Student & Family Resources

Housing Insecurity & College: A Resource for Students Experiencing Homelessness https://www.edumed.org/resources/college-student-homelessness-support/

Degree Finder http://www.uidaho.edu/degree-finder The University of Idaho’s free online assessment that matches your interests and aptitudes to specific degrees. 

FutureFindr, by the state of Idaho. https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/  Data from the U.S. and Idaho Departments of Labor have been paired with John Holland’s personality types.

ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) was originally designed to predict future academic and occupational success in military occupations. However, the ASVAB assesses academic ability and predicts success in a wide variety of occupations. http://www.asvabprogram.com/

Idaho CIS (Career Information System) idahocis.org is the Idaho Department of Labor’s Career Information System. 

 

College Applications

College Applications and Deadlines: Many college application deadlines are in January and February.  However, the deadlines are in the fall, if you want full consideration for scholarships, or if you want to apply to ‘early admission’ or ‘early decision’. For example, NSA’s application deadline is February 15th, but for early admission, it’s December 1st.  If you know where you want to go, there may be advantages to applying and committing early, such as scholarships as an incentive.  For more information about early applications, here is a helpful article: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/the-facts-about-applying-early-is-it-right-for-you Most applications are online, so if you’re interested in a particular college, look on the internet now and quickly determine what is required, so nothing surprises you:

• Check specific deadlines, and don’t wait until the last minute.
• Some require essays and written references – these take some time.  If you need references, choose carefully, ask with plenty of time, and thank them profusely.
• Almost all colleges will require SAT or ACT scores (a few make these optional).  Most will take your best score.
• Some colleges charge a fee for applications, while others offer them for free. Some charge you a fee, and then, if you choose to attend, they refund the payment.  Count the cost!

Common App:  Over 700 colleges use the “Common Application,” a single online application that can be sent to multiple schools of your choice.  It is beneficial when applying to numerous colleges.  Only a few local colleges use it.  See https://www.commonapp.org for more info.

SAT & ACT – sign up!

Seniors,

Most colleges and universities require applicants to take at least one standardized test (ACT or SAT) for consideration for admission.

You must take either the ACT or the SAT to fulfill graduation requirements. College applications are typically due in January and February (although early deadlines are in November), and so taking these tests by December of your senior year is a good plan - you can always re-test in the spring if you decide to try for a better score.

Review the schedules for the ACT and SAT, select a test date, and register online.  They are only offered on select Saturdays, and they do fill up quickly, so don't procrastinate. Note that scheduling conflicts can complicate this process. If you are involved in sports, drama, or Mock Trial, carefully review the schedule and select one that works for you.

Fee waivers for lower-income students may be available - see Mrs. Casebolt for details.

SAT registration:  https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register 

2026 ACT National Test Dates Schedule
Test Date	Regular Registration Deadline Late Fee Applies After This Date	Late Registration Deadline	Photo Upload and Standby Deadline
September 6, 2025	August 1	August 19	August 29
October 18, 2025	September 12	September 30	October 10
December 13, 2025	November 7	November 24	December 5
February 14, 2026	January 9	January 23	February 6
April 11, 2026	March 6	March 24	April 3
June 13, 2026	May 8	May 29	June 5
July 11, 2026*	June 5	June 24	July 3

College Visitations

Sophomores and Juniors:

It is essential to visit any colleges of interest, preferably more than once. Our local colleges offer a variety of options for prospective students. Planning is imperative!

New Saint Andrews College: Preview Days

University of Idaho: Envision Idaho

Washington State University: Preview Events

Final College Decisions

Seniors,

May 1st is typically decision day - the date when students must tell colleges whether they plan to attend.  Some colleges have a deadline of June 1st, but May 1st is the most common.  Assuming you've decided on a college, double-check that you've confirmed your attendance by the required means; typically, this involves sending a deposit.

This decision date is most important for selective colleges (which have waiting lists), but non-selective colleges may give your scholarships away if you haven't confirmed.  

Even this date isn't the end; you can still apply late to many colleges or change your mind.  This would be on a space-available basis, and sometimes with minimal financial aid.  We've had students who have changed their minds a few weeks before school starts, and it can work out.  However, it is undoubtedly easier to make up your mind sooner.

College Application Deadlines

December 1st is a key day in many college applications.  Now is the time!  It's not usually the final deadline to apply, but it is often the priority deadline for full financial aid consideration.  Locally:

• NSA's Early Bird Scholarship: $500 if you apply before November 15 and confirm before January 1st. If you are considering NSA, apply now!
• The University of Idaho's priority deadline for financial aid is December 1st.  After December 1, the university will continue to admit students, award scholarships and other financial aid to qualified students on a rolling basis as applications are received.  If you are planning on the UI, don't wait.
• LCSC has a priority deadline of March 1st for full financial aid consideration.  

Scholarship & Financial Aid Info

Some scholarships will be handed to you.  Local examples:

• LCSC offers an automatic $2500 to Idaho students with a 3.75 GPA, and $1500 for a 3.25 GPA.
• NSA offers an automatic $500 scholarship for grads of an ACCS school.
• UI offers an automatic $7500 scholarship for Idaho students with a 3.9 GPA, $5000 for a 3.75 GPA, $4000 for a 3.4 GPA, and $1000 for a 3.0 GPA.
• If you declare a certain major, some departments may give you a scholarship.

But many scholarships require some initiative on your part. You must find them and apply.  Often, the application requires an essay or written references. It's a bit of a hassle!  But if you spend 10 hours filling out 10 applications, and you get 1 or 2 of those scholarships, the return on your investment is immense. Idaho State Board of Education Scholarships Here is one of interest: The State of Idaho awards scholarships annually to Logos students.  These are for any state school in Idaho.  The application opens up on October 1^st.   See https://boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarships/. There are numerous options; two specific ones to look at are:

1. Idaho Governor’s Cup Scholarship.  Deadline February 15.  Requires 2.8 GPA and strong public service/volunteerism experience.
2. Opportunity Scholarship.  The deadline is March 1.  GPA must be at least a 2.7, with demonstrated financial need.

Military: If you are interested in the armed forces, there are many options available for paying for college. ROTC and the Reserves are options while you go to college, and active duty has educational benefits afterward under the GI Bill. Athletics: If you have an interest in college athletics at any level, you should discuss it with Mr. Lopez. There are many detailed forms and requirements to ensure your eligibility. Need-Based Financial Aid:   Merit-based scholarships are based on your abilities and accomplishments: test scores, GPA, recommendations, etc.  Need-based scholarships are based on you and your family’s actual tax returns and other financial data.  If you don't submit your financial information, you will be eligible for only merit-based scholarships. Be aware of the filing priority date for your college.  There are two common ways financial need is assessed:

1. The FAFSA (“Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is one indicator of financial need. The federal government uses it to determine eligibility for federal grants and loans, but other non-federal entities use it to assess financial need. For example, the FAFSA is used by some Christian schools, private scholarships, state scholarships, departmental scholarships, and work-study programs (which are prioritized by financial need). The FAFSA website is: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Applications are available and can be filled out after October 1st.  The FAFSA deadline is June 30th, but do not be deceived: colleges require it MUCH earlier for their purposes. For example, the UI requires it to be submitted by Feb 15th.
2. CSS Profile: Another means of assessing financial need is the College Board’s CSS Profile.  Approximately 400 colleges use it, primarily private and elite institutions. The CSS Profile is more detailed than the FAFSA.    https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

Depending on parental finances, both the CSS Profile and FAFSA can be complex (for example, if the parents own a business), so it's best not to wait to begin this process.