How to Apply to College

Before you start, Research Colleges & Careers:

• Naviance Student--Research Colleges and Careers
• Michigan College GPA/SAT Document
• Michigan Education and Career Pathfinder

• https://www.mynextmove.org/

• http://www.educationplanner.org/students/career-planning/find-careers
• https://www.truity.com/test/holland-code-career-test#
• https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/amp/compare/historically-black-colleges-and-universities/
• Michigan Trade and Certificate Programs

Step One:  Fill out the college application online.

Michigan Colleges Applications

• Most students apply to 1 - 5 colleges.
• Look for the "first-year", "freshman", or "undergraduate" application.
• Use the University application and NOT Common App when possible.

Step Two:  Request Transcripts & Letters of Recommendation through Naviance

How to Request Transcripts in Naviance

1. Click on the Google Apps or waffle icon to log into Naviance Student. 
2. Click on "Colleges I'm Applying To".
3. IF you used the Common App, click on "Match Accounts", then click on the box next to each college and click +Request Transcripts at the top of the page.
4. Request your transcript by clicking on the blue + sign to add each college that you applied to.  
5. Request letters of recommendation by clicking on the blue letters of recommendation section link at the bottom of the page.

Step Three:  Send your "Official SAT Scores"

To send "official" SAT scores, visit www.collegeboard.org .  

Step Four:  Pay the Application Fee

Free/Reduced Lunch?  You can request up to 4 fee waivers from your school counselor.  Complete this form to find out if you qualify:  Education Benefits Form

Click here for a list of all Michigan College Application Fees and fee waiver codes for October.

Step Five:  Playing Sports in College?

Division I?  Register at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/.

Division II?  Register at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/.

NAIA?  Register with the NAIA Eligibility Center at https://play.mynaia.org/.  

Step Six:  Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

You can start completing the FAFSA on December 1.

LHS FAFSA Filing Event is TBD.

Steps to Complete FAFSA

1.  Collect the information and documents you need to complete the FAFSA.
2.  Set up an FSA ID for yourself.  Have one parent set up an FSA ID for themselves.  https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
3.  Complete the FAFSA with a parent.  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
4.  The FAFSA needs to be completed every year.

Types of Financial Aid

•  Grants and Scholarships—financial aid that doesn't have to be repaid.  Grants are usually based on income and scholarships are usually based on achievement.
•  Work-study—a work program through which you earn money to help you pay for school
•  Loans—borrowed money for college or career school; you must repay your loans, with interest.  Federal loans and Parent loans are available with the FAFSA and are usually lower interest than other private loans.

Step Seven:  Research Scholarships

• Research Local, State and National scholarships on the LHS Scholarship Website.
• Research "Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen" and "Private Scholarships" at the college you plan to attend.