College & Career Center

SHS takes great pride in partnering with students as they embark on their college and career planning journey. We offer advising from educated personnel to guide and support students and their families as they explore post-graduation options. We aid students in finding out their possibilities, narrowing their focus, completing applications, obtaining scholarships and financial aid, writing essays, building resumes, and making their final decisions. Our mission is to empower all students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful future.

For questions or support, contact Katrina Stillwell, College and Career Center at 541-744-4761 or email katrina.stillwell@springfield.k12.or.us

Got Questions? We Got Answers!

The College and Career Center, inside the SHS Library is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop ins are welcome.

We can help you with:

Resume building
FAFSA filing assistance
Mock interviews
College application assistance
Scholarship help
Financial aid
Job, volunteer, and internship search

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Grade Level Programming

Seniors

Check

Check the SHS Master List of Senior Scholarships, it is updated often
Visit the College and Career Center throughout the year for critical advice and feedback

Fall

Finalize your decision on 4 target schools, 2 reach schools, and 2 safety schools
Sign-up for mentor appointments with SAIL
Fill out letter of recommendation request form and ask for recommendations from at least one teacher and your counselor for schools and scholarships
Common App- Fill out the requirements for the colleges you’re applying for
Write college and scholarship essays, have edited by teachers or SAIL
October 1 - Oregon Promise Open
Create FSA ID through FAFSA
Start applying to scholarships through SHS Scholarship Spreadsheet
November 1 - Early decision deadline for most colleges/universities
November 1 - OSAC open
Send official SAT/ACT test scores to colleges - recommended not required
December 1 - FAFSA and ORSAA opens

Winter

Apply to LCC and Oregon Promise
February sign up in counseling to have your final transcript sent to colleges
January 15 - UO deadline
February 1 - regular decision deadline for most colleges and universities
February 15 - OSAC Early Bird Deadline, April 1 - Final Deadline
Should receive SAR (Student Aid Report) within 4 weeks after submitting FAFSA

Spring

May 1 Decision Date! Send deposit to chosen college/send rejection notice to others
Let Mrs. Dapkus know about college acceptances and all scholarship awards
Sign up for your final official transcript to be sent to your college of choice
Notify the college of any private scholarships or grants you will be receiving
June 1 - Final Oregon Promise deadline
Enjoy your graduation and the first steps into your future!

Juniors

Check

Think about your future career and the path it will take to get there
Complete Naviance tasks
Memorize your Social Security Number
Update your resume
Take the ACT
Apply for 9-11 GRADE Scholarships opportunities you qualify for
Check the CCC Google classroom for opportunities (i.e. work, volunteer, scholarships and more)
Sign up with Mrs.Dapkus in the CCC for SAIL Mentor appointments

Be A Well Balanced Student

Take Advanced Placement Program (AP) or College Now classes
Get involved in extracurricular activities (leadership, clubs, music, sports)
Reach out and volunteer in the community

Research Colleges

Naviance - use College Super Match
Review what majors are offered: types of financial aid available, housing, and sports
Visit college campuses during spring and summer breaks
Choose 4 target schools, 2 reach schools, and 2 safety schools

Gather Letters of Recommendation

Complete the Letter of Recommendation Request form
Complete the Activities Chart and/or resume
Choose 3 people who can write strong letters of recommendation in the spring (2 teachers and a counselor, coach or employer)

Start Writing Essays

Begin working on essay prompts for the Common App
Visit the OSAC, work on essay prompts
Get feedback from teachers and Essay Editing through CCC

Explore Summer Opportunities

Look for a job, internships, job shadow, or volunteer opportunities
Common App opens August 1, start filling out the requirements for the colleges you’re interested in

Sophomores

Check

Think about your future career and the path it will take to get there
Complete Naviance tasks
Take the PreACT
Apply for 9-11 GRADE Scholarships 24-25 opportunities you qualify for
Check the CCC Google classroom for opportunities (i.e. work, volunteer, scholarships and more)
Sign up with Mrs. Dapkus in the CCC for SAIL Mentor appointments

Be A Well-Balanced Student

Take Advanced Placement Program (AP) and think about College Now classes
Meet with your HS counselor to create an academic plan
Get involved in extracurricular activities (leadership, clubs, music, sports)
Reach out and volunteer in the community
Utilize ACT test prep/practice resources
Consider taking career technical education courses offered at your HS
Maintain good grades and school attendance
Consider a Connected Lane opportunity (Job Shadow, summer events)
Participate in a summer opportunity (see Summer Opportunity slide show)

Research

Take Advanced Placement Program (AP) and think about College Now classes
Meet with your HS counselor to create an academic plan
Get involved in extracurricular activities (leadership, clubs, music, sports)
Reach out and volunteer in the community
Utilize ACT test prep/practice resources
Consider taking career technical education courses offered at your HS
Maintain good grades and school attendance
Consider a Connected Lane opportunity (Job Shadow, summer events)
Participate in a summer opportunity (see Summer Opportunity slide show)

Naviance

Use College Super Match
Research college/trade school admission requirements
Review what majors are offered: types of financial aid available, housing, and sports
Visit college campuses during spring and summer breaks
Attend college and career fairs
Research 4 target schools, 2 reach schools and 2 safety schools

Preparation

Create a resume
Complete the Activities Chart
Begin working on essay prompts for the Common App/OSAC essays
Get feedback from teachers and Essay Editing through CCC

Freshmen

Check

Think about your future career and the path it will take to get there
Complete Naviance tasks
Take the PreACT
Apply for 9-11 GRADE Scholarships 24-25 opportunities you qualify for
Check the CCC Google classroom for opportunities (i.e. work, volunteer, scholarships and more)
Sign up with Mrs. Dapkus in the CCC for SAIL Mentor appointments

Be A Well-Balanced Student

Take Advanced Placement Program (AP) and think about College Now classes
Meet with your HS counselor to create an academic plan
Get involved in extracurricular activities (leadership, clubs, music, sports)
Reach out and volunteer in the community
Utilize ACT test prep/practice resources
Consider taking career technical education courses offered at your HS
Maintain good grades and school attendance
Consider a Connected Lane opportunity (Job Shadow, summer events)
Participate in a summer opportunity (see Summer Opportunity slide show)

Research

Take Advanced Placement Program (AP) and think about College Now classes
Meet with your HS counselor to create an academic plan
Get involved in extracurricular activities (leadership, clubs, music, sports)
Reach out and volunteer in the community
Utilize ACT test prep/practice resources
Consider taking career technical education courses offered at your HS
Maintain good grades and school attendance
Consider a Connected Lane opportunity (Job Shadow, summer events)
Participate in a summer opportunity (see Summer Opportunity slide show)

Naviance

Use College Super Match
Research college/trade school admission requirements
Review what majors are offered: types of financial aid available, housing, and sports
Visit college campuses during spring and summer breaks
Attend college and career fairs
Research 4 target schools, 2 reach schools and 2 safety schools

Preparation

Create a resume
Complete the Activities Chart
Begin working on essay prompts for the Common App/OSAC essays
Get feedback from teachers and Essay Editing through CCC

Financial Aid

Financial aid is any federal, state, institutional, nonprofit or private funds that help pay for postsecondary education. Grants are generally needs based, scholarships are either merit or needs based, and loans need to be paid back after finishing higher education goals. During your senior year, in order to receive assistance, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or ORSAA (Oregon Student Aid) must be completed in order to be eligible for most financial aid and scholarships.

FAFSA

OSAC

Oregon Promise

Join CCC in Google Classroom

All students will be invited to a Google classroom titled by their graduation year. These classrooms are regularly updated with new opportunities, upcoming events and tasks, deadlines and more. It is important to check the Google classrooms regularly!

If you are a new student or having trouble joining our virtual classroom, please visit the College and Career Center.

Job Opportunities

The College and Career Center works to keep the Job Opportunities, SHS Summer Opportunities, and Volunteer Opportunities slideshows updated throughout the year. If you need any help editing your resume, or creating one, come to the College and Career Center.

Springfield Jobs | Summer Opportunities | Volunteer Opportunities