Below are some resources that are available in multiple languages to help students and families navigate college and career planning and financial aid:  

 
GEAR UP’s family newsletters include college readiness and financial aid information for students in 7th through 12th grade. 

(Arabic, Chuukese, English, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese) 

 
The new Washington State Student Loan Education Site provides learning modules to help families better understand education costs and considerations. 

The site can be displayed in more than 20 languages.  

 
With the new Washington College Grant (WCG), more students are eligible for financial aid than ever before. It’s not too late to apply. 

(English | Spanish | Somali  |Russian | Vietnamese)  

 
Debunk common financial aid myths with the Financial Aid Myths & Facts flyer 

(English | Spanish | Somali  |Russian | Vietnamese) 
 
Complete College Knowledge Book 

(English | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese) 

2022-2023 School Year Updates 

English | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese 

 
Informational videos-  English | Spanish | Chinese | Russian | Somali | Tagalog | Vietnamese https://wsac.wa.gov/fa-toolkit#website-resources 

 
FAFSA information- Spanish 

https://studentaid.gov/es/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out 

CTE dual credit 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) dual credit classes are offered in partnership with community and technical colleges. CTE dual credit classes are taught at the high school or skills center. The classes integrate academics with technical skills to help students prepare for advanced education and careers. Students earn high school and college credit for successfully completing the same class. 

Tech Prep classes available at Juanita are: Digital Design, American Sign Language, Yearbook, Marketing, Life & Finance, Architecture Design/CAD, Mechanical Engineering I & II, Biotechnology, Material Science, Photo, and Child Development. For more information, visit the Career Center or go to: https://www.ctesers.org/ 

WANIC - Washington Network for Innovative Careers 

WANIC is a unique schooling program that gives you access to hands-on learning while earning high school and college credits. Skills Centers offer high-quality, tuition-free technical and professional training for high school juniors and seniors. These year-long, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are based on industry standards and prepare students for career and college readiness. Courses include:  

• Nursing 

• Medical Careers 

• Fire & EMS 

• Automotive Tech 

• Dental Careers 

• DigiPen Art & Animation 

• DigiPen Music & Sound Design 

• DigiPen Video Game Programming 

• Baking & Pastry 

• Aviation (coming in 2023) 

Find out more on their website and meet with your counselor to discuss your readiness. 

WANIC Summer School 

WANIC offers 3-week courses during the summer for rising 9th-12th grade students. Students earn a .5 credit for these classes. Registration opens in April. 

Running Start 

Running Start allows 11th and 12th-grade high school students to take college-level courses at community and technical colleges. Students can earn both high school and college credits through this partnership between the K-12 and community college systems. (link to the other page) 

WorkSite Learning 

Earn high school credits for working! 

WorkSite Learning is an exciting program that connects knowledge and skills you’ve learned in the classroom to careers and your future. You must be 16 and have taken a qualifying CTE class. Learn more at shorturl.at/ktVX8 

Employed scholars 16 years of age and older, may be eligible to earn credit for working. 

POSSIBLE CREDIT EARNED PER WORK HOURS 

360 hours of work = 1.0 Credit          

180 hours of work = .5 Credit 

Volunteering is great not only for the community but also for you. Students who engage in community service or volunteer their time are at a great advantage when applying to scholarships.  

Check out this great "Where to Care Guide" This includes many volunteer opportunities and ideas! 

Explore our Teams pages where we post about new opportunities. Here are a few places we’ve partnered with before: 

Athletes for Kids (AFK) Youth Mentoring 

Camp Invention Leadership Intern 

Carnation Farms 

City of Kirkland Teen Volunteer Opportunities: 

Kirkland Arts Center Volunteers 

Lil Bit Therapeutic Riding Center 

Mountain to Sound Greenway Trust

A resume is a formal document that a job applicant creates to itemize their qualifications for a position. A resume is usually accompanied by a customized cover letter in which the applicant expresses an interest in a specific job or company and draws attention to the most relevant specifics on the resume. 

Standard Resume template

Cover Letters 

A cover letter is a document you send with your resume that provides additional information about skills and experiences related to the job you're applying to. It typically includes three to four paragraphs that highlight your skills, experience, and achievements in relation to the position you’re applying for. 

Standard Cover letter template

cover letter example

Interviews 

An interview is a discussion or conversation between a potential employer and a candidate. It is a selection process designed to help an employer understand your skills, your personality and character traits, and check your domain knowledge. In this formal meeting, the employer asks questions to get information from a candidate. Usually, interviews happen during the last phase of the recruitment process and help companies select a suitable candidate for a job role.  

Follow this advice before your first interview https://www.careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Interview/interview-tips.aspx 

Career Exploration Opportunities 

We update our Teams pages with opportunities that are offered specifically to our students. You can also use sites like Indeed.com to filter and search for jobs near you. 

JHS College and Career Center Teams Page

Apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study. Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners to gain a license to practice in a regulated occupation. 

An internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to a student’s field of study or career interest. An internship gives a student the opportunity for career exploration and development, and to learn new skills. It offers the employer the opportunity to bring new ideas and energy into the workplace, develop talent and potentially build a pipeline for future full-time employees.  
 

• How to Become an Apprentice 

• Apprenticeship.gov 

• General info about Apprenticeship Programs in Washington 

• Seattle Public Utilities Apprenticeship Program 

• Construction Apprenticeship Guidebook 

• Seattle Conservation Corps 

• Seattle Department of Transportation Apprenticeship Program 

• Finance and Administrative Services Heavy Duty Mechanic Apprenticeship Program 

• Women in the Trades 

• http://washingtonaerospace.com/ 

• https://the-borgen-project.breezy.hr/p/1cb096e35e7f-administrative-and-operations-internship 

• Chegg Internships https://www.internships.com/ 

• DNR (Dept of Natural Resources) Internships | WA - DNR 

• https://coding4medicine.com/ 

• http://www.internshipfinder.com/members/best-high-school-internships.php 

• http://www.internshipfinder.com/members/internships-abroad.php 

• Use this Military Guide if you are interested in the military, find out which branch is best for you! 

https://www.todaysmilitary.com/ 

We currently have visits from each faction every month. 

Army – 1st Monday of the month 

Navy – every 2 weeks on Thursday 

Air Force – 1st Tuesday monthly 

Marines – 3rd Tues; 4th Monday (not 11/28) 

Types of colleges 

2-Year 

A two-year college is often a community college that offers programs where students can earn an associate’s degree in two years or even a certification in one year or less. Two-year colleges can also be technical schools that specifically focus on career training, such as welding, carpentry or mechanics. After earning an associate’s degree at a two-year college, many students choose to enter the workforce, but some choose to continue their education at a four-year college. Here are some benefits of choosing a two-year college: 

• Affordability 

• Smaller classes 

• Flexibility in class times allowing you to work and attend simultaneously 

• Supportive community resources 

4-Year 

A four-year college is often a college or university that offers a variety of degree programs for students to earn their bachelor's degrees. Some students can also earn their master's degree after their bachelor's at many four-year colleges. A master's program usually takes two years to complete, and students typically need their bachelor's degree to qualify. 

Two common degree programs are Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.). A B.A. program usually includes studies in humanities, such as English, history or philosophy. A B.S. program has a technical, medical or scientific focus, with majors in Chemistry, Physics or Biology. In either program, students typically take general education courses for their first two years and major-specific courses for the final two years. Here are some benefits of choosing a four-year college: 

• Campus life 

• Clubs and activities 

• Course variety 

• Independence 

Click here for more information on 2 year vs. 4 year colleges 

• What to look for when picking your top schools: 

Location- You are likely to get your first job and start building your life wherever you go 

Size- Small campuses have more 1:1 attention while larger colleges can afford other opportunities outside the classroom 

Degree and programs- How does it compare to other schools, do they offer internships after graduating? 

Price- How much can you afford, will the school offer you an additional financial aid package? 

Community- Who’s already attending this school? What clubs and groups already exist? What’s the campus culture? 

Support- Different schools offer more academic and mental health support than others. Check this out to learn more of what to look for: https://compass.wsac.wa.gov/module/hs-student-supports 

• Search databases 

WUE Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) offers discounted rates on out-of-state colleges in the Pacific Northwest.  Search among hundreds of undergraduate degrees offered at the WUE rate of 150% of resident tuition (or less) by 160+ public colleges and universities across the West. Find the school and program that fits your geographic and educational goals. 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search 

https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/ 

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-search 

• College visits 

Try a Virtual Campus Visit. Online tours and info sessions help bridge the gap when students can’t check out a campus in person.   

• Explore and save colleges through https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/ 

• The Washington GEAR UP program has information about visiting campuses in person or virtually. There are several resources through the "Visit A Campus" link. https://gearup.wa.gov/students/visit-a-campus  

• GEAR UP also offers a series of virtual campus visits. These video presentations highlight colleges across the state, including a number of public and private four-year universities and two-year community and technical colleges.   

• For schools with no virtual tours available, consider doing an online scavenger hunt. Use the form to research, compare choices, and find a good fit.   

• College Fairs 

Each year Lake Washington schools host multiple college fairs where you can meet and talk with college representatives, then compare various colleges based on those conversations. Come to the College and Career Center to learn about college fairs. We also invite representatives from various colleges to Juanita in to give individual presentations to our students. Request a school visit or sign up for a future visit! 

• In-person tours 

When possible it’s best to be able to tour your school in person. https://blog.collegeboard.org/college-campus-tour-checklist 

Net Price Calculator find out how much college is going to cost and resources that will help you get there. 

Scholarships 

A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criterial such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need. 

Scholarships are posted on the CCC Teams page and can also be found at the links below: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search 

https://www.goingmerry.com/ 

https://www.niche.com/?ref=colleges 

Washboad.org 

• Student Services - Scholarships Page 

• Washington State Opportunity Scholarship 

• Education USA 

• Xello 

• How to Apply for Financial Aid 

• Washington College Grant 

• WCG Informational Videos 

• Plan Your Future 

• College Bound Scholarship 

• Passport to Careers 

• The Washboard.org 

• Fast Web 

• Scholarships | GEAR UP (wa.gov) 

Scholarship Nomination Form: 

Juanita High School is occasionally asked to nominate senior students for scholarship opportunities.  Eligibility criteria for these opportunities vary widely so don't assume that you won't qualify! Students who would like to be considered for nomination opportunities should submit the Juanita High School Scholarship Nomination Form.  Juanita High School evaluates submissions against the nomination scholarship criteria and asks the best-qualified student(s) to move forward with the nomination process. 

https://forms.office.com/r/VAu2HXwr6Q 

FAFSA/ WASFA 

Should you complete a FAFSA or a WASFA? 

If you are unsure if you should complete a FAFSA or a WASFA, complete the WASFA Eligibility Questionnaire. 

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid 

To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. 

In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid. 

https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid/how-aid-works 

WASFA - Washington Application for State Financial Aid 

A person should complete the WASFA if they are undocumented or do not qualify for federal financial aid because of their immigration status. The WASFA can also be used in limited circumstances by other select applicants who cannot or choose not to file a FAFSA. 

People who complete a WASFA are applying only for state aid. If you are eligible for federal aid, you should complete the FAFSA in order to maximize financial aid awards. 

What is Work-Study? 

If you’re looking for another way to help pay for college, Federal Work-Study may be a great option for you. Work-tudy is a way for students to earn money applied directly to fund school through part-time on- (and sometimes off-) campus jobs. The program gives students an opportunity to gain valuable work experience while pursuing a college degree. This is a great opportunity as many work- study jobs are flexible with your college schedule when a normal job would not be, some allow you to work on homework or give you access to networking opportunities in your field. 

However, not every school participates in the Federal Work-Study Program. Schools that do participate have a limited amount of funds they can award to eligible students. This is why it is so important for students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form as early as possible, as some schools award work-study funds on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Where to submit you application

Common App - Connecting Applicants with 4-Year Colleges 

Application Guide for First Year Students 

Common App You Tube Channel 

About Common App 

MyCoalition - Helping Underrepresented Students Apply for College (offers fee waivers) 

Coalition Application 

Coalition Counselor 

About MyCoalition 
 

Community & Technical Colleges- For Those Staying Local and Attending 2-Year Schools

Create your account here

Essays 

Your personal statement is an essay –usually around 500 words – that you write to show a college admissions committee who you are and why you deserve to be admitted to their school. You may be asked to provide several shorter supporting essays on various topics. Here’s a simple guide to writing a quality essay: 

• A good topic will show how you’ve grown because of something that has happened in your life or because of an experience/ club/ job 

• Focus on your strengths and values 

• This is not the place to share your life story, instead focus on one core part of your life 

• Your story should talk about you, not someone who inspired you 

• Don’t worry about cliches, they are cliches for a reason 

• Please use paragraphs!! 

For more tips and references: https://www.collegeessayguy.com/ 

Letters of Recommendation 

A letter of recommendation for college admission is a short letter typically written by a teacher, counselor, or mentor highlighting your strengths and potential contributions to a school. A recommendation letter can help your application stand out, especially when it highlights your skills, accomplishments, and positive attitude toward education. Some colleges will ask for two or three letters of recommendation during the application process others won't require any. 

Teachers need as much time as possible to complete a recommendation letter. They often have many recommendation letters to write, along with lesson planning and grading. Tips include: 

• Waive your right to view recommendation letters on your application forms. Admission officers will trust them more if you haven’t seen them. 

• Let teachers know the deadline for each college and ask them about their preferred turnaround time. 

• Bring in multiple different opinions/ people who will be able to highlight your different strengths. 

• Utilize your connections in- and outside of school. 

Requesting Transcripts 

Complete the online transcript request form for current students. This form is available on the JHS counseling webpage. Read the form carefully for directions, 2 -3 days advanced notice. For Common Application, Coalition, & Send Edu: your counselor will upload your transcript! However, you must add your counselor to your application once you begin. There is no need to request a transcript for these applications.  

Official Transcript: These are sealed in a JHS envelope. Do not open these transcripts. You must place the sealed JHS envelope in your own mailing envelope to send to the schools or scholarships of your choice. You can find their mailing addresses on their websites. Check your school email for pick -up info!  

https://jhs.lwsd.org/counseling/transcript-requests 

Unofficial Transcript or PDF: These are electronic or hard copies of printed transcripts. Use Skyward to see and download an unofficial report on your transcripts. Go to ‘’profile’ and select ‘ unofficial transcript’ the download as a PDF. Photo instructions for downloading unofficial transcripts can be found on the online Transcript Request Form on the JHS counseling webpage. 

The PSAT is a primer for the SAT that is used to identify National Merit Scholars and award merit scholarships. Practice booklets are available in the College and Career Center.

The ACT & SAT are standardized tests widely used for college admissions in the United States. Usually completed in your junior year, you will also have the chance to retake your test to improve your score. Here's a comparison of the SAT vs ACT .

Use the following links to register for the SAT and/or the ACT

Use College Board, Khan Academy,  or Xello for practice tests and study resources. We also have practice workbooks for pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT prep guides in the College and Career Center.

The Parent Teacher Association is working to reestablish the 'fear free SAT' workshop after our Covid-19 hiatus. More information will be available soon.

Universities and colleges with Gender Neutral Housing available: 

https://www.campuspride.org/tpc/gender-inclusive-housing/ 

Colleges with health plans that include Transgender needs: 

https://www.campuspride.org/tpc/student-health-insurance/ 

Colleges that hold Lavender Graduation celebrations: 

https://www.hrc.org/resources/lavender-graduation