Post-High School Planning & Support
For Graduates of Capital High School
Congratulations!
Graduating from high school is a really big deal. You have worked hard, studied hard, and completed a major life milestone.
Top Tips for Recent Grads
- If your post-high school program sends you a mailing or an email, READ IT! They won’t send you information you don’t need. Don’t risk missing out on important deadlines, paperwork, or details because you didn’t read your mail.
- Use your voice! Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. If you need help, ask for it. If you don’t understand something, speak up. You will need to be your own champion, so speak up for yourself.
- Ask as many questions as you need to until you get answers. There are so many new experiences after high school, especially if you’ve also left home. If the resources on this webpage aren’t quite right to answer your questions, don’t be afraid to ask your boss, professor, peers, landlord, parents, etc. This goes for classes, financial aid information, banks, and just about anything else.
- Many of your friends and peers feel just like you. Confused? Homesick? Worried? Leaving high school is a big life transition. Chances are most of the others in your post-high school program feel the same way. Reach out to others through clubs or other social or organized activities. Before you start, check to see if your program has a social media account. It can be a great way to meet and connect with peers.
Post-High School College Transition Resources
- Did Your Financial Circumstances Change? You might be experiencing a change in income from what you reported on the financial aid application or what your previous year’s taxes reflected. You will need to connect with the financial aid department of the colleges where you applied. SwiftStudent is a free tool that helps students understand appeals and provides templates for writing a financial aid appeal letter. This tool does not share user data with third parties.
- Make Your College Plans a Reality There are important steps that need to be completed over the summer for you to be able to enroll in the fall. The tasks listed are common to most colleges. Available in multiple languages.
- Native Pathways to College: By the American Indian College Fund. Features a culturally relevant guidebook on navigating the journey through higher education, Tribal Colleges exploration guide, and many more culturally relevant resources on the college process.
- Handout: College Resources and Support Services This list identifies common student support resources found at college. Review your college or university’s website. Identify what supports you may need, and what is available on your campus
- Resources Scenarios: These are common scenarios that students encounter during their first year in college. Using your college or university’s website and the handout: Resources & Support Services to Navigate Your Way, identify what resource(s) can help in each scenario on your future campus.
Did Your Plans Change? It is Not too Late!
Start planning your college or career pathway today! Washington has many options and supports to help you get the education or training you need. Financial aid and scholarships are available to keep costs down.
Financial Aid
- Financial aid is money to help pay for college. It comes from the federal and state governments, colleges and universities, banks, and organizations. Applying for financial aid is a separate process from applying for admission to a college. You have to do both.
- To receive financial aid, you must apply for it using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or for students who are ineligible for federal aid due to immigration status, the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). Colleges use the results of the FAFSA or WASFA to create a financial aid package specific to you.
- REMEMBER: You must file a financial aid application every year you plan to attend school. This means that you should complete a financial aid application after October 1st each year. The sooner you complete your financial aid application, the more aid you could potentially receive from colleges.
- There are dozens of FREE in-person and virtual events throughout the state in October and November if you need help filing your financial aid application. Visit https://wsac.wa.gov/12th-year-campaign for a list of dates and locations.
Additional Resources to Explore Your Options
Apprenticeship
2- and 4- Year School Exploration and Preparation
Career Exploration
- Career Bridge Washington. Washington’s one-stop source for career and education planning.
- Career Video Library. From U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop. Includes more than 500 career videos, reflecting nearly 800 unique occupations.
- GetMyFuture.org. From U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop. Free interest assessments, career and job-search resources, and occupation profiles for more than 800 careers.
- Job Launch. The #1 job search tool for young people. Start searching for an entry-level position.
- O*Net Online. Career exploration tool, which showcases different jobs plus what knowledge, skills, abilities, personality, and education are helpful for that path.