Dear Seniors and Parents,

It is now the season when colleges start notifying applicants about their admissions decisions, and we wanted to share a few words of advice

  • If you are accepted, that is wonderful news. Celebrate your accomplishment, but please also be aware that some of your friends may not be getting the same good news. Please be sensitive with how you discuss or celebrate your acceptance(s). Also, we ask that you send a thank you note to the teachers who wrote your letters of recommendation or at the very least let them know that you were admitted!
  • If you are denied, please know that a denial does not define who you are or who you will be. Oftentimes, it is a pure numbers game, or, in some cases, the school really wasn’t a good fit for you. You undoubtedly will have choices of where to attend.
  • If you are deferred from Early Action or Early Decision or waitlisted, you will want to meet with your Post-Secondary counselor to discuss next steps.
  • Check your email and college portals frequently to make sure you don't miss any potential deadlines for additional documentation.
  • Please remember to update your application outcomes in Scoir as you hear back from schools. And, come up to the Mezzanine to share your news with us!

Of course, not every student will be pursuing a traditional four-year degree. If this is the case for you/your child, please reach out to Karen (khawkes@aspenk12.net) (A-K) or Brennan (bdignan@aspenk12.net) (L-M) so that we can start putting together a plan based on your/their interests

-Karen, Brennan and Susanne

SAVE THE DATE!
Scholarship info sessions
Meeting Scheduler

Click here to schedule your:

  • 1st Individual Meeting
  • 2nd Individual Meeting
  • 3rd Individual Meeting
  • Application Submission Meeting
  • Financial Aid Package/Decision Meeting

Students with last names beginning A-K will work with Karen Hawkes, L-Z with Brennan Dignan.

STUDENTS MAY NOT BOOK MEETINGS WITH POST SECONDARY WHEN THEY HAVE A CLASS SCHEDULED. STUDENTS MUST USE THEIR FREE PERIODS, SET, LUNCH OR BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL TO MEET WITH POST SECONDARY.

FAFSA Now Open
FAFSA now open

The 2025/26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open and Post-Secondary Counseling encourages all families to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. Please remember to complete the **2025/26 FAFSA application **(not 2024/25). Here are some tips for how to prepare for submitting the FAFSA (and other financial aid tips). Colorado Mountain College is offering free, 1:1 FAFSA completion support for Aspen High School families. Use this link to schedule an appointment .

Meeting Recordings
other important reminders

Keeping Scoir Updated: After an application has been submitted, it is extremely important that students log into Scoir and move the college into the "Applied" column. Doing so allows Susanne to release the transcript and recommendations. Susanne cannot submit supporting documents until Scoir has been updated. Also please update Scoir when you hear decisions from schools.

Application Portals/Missing Materials: After a student has applied to a college/university, it is essential that they follow directions to set up their application portal. Schools will be communicating via the portal about additional deadlines and other "to-dos". For example, some schools require applicants to complete the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). Please be aware that it may take a bit of time for your initial materials to be processed and reflected in the portal. Don't worry, if you have moved a school into the "Applied" column in Scoir, we have sent your transcript and recommendations.

CSS Profile & Financial Aid: Please be aware that some colleges require the CSS Profile to award non-federal aid packages (ie scholarships and grants awarded by the institution). The CSS Profile is often due when the application itself is due or shortly thereafter, so please check this list of schools that require the CSS Profile. 

FAFSA: The 2025/26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open and we encourage all families to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. Here are some tips to get you started. Please remember to complete the 2025/26 FAFSA application (not 2024/25). Colorado Mountain College is offering free, 1:1 FAFSA completion support for Aspen High School families. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Mid-Year Transcript: In late January, at the conclusion of the first semester, we will automatically send your updated transcript to any/all of the schools to which you have already applied.

Test Scores: For students who are submitting test scores to colleges, be sure confirm with each of your schools whether self-reported scores are accepted or if an official score report is required. Official score reports are ordered by the student via collegeboard.org or act.org and should be ordered two weeks prior to the application deadline. AHS cannot order score reports for students.

Application Season timeline