Senior year brings with it so much excitement and anticipation. Students look forward to their place as the oldest in a school and the status and experiences that come with it for many years. From special events to culminating celebrations to steps that directly impact their long-term trajectory, it is an incredibly meaningful time in a student’s life. 

Often left out of conversations about senior year is the hefty cost that accompanies so many of these experiences and requirements. It is critical that those who work with students and families to prepare them for senior year and beyond take care to recognize that not all families can afford these additions to their budget. The costs associated with many of these senior-year events and rites of passage can be prohibitive barriers to participation and access. 

Counselors can use the information and tips below to provide support to students and families to help them plan well in advance of payment deadlines and, for families who do not have the financial means, connect them to resources that might offset some of the costs. 

An Overview of Just Some of the Common Costs:

• Testing Fees: Registration fees for college preparation tests range from $55 - $85 for a one-time administration, with additional fees for changes, late registration, or retakes. These tests are required for some college and scholarship applications. If students purchase any preparation material, it adds additional costs. 

• Senior Pictures: In order for a student to be included in the yearbook, they often need to submit a senior picture. Unlike previous years, there is not typically a free, school-provided option. Photo shoots range from $250-$1,000, with additional costs for ordering prints.

• College Application Fees: Most colleges and universities require an application fee, costing an average of $45 per application. This cost increases for students who want to apply to many schools as a way to increase the chances of acceptance or compare financial aid packages.  

• Visiting College Campuses: While colleges offer free tours and sometimes a free meal to prospective students and families, traveling to colleges or universities that are beyond a few hours drive will require airfare or other transportation costs as well as overnight lodging. For students interested in multiple colleges, these costs can add up quickly. 

• AP, AICE, and IB Exams: Some high schools cover the fees associated with this higher-level coursework, but many do not. Tests cost between $100-$120 each, and students can take multiple exams throughout their high school experience. If students take the course but do not take the exam, they are usually not eligible for the associated college credit. 

• Yearbook: While a student is not required to purchase a yearbook, most seniors want this keepsake as a treasured collection of memories and connections. Yearbooks range from $65-$125. 

• Grad Night: In many schools and districts, a special day or evening event is planned to celebrate the soon-to-be graduates. Unlike other field trips, these grad nights are often more about connection and celebration than school-related learning; exclusion from the experience really can create feelings of students being left out. Depending on the scale, these trips can cost upwards of $150. 

• Senior Homecoming and Prom: Homecoming and prom are significant social events for high schoolers. The cost of tickets, clothing, and all the other components of the evening can be very costly with many spending several hundreds of dollars on these events. 

• Cap & Gown: Unlike many of the social experiences of senior year, high school graduation is often very meaningful for the entire family. For some families, who have not had others receive a high school diploma, graduation represents decades of hard work and family triumph; and the cap and gown a student dons at the event is both necessary for participation and symbolic of the achievement. Caps and gowns can cost between $40 - $100, with little option for shopping around as many schools require students to purchase from a single, identified vendor. 

Supporting Students and Families

To ensure that these costs do not prevent students from fully participating in their senior year, counselors can find ways to communicate information on a timeline that prevents a crisis, work to find ways to reduce some of the costs, and identify resources for students who need additional support. Counselors might advocate to district administrators to secure contracts that achieve a reasonable cost for all students and include additional items or materials for students who cannot afford them. Specific to graduation caps and gowns, schools can take care not to change color or style from year to year, which allows students to pass down caps and gowns from student to student or keep extras on hand for students who would prefer to borrow. For senior photos or prom preparations, schools can think outside the box by finding local students specializing in photography or make up and hair design who might offer a package at a reduced rate. Taking time to identify resources for financial assistance–both internal and within the community–for these different items allows counselors to be prepared when families reach out with a need. 

A Meaningful Impact with a Proactive Approach

Senior year is truly a once-in-a-lifetime set of experiences. If students miss out, they cannot go back and relive the events or have access to the artifacts from this monumental year. Considering the cost burden on students and families up front can save students and families a significant amount of money. And, taking steps to infuse planning with these issues in mind can mean that students are fully able to participate in this important time in their life