High School & Beyond Plan: Twelfth Grade Checklist

The High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) is a Washington State graduation requirement and helps students get the most out of high school while preparing for their future. Students work with career guidance specialists, school counselors, and teachers starting in middle school to create their own personalized plan with goals for high school and beyond. Learn more about the high school and beyond plan and graduation requirements.

Required

Complete the FAFSA/WASFA and mark as completed in the Financial Aid Activity/Task list after you have uploaded confirmation of your completion in your Maia Drive.
Complete and apply for a minimum of one local, state, or national scholarship.
Create/update your Resume in your English class.
Request one or more letters of recommendation.
Provide your Verification of Acceptance to Next Institution (VANI) to your school counselor.

Recommended

Make a plan for at least one College/Career Readiness Experience. Examples include college/career field trip, college/career rep visit, college/career tour, or college/career fair.
Verify your transcript is complete and accurate.
Attend college and career fairs with parents/guardians.
Take your post-secondary entrance exam, SAT offered for free during SAT School Day.
Take the SAT Subject tests if preferred/required by colleges you are considering.
Verify that all required documents are submitted to admissions and financial aid offices for the colleges you are considering.
Review your financial aid award letter(s). Your counselor can assist you.
Take AP, IB, or Cambridge exams for free. There is no risk, and a successful score could earn you college credit.
Request your final transcript be sent to your postsecondary pathway choice.

Explore Tips & Information Each Month

Congratulations, it's your Graduating high school is such an important milestone. Now is the time for you to finalize plans and meet deadlines for the transition to college, technical school, apprenticeship, military, or career.

If you haven't met with a college and career counselor at your school, make an appointment to talk with them and make sure you're on track for your post-high school plans.

September: Prepare to submit your FASFA or WASFA October 1

Prepare to apply for the FAFSA or WASFA so you are ready when the applications open on October 1. You only need to complete one application, not both.

Learn more and complete FAFSA application on the Federal Student Aid website
Learn more and complete WASFA application on the Washington Student Achievement Council website
Learn more about financial aid and paying for college

October: High School & Beyond Plan

All seniors are required to complete the High School and Beyond Plan as part of the high school graduation requirements. Reach out to your school’s counseling and college and career staff if you need help.

Check your transcript: Make sure you have all of the credits you need to graduate
Complete the FAFSA or WASFA for college financial aid
Complete the VANI form (Verification of Acceptance to Next Institution): Apply to at least one best-fit college and submit the completed VANI form
Choose your best-fit post-high school plan
Prepare a resume or activity log

November: Applying to college

High school graduates have many options after high school: two-year or four-year colleges, technical schools, apprenticeships, and more! Consider a range of pathways and options to fit your needs.

Regardless of where you plan to go:

Fill out the FAFSA or WASFA in the month of October (you can always make corrections) —remember, it’s first come, first serve, so save your spot!
If you’re a College Bound Scholar, make sure your scholarship is confirmed.
Attend information sessions—go in with prepared questions.
Make sure that whatever path you pick, it’s the right fit for you.

December: Scholarships

January: College Bound Scholarship

February: Understanding financial aid award letters

March: Making your decision

April: Transitioning to college

May: What to expect your first term of college and resources available

Transcript Requests

If you graduated or attended Tacoma Public Schools in 2013 or prior, please complete this form. Photo ID is required to process this request - please email this to records@tacoma.k12.wa.us after submitting this form. Once a completed form and photo ID are submitted, the Student Records Department will contact you regarding the status of your request.

If you graduated in 2014 or later, you will make a request using Parchment which is a convenient platform for former Tacoma Public Schools students to securely send and receive transcripts online. Ordering transcripts through Parchment will be faster and you will receive both confirmation and status emails. Here's a video about how to order transcripts through Parchment. This also includes students born before 1988.

Have Questions?

Reach out to your school's counseling team.