Planning Information for Parents of 
Juniors
NUHS Guidance Department- 507-359-8430
Margaret Smude- Counselor- A-K
Ryan Ziemer- Counselors- L-Z
Emily Roiger Hagberg- Secretary
Spring and Summer
 Register for April 12th ACT- deadline is March 7th
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Visit www.actstudent.org
to register (NUHS code 241-830)
June 14th test date as well (May 9th deadline)
 Visit Colleges now and through the summer (do not put off
until Senior year)
 Remember to use MCIS to get college information
 In July/August, register for the September ACT if not taken
yet or want to improve score
Senior Year- September
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Sign up for October ACT if need to take or want to improve score
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Student should sign up for Senior Planning with their counselor
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If planning on applying to the University of MN-TC, your student should
apply now
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It is recommended that students take 4 years of math for the University of
Minnesota schools (soon to be required- Class of 2015)
Begin application process for all colleges
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Make it a goal to have 2-3 applications completed and sent off by
Thanksgiving
If applying online, please let Emily know where to send the official transcript
to
If applying paper application, can bring completed application with fee into
the Guidance Office and we will send for you
Senior Year- October
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Line up recommendations from teachers, employers, coaches, etc.
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Recommended to have 3 letters written
Begin looking for scholarships
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Local Scholarship after Thanksgiving break
www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.cappex.com
Other scholarships also available on NUHS Guidance Department’s website
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Register for December ACT if needed
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Midwest Student Exchange Program- check college for deadline
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For schools in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan and Missouri
www.getreadyforcollege.org has more information
Senior Year- November
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Finish completing college applications and send off
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Apply for your PIN number- both student and parent will need to have
one
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www.pin.ed.gov
This will be used when applying for financial aid in January
(www.fafsa.ed.gov)
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Finish gathering letters of recommendation (will be helpful for scholarship
applications)
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Local Scholarships will be available (a packet will be provided to each
Senior)- deadline to apply- mid-February (date depends on school
calendar)
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If attending a 2-year college, your student must take the Accuplacer
Senior Year- December
 Consult with counselor to review your final list of colleges
 Males will need to register with the Select Service prior to
applying for financial aid
 Continue applying for scholarships
Senior Year- January
 Gather the information you will need for the FAFSA
 PIN number (www.pin.ed.gov)
 W2 information
 Social Security number and driver’s license
 Tax Return from previous year (both student’s and parent’s)
 Current bank statements
 Current asset information (business & investment
mortgage, stocks, bonds, etc.)
 Attend the local financial aid night (at MLC)
Senior Year- February
 Complete and submit FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
 Select school and submit housing deposit/forms
 Continue applying for scholarships
 If attending a 2-year college, your student must take the
Accuplacer
 Apply for reciprocity if attending college in North and
South Dakota and Wisconsin
Senior Year- March
 If your student has not applied to a college yet and would
like, encourage them to do so
 Sign up for AP exams in the Guidance Office
 Keep track of notices from colleges including housing and
student aid reports
 Reply promptly and meet deadlines
Senior Year- April & May
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Notify colleges to which you have applied, but will not attend
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Take AP exams if needed
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Your student MUST let Emily know where to send their final high
school transcript
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This can hold up registration for their fall semester if they do not do
this
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Watch for the financial aid report and respond quickly
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Send college (MSU or SMSU) official transcripts to chosen college
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CLEP exams are available- see counselor for more information
NCAA Information
 NCAA Clearinghouse needs to be completed if playing
Division I or II sports
 NUHS code is 241-830
 www.ncaacearinghouse.net to register and for more
information
Division I (16 core courses)
4 years English
3 years Math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years Science (1 year of Lab)
1 year additional Math, Science or English
2 years Social Studies
4 years additional core courses from areas
above or World Language
Division II (16 core courses)
3 years English
2 years Math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years Science (1 year of Lab)
3 years additional Math, Science or English
2 years Social Studies
4 years additional core courses from areas
above or World Language
College Admission Requirements
 4 Year College Requirements
 4 years of English (including Composition, Literature and Speech)
 3 years of Math (2 years of Algebra- at least one advanced Algebraand 1 year of Geometry)
 University of Minnesota system is requiring 4 years of math for
students entering fall of 2015 and beyond
 3 years of Science (at least 1 year of Biology and a Physical Science
and at least 1 lab)
 3 years Social Studies (including 1 year of US History and Geography)
 2 years World Language
 1 year World Culture or 1 year of Fine Arts
 ACT score (acceptable score determined by college)
College Admission Requirements
 2 Year College Requirements
 Open enrollment policy
 High school diploma or equivalency
 Some specialized programs do fill up fast as there are limited
spots available
 Accuplacer score
 Cut scores determined by school
 Not an entrance exam but a placement exam to determine if
students are college ready
Alternative Post High School Options
 Military
 Army, Army National Guard, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air
Force
 Work
 Travel
 Volunteering (Peace Corps)