November is the month to apply to UC, CSU and many private colleges . Virtually all 4-year colleges prefer that you apply electronically. UC and CSU systems: www.ucop.edu/pathways and www.csumentor.edu These sites open in September (CSU) and October (UC) so that you can open an account and begin filling out the forms. DO NOT wait until the end of November to submit your applications! Find out what college entrance exams your preferred college accepts: SAT 1, SAT 2 (UC requires two SAT 2 Subject Tests), or ACT. Testing for most 4-year colleges needs to be completed by December. Others require the testing to be done earlier. For example, San Diego State requires that testing be completed in October. Check specific campuses to be sure! Registration deadline for the October 14 SAT testing is September 12; for ACT October 28 testing, the registration deadline is September 22. Register online for SAT tests at: www.collegeboard.com and for ACT at www.act.org Dixon High School Code Number: 050755

No SAT or ACT tests are required. There are many community colleges across the state offering 2-year associate degrees and certificate programs. Check http://www.cpec.ca.gov, http://ccco.edu/, and www.californiacolleges.edu for information. Solano Community College has an extension in Vacaville, and Sacramento City College has an extension in Davis, each offering a variety of classes. Web addresses: http://www.solano.edu for Solano; http://www.losrios.edu for Los Rios College District, which includes Sac City, American River, and Cosumnes Community Colleges. Woodland Community College is part of the Yuba CC District: http://www.woodland.cc.ca.us

Complete a FAFSA to apply for financial aid for any kind of school and for Cal Grants. The FAFSA should be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov for easiest and fastest response. Seniors (2007) and their parents need to complete the FAFSA between January 1, 2007 and March 2, 2007 each for priority considerations. The form requires financial information from parents and students; having income statements as well as tax return information available is helpful. Cal Grant money is available for vocational/career/community colleges as well as universities. And for Cal Grant considerations students MUST submit their Social Security Number to the Counseling Center. DHS will submit the grade point average verification forms electronically in February 2007 for all seniors who have turned in Social Security Numbers.

Students can apply and receive notification about scholarships and other post-secondary information at: www.fastweb.com. A free account will keep you posted of any scholarships that fit your criteria or circumstances. Another site is http://www.scholarshps.com/. Be aware of scholarship scams and frauds. Requiring an up-front fee or credit card, or money back guarantee are warning signs that the site may not be legitimate.

Websites for information: www.todaysmilitary.com and www.militarycareers.com/.

Start by evaluating your skills and interests. Use the Internet to research companies, career fields, and job opportunities. A few helpful websites: www.worksmart.ca.gov. www.monster.com, www.usajobs.opm.gov/

Lynne de Bie, A-F Ricardo Rodriguez, G-M Maria Becerra, N-Z

ldebie@dixonusd.orgrrodriguez@dixonusd.orgmbecerra@dixonusd.org

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