College Planning Information

ACT TESTING
The ACT is a national college admissions exam that consists of subject area tests in: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The essay section is optional and when you register you must indicate if you want to take the writing section. The ACT is offered six (6) times/year: September, October, December, February, April, and June. 
 
To register for an ACT exam please visit ACT Student

College Applications
Students will apply to college during their senior year. The application timeline is typically late August through November of senior year. During the second week of senior year, all students will attend a college application assembly to review the application process, timeline, deadlines, requesting transcripts, sending SAT/ACT scores, etc.

All applications are completed online and application fees vary by college. Once a student applies to a college they will then request their transcripts in Naviance and send their test scores from the testing agencies.

More detailed information about PAHS college application process, writing the college essay, and obtaining letters of recommendation will be provided to the rising seniors via Naviance email, small group meetings, individual meetings, and parent presentations.

Class of 2024 College Application Presentation for Parents (Sept. 2023)


College Planning Checklist by Grade
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade

College Rep Visits to PAHS
Throughout the fall, Admissions Officers from various colleges and universities visit the high school to meet with prospective students. Students can view the schedule and sign up to attend the session in their Naviance account. 

Disability Services Information for College-Bound Students
Academic accommodations are required by law for eligible college students with a learning disability. Accommodations are changes in the learning and testing environments that give college students with LD an equal opportunity to learn. The Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) and its amendments (ADAA) require that reason accommodations be made available to college students who have current documentation of learning disabilities and who request learning and/or testing accommodations.

Students are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office at the colleges they are considering or planning to attend in order to receive additional information an to submit the required paperwork in order to receive accommodations at college.

ALL colleges and universities provide some level of services and/or accommodations for learning disabled students, as mandated by the American with Disabilities ACT (ADA).
These colleges and universities go a step further... they offer programs, some quite comprehensive, designed to support students with learning disabilities.

Rights and Responsibilities for College-bound Students with Learning Disabilities

High School and College Differences

What are Accommodations?

Financial Aid
Student financial aid is funding that is intended to help students pay education-related expenses including tuition, room & board, fees, boos and supplies at a college or university. Financial aid can be both need-based and non-need based. Financial aid includes: direct loans, pell grant, and the PA state grant. Need-based aid is awarded on the basis of the financial need of the student. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine federal and state aid eligibility.

*Students complete the FAFSA during their senior year. The 2024-2025 FAFSA will open December 2023 for the class of 2024.*


More information will be shared shortly.

Creating FSA ID Account (electronic FAFSA signatures)

FSA ID Account Document (use this to keep track of account info, security questions, etc.)

Naviance
Naviance is a college and career readiness program that helps connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals. It is a comprehensive planning software used by all PAHS students. Students will attend Naviance sessions with their counselors throughout high school to complete college and career ready activities to help plan and prepare for life after high school.

NCAA Student-Athlete Eligibility
In order to compete in a sport at a Division I or Division II college, the student must meet certain eligibility requirements set forth by the NCAA. PAHS students are asked to self-identify themselves as a potential college athlete to either their School Counselor or to Mrs. Bhalla, the College and Career Counselor. Mrs. Bhalla will oversee NCAA eligibility for the students of PAHS.

Students and parents are asked to complete the online PAHS NCAA Student-Athlete Self-Identification Form. This form is emailed to students and parents during course selection. Students and parents should also review the presentation to become aware of the eligibility requirements.

2022-2023 Student Athlete Guide

Division I Eligibility Requirements

Division II Eligibility Requirements

Students should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of their junior year of high school. The NCAA needs to see three (3) full years of completed high school course work in order to start the eligibility process. To register: please visit the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Parent Authorization for Transcript Request
This online form must be on file for every senior student in order for transcripts to be requested in Naviance and processed. Once the form is completed by the parent/guardian, students will have access to request their transcript in Naviance.

Phantom's Future

Students and parents are encouraged to review Phantom's Future, which is our comprehensive post-secondary planning guide. This guide provides information on various topics related to post-secondary planning, timelines, grade level check lists and other important information.

PSAT Testing
All students in grades and and 11 will take the PSATs on October 11, 2023.

SAT
The SAT is a college entrance exam used by colleges and universities in the admissions process. The SAT consists of two sections: evidence-based reading/writing and math. To register for an SAT exam, please visit Collegeboard.

Scholarships
All scholarships are posted in Naviance for senior students and their parents to view. Scholarships are posted in Naviance throughout the year as we are notified of them. Most scholarship opportunities will be posted January-April. A detailed description of each scholarship, eligibility requirements, the application (or website) and the deadline to apply are all posted in Naviance when you click on the scholarship title.

We also advise students to look at each college's specific website for additional scholarships that the college may have to offer.

It is always a good idea to look close to home for scholarships. Parent-teacher associations, chambers of commerce, the hospital where you volunteer, local chapters like the Boys and Girls Scouts, Rotary International, the Elks and Lions, and other groups support hometown students aiming for college. Your religious institution may also offer scholarships in addition to your parent's place of employment. Additionally, if your parents served or are currently serving in the military you may be eligible for educational benefits from the military.

Additional Scholarship Links


Fastweb
Scholarships.com
Raise.me
Scholarships for Minorities
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