ROOTED IN FAITH, COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE
COLLEGE COUNSELING
Guiding Every Step:
CSHM’s Comprehensive College Counseling Program
At Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School, our College Counseling Program is designed to guide students and their families through every step of the college planning and application process. From building a strong academic foundation to identifying the right college fit, our dedicated counselors provide personalized support, resources, and expert advice. Whether navigating UC applications, private universities, or scholarship opportunities, we empower students to make informed decisions and take confident steps toward their future.
College Counseling at CSHM
Navigating the path to college can feel overwhelming—but at Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School, you’re never alone in the journey. Our College Counseling Program supports students and families from freshman year through senior year with personalized guidance, practical tools, and valuable resources to help each student find the right college fit and prepare for success beyond high school.
Start Early, Plan Ahead
Whether you’re a freshman just starting to think about the future or a junior getting serious about applications, we encourage students to explore their interests and begin planning early. Our college counseling team is here to guide you step-by-step—from building a strong academic profile to creating a college list and submitting your applications.
Real Stories, Real Advice
Want to hear what the college journey is really like? Slate Magazine offers a free podcast series that follows four high school seniors as they go through the college admissions process. You’ll hear their honest experiences—challenges, regrets, and triumphs—along with expert advice from admissions officers. It's an insightful and easy listen while you're doing chores, going for a walk, or relaxing.
Free SAT Preparation for All Students
Thanks to a partnership between College Board and Khan Academy, world-class SAT prep is available online—completely free. This tool offers:
Personalized tutorials based on your strengths and areas for improvement
Full-length practice tests and official SAT questions
Interactive videos and test-taking strategies
Progress tracking and feedback
24/7 access from any device
College Financial Aid & Scholarships
We understand that paying for college is one of the biggest concerns for families. Our counselors help students and parents understand the financial aid process, explore scholarship opportunities, and meet key deadlines. January marks the official start of financial aid season—be sure to stay informed and prepared.
Additional Resources
To support you throughout the college application journey, we offer several helpful tools and links. Be sure to review the College Planning Timeline for Seniors to stay on track with important dates and deadlines. If you come across a broken link or have a suggestion for a new resource to add, we’d love to hear from you—let us know!
College Prep Curriculum
Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School offers a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum designed to ensure all students are equipped for admission to four-year universities. By completing required courses with a grade of “C” or higher, students meet the minimum subject requirements for university eligibility—including the University of California and California State University systems.
From freshman through senior year, students follow a structured academic path grounded in core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religion, and Foreign Language, with options to explore Fine Arts and electives. Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available for qualified sophomores, juniors, and seniors, offering students the opportunity to challenge themselves academically and earn a weighted GPA.
Our curriculum is flexible, allowing students to take enrichment and college-level courses during the summer—with guidance approval—to further strengthen their academic foundation. At CSHM, we prepare students not only to meet college entrance requirements but to excel in the competitive landscape of higher education.
COLLEGE PLANNING RESOURCES
EXPLORATION + PLANNING
CaliforniaColleges.edu
Explore California’s college and career options
AICCU.edu
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
UCAN-network.org
Compare colleges and universities nationwide
MappingYourFuture.org
College planning and financial aid tools
CSUMentor.edu
(Now part of Cal State Apply) Explore and apply to CSU campuses
CollegeAnswer.com
Planning, paying, and prepping for college
Cappex.com
College search, match, and scholarship info
BigFuture.CollegeBoard.org
College and career planning by College Board
YouVisit.com
Virtual tours of 400+ campuses across the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Latin America
SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH
APIASF.org
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarships
Roybal-Allard.house.gov
“Paying for College” Resource Guide under Constituent Services > Student Resources
FINANCIAL AID + GRANTS
FAFSA.ed.gov
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
StudentAid.gov
Federal student aid resources
CalGrants.org
California grants and financial aid
CollegeAnswer.com
College funding advice
KnowledgeFirst.com
Savings and planning tools
STUDENT ATHLETES
EligibilityCenter.org
NCAA eligibility and recruiting info
HOW TO AFFORD COLLEGE
College is a major investment—but with the right tools and resources, it can be affordable. One of the most important steps in securing financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application determines eligibility for federal grants, work-study programs, and student loans, and it’s also used by colleges to put together financial aid packages.
To get started, follow the steps below. You'll find links to create your FSA ID (used to sign the FAFSA) and to complete the FAFSA itself. Once submitted, your FAFSA information will be sent to all the colleges you listed, and each will use it to build a personalized financial aid offer.
In addition to federal aid, there are also scholarships available from many companies and organizations. We’ve included some helpful resources below, but don’t hesitate to search for more opportunities on your own.
For any questions, please contact Mr. Crespo at pcrespo@cshm.org.
Scholarship Resources
Many retail stores and chain restaurants offer scholarships, feel free to find those links on google. However, the following are more scholarship resources for our seniors:
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
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The purpose of the FSA ID is for the parent and child to be able to sign and complete the FAFSA electronically.
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click here to work on FAFSA
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