Salem High School

• SENIOR PARENT NIGHT: October 15, 2025, 6 PM @ Salem High School in the Performing Arts Center. This presentation by the SHS School Counseling Department will provide information to seniors and their parents about post-secondary options, the college search and application process, and a preview of financial aid.
• SHS COLLEGE FAIR: October 15, 2025,  6 PM @Salem High School in the Davis Gym. Students and their parents will be able to talk with 50+ representatives from colleges, universities and other post-secondary options.
• FINANCIAL AID NIGHT: October 23, 2025, 6 - 7:30 PM @SHS Performing Arts Center. This presentation by the NH Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) will feature information about the different types of financial aid available for college, filling out the FAFSA and understanding the costs of college. 

What Should I Be Doing Now If I Plan To Attend College Next Year?

Watch Naviance Instructions Tutorial

Watch Post-secondary Process for Seniors and Parents

Refer to the College Application Checklist to stay organized

Refer to the Naviance Student Guide for assistance and instructions on how to use Naviance Student

Refer to the College Application Resource and Post-Secondary Options packets for more information

1. Make an appointment with your school counselor to discuss your plans!
2. Visit Colleges and College Fairs virtually to identify colleges you are interested in applying
3. Fine tune your list of colleges (Reach, Target, Safety) and add these colleges to “Colleges I am Applying to” in Naviance Student.  Determine your application deadlines and application type (Common App vs. School Specific).
4. Register to take the SAT’s and/or ACT’s and have your scores sent to the colleges you plan to apply (Test scores are not submitted by the school counseling office)
5. Create a Common Application Account, complete the education section and FERPA release before matching your account to Naviance Student.
6.  If Required, request a letter of recommendation from your teacher(s). Complete a teacher’s recommendation request (blue form) and a teacher recommendation form in Naviance Student.  Then complete the letter or recommendation request in Naviance Student under the “College’s I’m Applying To” tab.
7. If a counselor letter of recommendation is required, complete the counselor recommendation form, resume and parent questionnaire in Naviance Student.  Hand out the green teacher comment cards and return to the school counseling office. 
8. Request a transcript for each of the colleges you are applying to for admission.
9. Begin your college application essay, review with an English teacher and upload to your application.
10. Discuss financial aid with your parents and plan to attend the virtual Financial Aid Night.  If you would like assistance completing the FAFSA check out NHHEAF’s FAFSA Appointments available free of charge

FAFSA- What is it?

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form used to apply for federal student aid and other types of financial aid. Colleges and the federal government use it to figure out how much you and your family can pay for college. The government uses it to determine your eligibility for grants, work-study programs, and loans. Colleges use the FAFSA to determine if you’re eligible for their own aid. And private scholarships are often awarded using the FAFSA. If you don’t file, you may not be eligible for school aid or federal aid. For more information visit Graniteedvance

CSS Profile- What is it?

The CSS Profile is another online financial aid form. Roughly 240 colleges and scholarship programs require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. Here’s what you need to know:

• The CSS Profile helps colleges gather more information to help them award grants and scholarships.
• Unlike the FAFSA , the CSS Profile is not free. It costs $25 to register and send results to one school, and $16 for each additional school. If you meet certain criteria, your fees might be waived.
• See the schools that require the CSS Profile and register for it at CSS Profile

Need help filing the FAFSA?

Granite Edvance will be hosting virtual events to assist students and families with FAFSA applications.

Registration is required.  Find an event

 File-A-FAFSA is offered at Granite Edvance

If you need to complete the FAFSA and would like help in doing so contact the Granite Edvance for File-A-FAFSA assistance Calendly

Quick Guide: College Costs

To learn more about the Do’s and Do Not’s of applying to scholarships

check out this article from Granite Edvance

Money, Money, Money....MONEY!!

Start your search for free college money in Naviance now

See your counselor if you need assistance

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National Scholarship Search Websites

Fastweb

Collegenet

Scholarships

Scholarships- A List of Your Responsibilities

1. Local scholarships are listed in your Naviance account.  Log in to your account and look under the Colleges tab for the Scholarships and Money section.  Click on Scholarship Search to view a list of local scholarships.
2. Read each application carefully. Instructions, deadlines and supporting materials vary from scholarship to scholarship.
3. If the scholarship application requires a transcript please complete a Scholarship Transcript Request Form.  Expect to pick up the completed materials from the school counseling office in 2 school days. (Remember to leave plenty of time to meet all your deadlines)
4. If the scholarship application requires a  teacher letter of recommendation please speak directly with the teacher who will be supplying a letter of recommendation for you.  You should supply them with a stamped and addressed envelope so they may mail their confidential letter of recommendation directly to the scholarship committee.
5. If you are requesting a school counselor letter of recommendation please indicate this on the Scholarship Transcript Request Form. Please   provide a stamped and addressed envelope for each letter requested. Your counselor will mail their confidential letter of recommendation directly   to the scholarship committee. 
6. It is your responsibility to collect supporting materials (activity resumes, college acceptance letters, financial award letters) to complete the scholarship applications.
7. Once you have completed the application and collected all supporting materials, mail your materials to the proper mailing address.

For more scholarship information please click on the scholarship tab above.

Fall SAT Test Dates:  Register at College Board

Fall ACT Test Dates:  Register at ACT

   
After the SAT/ACT test…

Please remember to log into your collegeboard account to send your official score report to each of the colleges you plan to apply. Plan to request your score report at least two weeks ahead of the application deadline to ensure it arrives at the admissions office on time.

Are you interviewing with a college admissions counselor or alumni?  

Check out these resources to help you prepare for the interview.

• College Interviews: The Basics
• College Interviews: Practice Questions and Strategies

First Semester Grade Reports

An updated copy of your transcript, which includes semester 1 grades, GPA and Class Rank, will be submitted to each of the colleges you have indicated you are applying to in Naviance.  Please do not make an additional transcript request for these colleges.

"Senioritis"

As the last semester begins, and the application process nears the end, you may think it’s finally time to sit back and relax.  However, as many admissions counselors would agree, it’s just as important now as over the past three and a half years to maintain the quality of your grades and not take the easy way out for the remainder of your senior year.  Many students have had their admissions revoked because they have not maintained a strong course load and have not earned quality grades in the remaining months of their senior year.  Don’t let all your hard work and efforts go to waste!  Maintain your grades and work hard during the short period of time you have left at Salem High School. 

Still Waiting…?

Click here for tips to keep you from losing it during the intense and often grueling period of waiting to hear back from colleges on whether or not you’ve been accepted.

Check Out These Articles….

What Should I do If I am Waitlisted?

The Next Steps After You Are Admitted

What To Do When Your Financial Aid Isn’t Enough

Not sure what to do after graduation? Check out these upcoming events to help you plan your future…

Spring College and Career Fair

TBA

ASVAB Testing

TBA

If you are looking to join to the workforce after high school and need help finding a job- Check out the CTE website for current opportunities Salem CTE

• Career Opportunities for Seniors

• What is an Apprenticeship?
• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
• Early Childhood Apprenticeship

• Off-to-College Checklist
• College Roommates: The Basics
• My College Life Outside the Classroom

Seniors: Take your SSD Google Drive and Gmail files with you

Using Google Takeout, there are two options to take your SSD Google Drive and Gmail files with you:

• Download your data: Use this option if you do not have a personal Google Account. Download and archive your SSD Google data on a flash drive to take with you.
• *Transfer your content: This option requires you to have a personal Google Account.  You can easily transfer your SSD Google Drive files to your personal Google Account. If the school you will be attending in the fall uses Google/ Gmail accounts, use your future school Gmail account.

To Download your data: Follow directions HERE

To Transfer your content: Follow directions HERE

* Recommended

Dear SHS Graduates,

You have the world ahead of you!  Explore, learn and continue to grow as you venture into a new chapter of your life.  Strive to achieve, make positive changes in the world and give back to your community.  We are so very proud of your accomplishments and wish you the very best as you pursue life after Salem High School.

Congratulations!

The School Counseling Department

Why attend a two-year college?

There are many advantages to attending a two-year institution versus a four-year institution.  Often, two-year colleges offer noncompetitive admission policies.  This means students with lower grade point averages (GPA) that demonstrate potential for future academic success will most likely be accepted to many two-year colleges.  Secondly, if you are a student who is unable to identify a particular career direction, attending a two-year college will allow you to explore all of your career options.  Third, the tuition of a two-year college is significantly lower than most four-year institutions.  After successfully completing a 2-year college program, most students will receive their associate’s degree. There are many professions that require only a two-year degree, such as a paralegal, radiology technician, or veterinary technician among many others.  Log in to Naviance to research careers that require an associate’s degree.

Many two-year colleges have joint admissions programs with four-year institutions, commonly referred to as “2+2” programs.  A student could attend a two-year institution for two years and transfer the credits gained in that two years to a four-year college towards a bachelor’s degree.  This program requires students to identify their interest in the joint admissions program at the start of their first two years and uphold a minimum GPA to enter a four-year college.  We encourage you to discuss the possibility of a two-year college with your school counselor. 

Check out the Community College System of New Hampshire to learn more.