April tasks for high school seniors

Your senior year may not look like you thought it would right now. Maybe you are completing your classes at the kitchen table or in your room, but this is still an exciting and important time for you and your future.

As your senior year winds down, don't let yourself become distracted by the strange new distancing guidelines or by wondering what celebrating graduation will look like – stay focused and finish your high school career strong.

Below are the tasks you should complete during the month of April:

• Keep a close eye on your e-mails (including spam and junk folders) for important messages.
  • You might have messages or other correspondence from your counselors about available scholarship applications and other end of year requirements. They may not be able to flag you down in the hallway or have information in their physical office for you right now.
  • You might receive important information, perhaps with large attachments, that might go into a spam or junk folder.
• Complete scholarship applications, paying close attention to the deadlines and instructions.
• Compare financial aid award letters.
• Make your final school decision and mail deposits, as required.
• Check with the school you've chosen about returning financial aid award letters.
• Notify the schools you have chosen NOT to attend.
• Plan for registration, orientation, and housing, and mark your calendar with important dates.

Mapping Your Future created the Financial Aid Planning Tips for High School Students Affected by the Coronavirus flyer to help provide information for graduating high school seniors with questions about financial aid.

Hang in there, Class of 2020, and keep making safe, at home memories that you will be able to talk about for decades to come.