This website is a one-stop shop designed to help support students with the whole college process, with information about community events, college applications, scholarships, and more. Please check back regularly, as this information is constantly updated.

RCSD has partnered with a new college and career platform to help scholars unlock their potential and activate their dreams. Please see this link for more information: SchooLinks Scope and Sequence.

Scholarships, jobs, and other opportunities are  available in your newsfeed on the left under “ Here’s what’s happening.” To learn =, login 

to RoConnect and search SchooLinks to get started on the platform.  

For more detailed scholarship information, click finances on the toolbar's left side and then scholarship matching.  

Click Careers on the left side to learn more about available opportunities, then select Opportunity Board.

You can contact your school counselor if you want more information.

High School Juniors Take the SAT for Free

Did you know that SAT exams help open student scholarship opportunities and prepare them for college? From March 3 – April 30th, students in 11th grade will have the opportunity to take the SAT exam, free of charge, during the school day. We encourage students to take advantage of the free personalized practice tests through Khan Academy, which can be found here. Students with early and frequent exposure to practice exams tend to fare better on the SAT. For more information, please get in touch with your child’s school counselor. Contact information for each school is available at www.rcsdk12.org/schools.

FAFSA FEST EVENTS

FAFSA Fest is an annual series of free events that brings local volunteers and financial aid experts to high schools in the City of Rochester to help students and families complete their  FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online, answer financial aid questions, and provide individual counseling with an understanding of college costs. FAFSA events are available at all local RCSD schools to support families and students with this process. Please get in touch with your school counselors or our partners at REF & RCAN to support FAFSA@rochestereducation.org. 

Students can access the NYS TAP application from the state aid link available at the end of the FAFSA submission process. Those who submitted a FAFSA and missed the TAP link can apply directly at hesc.ny.gov/NYSTAP.

Students eligible for the NYS DREAM Act can submit their TAP application through their DREAM Act portal. The Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State‐administered student financial aid to support their higher education costs. 

Students needing assistance completing their FAFSA and NYS TAP applications or making updates can join a HESC FAFSA/TAP Completion Event. These events support students and families in navigating the financial aid process.

Upcoming Financial Aid Presentations and Workshops  

Senior Basics Presentation
HESC's Senior Basics Presentation provides high school seniors with essential tools and information on applying for financial aid to ensure they have the necessary resources to pursue higher education.

HESC Virtual Drop-in Lounge
Students can connect with HESC experts to get answers to all their financial aid questions during one of HESC's Virtual Drop-Ins.

If you have questions regarding the TAP/FAFSA or any upcoming event, please contact precollegeservices@hesc.ny.gov.          

Begin the college and career planning process as early as possible. Review the college and career grade level checklists for helpful tips. Utilize the SchooLink platform to work on the items shown on the checklist actively. 

Elementary School Checklist

Middle School Checklist

9th-Grade Checklist

10th-Grade Checklist

11th-Grade Checklist

12th-Grade Checklist