Welcome to Class of ‘26�Senior Parent Information Session���Presented by…

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The Crofton High School Counseling Department

Today’s Lesson is brought to you by…

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The Crofton High School Counseling Department

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Ms. Christina Garner csgarner@aacps.org

Last names A - Cla

Mrs. Tabitha Werner twerner@aacps.org

Last names Cle - Gr

Ms. Shanelle Cantine scantine@aacps.org

Last names Gs - Lem

Mr. Justyn Juarez jjuarez-roberts@aacps.org

Last names Lem - Ose

Mrs. Luna

lluna@aacps.org

Last names Osf - Sta

Ms. Danielle Crankfield dcrankfield@aacps.org Last names Stb - Z

Everything Senior website

ugradadmissions@bowiestate.edu

In tonight’s session we will:

• Explain the role of the school counselor in supporting post-secondary planning
• Share key dates and resources for post-secondary planning
• Introduce/Review the High School Graduation Notification Agreement
• Review tools, including those in Naviance, to support post-secondary planning

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Pause.

Breathe.

It’s okay.

What is the High School Graduation Notification Agreement?

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Also known as the Senior Contract, the High School Graduation Notification Agreement is a document that requires you to review the courses needed for graduation and gives you the opportunity to indicate your post secondary plan. It includes:

• The credits needed for graduation
• If you’ve met the service learning requirements
• If you’ve met the State Testing Requirements
• The way your name will appear on your high school diploma- please make sure that your name is spelled correctly

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Please note: Student and parent signatures are required through their own separate portal accounts.

If you’re applying to college you need to sign this too!

How can a school counselor support my child’s post-secondary planning?

• Connect students with resources
• Provide checklists and organizational tools for college applications
• Provide information about post-secondary programs related to expressed interest and/or goals

• Write Letters of Recommendation (by request only)

School Counselors do not…

• Submit college applications for students
• Tell students what their post-secondary plans should be
• Complete and submit the FAFSA
• Send Standardized Testing information to schools including SAT, ACT, and AP Test scores
• Request letters of recommendation from teachers for students
• Write counselor letters of recommendation that have not been requested
• Advise students on college courses to take as college students, including courses at AACC

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Mark your calendars with the following dates:

• October 4: SAT Administration (visit the College Board website to register)
• October 8: AACC Open House
• October 16: Financial Aid Night at Crofton High
• October 18: ACT Administration (visit the ACT website to register)
• November 1: Early Decision/Early Action Deadline for many colleges/universities
• November 8: SAT Administration (visit the College Board website to register)
• November 13: ASVAB Test at Crofton High (sign up on Naviance)
• December 6: SAT Administration (visit the College Board website to register)
• December 13: ACT Administration (visit the ACT website to register)
• January 16: Last day of Semester 1
• January 22: FAFSA Completion Night
• January 22: February 2: If your college requires mid-year transcripts to be sent, please request in Naviance (will allow you to make the request after January 3rd)
• March TBD: Personal Registration Day Prep - 1st and 2nd periods in the Cafeteria
• April TBD: Accuplacer Prep - 2nd period in the Auditorium
• April TBD: Accuplacer Testing - 2nd period in the Auditorium
• April TBD: Personal Registration Day - All day in the media center
• May 22: Last day for seniors

In 12th Grade English courses we reviewed:

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• Linking the Common App and Naviance
• Adding to “Colleges I’m applying to” in Naviance
• Requesting and paying for transcripts
• Reviewed the procedures for requesting teacher and counselor letters of recommendation
• College Visit sign ups

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In 12th Grade English courses we reviewed:

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• The different branches of Military and how to contact recruiters
• What the ASVAB is, how to sign up, and where to find practice ASVAB questions
• The difference between Trade School and Apprenticeships
• Trade Unions
• AACC’s Clauson Center and resources
• How to see Ms. Dillon and Mr. Doucette

Common App & Naviance

• Common App & Naviance share information.
• Naviance requires your Common App account to be matched in order to submit your transcript and other school documents
• Naviance is NOT the college application!
• Colleges listed on Common App & Naviance MUST be EXACTLY the same

Common App & Naviance

• The student MUST also complete the FERPA waiver and release of information in Common App in order for the high school to release your transcript.

Colleges I’m Applying To List

Colleges I’m Thinking About List

Colleges I’m Applying To List

Note: Recommendation of 8-10 colleges/universities for a final list

2-4 Reach

Your academic credentials fall below the average freshperson data; highly selective college/university

2-4 Target

Your academic credentials fall in the range of the average freshperson data

2-4 Safe

Your academic credentials fall well above the range of the average freshperson data

Organize How You Will Apply

Common

Application

Create one profile and fill out one application to send to multiple schools

Pay each application fee

Coalition

Application

Similar to Common app

Common Black

College Application

65 HBCUs accept the CBCA

School Specific Application

Many schools still have applications through their own website

Note: Use your personal email when creating your account!

This is a two-part process:

1. Please complete the Senior Transcript Release Form found in PowerSchool Student/Parent portal account under "Forms." Please complete prior to requesting transcripts to be sent through Naviance.
2. Make the request for your specific transcripts to be sent to the colleges/scholarship committees/trade schools/apprenticeship programs, etc.

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Transcript Requests

Transcripts are $2 each. We accept cash in the school counseling office or you can pay online through Online School Payments (OSP).

Letters of Recommendation

Counselor Letter of Recommendation

Teacher Letter of Recommendation

At least 1

Should be from core classes (Math, English, Social Studies, Science)

Tip: Be sure to check the College/University website to review how many letters you will need!

Ask a minimum of 2 weeks in advance.

Letters of Recommendation

• Students must personally ask teachers to write a letter of recommendation on his/her behalf. This should be done face to face. Students should follow up with a thank you email that includes their resume’.
• After the teacher has said yes, enter the letter of recommendation request on Naviance
• Give teachers a minimum of 2 weeks notice to write a letter of recommendation
• Same process for counselor letters of recommendation, but no request in Naviance.
• Counselor Letters of recommendation must be written by your assigned school counselor

Letters of Recommendation

• Once you have requested a letter of recommendation you MUST look at the “Colleges I’m Applying To” list to determine which must be mailed and which are electronic.

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• = Letters of recommendation are ELECTRONIC

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• = Letters of recommendation MUST be mailed

Scholarships $$$

Merit-Based

• Earned by meeting or exceeding certain standards
• Can be awarded based off academics, or a combination of academics & special talents, traits, or interests

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Financial Need

Awarded based off financial need (usually determined by University/College/Career School when reviewing submitted information from FAFSA

Tip: Some scholarships from colleges are tied to Early Action or Early Decision deadlines!

Check Naviance for scholarship opportunities!

Additional Scholarship

Search Tools:

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Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) List of Scholarships

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www.fastweb.com

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www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org

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www.scholarships.com

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www.goingmerry.com

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Scholarship Search by Sallie

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Have you visited colleges or trade schools yet?

Some great days to schedule college visits are:

• October 2
• October 8 (PSAT Day)

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Anne Arundel Community College

October 8, 2025 at 5pm

Click here for more information!

Application for AACC

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Interested in enlisting in the Military?

Register for ASVAB

Study for ASVAB

Sign up to take the ASVAB on November 13th at Crofton High.

• Log onto Naviance
• Click on Colleges
• Click on College Visits
• Scroll down to find ASVAB testing and click “Register Now”

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If you need assistance with contact information for recruiter see your school counselor

Visit ASVAB website for study guides and practice

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Take the ASVAB, attend score review session and reach out to military recruiter

Apprenticeships/Trades/Workforce

• Students interested in trades/apprenticeships need a valid driver’s license for most opportunities
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• Several local trade unions have training facilities in Baltimore or Prince George’s County. Students must be 18 to train at these facilities.
• Steamfitters Union Ironworkers Union Plumbers Union
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• You can also visit the Maryland Department of Labor website to explore different Apprenticeship opportunities.
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• See Ms. Claire Dillon (Work-Based Learning Facilitator) or Mr. Nick Doucette in the College and Career Room (B375) for more information on opportunities to connect with businesses in the area
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Ways parents can impact the post-secondary planning process

Helpful

• Empowering your child to lead the process
• Providing organizational support and reminders
• Completing the FAFSA with your child
• Attending college visits and open houses with your child

Not so helpful

• Submitting applications for your child
• Applying too much pressure on your child
• Withholding key financial information or not completing the FAFSA

Don’t be the password keeper!

Senior To Do List:

• Create FSA ID
• Attend Financial Aid Night
• October 16 @ 6:00 pm
• Attend FAFSA Completion Event
• January 22 @ 6:00 pm
• Check “Everything Senior” website often for valuable information
• Check personal email frequently
• Sign up for college visits
• Apply for local and national scholarships
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Past Cardinal College Visits

Sign up in Naviance!

Visits will be in the College & Career Center (B375)

Cardinal College Visits

Sign up in Naviance!

Visits will be in the College & Career Center (B375)

Any questions?

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Please contact your child’s assigned school counselor.

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Ms. Christina Garner csgarner@aacps.org

Last names A - Cla

Mrs. Tabitha Werner twerner@aacps.org

Last names Cle - Gr

Ms. Shanelle Cantine scantine@aacps.org

Last names Gs - Lem

Mr. Justyn Juarez jjuarez-roberts@aacps.org

Last names Lem - Ose

Mrs. Luna

lluna@aacps.org

Last names Osf - Sta

Ms. Danielle Crankfield dcrankfield@aacps.org Last names Stb - Z