Seniors ‑ as you wrap up applying to colleges, it's also now time to apply for federal financial aid by filing the 2018‑2019 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you missed seeing the Financial Aid Night presentation at your school, you can watch a pre‑recorded version of the program on our NHHEAF YouTube Channel anytime! This important federal financial aid form became available on October 1st, and by October 20th, over 1400 high school seniors statewide had successfully completed this form!

In order to file the FAFSA, you and one parent will need an FSA ID. An FSA ID is comprised of a username and password and will provide access to the Federal Student Aid's online systems, serve as your legal signature for your FAFSA as well as any federal student loan applications. For tips on setting up your FSA ID, click here.

The Center for College Planning (CCP) helps families file the FAFSA. Call us at 888.7.GRADUATE, x119 to book a FAFSA filing appointment at our Concord campus. Do you need an appointment with a counselor who speaks Spanish? We can help! We will have a translator in our office on Wednesday, December 13th. Call us to make an appointment!

During the weeks of November 13 and 27, seniors at 34 of New Hampshire's public high schools are participating in the state's I Am College Bound/I Applied campaign. This nationwide initiative is designed to increase the number of first‑generation and low‑income students who pursue a postsecondary education by helping all high school seniors at participating high schools navigate the college admissions process and ensure that each participating student submits at least one college application during a particular school day with the support of their school and local higher education professionals.

The participating high schools for 2017 are: Belmont, Berlin, Colebrook, Conant, Dover, Epping, Fall Mountain, Franklin, Groveton, Kearsarge, Keene, Kennett, Kingswood, Laconia, Lisbon, Manchester Central, Manchester West, Mascenic, Merrimack Valley, Nashua North and South, Newfound, Newport, Pembroke Academy, Pittsburg, Pittsfield, Portsmouth, Profile, Raymond, Salem, Sanborn, Somersworth, Stevens, and White Mountains Regional.

Students from these high schools should sign up in their school counseling office immediately so they can prepare for the day's event. Why should you participate? Applying to every NH college or university during your school's event is FREE ‑ and you may win a $500 scholarship to help you pay for college! For more information, please email us.

If you are still developing your list of colleges to apply to, there is still plenty of time, and our college counselors can help! Read our “Creating the College Application List” article here for starters, and then feel free to make an appointment to meet with us. A Center for College Planning counselor can help you develop a list of schools perfect for you! Call us at 888.7.GRADUATE, x119 to book your appointment at our Concord campus.

New Hampshire Scholars is a community‑based program that encourages students to take a more rigorous Core Course of Study in high school. Students can choose from three possible pathways as a NH Scholar ‑ the original NH Scholars Standard Core Course of Study, the NH Scholars STEM Emphasis, and the NH Scholars Art Emphasis. Based on a partnership between a community's local business leaders and its school district, New Hampshire Scholars is federally funded through the New Hampshire Department of Education.

Why should you become a NH Scholar? Colleges across the country are familiar with this program and recognize State Scholars through transcript review. Colleges in New Hampshire are well aware of this program and the rigorous course curriculum of SSI is preferred. In terms of financial aid, students are more likely to be awarded merit aid by completing a rigorous core curriculum and excelling in that course of study. View the entire list of scholarship opportunities at New Hampshire colleges here.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, talk with your guidance office today! Seniors ‑ even if you have not signed up for the New Hampshire Scholars designation yet, it may not be too late to graduate with this distinction. Juniors ‑ you can also learn more about this program at Destination College^SM on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Southern New Hampshire University!

HS Students: Participate each month in our I Am College Bound promotion! Just read a college planning or financial aid article, answer a question about the article correctly, and you will be entered into a random drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

I Am College Bound's goal is to provide New Hampshire students with the inspiration, information and planning support to pursue higher education goals - share the link with your friends!