.

Trade/Apprentice Programs - There are 32 apprenticeship programs in Oregon where students learn through paid, hands-on work and classroom training. 

· Apprentice Programs at CCC

· Apprentice Programs at PCC

Military Options - There are many career opportunities through the military. Different branches visit ANHS monthly during lunches: Army (2nd & 4th Mondays), Marines (2nd & 4th Tuesdays), Navy (2nd and 4th Thursdays), Oregon National Guard (1st & 3rd Thursdays). Your counselor can also help you reach your recruiter.

Career Exploration

Resources for Exploring Possible Careers/Majors

     Xello Tools - Access Xello through your Classlink.

• Careers - Under the Explore tab you can research careers and colleges.
• Self Discovery - Under the About me tab you can do interest and personality inventories to explore possible careers for you. 

     Clackamas Community College Resources

• Take either a six or sixty question career assessment online that will direct you to degree and certificate programs. This is a great resource even if you do not plan to attend CCC!
•  Career Center for admitted Students
  • Get 1:1 career coaching
  • Take a career or life planning class

Scholarships!!!

Don’t be overwhelmed by your scholarship search. Follow these easy instructions to learn about opportunities to apply for money to help pay your college tuition. This Scholarship Packet was compiled by our ASPIRE mentors specifically for ANHS students. It includes a list of OSAC scholarships that ANHS students are eligible for. 

School Specific Scholarships

Make sure that you are applying for all scholarships for which you qualify at each college you have applied to. Some schools do not require a separate scholarship application but many do. You will sometimes need letters of recommendation for these applications. Please be aware that scholarship deadlines may be earlier than admission deadlines.

Local Scholarships

Many of the scholarships listed in Xello are local to the Portland or Clackamas area and are only open to local students. The easiest way to sign into your Xello account is through Classlink.

OSAC Scholarship Application

This application is the one-stop shopping for all the Oregon-based scholarships. There is over $18 million in FREE scholarship money to help pay those college costs. As a national leader in public/private partnerships of scholarship and innovative outreach programs, OSAC administers the following programs: Scholarships, the Oregon Opportunity Grant, the Chafee Grant, the Childcare Grant, ASPIRE (Access to Student Assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone) as well as smaller funding programs.

The Ford Family Foundation Scholarships

The Ford Family Foundation offers a suite of financial and program resources in Oregon, Siskiyou County, Calif., and, in some cases, other regions. Visit their website for more information about eligibility and programs and how to apply. 

National Scholarships

If you would like to broaden your scholarship search you can do a national scholarship search. Fastweb, Big Future, and Sallie Mae are some common search engines. 

Contact your counselor with questions. You can’t win if you don’t apply!

Oregon Promise Grant

 Oregon Promise is a state grant that helps to cover tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates. This is based on funding and is not guaranteed.

Seniors during the 2025-2026 school year may be eligible to get some funding for up to 90 credits. Click here for updated information.

Eligibility requirements for the Oregon Promise:

1. Be a high school student who graduates March through June 2026. You must begin community college classes in September 2026.
2. Be an Oregon resident for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in community college.
3. Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or higher.
4. If FAFSA eligible, complete the FAFSA, and accept all state and federal grant aid offered. If not FAFSA eligible, complete the ORSSA. Undocumented students are eligible for these grant funds. 
5. Plan to attend at least half time at an Oregon community college within 6 months of high school graduation or GED completion.
6. Must not have more than 90 college credits completed or attempted.

 Credit Recovery

 If you are in danger of failing a class that is a requirement to graduate, please ask your counselor about credit recovery options that may be available to you through ANHS, or online. Space is limited. Don’t miss your chance!

Mid-year Reports/Transcripts 

Please check your college applications carefully, especially those selective colleges with early application deadlines. Many colleges have specific mid-year report forms to be sent by your counselor along with an up-to-date transcript showing your 7^th semester grades (end of quarter 2). If you applied via Common Application/Naviance, your counselor will automatically send your mid-year reports and transcripts to your listed Common Application schools.

If you are not using the Common Application, please make sure to email your counselor if you need a mid-year report and  7^th semester (end of semester 1) transcript sent, and provide any required forms. Even if a mid-year report is not required, some colleges will still want your 7^th semester grades. If you need just a transcript sent after grades post please request through Naviance. If your school or program is not in Xello please visit the transcript request site to find the request form and our registrar’s contact information. Contact your counselor with questions.

Financial Aid Awards 

When to expect financial aid offer letters from colleges

Most publicly funded schools inform students of their financial aid status in mid to late March. It’s important for seniors to wait until they hear from their state schools, in addition to private schools, so they can compare apples to apples with their “net cost” for college.

This website has more information about financial aid awards and cost calculations. Oregon Goes To College provides this resource about how to compare financial aid offers. Almost all colleges will offer a net price calculator on their website. College Board/Big Future also has a Net Price Calculator.

Jostens Orders

If you plan to participate/walk in the graduation ceremony on June 6, you need to order a cap and gown! Here's the ANHS Jostens website and you can order just the cap, gown, and tassel at the Essential Package page. Please contact your counselor if you need a scholarship to pay for your cap and gown.

Applying for College Housing

Do you plan to live on campus? Have you applied for housing? Know your school’s housing registration “open dates” and get your application(s) in. Even if you haven't decided which school you will attend, you should apply for your housing and put in your deposit. This way, you won't be out of luck when it comes to securing the housing you want. Most schools will refund your deposit if you end up committing to another school. Be sure to check the school’s refund policy since each school has different dates for registration and refund guidelines. 

Applying early enough will give you access to the housing selection process, when the more popular dorms are available. For some colleges, students can also access housing matching tools to “meet” other incoming freshmen who are also selecting housing options. Even if a student already has a roommate lined up, schools are particular and will make no exceptions for late applications.

Ordering Transcripts

• Please request your transcripts through Xello. The easiest way to access Xello is through your Classlink.
• In Xello open Plans and click College Applications.  
• For Common Application schools:
  • Under College Applications click the link to match your Common Application and Xello accounts.
  • Then under College Applications select and assign your counselor for each school. No need to separately request a transcript. 
• For Direct applications:
  • Under College Applications select the school(s) where you want the transcript sent.
  • If you need to add schools to your College Application Tracker see instructions here. Please make sure to select your application method as Direct.
  • Under Application Checklist find Transcript.
  • Click Request and follow the steps to request your initial transcript only.
• If you need an unofficial transcript, or if you need an official transcript for something other than college applications please see this website.

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