Hey Seniors!!!

Wow! How does that feel? To know that you are beginning the final stretch of your high school career! I’m sure it felt as if this time would never come. But you’re here! And I can’t wait to walk this journey with you! ❤️

 

Before we dive into all the opportunities ahead, here’s what you need to know right now:

📌 Important: SchooLinks Updates & Setup

Action Required:

• WATCH THIS VIDEO: https://youtu.be/LySZPqqwTVE?feature=shared

 

Please do not skip this! It’s only 9 minutes, but it covers critical information you cannot change later.

 

Two of the setup questions are locked once submitted, so follow along carefully.

📅 Senior Year Support Sessions

All English classes will visit the College & Career Center next week August 19–22 to:

• Review senior year info
• Create ApplyTexas accounts
• Get SchooLinks set up properly

In case you want to get ahead now;

• Watch my ApplyTexas account creation video:
  •  https://youtu.be/2XIMav-6wS0?feature=shared
• Watch my Common App account creation video:
  • https://youtu.be/1m9ypUv9Lpk?feature=shared

Letters of Recommendation Requirements:

• Important: Before you request, it is REQUIRED that you complete a Brag Sheet found in your College Application Manager.

• • This helps your recommender highlight your achievements, activities, and strengths in detail. (Example below)
    
• Please make sure to ask the staff member in person first before submitting the request online.
  • Steps to request: Requesting Letters of Recommendation
• Give the staff member at least 3 weeks to write your letter. Good letters take time, and your recommender may have multiple requests to complete.

 Schoology

Please join the “ACHS College & Career Readiness“ Schoology Group

Access Code: W6C3-3ZD5-W89C2

Link: https://fortbendisd.schoology.com/group/7941582764

 CCR Website

Please review the Crawford College & Career Readiness website for a plethora of information!

Link: https://bit.ly/ACHSccrWebsite

 CCR Center Social Media

For small updates follow the Crawford College & Career Readiness Social Media accounts!

• The icon’s below are clickable with direct links 😊

• @ACHS_CCR_Center 

                          

• @ACHS.CCR.Center

                                 

📊 Understanding Rank in SchooLinks

• Your rank was updated in June and will update again by the end of September.
• Only students who attended summer school will see a change in their September rank.
• FBISD allows you to decide whether to share your rank with all colleges you apply to. Discuss this with your parents now.
• In SchooLinks, you can choose whether to share your rank with colleges — this decision is final once selected.
  • Instructions on how to do this is here:

• • • https://youtu.be/LySZPqqwTVE?feature=shared

📂 Missed Last Semester’s Rising Senior Presentation?

If you were absent, come by the College & Career Center to pick up your folder.
You can also view the presentation here:

• https://youtu.be/yEen0mIzpL4?feature=shared

Follow the Senior Year Timeline here: The FOUR QUARTERS of Senior Year

📌 CCMR Requirements & Off-Period Eligibility

FBISD requires seniors to meet at least one CCMR indicator to qualify for an off-period and graduate “College, Career, and Military Ready.”

Pathways to meet CCMR listed here:

1. meeting_ccmr_requirements_2027_accountability_REV_05_12_2025.pdf
2. CCMRiNFO.pdf

Examples include:

1. Texas College Bridge Program – Self-paced online readiness courses recognized by many Texas colleges.
2. TSIA – ELAR: 945+ & essay 5+ / Math: 950+ (or qualifying diagnostic scores).
3. SAT – EB Reading & Writing: 480+ / Math: 530+.
   1. To register for the SAT, please visit: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/dates-deadlines?ef_id=882eb5db076d1d9f3595d2071875aa80:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!4330!10!73736307714876!73736381481428&msclkid=882eb5db076d1d9f3595d2071875aa80
      1. If you need a SAT fee waiver, please follow these instructions: Requesting SAT Waiver

Incentives:

• Off-campus/Office Aide privileges
  • Only if you have enough credits!
• CCMR graduation cord
• Official designation as college & career ready

🎯 First Steps for College, Military, or Job Planning

College & Trade Schools

• Complete Fall 2026 applications through ApplyTexas.org, Common App, or the school’s website.
• Ensure you add each and every college application that isn’t applied to through Common App into SchooLinks.
  • View the image below on where you will be adding all of your college apps.
  • Common App is the only application site that syncs automatically with SchooLinks.
• Graduation Requirement: Submit your FAFSA/TASFA to be considered for financial aid.
  • Applications for Financial aid don’t open until October 1^st for fall 2026 college applications.
    • If they are updating the application sites, it could be until December like last year.
  • You MUST upload proof in SchooLinks to meet the graduation requirement.

Military

• Research branches and benefits.
• Meet with a recruiter.
• Take the ASVAB.

Employment

• Build a professional résumé.
• Apply for entry-level jobs or apprenticeships.
• Practice interview skills.

📸Celebrating all accomplishments!

Ms. Walea created a photo backdrop to celebrate your milestones; college acceptances, scholarships, new jobs, and more!

• Stop by for a photo, and with your permission, we can feature it on the Crawford College & Career Readiness Center social media.  

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  💬 Need Help?

  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Campus CCR Advisor:

  📧 Dejah Walea | dejah.walea@fortbendisd.gov

Dear Class of 2026 Students and Parents/Guardians,

Thank you to everyone who attended the Financial Aid Information Night on September 24th. We hope it was helpful and that you learned what you needed to know about the financial aid season. For those who were unable to join, the webinar was recorded and can be viewed using this link: [Financial Aid Night Webinar (recorded)].

Additionally, answers to the questions submitted during the webinar are available here [FAFSA Night Q&A] and the SchooLinks Scholarship Search video can be found here: [SchooLinks Scholarship Search]

All financial aid resources mentioned throughout the session can be accessed via the QR code shown at the end of the presentation—or directly using this link: [Financial Aid Resources].

🎓 FAFSA and TASFA Links & Information (Class of 2026 Applicants)

The 2025–2026 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form is now open. Please ensure you start a 2026-2027 FAFSA Form.  Students and families can begin completing the application here.
The 2025–2026 TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) form is now open. Please ensure you start a 2026-2027 TASFA Form. Students and families can begin completing the application here.
🕒 Texas Priority Deadline: To be considered for the maximum amount of state and institutional aid, students are strongly encouraged to submit the FAFSA or TASFA by January 15, 2025.
💡 Why Submit a Financial Aid Application?

Whether you plan to attend a 2-year college, 4-year university, or trade school, completing the FAFSA or TASFA is the key to accessing:

Federal and state grants (free money!)
Work-study opportunities
Low-interest student loans
Institutional scholarships and aid
Even if you think you may not qualify, many scholarships and colleges still require a FAFSA/TASFA on file for consideration. Additionally, many colleges and universities — including top-tier schools — offer "tuition promise" or "free tuition" programs for students whose families earn under a certain income threshold (often $100,000 or even higher), but these programs almost always require a completed financial aid application to determine eligibility.

Checkout this sheet with some universities offering free tuition based on family income:

🔗2025-2026 Colleges Offering Free Tuition.pdf

📝 FAFSA Preparation Checklist

Before you start your FAFSA form:

Create an FSA ID at StudentAid.gov — both the student and any required contributor(s) (like parents) must create their own FSA ID using unique personal emails and mobile numbers.
🔹 IDs should be created 3–5 days before starting the FAFSA.

🔹 Parents: Do not create a new FSA ID if you already have one.

➤ How to create your FSA ID

Gather all necessary documents (e.g., SSN, 2024 tax info, W-2s, bank statements).
Determine your dependency status and identify which contributor(s) (usually parents) need to be included. Use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? tool if you're unsure.
✅ FAFSA Best Practices

Students should complete their portion of the FAFSA before inviting their contributor(s) to access it.
For students with divorced or separated parents, decide which parent will serve as the contributor before starting. The FAFSA determines your contributor by identifying which parent provided more financial support for the student over the past 12 months.
Ensure accurate matching information when inviting contributors- having your parent's correct email address is necessary to complete the application. Errors will delay processing.
All contributors must provide consent to access IRS data. If consent is denied, no aid can be awarded.
📣 Financial Aid Graduation Requirement (TEC §28.0256)

In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC) §28.0256, completing a financial aid application or submitting an opt-out form is a graduation requirement for all Texas high school seniors.

To meet this requirement, students must do one of the following:

Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Submit the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid)
Submit a signed Opt-Out Form if you do not qualify for either^.
➡️ To fulfill the requirement, students must upload evidence of completion in SchooLinks by submitting:

A screenshot of the FAFSA/TASFA confirmation page with your name visible, or
A copy of the signed opt-out form if you do not qualify for either.
👀Check out this tutorial on how to upload your financial aid confirmation in SchooLinks

·         This is an IMPORTANT step you cannot forget to do!

🏫 What About the CSS Profile?

Some private and out-of-state universities require an additional financial aid form called the CSS Profile, administered by the College Board.

Used to award institutional aid at participating colleges.
May require detailed financial info, including home equity and non-custodial parent data.
Submission deadlines vary by school, so check with each college you're applying to!
To see if your school requires the CSS Profile, visit: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org

📍 FAFSA/TASFA Assistance at Crawford High School

Ms. Walea will be visiting all Government and Economics classes next week (7th-9th) to walk students through setting up their FAFSA and TASFA accounts. For those who have a Social Security Number please have this memorized as it is needed to setup your FAFSA account.

If you do not have a Government or Economics class this semester, please stop by the CCR Center (Room H102) to arrange a time to work on your FAFSA application. Additionally, you can send an email to dejah.walea@fortbendisd.gov to schedule a meeting. 

Ms. Walea will also be hosting a Financial Aid Workshop October 22nd from 5-7pm in the Cafeteria. Please bring your 2024 Tax Documents with you.

CCR Center Social Media

For small updates follow the Crawford College & Career Readiness Social Media accounts!

The icon’s below are clickable with direct links 😊

@ACHS_CCR_Center 

   Youtube PNG Icon Logo FREE DOWNLOAD | Png Vectors, Photos | Free ...  Instagram Logo PNG HD   materiales toxicos de la computadora: CONTACTOS  

@ACHSCCRCenter 

            

     @ACHS.CCR.Center

           FB

    Group Code: W6C3-3ZD5-W89C2

 

💬 Need Help?

If you have any questions about FAFSA, TASFA, or the CSS Profile, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Campus CCR Advisor:

📧 Dejah Walea | dejah.walea@fortbendisd.gov

And remember — time is money. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of receiving aid.

Edit Page

• Dear Class of 2026 Students,

  As we get ready for Fall Break 🍂, we want to make sure no one misses their Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) college deadlines while our counselors are out next week.

  If you have any EA or ED application deadlines coming up, please fill out the quick form below so our counseling team can prioritize sending your documents before dismissal for Fall Break:
  👉 Fill Out the Form Here

  Please do not reply to this email! We’re tracking everything based on the form responses only.

  ✨ Bonus reminder: Next week October 13-19th is Free College Application Week through ApplyTexas.org!
  That means you can submit applications to select Texas colleges and universities for FREE!
  Check out the flyer here:
  📎 Free College Application Week Flyer

  Enjoy your Fall Break and finish strong Chargers!

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  💬 Need Help?

  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Campus CCR Advisor:

  📧 Dejah Walea | dejah.walea@fortbendisd.gov

• Dear Class of 2026,

  Before you head into a well-deserved Fall Break, I wanted to share some important reminders and updates you don’t want to miss! 🍂

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  🎯 Rank Decisions — Due October 22nd

  You must decide whether or not to share your class rank by October 22, 2025. Once your decision is set, you cannot make any changes.

  Here’s a quick overview:

  • FBISD is a NON-ranking district.
  • Rank and quartile information are provided separately from your transcript.
  • Your Rank/Quartile Notification document can be sent to colleges or scholarship programs if you choose.
  • Rank was determined on September 26, 2025, and includes all coursework up to Summer 2025.
  • You’ll make your decision directly in SchooLinks.

  👉 Automatic Admission Chart:
  2025–2026 College Entrance Requirements
  If you qualify for multiple colleges on this list, you may want to share your rank — but the choice is completely yours!

  Keep in mind that these colleges’ automatic admissions are based on you sharing your Rank + SAT/ACT scores and/or GPA!

  💡 Tip: You can find your quartile by dividing your rank by 297 (total class size).

  📄 How to Find Your Transcript, Rank/GPA, & SAT/ACT Scores:
  View Instructions

  🎥 Video Walkthrough — How to Share Your Rank:
  Watch Here

  If you’d like to change it, please complete this form by October 20, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
  📋 Rank Decision Form

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  💰 Financial Aid Updates

  A huge thank you to all the Government and Economics classes that stopped by my room this week to learn all things Financial Aid!

  If you were absent or don’t have those classes, you can review the full presentation here:
  📚 Class of 2026 Financial Aid Presentation

  Reminder: Join Ms. Walea for an in-person Financial Aid Workshop for additional guidance and one-on-one support.

  📅 October 22 | 5–7 PM | Crawford Cafeteria
  📎 View the Workshop Flyer

  Here is a Financial Aid Checklist to ensure you have everything you need: *26-27 FINANCIAL AID CHECKLIST

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  🧠 TSIA2 Testing Reminder

  Any senior who hasn’t yet met their CCMR requirement by October 24, 2025, will be automatically registered to test.

  🗓️ Testing Schedule:

  • October 28th: English Sections (Morning until Lunch)
  • October 30th: Math Sections (Morning until Lunch)

  TSIA2 Sections Include:

  • Math (Multiple Choice)
  • English (Multiple Choice)
  • Essay

  📘 Study Resources: bit.ly/TSIA2practice

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  💻 Missed an Email?

  No worries — I’ve got you covered! You can always catch up on any senior updates here:
  📍 Class of 2026 Emails

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  As always, if you have any questions or need help, don’t hesitate to reach out!

  Wishing you a relaxing, fun-filled Fall Break! You’ve earned it! 🍁✨

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  💬 Need Help?

  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Campus CCR Advisor:

  📧 Dejah Walea | dejah.walea@fortbendisd.gov