This checklist is available on our website: www.TakeStockManatee.org
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1st Quarter: August 24th to October 23rd Progress Report week of 9/24/15
Maintain “Active” status according to the Take Stock requirements for all Quarters.
My Current Status: ACTIVE
WARNING
PROBATION 1
PROBATION 2
PROB. 3
Remember your community service hours. 100 hours are needed for the Bright Futures Academic
Scholarship & 75 needed for the Medallion Scholarship. Service hours earned to date: ___________
Stay involved in at least one school club this year to earn service hours and add to your Resume’.
What Club? __________________________
What are your top three choices for college: 1. _____________________2___________________
3________________________. Begin those applications and save login information.
Complete all Public FL University applications by October 1st. Complete any Early Decision Apps. FIRST.
 Explore their application process on each school’s website. Look at their applications, essay/biographical requirements,
average GPA, exam requirements, recommendation requirements, housing, etc. to assure you qualify.
o
Check out the virtual tours at websites of any colleges you are interested in attending.
o
Log-in with them as this will get them to mail or email you additional information.
o
If you feel very strongly about 1 or 2 schools, consider applying for early admission. These deadlines often
close by November 1st. Check with that particular college or Univ. for the dates.
o
Be sure to have your scores sent to every college you may want to attend. Your scores will be updated every
time you retake an exam, and this will get you on their mailing list
Create a GPA goal to reach for this year. My 12th Grade GPA Goal: __________wgt._____________unwgt.
To stay organized, keep a College Folder with all the documents you receive, starting with this checklist.
Meet with you Guidance Counselor to reserve your fee waivers, office procedures for letters of recommendation and
transcripts. Locate additional scholarships applications.
You may collect your fee waivers but they will not issue replacements for lost waivers. The waiver must be used to
register for the test and presented at the test site. In other words-DON’T LOSE THEM They won’t replace.
Attend College Fair- Tues. Oct. 6th, 2015 at Bradenton Area Convention Center, Palmetto 6-8
Sign up for an appointment in College Advisor Office or Guidance when college representatives visit your high school.
To stay organized, keep a college folder with all the documents you receive, starting with this checklist!
Consider job shadowing with someone in the career area that you have identified as and interest area.
Register for either the SAT or ACT to retake for Oct. 3, SAT (deadline: 9/3) and ACT 10/24(deadline 9/18) of this year.
If you can, retake them BOTH.
sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-dates
www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html
What dates will you take the test: SAT: ______________ ACT: _________________
Remember: focus on the test in which you already scored better to achieve your admission goals. Use the sites for practice
tests, study guides and tips.
For help in TEST PREP: www.actstudent.org/testprep/ & www.sat.collegeboard.org/practice/ for FREE practice questions,
tips, study guides, and tests for the ACT and SAT.
Attend the Required College Application and Essay Writing Workshop at your High School – we will notify you.
Keep track of any scholarship applications and information in your college folder throughout your senior year.
Find 2 more scholarships to add to your Scholarship Planner. Find scholarships using your guidance counselor & this
website:
bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarships-grants.
 Begin developing outlines and rough drafts for your college and scholarship essays. When first drafts are completed,
ask for feedback from your mentor, teachers and others. If you have kept a HS folder of past essays you can update
one of these ideas. Especially if it has been graded by a teacher.
 Consider who you will need to ask for letters of recommendations. Colleges may want specific people to do this. Give
those people plenty of advance notice, and have forms or website information available for him/her when you ask. Be
sure to thank him/her later.
 Don’t forget to have senior pictures taken. Even if you choose not to purchase a package, check with your school’s
yearbook advisor about having a photo made for the yearbook and for other senior recognition opportunities.
o
Complete your essays and attach them to your application. Be sure to keep copies.
Check the college website for scholarships that apply to incoming freshman. Note the deadline for these
scholarships, as they can be early. Apply as directed.
o
Check on your recommendation letters. Keep any copies that are given to you, or documentation that
indicates they were done on-line.
o
Have your transcripts sent to the colleges where you have applied. Your application is not complete until
they have received them.
o
Wait one or two weeks, and then check with the admissions office where you have applied to confirm that
they have received your application and all supporting documentation.
o
Check with your guidance counselor to find out when your local scholarship packets will be available.
o
Decide how you will finance the remainder of your expenses, fees, housing, food plans, etc.
nd
2 Quarter: October 27th to January 22nd – Progress Report week of 12/2/15
Maintain “Active” status according to the Take Stock requirements for the 2nd Quarter, keeping good grades, attendance,
behavior and meeting with mentor.
Have ALL other college applications completed by December 1 including SCF or other College!
Remember: Schools can accept you without all requirements being met with a final decision made at the end of year.
Attend the Required Financial Aid & Scholarship Workshop at your High School
Date: ____________
Location: ______________________________________________
After December 1st: apply for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. This application will also apply you to other local
scholarships and must be completed before you graduate.
http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org
Look for a way to volunteer and earn service hours during the winter holiday. How?____________________
Begin your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) 1/1/16 to get your name in the queue. All students need
to complete the 2015-2016 FAFSA.
The application: www.fafsa.ed.gov/ if your parents have not filed their taxes yet you should still begin the
FAFSA.
o Gather tax forms and any other necessary documents.
o Complete the FAFSA form as soon after January 1, 2016 as possible. Some scholarship money is
dependent on FAFSA being completed, and is given out on a first come-first served basis. Also, be sure to
print a copy of everything.
o Check your email daily for financial aid and scholarship deadlines and any additional information that may
be required. Colleges often require additional documentation of income called a verification worksheet.
Make sure you fill out any forms asked for in a timely manner. If you have any concerns or questions,
contact the financial aid office at the college.
Attend the Annual Prayer Breakfast fundraiser Thursday, Feb. 4th, 2016. Location is Renaissance on 9th St. in
Bradenton.
3rd Quarter: January 26th to April 7th - Progress Report week of 2/25/16
No Senioritis! Be diligent in keeping up with any paperwork your college requires. Keep working hard so that your final
transcript will be acceptable to your college.
If you plan on attending a summer session you must also complete the 2015-2016 FAFSA.
Attend a Required FAFSA Workshop at your High School
Date:
Location:
Your College Success Coach will have you fill out an Annual Florida Prepaid Student Information form. This form will
need to be updated on-line each year in order for your tuition to be paid by Florida Prepaid. Florida Prepaid IS your
Take Stock scholarship. IF you neglect to complete the annual survey, FL Prepaid will not pay your school!
Notify the colleges and universities that have accepted you of your plans.
“Yes I will attend” or “No I have decided to attend another institution.”
Use your Spring break as an opportunity to earn remainder of 100 service hours. How? _______________
Attend our 7th Annual Take Stock 10K, Sunday, March 6th and earn Service Hours from Take Stock!
4th Quarter: April 11th to June 9th Progress Report week of 5/11/16
Maintain “Active” status according to the Take Stock requirements for the 4 th Quarter.
Attend Tennis Festival Fund raiser on Saturday, 4/30/16 to earn Community Service Hours.
Attend the Take Stock in Children Graduation Ceremony Date: May 5th Location TBA
Register online for the Take Stock in Children Alumni Alliance. http://www.takestockmanatee.com
Update your High School portfolio to include awards, honors, paid or volunteer work, extracurricular activities, as well
as, any leadership roles you held in the 12th Grade.
 Don’t forget to sign up for a Required Orientation Session at your college. There is a charge for some of these and
some require an overnight stay. The earlier you go to orientation, the better class selection you will have.
 Look over the meal plans offered by your college and discuss them with your parents
 Keep your Florida Prepaid account information in a safe place! You should show it to the cashier when you pay for
your tuition. Have your HS Registrar send your final transcript to the college you will be attending. If you took
Dual Enrollment classes you need to also request a copy of your college transcript sent to the College. There could be a
small charge for this service. The College will expect YOU to be responsible for your finances and education.
Pay attention to all deadlines for any paperwork your college requires. Work hard until the end so that your
final transcripts will be acceptable to your college or university.
Look over Housing and Meal Plans and discuss the financial costs with you parents.
Keep you Florida Prepaid account information in a safe place! You will show it to the cashier when you pay for
your tuition.