Career & College Center

Application deadlines are approaching. Make sure you know the application deadlines for your schools of interest. A tip: If a school offers an early action deadline, we encourage you to apply by that deadline. Schools give first consideration to students in that applicant pool, and are accepting a higher percentage of those applicants as opposed to regular decision applicants. Confused about the terminology?

• Early Decision: This is a BINDING agreement. It is essential that you are certain about attending this particular college, regardless of financial package. By applying Early Decision, you make the commitment to attend that college if you’re accepted and it’s a commitment that’s taken seriously. If you go back on your agreement after being offered Early Decision, it could result in other colleges refusing to admit you.
• Early Action: This is a NON-BINDING agreement. Applications are typically due by early Fall and you should receive a decision by January. An Early Action application doesn’t commit you to enrolling if you’re accepted. You have until May 1^st to make your decision.
• Regular Application Deadline: This is the most common option and you apply by the college’s deadline, hear from them on their release date, and make your decision by May 1^st. 

Should you apply early? It never hurts. If your grades, essays, and application are where you want them to be by the Early Action deadline, you should apply! If not, it could be in your best interest to apply by the regular decision deadline.

Stop by the Career & College Center with any additional questions!

Deadlines for Public Institutions

Deadlines for Private Institutions

Learn more about Rotary's Youth Exchange program at a virtual information session on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 9 a.m.

Register Here

Applications for the program are due Oct. 10. Click here to download the flyer.

Come to Perry Technical Institutes open house on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Speak with Enrollment Services and Financial Aid staff about our 14 programs, our enrollment process, and financial options. Preregister for the event by filling out the form below and you’ll be on your way to becoming a student at Perry Tech.

Register at perrytech.edu/openhouse.

Youth Empowerment Squad, Y.E.S, is a youth empowerment initiative that engages young people in a variety of volunteering and philanthropic opportunities with mentorship guidance.

Applications and additional information are available online at hapo.org. Open to Tri-City, WA students. For information or questions about the application process, please contact yes@hapo.org. Deadline to apply is October 31, 2023. Program begins in January of 2024.

Apply Now

Every October students are encouraged to apply for financial aid for the next academic year. There is an expected delay for the 2024-2025 application as the U.S. Department of Education rolls out the “Better FAFSA, Better Future” application. Instead of opening October 1st, the FAFSA will be available in December 2023 for the upcoming academic year (2024-25). 

To better understand what is happening, here are some changes to anticipate: 

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will NOT be available October 1st. The application is still undergoing changes and will be available in December 2023.
  • The WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) will follow the timeline and changes to the application like the FAFSA application. 
  • Changes to the FAFSA (beyond the timeline) include:
    • All individuals that contribute to a students FAFSA will create an ID number to upload their tax information. 
    • Change from EFC (Expected Family Contribution) to new SAI (Student Aid Index) 
    • Expanded Pell Grant eligibility 
    • New terminology related to cost of attendance 
    • The new form will be available in 11 languages 

Schedule an appointment with Colleen Hall, Financial Aid Outreach Specialists, with any questions: https://calendly.com/chall_faoutreach/30min

Download the Flyer

The Washington Guaranteed Admission Program guarantees your admission to a Washington public, four-year college or university! Stop by the RHS Career & College Center with any questions!

Learn More

Get ready for the SATs/ACTs. Check out the information below:

SAT vs. ACT Information

SAT/ACT Testing Dates

Meet Colleen Hall, Financial Aid Outreach SpecialistEmail: Colleen.Hall@rsd.edu

Schedule a Meeting