Whitney High School

Applying to college can be a daunting task, but you don't have to do it alone! Take advantage of the MANY resources available in the College and Career Center. Workshops are scheduled! Please see the previous page or below for links. One-on-one meetings can also be booked with college and career center staff to assist you. Don't be afraid to contact college admission reps at the schools you are interested in. Their entire purpose is to help you get admitted. Everyone wants to see you succeed, so reach out, rally your support team and get to work together!

 

Not sure what major to choose?
Explore different college catalogs and scan through the full list of programs. See what stands out to you—then dive deeper to find specific classes that spark your interest. You'll be surprised how quickly you start to figure out what excites you and what doesn’t. This exploration can even help you identify a possible major and minor!

The most critical thing to consider when looking at colleges is the match between college and student. Finding a college that offers a major you want is great, but chances are your interests and major will change before you graduate. Make sure the school is a good fit and feel for all of your needs, not just academic. 

 

 

The answer to these questions will be different for every student, so it is strongly advised that students make independent decisions and not be influenced by where their friends are applying.

 

• AICCU (Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities): AICCU represents California’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities, advocating for student access and success in higher education.
• BigFuture (by College Board): BigFuture helps students plan for life after high school by providing tools for college exploration, career planning, and financial aid guidance.
• CaliforniaColleges.edu: CaliforniaColleges.edu is the state’s official college and career planning platform, supporting California students with tools to explore, plan, and apply for postsecondary opportunities.
• Scoir: Scoir (pronounced like "score") is our college and career research platform. Every Whitney High School student has an account and just needs to activate it through the invitation in their Rocklin USD email. If the invitation has expired, please email the College and Career Center to request a new one. Scoir includes great college research and application tools that all students should explore!

Dual Enrollment:

• The SAT includes two required sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math—each scored out of 800 points. There is also an optional Essay section, which consists of three components, each scored out of 8 points. It is recommended to take all three parts during the same sitting, as some colleges require scores from all sections.
• The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) is a standardized test typically taken by high school sophomores and juniors as preparation for the SAT. It assesses skills in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math, with each section scored out of 760 points for a total possible score of 1520. Beyond serving as practice for the SAT, the PSAT also functions as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program when taken in 11th grade. While the PSAT does not directly impact college admissions, it offers valuable feedback on academic strengths and areas for improvement, helping students identify where to focus their efforts before taking the SAT. Click here to review a list of private colleges that require the PSAT Exam.
• Click here to learn more on the CollegeBoard website.
• Click here to review the recommended 100 important words you should know for the SAT Exam.

The ACT is a standardized achievement test that assesses the knowledge you've gained in school. It includes five sections: English, Math, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing test. (Tip: It’s recommended to take all sections, including Writing!)

 

Each subject area is scored individually on a scale of 1 to 36, and a composite score is calculated as the average of the four main sections (excluding Writing).

 

Click here to register for the ACT.

 

Financial Aid is funding that helps students pay for their education after high school. It can come in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study opportunities. Financial aid is intended to supplement what you and your family can contribute toward the cost of college or career programs.

 

To find out if you're eligible for financial aid, you must complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)—depending on your eligibility status. These applications determine your qualification for various types of aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.

 

Students planning to take advantage of Sierra College's two years of free tuition must complete the FASFA or CADAA form to qualify. Sierra College will also host in-person and virtual FASFA/CADAA workshops during the school year to provide more information.

 

 

1. Create an FSA ID here:  Create Account | Federal Student Aid
2. Personal information: Name, Date of Birth & Social Security Number
3. Account Information: create a username, enter your non-school email address, & new password (must include: uppercase, lowercase, 1 number & be at least 8 characters long)
4. Permanent Address: Enter Address, City, State, Zip code, and & your mobile phone number.
5. Communication Preference: Email or Postal Mail (recommend email); optional are email or text message. Select your language preference.
6. Challenge Questions: Select 4 questions & input answers: used to help you retrieve our username/password if you are locked out of your account.
7. Confirm & Verify: verify all is correct or edit, then agree to the FSA Terms and Conditions.
8. Enable Two-Step Verification: Enter your phone number & email address for verification. Set up the Authenticator App by downloading the app & scanning the QR code provided.

Note: If your child is required to report parent information on the FAFSA form, you need to create your own FSA ID in order to sign your child’s FAFSA form online. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scholarships are financial awards granted based on criteria such as academic achievement, special talents, religious affiliation, ethnic background, personal interests, or even random selection. Scholarships do not need to be repaid.

 

• Grants: Grants are financial awards typically based on a student's financial need. These do not need to be repaid.
  Exception: The California College Promise Grant provides two years of free tuition at California Community Colleges for all eligible California residents—regardless of financial need.
• Scholarships: Scholarships are financial awards given for a variety of reasons, including academic achievement, special talent, religious affiliation, ethnicity, personal interests, or even random selection. Like grants, scholarships do not need to be repaid.
• Work-Study: The Federal Work-Study Program offers part-time jobs for students, on or off campus. Students earn money through work, so there is nothing to repay.
• Education Loans: Loans are borrowed funds from the federal government or a financial institution. Unlike grants or scholarships, loans must be repaid—with interest.
• Types of Loans:
  • Subsidized Loans: The federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled in school.
  • Unsubsidized Loans: Interest accrues while the student is in school, and the student is responsible for paying it.