College and Career Center
Students are encouraged to utilize the center beginning in 9th grade for post-high school planning. We are here to provide the following services: counseling students in every aspect of the college process, guiding students through self-analysis, career exploration, and educational goal setting, hosting on-campus college visits from participating schools, standardized testing, and college funding. The center is open from 7:00 am -2:45 pm for students. Parents can contact Weeze Cullen, College and Career Specialist, at [email protected] for an appointment.
Over 100 universities and colleges will send a representative to Winter Park each year to inform students about the application process, campus culture, application and financial aid deadlines, living and dining opportunities, study abroad experiences, curriculum and research options, and much more. Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 may sign up on Signup Genius to attend. (Click Here to Sign Up)
The following websites can be good places to start in order to build a college list:
1. School Buff
2. Big Future
3. College Express
State University System Admission Stats 2023-2024
Local
Check out our very own Winter Park scholarship database. This database is maintained by volunteers and is updated frequently. Our Winter Park scholarship database focuses mostly on local scholarships because we feel that the oftentimes geographical requirement for these scholarships narrows the competition and allows our students a very good chance of qualifying.
State
The Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) is completed in October of the student's senior year in classrooms. Requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship (one of many scholarships on the FFAA are available here. Be aware that the requirements vary according to your graduation year.
Federal
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will open in December, 2023 for current seniors. All seniors are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA to determine any need-based aid they qualify for from the federal government and from universities. Complete the FAFSA Application 2024-2025 (opens December, 2023). Click here to access the application.
Institution Aid
Colleges will automatically consider applicants for scholarships given through undergraduate admission offices. Of the colleges they're applying to, students should also search on each college website for scholarships that require a different application from the admissions application. Be aware that some of these scholarship applications can be due prior to the admission deadline so students will want to look into this early in the fall of senior year.
National Search Engines
There are numerous national scholarship search engines. A few to look into are ctcl.org, fastweb.com, and bigfuture.collegeboard.org. Remember that these scholarships are open to everyone, so it is important to spend your time only applying to the ones for which you feel you are uniquely qualified.
Career Planning Websites
Florida Shines
Career Fitter
Truity
123 Test
Academic High School Resume
Job/Career Resume
Interview Tips
NCAA Eligibility Center
WPHS School Profile