For families of high school seniors, the final year of school is both a milestone and a turning point. It represents the culmination of thirteen years of growth, learning, and hard work, and it serves as the launchpad for the next stage of your child’s life. The choices made during this year–finalizing college lists, writing essays, completing applications, preparing financial aid forms, and meeting critical deadlines–will shape opportunities long after graduation.

The process can feel overwhelming, even for families who have gone through it before. The landscape of college admissions continues to evolve: applications are now almost entirely online, requirements for standardized testing are shifting, the costs of higher education keep rising, and new tools and resources emerge every year.

Every student’s journey looks different, but one constant is the vital role families play. Parents and guardians provide the structure, encouragement, and perspective that help students stay organized, clarify their priorities, and make thoughtful choices about where to apply and ultimately enroll.

This toolkit is designed to serve as a roadmap to help families navigate the application process. It includes practical tools, explanations, detailed checklists, and useful tips to help share information, bring clarity, and guide students and families through these critical steps and decision points. 

• Comprehensive checklist for the entire application year
• Testing made clear (SAT/ACT, timelines, send-or-not guidance)
• EA/ED/RD explained in plain language
• Essays & recs: prompts, planning, and request tips
• Financial aid basics: FAFSA/CSS, reading award letters
• Scholarship strategies families can act on today
• Stress tips to keep students moving