• Sep: Research recruiters/trade unions; Update HSBP Goals.

• Oct: Take the ASVAB; Draft HSBP Career Goals Statement.

• Nov: Gather ID docs; Refine resume for HSBP/Job apps.

• Dec: Military: MEPS physical. Trade: Verify entry test dates.

• Jan: Practice mock interviews; Complete HSBP Budgeting task.

• Feb: Submit applications for local unions & trade schools.

• Mar: Secure 3 professional references & background checks.

• Apr: Start job applications; confirm post-grad training dates. Send graduation invites.

• May: Final HSBP sign-off; finalize employment contracts.

• Jun: Graduate! Ship to basic training or start your career.

• Jul: Send thank you cards.

• Sep: Finalize college list; complete HSBP goal statemenst.

• Oct: Complete FAFSA/WASFA; Draft HSBP Personal Statement.

• Nov: Submit applications; hunt local scholarships.

• Dec: Order cap & gown; Update HSBP Resume/Activity Log.

• Jan: Send mid-year transcripts; Complete HSBP Financial Prep.

• Feb: Peak scholarship season—apply weekly!

• Mar: Compare financial aid award letters.

• Apr: Make final decision; pay deposit by May 1. Send graduation invites.

• May: Final HSBP review & submission; finish finals.

• Jun: Send final transcripts & celebrate!

• Jul: Send thank you cards.

• College Board: Official SAT registration and information at satsuite collegeboard.

• Khan Academy: The gold standard for free, personalized SAT practice at khanacademy sat.

• ACT.org: Central hub for ACT registration and official practice tools at act.

• March2Success: A free US Army-sponsored resource hub for SAT, ACT, and ASVAB prep at march2success.

• Washington Starting Smarter: State-specific resources to help students prepare for and understand Smarter Balanced (SBA) and WCAS results at wa startingsmarter.

• ASVAB Challenge App: A free mobile app to help students prepare for the military entrance exam.

• Smarter Balanced Practice Tests: Access to the official training and practice tests at smarterbalanced.

Funding senior year can feel like a full-time job in itself! To make this easier, here is a curated list of the most reliable scholarship resources specifically for Washington state students, ranging from state-funded grants to local matching tools.

Foundational State Aid (The "Must-Dos")

Before applying for individual scholarships, ensure these foundational applications are complete. They unlock the largest pools of money.

• Washington College Grant (WA Grant): One of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. It can provide free tuition for eligible students at public colleges or apprenticeships.

  • How to apply: Simply complete your FAFSA or WASFA.

• WASFA (WA Application for State Financial Aid): The application for state financial aid for undocumented students or those who don’t qualify for FAFSA.

Washington-Specific Search Tools

These platforms are filtered specifically for residents of our state, which means you aren't competing with the entire country.

• theWashBoard: This is the "gold standard" for WA students. You create one profile, and it matches you with verified scholarships offered by Washington providers. It is spam-free.

• College Success Foundation (CSF): Offers several major scholarships like the Leadership 1000 and Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth.

High-Value State Scholarships

These are competitive, but the payouts are significant (often renewable for 4 years).

• Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS):

  • Baccalaureate Scholarship: Up to $22,500 for students pursuing high-demand STEM or healthcare majors.

  • Career & Technical Scholarship: Up to $1,500 per quarter for students pursuing trade certificates, associate degrees, or apprenticeships.

• Washington State Fair Foundation: Offers numerous scholarships for everything from the arts and blue-collar trades to community leadership.

Apprenticeship & Trade Resources

If your student is heading straight into a career or trade school, these are essential:

• WSOS Career & Technical Scholarship: Specifically for trade and technical paths.

• WA State Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I): While not a "scholarship" site, this is the hub for finding paid apprenticeships where you "earn while you learn."

Reliable National Databases

For students with high GPAs, unique hobbies, or specific heritage, these massive databases can find niche awards.

• BigFuture (College Board): Excellent filters and easy to use.

• Fastweb: One of the oldest and largest databases. (Note: You may get more marketing emails from this one).

• WA Scholarships: Has a dedicated section specifically for Washington-based awards.

Winning scholarships is a numbers game, but it’s also a strategy game. To help your senior maximize their chances of securing funding without burning out, follow this Scholarship Strategy Guide.

1. The "Local First" Rule

While the massive national scholarships (like Coca-Cola or Gates) are tempting, the competition is fierce. Your senior has the highest statistical chance of winning local awards from Clallam Bay and Olympic Peninsula organizations.

• Action: Check the Senior Information and Timeline Spreadsheet weekly for local boosters, rotary clubs, and community foundations.

2. Create a "Master Essay"

Most scholarship prompts fall into three categories: Overcoming an Obstacle, Future Goals, or Community Impact. * Strategy: Have your student write one high-quality, 500-word "Master Essay." They can then "copy-paste-tweak" this for 80% of their applications, saving hours of work.

3. "Show, Don't Tell" (The Winning Edge)

Scholarship committees read hundreds of essays that say, "I am a hard worker." The winners are the ones who show it.

• Bad: "I am a leader in my school."

• Good: "When our club’s funding was cut, I organized a car wash that raised $500 in four hours, ensuring our spring trip stayed on the calendar."

4. The "Brag Sheet" Hack

Don't let your student start from scratch every time. Create a single document (a "Brag Sheet") that lists:

• GPA and Test Scores.

• Every club, sport, and volunteer hour.

• Awards, honors, or leadership roles.

• Work experience (including babysitting or yard work).

• Benefit: Give this to people writing Letters of Recommendation so they can write a specific, glowing letter instead of a generic one.

5. Professionalism Matters

• Email Address: If your student is still using gamerguy2007@email.com, it's time to create a professional one (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com) specifically for applications.

• Social Media: Scholarship committees do sometimes look. Ensure profiles are private or professional.

The "One-a-Week" Goal

Applying for scholarships can feel overwhelming. Encourage your senior to apply for just one scholarship per week. * Starting in October and ending in May, that’s approx. 30 applications. Even a 10% success rate could result in thousands of dollars for college or trade school.

Parent Tip: Offer to be the "Final Editor." Your student writes the content, and you help check for typos and grammar. It’s a great way to support them without doing the work for them!

Senior "Brag Sheet" Template

Instructions for the Student: Create a document and copy and paste this template into it. Then fill this out completely and give it to your recommender at least three weeks before your deadline. Attach your current resume if you have one!

Section 1: The Basics

• Full Name:

• GPA (Weighted/Unweighted):

• Intended Major or Career Path:

• Top 3 College/Program Choices:

• Deadline for Letter:

Section 2: Academic Achievements

• Which classes have you enjoyed most and why? (Focus on the "why"—did it spark a passion or challenge you?)

• Are there any specific projects or papers you are particularly proud of?

• Have you overcome any academic challenges? (e.g., struggling in math but working with a tutor to raise your grade).

Section 3: Leadership & Extracurriculars

• List your top 3 activities (Sports, Clubs, Arts, etc.):

• Leadership Roles: (Did you captain a team? Organize a fundraiser? Lead a section in band?)

• Work & Volunteer Experience: (Where did you work/volunteer and what was your biggest takeaway?)

Section 4: Character & Personal Insight

• Three adjectives that describe you best:

• What is your proudest accomplishment outside of school?

• Is there any context the recommender should know? (e.g., you work 20 hours a week to help with family bills, or you’ve moved schools frequently).

Section 5: The "Why This Recommender?"

• Why did you choose this specific teacher/mentor to write your letter? (e.g., "I loved how you pushed me to think critically in History," or "You saw my growth in AP Bio.")

Tips for Success:

• Ask Early: Never ask for a letter the week it's due. Give them at least 15 business days.

• The "Thank You" Note: After they submit the letter, send a handwritten thank-you note. It goes a long way!

• Digital or Paper? Ask your teacher if they prefer this document as a printed copy or a shared Google Doc.

Email Template: Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

Subject: Letter of Recommendation Request - [Student Name]

Dear [Teacher/Mentor Name],

I hope your week is going well.

I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf for my [college applications / scholarship applications / apprenticeship program]. I truly enjoyed being in your [Name of Class] last year, and I especially appreciated [mention one specific thing, e.g., your feedback on my final project / the way you challenged me to think about science]. Because of that experience, I believe you could speak well to my academic growth and character.

Key Details:

• Earliest Deadline: [Insert Date — should be at least 3 weeks away!]

• Submission Method: [e.g., Common App, a specific portal link, or emailed to a recruiter]

• What I am applying for: [e.g., Nursing programs, Trade School, or Specific Scholarship]

To help you in writing the letter, I have attached my Senior Brag Sheet and my current Resume. These documents outline my extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and goals for the future.

I understand how busy you are, so please let me know if you are comfortable fulfilling this request. If you are able to, I will send over the formal invitation link through the application portal immediately.

Thank you for your time and for all your support during my time at Clallam Bay.

Best regards,

[Student Name] [Phone Number/Email]

Student Pro-Tips for the Request:

• The "In-Person" First Step: If possible, ask the teacher in person first! Then, send this email as a follow-up with all the documents attached.

• The 3-Week Rule: Never ask for a letter with less than three weeks' notice.

• Update the "Why": Make sure the sentence about why they chose that teacher is genuine. Teachers can tell when a request is a generic "form letter."