Do your graduates have a plan for life after high school?
Conditions for Learning Team
Preparing for life after high school starts in kindergarten, but there are some key steps that 12th graders can take to help ensure they have what they need to continue their education or launch straight into employment.
Graduates planning to continuing their education should be sure to:
- Apply for the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the basis for federally-funded, needs-based grants as well as many other scholarships, including the Alaska Performance Scholarship. In recent years Alaska has had the lowest rate of FAFSA applications. As a result, students in Alaska left $6 million in free federal aid on the table.
- Check their eligibility for the Alaska Performance Scholarship. While legislation is in the works to remove barriers, the APS currently requires students to take the SAT, ACT, or Work Keys test as well as meet specific curriculum requirements.
- Build their support network. Alaskan students who want to go to college often get tripped up by unexpected barriers such as the cost of getting to school or paying for books, signing up for housing or registering for classes. As seniors prepare to leave high school, it can be helpful for students to identify who can check in with them and, if needed, help navigate barriers. That might be a high school or college counselor, a community or Tribal support person, a family member or even a school board member.
For graduates opting to launch straight into employment or to enlist in the armed services or as a community volunteer, high schools can work with students to help develop resumes, complete applications, and make a plan for life after high school. These students will also benefit from a network of supportive adults who will check in and help them clear any unexpected hurdles.
