NOVEMBER To-Do's:



✔ Set up your Application Portals

Set up your portals and read emails from your universities so you don't miss any opportunities, additional STAR reports, Scholarship Applications, etc. Portals are also likely where decisions will be released. If you have not received your login details, please Google the application portal for your school and click “forgot password” to get a new PIN sent to your email.

✔ File your FAFSA

File your FAFSA! Every school has a different “priority deadline” for FAFSA. Please visit your school’s Financial Aid page. Some are in December! 

✔ Nov 15 & Dec 1 Deadlines

Guaranteed submission deadlines for transcripts to be sent: 

• Nov 15th deadline: Nov 14th at 11:59pm
• Dec 1st deadline: Nov 30th at 11:59pm
• Jan 4th deadline: Jan 3rd at 11:59pm

✔ Be prepared to report every scholarship you receive! 

These scholarship numbers are used as part of graduation materials. You can use screenshots to report, so screenshot your scholarships as they come in! 

✔ Keep Scoir updated as you hear back from your schools! 

• Update your decision from colleges in Scoir (directions below)
• We also love it when you stop by guidance and celebrate with us!!

✔ Consider writing thank-you notes for the teachers who wrote you letters of recommendation!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

STARS

Some schools require what is called a “Self-reported Transcript and academic record,” or STARS. No Indiana schools require this, but if you are applying to others, such as the University of Tennessee, check the application requirements to see if you need to do this. This is outside of the Common App. Your school application portal will have your information for this step. 

Official Test Scores

If your application portal says it is “Awaiting Official Test Scores,” you send those through the College Board. These must be sent by the student; guidance can’t send them. Many schools (like Purdue) let you self-report and don’t ask for official scores until you enroll.

ADMISSIONS DECISIONS

Decision Dates:

• Some schools are rolling admissions and release decisions ASAP
• Some schools have Decision Day - IU and Purdue are January 15
• Some schools will begin releasing decisions in mid-December through mid-February 

Most schools release decisions on their admissions portals

Update SCOIR when you hear back:

All the data in Scoir for “What are my chances” of admission comes from real data from Chatard students. Please help us by updating Scoir when you hear back from schools. 

Click on the school in your “applied” column, click “edit outcome,” and then record your decision.

SCHOOL SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Indiana University – Kelley School of Business

Students can access the Kelley Prospect Inventory in their IU Application Portal. This is due by November 15 to be considered for IU’s Kelley School of Business.

Purdue

Has a priority FAFSA and Departmental Scholarship deadline of December 15. 

Purdue’s Departmental Scholarship List (application is on student’s App Portal. See link for directions)

Financial Aid Reminders

The FAFSA is now open!

The FAFSA is the starting point for ALL financial aid, and most schools require it even for merit-based aid. It gives institutions a complete picture of your family’s financial situation and, ideally, helps them identify your funding gaps and whether you qualify for a Pell Grant. 

• Both students and parents will need to file a 2027-28 FAFSA on studentaid.gov 
• The filing deadline is April 15, 2027.
• Some schools have priority deadlines much sooner than April for FAFSA filing.
• Purdue scholarships with need-based consideration have a FAFSA deadline of Dec 15, 2026. 

FAFSA Help Night

Tuesday, November 17 | 6–8 pm | BCHS Cafeteria

Representatives from INvestEd will be on campus to assist families in completing the FAFSA. 

• Both the student and the parent must be present to file.
• This hands-on workshop offers one-on-one help from experts—no formal presentation will take place. 
• Please bring your laptop and the materials listed below to file your FAFSA during the session: 
• A laptop and the student must be present to file
• 2025 W-2
• Social Security Numbers of parent and student
• Current bank and financial statements (non-retirement)
• Child support information
• Business and investment property valuations (not primary home) 

CSS Profile

Some schools require families or give them the option to file the CSS Profile. This is a tool that some schools use to get a more comprehensive financial picture. Notre Dame is the only Indiana school that does so, but many out-of-state schools do as well; always check the school website. 

SCHOLARSHIP CORNER

The John Matthew Mensa Scholarship 

Mensa provides financial assistance to residents of the Central Indiana Mensa district. Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing a professional certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in any field are encouraged to apply. This scholarship comes from Mensa Education and Research Foundation.

Deadline: November 15, 2026

National Honors Society National Scholarship

The NHS Scholarship asks students to demonstrate the four pillars of NHS. The top 25 students nationally are selected to attend the banquet in Washington, DC. Must be a current NHS member.

Deadline: November 20, 2026.

Indianapolis YMCA Monster Meeting Scholaship

The YMCA Monster Meeting Scholarship asks Indianapolis students about their commitment to community service and looks for students who can show or demonstrate an understanding of commitment to racial equity.

Deadline: December 8, 2026

Indiana Association of College Admissions Counselors Scholarship

This scholarship is for Indiana high school seniors planning on attending an Indiana college or university in the fall. Must complete an essay on the application and submit a letter of recommendation. 

Deadline: December 15, 2026 

Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship

The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship provides high-achieving high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in education the opportunity to earn a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 each year for four academic years. In exchange, students agree to teach full-time for five years at an eligible Indiana school. Check here to see if you are eligible for the scholarship. 

Due Date: January 31, 2027

Central Indiana Community Foundation Scholarships

The Central Indiana Community Foundation administers hundreds of local scholarships in Central Indiana. Click 'apply' on any scholarship to create a scholarship profile. This profile will then filter to all scholarships that they are eligible for. 

Due Date: February 1, 2027

Important Dates

• November 17: FAFSA Filing Event with INvestED, 6:00-8:00 PM
• January 21, 2027: FAFSA completion workshop in conjunction with INvestEd Indiana. 
• May 1, 2027: College Decision Day

Class of 2027 Webpage

Be sure to visit the Class of 2027 webpage throughout the school year for important dates, deadlines, announcements, and senior-specific information. We encourage families to bookmark the page and check back often, as new details and resources will be added as they become available.