Salina South High School

Senior Information

Class of 2023 Seniors. 

Senior Parent Night

Senior Parent Night was held on Wednesday, September 15th, 2021. 

21-22 Senior Parent Night Powerpoint

RECRUITERS/COLLEGES at SHSS - During Lunch in Commons

Senior News...

2023-24 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Form
The 2023-24 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will open on October 1, 2022. Students enrolling for academic year 2023/2024 can submit their FAFSA; families should use their 2021 income tax information. Before students and parents can complete the FAFSA, the student and parent must create an FSA ID. To create your FSA ID go to FSA ID Website.  How to Create FSA ID Video

ACT Method Test Prep
Students can take advantage of ACT Method Test Prep in XELLO. This is an excellent tool to prepare for the ACT test. Students can access Method Test Prep under "Links and Resources" in their XELLO account.

Class of 2023 Senior Photos for the Yearbook

The deadline for senior photographs for the yearbook will be December 20, 2022 so plan now to meet the deadline. Photographs can be turned in as printed pictures, digitally on a CD or jump drive, or emailed to [email protected]. If you are sending them digitally, make sure they are at a high resolution or the reproduction in the yearbook will be unsatisfactory. Senior portraits must meet the following criteria to be used in the yearbook:

• Head and shoulder shot or can be cropped to head and shoulders shot.
• No hats or hands
• Color (not black and white or duo-tone)
• Plain background (It can be outside.)
• Vertical picture
• No selfies

The rationale behind these regulations is that head size remains consistent among all pictures and that all portraits command the same amount of attention rather than one individual standing out on the page. If you have any questions about the requirements or want the yearbook adviser to look at a photograph to see if it meets requirements, contact Kim Warren at [email protected] or 309-3798.  Yearbook staff members are also available to take a senior portrait for the yearbook. Students can contact Kim Warren to set up an appointment. Lifetouch photos can also be used. If you didn't take Interstate (school) photos, take them on retake day The yearbook staff has access to the photos, but students just need to let Mrs. Warren know they want these used.

South High Student Opportunities...

Please read carefully. Some opportunities apply to a specific age/classification of student. Additional information is available in the Counseling Office.

Volunteer Opportunities
Are you looking for opportunities to volunteer in the Salina and Saline County community?  Here are some links to get started.

Volunteer Match, Catholic Charities, Salina Family YMCA, Saline Emergency Food Bank, Salina Area United Way, Salina Regional Health Center Student Volunteer Program

Test Optional Colleges and Universities

Test Optional Admissions policies are not new to College Admission. Many colleges and universities have offered a test optional admission option for decades. Due to COVID-19 and the closing of many test sites, throughout the US, Colleges and Universities have revisited their college entrance exam requirements, implementing test optional policies, either temporarily (for Fall 2021 admissions) or permanently.  FairTest.org has a comprehensive list of Test Optional Colleges and Universities. It is important that you review the test optional policy for the Colleges and Universities that you are planning to apply to. Every institutions requirements vary. 

                                                                                    READ THE FINE PRINT:                                                                                              Some colleges are test optional for admission, but require testing for special programs and scholarships.

Virtual College Visits

COVID-19 has changed the where and how we visit colleges campus. Recently, some college campuses have opened back-up their campuses for socially distanced and masked college tours, while others still remain closed to visitors. Your best source of information for how colleges are sharing their campuses with prospective students is each College/Universities Campus Visit website.

Virtual Campus Tour Resources & Events:

Tips for a (Virtual) Campus Visit You'll Remember

YouVISIT

STRIVE Virtual College Exploration

Go to College Fairs

NACAC Virtual College Fairs

To view full calendar click here

EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY

• February 1 - Priority deadline
• March 15 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid
• To apply for talent scholarships, contact the department directly. Contact information is on their site.

FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY

• December 15 - Priority deadline for general scholarship
• February 15 - Final deadline for general scholarships
• March 15 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

• December 1 - Priority deadline for premiere scholarships
• February 1 - College/Departmental scholarship deadline
• February 1 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid

PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY

• February 1 - Deadline for general scholarships

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

• December 1 - Priority deadline for general scholarships
• March 1-Priority date for Federal Financial Aid

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY

• WSU begins awarding scholarships for incoming freshmen in September. Apply early for full consideration for scholarships
• October 1 - Deadline for admittance to be included in the DSI Competition (Distinguished Scholars Invitational)
• December 1 - Deadline for freshman merit scholarships

August/September

• Register for the SAT and/or ACT if you didn't take it as a junior, or if you aren't satisfied with your score and want to take it again. (remember that your counselor can help you with fee waivers)
• Take a look at some college applications and consider all of the different pieces of information you will need to compile.
• The SAT test date most popular with high school seniors is this month.
• Visit with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements. If you're ahead of schedule, consider taking courses at a local university or community college to get a jumpstart on college credit.
• Take every opportunity to get to know colleges: meeting with college representatives who visit your high schools during the fall, attending local college fairs, visiting campuses (if possible). Ask your counselor if they know of special campus visitation programs.
• Narrow down your list of colleges and begin to consider "safe," "reach," and "realistic" schools. Make sure you have the application and financial aid information for each school. Find out if you qualify for any scholarships at these schools.

Create a checklist and calendar to chart:

• Standardized test dates, registration deadlines, and fees
• College application due dates
• Financial aid application forms and deadlines
• Other materials you'll need for college applications (recommendations, transcripts, essays, etc.)
• Your high school's application processing deadlines

Some schools require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. Ask the colleges to which you are applying for their deadlines. You can register as early as September. See your guidance counselor about fee waivers.

October

• It is time to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). File the form as soon after October 1 as possible. In addition to determining your eligibility for federal funds, many colleges and states use the form when distributing grants, so don't delay. Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR)-it should arrive four weeks after the FAFSA is filed.
• Some colleges will have deadlines as early as this month. These would include rolling admission, priority, early decision, and early action deadlines.
• If you cannot afford the application fees that many colleges charge, ask your counselor to help you request a fee waiver.
• Finalize your college essay. Many schools will require that you submit at least one essay with your application.
• Request personal recommendations from teachers, school counselors, or employers. Follow the process required by your high school or provide a stamped, addressed envelope, the appropriate college forms, and an outline of your academic record and extracurricular activities to each person writing you a recommendation.
• Research possibilities of scholarships. Ask your counselor, your colleges, and your religious and civic groups about scholarship opportunities. You should never pay for scholarship information.

November

• Finalize and send any early decision or early action applications due this month. Have a parent, teacher, counselor, or another adult review the application before it is submitted.
• Every college will require a copy of your transcript from your high school. Follow your school's procedure for sending transcripts.
• Make sure testing companies have sent your scores directly to the colleges to which you are applying.

December

• Begin to organize regular decision applications and financial aid forms, which will be due in January and/or February.
• Register for the January SAT (If needed). It is the last one colleges will be able to consider for a senior.

January

• Many popular and selective colleges will have application deadlines as early as January 1. Others have deadlines later in January and February. Keep track of and observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork.
• If necessary, register for the February ACT (some colleges will be able to consider it).
• Ask your guidance office in January to send first semester transcripts to schools where you applied. At the end of the school year, they will need to send final transcripts to the college you will attend.

Feb/March/April

• While most of your applications will be complete and you are waiting to receive admission decisions, don't slack in the classroom. The college that you do attend will want to see your second-semester transcript. No Senioritis!
• Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will start to arrive. Review your acceptances, compare financial aid packages, and visit your final choices, especially if you haven't already.

May

• May 1 is the date when the college you plan to attend requires a commitment and deposit. When you've made your college decision, notify your counselor and the colleges. Send in your deposit by the postmark date of May 1. If you've been offered financial aid, accept the offer and follow the instructions given. Also, notify schools you will not attend of your decision.
• Make sure that you have requested that your final transcript be sent to the school you will be attending.
• If you are "wait-listed" by a college you really want to attend, visit, call and write the admission office to make your interest clear. Ask how you can strengthen your application.

Information Courtesy of 2016 National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)