FAFSA Application Night at Nathan Hale Nov. 20, 2025

Seniors! Nathan Hale Financial Aid night will be on Thursday November 20 from 5:30- 7:00 p.m. in the Nathan Hale library. There will be an informational session on the FAFSA/WASFA with a representative from North Seattle community college available to answer your questions. Please mark your calendars!

Students/Parents need to bring:

• Verified account username and password (FSA ID)
• Parent’s email address
• Parent’s names, and date of birth and Social Security Number
• Income and asset information

FAFSA / WASFA: Apply now! 2026-27 Financial Aid Applications are Available 

Going to college or training next fall? Financial aid applications for this year’s graduating seniors are available now! In Washington, there are two ways to apply for financial aid. You should only complete one application—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). Many people assume they won’t qualify, but about half of families in Washington can get free money to help pay for education beyond high school.

• The 2026-27 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now available.
• The WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) is also available.

January 2026 TBD: FAFSA/WASFA Drop-In Help

The Lake City Branch Library typically provides an evening in January when high school seniors and their parents/guardians can work on completing college financial aid forms online, receive assistance, and ask questions.

Last year, Students were told to bring:

• If under age 24, their parent/guardian, if available
• Laptop (or they will have several laptops available for use)
• Social Security number or card, or alien registration card (if not a US citizen)
• Driver’s license or state identification card
• Any income information, a W-2 or pay stub, and a copy of last filed student tax return or bank statements
• FSA ID (if you have one)

Last year, Parents/Guardians were told to bring:

• Any additional financial information, such as child support statements, TANF or benefits information, or family business information
• Social Security number or card, or alien registration (if not a US citizen)
• Driver’s license or state identification card
• Financial information, W-2 forms, a copy of last filed tax return, and other records of any money earned.

Senior Portraits/Baby Photo Due Dec. 1, 2025

Questions? Please contact yearbook adviser Emeline Cokelet, ercokeletmen@seattleschools.org.

Cap and Gown Registration Due Dec. 15, 2025

Jostens presented info about Cap and Gown orders at the Senior Meeting in October. Info was also forwarded to Senior families or can be pick up in the Counseling Office.

First Step Due Dec. 15, 2025

1. Register as a Senior: Use the QR Code in the Jostens Cap & Gown Flyer (QR Code posted at school or pick up in Office). Fill out the online form with your Cap & Gown sizes on the Jostens website.
2. Placing Orders: Visit the Jostens website, Nathan Hale page to place orders.
   • Note: If students only need a 2026 Stole and Tassel and already have a sibling cap & gown.

Questions? Please contact Jostens at 425-357-1338.

Senior SPREE

All the details (for now)

• What it is – an overnight celebration following graduation
• Who is putting it on – Senior Parents w/Grad Nights
• When is this taking place – graduation night (graduation
  date TBD)
• Where is this taking place – Shhhh!
• Why Senior Spree matters – to provide a safe and fun way
  of celebrating our kids achievements with their friends

What is SPREE?

We strongly believe in the Senior SPREE all-night event that will keep our seniors safe as they celebrate their huge achievement. Senior SPREE is designed to combat the high mortality rate that stems from drunk driving on graduation night. Students will be whisked away from school after graduation. They will spend the night in safe, supervised fun centers, with food and activities. This will help make their last hours with their graduating class memorable. 

Senior SPREE tickets are on sale now!  Tickets are on sale for a limited time for $175. Checks made payable to NHSPREE can be dropped off at the SPREE mailbox in the mail office. Please write your student’s name on the check. Tickets can be purchased online. Please consider making a donation or paying the full price of $250. Email nhspree@gmail.com with questions.

Please note that SPREE is not a school sponsored event. It is an event that is coordinated and organized by Hale parents and guardians.

More SPREE Details

Have an unforgettable Graduation Night with your classmates! After graduation meet up at school and hop on the party bus for a fun filled night of events, fun and food. you will return on the bus to school in the morning having had a wonderful last adventure as the Nathan Hale Class of 2026.

We ask that you purchase a full price ticket if able so more fundraising dollars can go to scholarships Please also consider donating to enable scholarships. Thank you for your support. Lets have a fun filled full class event!

What to expect

• Past experiences
• Safety and security measures
• No cell phone
• School security guard
• Chaperones (teacher volunteers while parent volunteers help run
  some events)
• Forms to be reviewed and signed
• Code of conduct policy
• Contact and emergency

Tickets

• What this cost covers:
  • 2 Venues
  • Charter bus
  • Food and drinks
• Currently offering early bird discounts
• Over 100 tickets purchased to date
• Scholarships – go to counselor office or
  email spree email; the ask will be kept
  confidential

Please note that SPREE is not a school sponsored event. It is an event that is coordinated and organized by Hale parents and guardians.

• View or print out the Senior College Application Information Sheet(handed out to seniors).

Fall 2025

• Send test scores directly to the colleges if required or they support your application
  • Finalize your college list and your essay.
• Request Letters of recommendations from teachers and counselors.
• Finalize and send applications as they become due. Have a parent, teacher, counselor, or other adult review the application before it is submitted.
• Order a copy of your transcript to be sent from your high school.
• After October 1: File the FAFSA or WAFSA, visit the FAFSA website or the WASFA site.
• October: Take the SAT in School Day SAT day.

Stay focused on academics. First semester grades can make a difference. Clean up social media accounts and use an “appropriate” email address (monitor email frequently).

Student athletes? Register with the NCAA clearinghouse. Sign a release with our Counseling Secretary so we can upload transcripts to NCAA via Naviance.

Winter 2025

• Apply for scholarships and remember you should never pay for scholarships.
• No Senioritis! Even if you’ve already submitted most of your applications, don’t slack in the classroom. The college that you choose to attend will want to see your second semester transcript.

Spring 2026

• Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will start to arrive.
• Make your college commitment and make the deposit by May 1.
• Make sure that you have requested that your final high school transcript be sent to the school you will be attending.
• June! Graduate!

Curriculum Night on Oct. 16, 2025 Recap.

School Day SAT – Tues, Oct. 28, 2025

**SAT Scores will be available by signing into your College Board Account.**

• Who: Seniors
• Day & Time: Oct. 28 from 8:50 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. 
• Location: Mentorship Class (for most seniors). Those without a Mentorship Class or in an affinity group Mentorship will be assigned to a class to take the test.

Materials Required (Before Test):  

• Digital Readiness-tested SPS/district laptop that is fully charged.
• Recommended: Snacks and Water 

The SAT will be given to seniors at Nathan Hale, free of charge, on Tues, Oct. 28, 2025. No registration is required. Students are encouraged to arrive by 8:30 a.m. The SAT covers reading, writing and math. SAT scores demonstrate students are prepared for college with necessary skills and knowledge. Additionally, the SAT can be used as a substitute graduation requirement if a student doesn’t meet passing scores on Smarter Balanced assessments in ELA or math. 

Students will need to bring their digital readiness-tested district laptop. They may not use their phone as a calculator. It’s important that everyone be on time because no one will be admitted after the test begins. These exams are three hours long. Students should bring their own full water bottle. As always, when taking an important test, students should be sure to get a good night’s sleep and have a healthy breakfast.  

Links to practice test is available on the Nathan Hale Assessments webpage. Exam scores can be used for college admission.