SACHS Guidance Office

Junior Year

• Begin college visitations .
• Attend the annual college fair at Kankakee Community College.
• Consider ACT preparation classes for your child. PSAE Prep class is now offered at SACHS.
• Schedule a visit to the Guidance Office to obtain additional information regarding college selections, scholarships, financial aid, testing information, etc.
• Review results of ACT test with your child.  Consider registering for the National ACT Test, especially if your child may be considered for an NCAA athletic scholarship.
• Attend information sessions and college days/nights sponsored by the high school.
• Consult with your son's or daughter's high school counselor for college search ideas and advice.
• Review all options.  If a school seems too costly, find out what scholarships and other finanical assistance may be available to you.
• Support you child's involvement in volunteer services or organizations.  Volunteerism may support admission and scholarship opportunities.
• Consider registering for the PSAT.

Summer Before Senior Year

• Help your son or daughter sort through college mail as it arrives (ask them if they want you to help).
• Review ACT/SAT results and discuss whether your child should retest.
• Visit different types of schools:  small and large, vocational and liberal arts, private and public.
• Develop a list of questions for colleges and take them with you on your visits. 

Senior Year

• Encourage student athletes to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.
• If applicable, encourage your child to write an essay or personal statement.
• Encourage your child to request recommendations from teachers or counselors.
• Schedule a visit to the Guidance Office to obtain additional information regarding college selections, scholarships, financial aid, testing information, etc.
• Attend the annual college fair at Kankakee Community College.
• Contact counselor to discuss your child's post-graduation plans.
• Continue college visits.
• Review college applications for accuracy.  Include required application fees.
• Submit completed applications, fees, and transcript requests to the Guidance Office.  It is suggested that all applications be submitted by November 15.
• Attend financial aid nights sponsored by Kankakee Community College.
• Review monthly scholarship bulletins with your child.
• Review local scholarship information (usually available in February) and deadlines.  Encourage your child to submit completed local scholarship applications by required deadlines.
• Collect all of your tax information and file for financial assistance in a timely fashion.  Keep copies of all financial aid application information.
• Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (FAFSA applications are not available until December of your child's senior year).  Workshops to help fill out the FAFSA are offered through Kankakee Community College and the high school.
• Notify the chosen school of the final decision and send in the tuition deposit.  It is also common courtesy to notify all other schools that granted acceptance.
• Submit housing deposits.