• UC Application Link 
• UC Personal Insight Questions Link

• CSU Application Link
• CSU Academic Preparation Brochure
• CSU Student Success Academic Prep and Early Start
• CSU Paying for College
• CSU High School Student Success

• Common App Link
• What is Common App?
• Common App-Application Dictionary
• Common App Details Info Sheet
• Common App-How to approach the Essay
• Family Resources from Common App

• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Link

• California Community College Link

DOWNLOAD FREE HELPFUL COLLEGE MATERIALS HERE

DOWNLOAD FREE COLLEGE PLANNING GUIDE HERE

Local Community Colleges:

• MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE
• SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COLLEGE
• LAS POSITAS COLLEGE
• Link to all California Community Colleges

PRIVATE CAREER Technical COLLEGES:

• San Joaquin Valley College (Modesto)-Business & Criminal, Trades & Industrial, Medical & Dental, and more!

• Universal Technical Institute (UTI)-Automotive, Diesel, Marine, Motorcycle, CNC Machining, Collision Repair, Welding

San Joaquin County Office of Education:

• CODESTACK ACADEMY FOR STUDENTS AGE 18-SPONSORED BY SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

• Las Positas College-Concurrent Enrollment
• Modesto Junior College-Dual Enrollment Information
• San Joaquin Delta College-Early Start and Dual Enrollment Information

To qualify for the SAT fee waiver, students must be in 11th or 12th grade and qualify for the National School Lunch Program. Other qualifications include students who live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home, or is homeless, or is a ward of the state.

To ensure timely issuance of fee waivers, be sure to fill out the current year National School Lunch Program Application at the beginning of each school year on the TUSD website here. 

To receive a fee waiver at West High, students need to bring in a copy of the letter received from TUSD Food Services showing they are approved for free or reduced lunch for the current school year to the Career Center. Upon presenting a copy of the letter, if the student is eligible, a fee waiver will be issued to the student at that time by the Career Center Technician.

• College Board Website
• 2023-2024 SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
• SAT Student Fee Waiver Brochure-English 2023-2024

FREE SAT PRACTICE CLICK HERE

PSAT/NMSQT is offered to juniors (Grade 11) in October each year. Taking this test may qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Dates and fees are announced in early fall.

AP (Advanced Placement) information can be found on the College Board website here

Contact Rachel Ramirez, AP Secretary at ext. 3133 for more AP information.

SAT tests may be optional for college admissions purposes. Check the admissions page of the college website you plan to apply for to get updated information. 

To qualify for the ACT fee waiver, students must be in 11th or 12th grade and qualify for the National School Lunch Program. Other qualifications include students who live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home, or is homeless, or is a ward of the state.

To ensure timely issuance of fee waivers, be sure to fill out the current year National School Lunch Program Application at the beginning of each school year on the TUSD website here.

To receive a fee waiver at West High, students need to bring in a copy of the letter received from TUSD Food Services showing they are approved for free or reduced lunch for the current school year to the Career Center. Upon presenting a copy of the letter, if the student is eligible, a fee waiver will be issued to the student at that time by the Career Center Technician.

• ACT Website
• ACT 2023-2024 ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
• ACT Fee Waiver Information

ACT tests may be optional for college admissions purposes. Check the admissions page of the college website you plan to apply for to get updated information. 

Click on the links below to learn more about current scholarships available. Scholarship opportunities listed below are in order by application deadline. Be sure to read all instructions for each scholarship and make sure you qualify before you submit. If you need a letter of recommendation, it is advised you ask the person writing the letter at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Most applications are submitted online. Others may require to be mailed, so be sure you allow for mailing deadlines when applying. Scholarships are updated as received. This is a fraction of scholarships available to students. It is highly recommended you visit the Helpful Scholarship Information section posted below for additional scholarship opportunities.

Scholarship opportunities:

• Going Merry Scholarship List-September 2023 Listing

• September 15, 2023, 08:59 pm PDT Deadline: The Gates Scholarship (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) - 300 full cost attendance available - be sure to read all qualifying information
• October 2, 2023, 5:00 pm Eastern Time Deadline: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship - 150 $20,000 scholarships available - 3 step application process
• October 17, 2023 , 3 p.m. PT Deadline: 2023 Heisman High School Scholarship - multiple scholarships available - $1,000-$10,000 
• January 31, 2024 Deadline: Discover Student Loans College Covered-Apply monthly from February 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024-(1) $5,000 per month available

Helpful Scholarship Information:

• Helpful Scholarship websites and information
• fastweb Scholarships and Grants
• fastweb helpful guides for scholarships, financial aid and more
• College Board BigFuture Scholarships
• College Board BigFuture Scholarships Handout-Timeline
• Six Great Options for Finding Scholarships
• Link to TUSD District Scholarship Website Page

PLEASE NOTE: Local Scholarships become available in Spring Semester of Senior Year and will be posted here as received. For National scholarships, please create a profile at one of the sites listed above. National scholarship opportunities are posted here as received and through the national websites listed above.

• Sign up for the Career Center News and Scholarships Remind App for all updated scholarship opportunities-see Class information tabs for instructions

FAFSA and California Dream Act (CADAA) application is expected to open December 2023 for the 2024-2025 application. See link for new information on the changes for the 2024-2025 FAFSA: www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/summary_of_changes_for_the_2024-25_fafasa.pdf.

You need to apply for an FSA ID to electronically sign your applications. There is not a separate application to apply for Cal Grant. West High sends Cal Grant GPA verifications electronically to the State of California. The GPA info for the Class of 2024 is sent in fall 2023. The State of California pulls the information from FAFSA/CADAA to determine Cal Grant Status. Have your 2022 income tax information available to file and choose the year 2024-2025 FAFSA/CADAA. Deadline to file is March 2, 2024 (possibly extended to April 2, 2024 depending on release date of new FAFSA). You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible once the application opens to determine your financial aid status. It is recommended you apply for FAFSA/CADAA even if you feel you won't qualify. Colleges and universities use this information to determine eligibility for financial aid and scholarships available at their campuses. When you receive confirmation your FAFSA/CADAA was accepted, be sure to read and follow all the directions provided. Ask your counselor if you have questions. To attend a Cash for College FAFSA/CADAA workshop or create your FSA ID, visit this link: https://www.cash4college.csac.ca.gov/

The following links will be updated for the 2024-2025 FAFSA by December 2023:

• Start your FAFSA application here
• Whose My Parent When I Fill out my FAFSA? handout here
• Cal Grant Program Income Ceilings 2024-2025 here
• Middle Class Scholarship Income Ceilings 2024-2025 here
• CA Dream Act Application Here 
• California Student Aid Commission (Cal Grant) Information Here
• Create your Cal Grant account through Web Grants 4 Students Here
• Creating the FSA ID 
• YouTube Videos to assist with FAFSA/CADAA financial aid applications

COLLEGE BOARD-PLANNING CHECKLIST FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR COUNSELOR FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FEE WAIVER OPPORTUNITIES:

If you want to play NCAA sports at a Division I or II school, or an NAIA school, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center or the NAIA Eligibility Center.  
The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) works with you and your high school to help you prepare for life as a student-athlete.  To register, go to the NCAA Eligibility Center website.  This is where you will find the tools and information you need to begin your college experience as a student-athlete. Allow at least 15 minutes to one hour to register completely. If you need to exit and come back at a later time, you can save and exit once your account has been created.

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center by following these steps: 
1. Visit www.eligibilitycenter.org and enter as a college-bound student-athlete. 
2. Create an account by clicking on the “New Account” button at the top right corner of the screen.
3. On the Account Creation page, provide a valid email address to create an account and begin the registration process. Be sure you provide an email address that will be active even after you complete high school.
4. On the About Me page, enter some quick facts, including your name, address, date of birth and gender.

REGISTRATION FEE AND WAIVER  Your account will be eligible for processing once the registration fee is paid or waived. You must pay online by debit, credit card or e-check. The registration fee is $90 for students.
 
The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) is the governing  body of small athletic programs throughout the United States.  Register with the NAIA Eligibility Center by following these steps:
 
1. Visit www.playnaia.org to check out schools and to register.
2. Create a Student-Athlete Profile.
3. On the Student-Athlete Profile page, provide a valid email address to create an account and begin the registration process.  Be sure you provide an email address that will be active even after you complete high school.
4. Be sure to read all instructions regarding how to submit transcripts and required documents.

REGISTRATION FEE AND WAIVER  Your account will be eligible for processing once the registration fee is paid or waived.  You must pay online by debit or credit card.  The registration fee is $80 for students

Work Permit Requirements per the TUSD High School Handbook: Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and have less than 15 hours of Saturday school to be work permit eligible during the school year.

Download: Work Permit Info and Instructions for School Year 2023-2024

Download: Work Permit Application

Download: Department of Industrial Relations-Summary of Hours Students can work by age and Occupational Exemptions and Restrictions

Email to Gayle Jackson: gjackson@tusd.net 

NOTE: To apply for a work permit, you must already be hired or offered a job. Work permits are NOT required to apply for jobs. See the links above to read the Work Permit Info and Instructions and to print the Work Permit Application. Complete the student, parent, and employer sections, including the FULL Social Security number (required by state law), all signatures, and initials. Email a picture or scan of your completed application to gjackson@tusd.net OR drop off the completed form at lunch or after school to the Career Center for processing. Official work permits are sent to the student's TUSD issued email.

Visit the California Department of Education website below for more information on work permits: 

CDE WEBSITE HERE

To enroll in a work experience class, email your counselor for instructions and eligibility. If you are approved for work experience, notify Mrs. Jackson by email so your work permit can be re-issued to reflect work experience information and hours.

NOTE: Work permits expire 5 days after a new school year begins each year per state law OR when you turn age 18 OR receive a high school diploma, even if  you are still age 17 at the time of graduation.