Normangee Counseling Center

09/01/2026

FAFSA opens October 1 (and maybe earlier this year). One thing on the prep list takes longer than everything else combined:

Creating FSA IDs — one for the student, one for a parent. Identity verification is what stalls filings.

Do that this week. The rest of the list can wait.

Save this if there's a senior in your house.

08/31/2026

This is why we do a 5 year plan and we do it in pencil!! We want you thinking about where you are going and how you are getting there. We know plans change, but the basics don’t. Be smart about the classes you are taking.

Don’t Just Pick Classes. PLAN Them. 📝🎓

Your college application doesn’t begin senior year. You’re building it throughout high school.

📚 Course selection
📈 Academic rigor 🎯 Electives
🏆 Extracurriculars & leadership

These choices matter in the holistic college admissions process and should be planned intentionally.

Review your four-year plan every year as your interests, goals, and opportunities change.

✨ By senior year, your choices should already be telling your story.

ccmrwithmsthrash.com/seniors/application-process/holistic-review/

08/30/2026

Parents: Have You Completed Your Meal Application?

If you have not yet completed a Meal Application for the 2026–2027 school year and have not received an eligibility notification from the Child Nutrition Department, please complete your application as soon as possible.

Meal Applications can help eligible students receive meal benefits and may also support access to additional student resources, fee waivers, and important funding opportunities for our school.

Every application counts!

https://www.mealappnow.com/mannor/splash.php

08/30/2026

🎒 THE FREE & REDUCED-PRICE MEAL FORM COULD SAVE YOUR FAMILY MONEY! 💰

It can provide benefits that go far beyond school meals.

📌 Don’t assume you won’t qualify. APPLY!

Search your school or district website for the Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application and check eligibility.

One form could help reduce college admissions costs! 🎓💰

Save & share! 📲

08/25/2026

🚨 CLASS OF 2027: FAFSA EARLY ACCESS IS HERE!

You can now request early access to the 2027–28 FAFSA®! If selected, you can complete and submit your FAFSA before the full launch. 🎓💰

Applying Early Decision (ED)? I HIGHLY recommend requesting early FAFSA access.

Why? Early Decision is binding. When you apply ED, you’re saying:
👉 “If you accept me, I will attend.”

You could be making that commitment before you have your complete financial aid picture.

Submitting the FAFSA early can help get the financial aid process moving sooner, but selection for early access is not guaranteed.

📌 Before applying ED, understand the financial commitment.

ccmrwithmsthrash.com

08/22/2026

I say this all the time!

🎓 SENIORS: “I have all my math credits. Do I REALLY need math senior year?”

Maybe not to graduate, but that doesn’t automatically mean you should skip it. 👀

If college is your next step, continuing math can be a smart move.

There ARE good reasons to skip math, especially if you’re replacing it with rigorous dual credit, advanced CTE, or coursework aligned with your goals.

✨ Don’t just ask, “Do I need it to graduate?”

Ask: “Will my senior schedule prepare me for what’s NEXT?”

🔗 ccmrwithmsthrash.com

08/22/2026

🚨 COMMON APP TIP: The ORDER of your activities matters. 🎓✨

You can list up to 10 activities on the Common App, but don’t treat the Activities section like a random list of everything you’ve done.

Be strategic. 🎯

Your #1 activity does NOT have to be the one that sounds the most impressive. 🏆

It should be one of the experiences that BEST represents your commitment, involvement, impact, and priorities.

Admissions officers aren’t just seeing WHAT you did. 👀
They’re learning WHAT YOU VALUE. 💛

ccmrwithmsthrash.com

08/22/2026

💰🎓 DON’T MISS THIS SCHOLARSHIP HACK!

What happens to scholarship money when a student doesn’t use it anymore? 👀

That’s why your scholarship search should NOT end after senior year!

Meet with your college’s financial aid or scholarship office. Ask what’s available NOW, what may open soon, and when you should check back.

Scholarship opportunities change as students choose other colleges, graduate, and new funding becomes available.

💰 Keep asking. Keep applying. Keep checking!

ccmrwithmsthrash.com