Seniors & Graduation

Senior year is both a celebration and a transition. Students must complete all diploma requirements while also preparing for what comes next—college, career training, military service, employment, an apprenticeship, or another personally meaningful path. This page supports seniors enrolled through Central Linn High School, Central Linn Online Academy, and FLEX Alternative School.

Every senior should begin the year with an individual graduation audit and continue reviewing it throughout the year. Completing senior activities, ordering graduation items, or participating in commencement does not by itself confirm that a student has earned a diploma. Diploma completion is based on the student’s final transcript and satisfaction of all requirements applicable to the student’s diploma type and graduating class.

Oregon Diploma Requirements

Students graduating on or after January 1, 2027, must complete 24 credits, including the new Personal Financial Education and Higher Education and Career Path Skills requirements. Requirements for a Modified Diploma, Extended Diploma, or other individualized completion option may differ. Students should verify their individual requirements with their academic advisor, case manager, or program administrator. Review Oregon diploma requirements. Course substitutions, transfer credits, dual-credit courses, individualized diploma requirements, and other exceptions must be formally reviewed and recorded by the District. Students should not assume that a completed course meets a requirement unless it appears correctly on the graduation audit.

August–September: Establish the Plan

• Review the senior-year schedule and graduation audit.
• Make sure all required courses are included in the schedule.
• Resolve missing grades, incomplete courses, or transfer-credit questions.
• Begin credit recovery immediately if it is needed.
• Create a calendar of school, scholarship, financial-aid, testing, application, and graduation deadlines.
• Identify at least one primary plan and one backup plan for after graduation.
• Update or create a résumé.
• Create a professional email address and check it regularly.
• Identify adults who may be asked to provide references or recommendations.
• Begin gathering information about colleges, training programs, apprenticeships, military options, or employers.
• Request accommodations for entrance examinations or postsecondary programs when applicable.
• Ask how senior photographs, yearbook information, cap and gown orders, and graduation announcements will be handled.

October–December: Applications and Financial Aid

• Continue checking grades and graduation progress in every course.
• Meet with the academic advisor if any course is at risk of not being completed.
• Create the required StudentAid.gov accounts for the student and any required contributors.
• Complete the FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as the appropriate application becomes available.
• Review the FAFSA Submission Summary or ORSAA information for errors or required corrections.
• Submit college, training-program, apprenticeship, scholarship, or employment applications.
• Request official transcripts when applications require them.
• Ask for recommendation letters early and provide each recommender with the deadline and needed information.
• Complete essays or personal statements.
• Apply through the OSAC Scholarship Application, which allows Oregon students to apply for numerous scholarships through one application.
• Search for local scholarships offered by foundations, employers, service organizations, unions, colleges, and community groups.
• Apply for the Oregon Promise Grant if planning to attend an Oregon community college.
• Keep copies of every application, confirmation, username, and submission date.

Financial-aid and scholarship opening dates, priority dates, and final deadlines change from year to year. Students are responsible for checking the official application site and meeting the deadline for their graduating class.

January–March: Confirm Progress and Compare Options

• Complete a new graduation audit after first-semester grades are posted.
• Confirm that failed or incomplete first-semester courses have been addressed.
• Begin or update credit recovery without delay.
• Verify that second-semester courses still satisfy all remaining requirements.
• Continue submitting scholarship applications.
• Review college, training, apprenticeship, or employment offers carefully.
• Compare the full cost of each option, not only the advertised tuition.
• Review grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, and other aid separately.
• Complete interviews, auditions, placement activities, or supplemental applications.
• Submit requested financial-aid verification documents.
• Check email and application portals regularly.
• Confirm that colleges have received required transcripts and financial-aid information.
• Discuss transportation, housing, health insurance, work schedules, and other practical needs.
• Develop a written backup plan in case the preferred option changes.

April–May: Complete the Year

• Review an updated graduation audit.
• Confirm that every required course is on track for completion.
• Complete all outstanding assignments, assessments, projects, and credit-recovery work.
• Do not stop attending or participating after acceptance into a college, program, or job.
• Notify the academic advisor immediately if a grade or course completion is in jeopardy.
• Accept or decline college and financial-aid offers by the applicable deadlines.
• Complete enrollment, placement, advising, orientation, housing, or registration steps for the selected program.
• Notify schools or programs that will not be attended.
• Apply for summer employment or internships when appropriate.
• Confirm cap and gown arrangements.
• Submit required senior information, photographs, surveys, or ceremony forms.
• Confirm graduation rehearsal, ceremony, ticket, accessibility, and guest-information requirements.
• Make arrangements to return District technology, textbooks, library materials, uniforms, equipment, and other checked-out property.
• Resolve outstanding fees or obligations according to District procedures.
• Request accessibility accommodations for graduation events if needed.

Final Graduation Check

Before a diploma can be issued, the District must verify the student’s final record.

• All required credits have been earned.
• All required courses have been successfully completed.
• Final grades have been posted.
• Transfer and dual-credit documentation has been received.
• Credit-recovery work has been completed and recorded.
• The transcript has been reviewed for errors.
• Required District property has been returned.
• Final senior checkout procedures have been completed.
• The student’s legal name and mailing address are correct.
• The District knows where to send the final transcript.
• Graduation rehearsal and ceremony expectations have been reviewed.

Participation in the graduation ceremony and completion of diploma requirements are related but separate determinations. Ceremony participation is governed by District procedures, while the diploma is awarded only after all applicable graduation requirements have been verified.

Planning for a Four-Year College or University

• Review admission requirements for each institution.
• Confirm required high school coursework.
• Complete the application and all supplemental questions.
• Submit essays, activity lists, portfolios, auditions, or recommendations when required.
• Send official transcripts.
• Submit the FAFSA or ORSAA.
• Review each financial-aid offer.
• Compare grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.
• Confirm enrollment and pay a deposit only after making a final decision.
• Complete housing, placement, orientation, and registration requirements.
• Request an official LBCC or other college transcript for any dual-credit coursework.
• Contact the college’s disability-access office directly if accommodations will be needed.

High school accommodations do not automatically transfer to a college or university. Students seeking accommodations after graduation should contact the institution’s disability-access office early and be prepared to provide any required documentation.

Planning for Community College or Career Training

• Apply to the selected community college or training provider.
• Complete the FAFSA or ORSAA.
• Apply for Oregon Promise by the deadline for the student’s graduating class.
• Complete placement, orientation, and registration requirements.
• Meet with the college or program advisor.
• Determine whether previously earned dual credits apply to the intended program.
• Request an official college transcript for dual-credit coursework.
• Review program costs, tools, equipment, transportation, and time commitments.
• Confirm whether the program leads to a certificate, license, degree, apprenticeship, or industry credential.
• Confirm that the program qualifies for the financial aid the student intends to use.

Planning for an Apprenticeship or Skilled Trade

• Identify the trade or occupation of interest.
• Research registered apprenticeship programs and entry requirements.
• Determine whether an application, interview, aptitude test, résumé, driver’s license, or drug screening is required.
• Gather identification and employment documents.
• Request recommendations from teachers, employers, or internship supervisors.
• Document relevant CTE courses, work experience, internships, certifications, and safety training.
• Apply to more than one program when possible.
• Develop an employment and training plan while waiting for apprenticeship openings.
• Confirm transportation, tools, clothing, union, and job-site requirements.

Planning to Enter the Workforce

• Prepare a professional résumé.
• Create a list of references and obtain their permission.
• Practice completing applications and participating in interviews.
• Gather identification and employment-eligibility documents.
• Create a professional voicemail greeting and email address.
• Research employers before applying.
• Review wages, hours, benefits, transportation, advancement opportunities, and working conditions.
• Ask teachers or internship supervisors about possible employment contacts.
• Document certifications, technical skills, volunteer service, internships, and work experience.
• Develop a monthly budget based on expected take-home pay.

Planning for Military Service

• Speak with more than one trusted adult before making a commitment.
• Research service branches, job specialties, enlistment terms, benefits, and obligations.
• Prepare for and complete the ASVAB if required.
• Ask questions about guaranteed job assignments, training, enlistment length, reserve obligations, educational benefits, housing, and medical eligibility.
• Read every document carefully before signing.
• Keep copies of all records and agreements.
• Complete graduation requirements; enlistment planning does not replace the requirement to earn a diploma.

After Graduation

• Confirm that the final transcript shows the diploma and graduation date.
• Request that the final transcript be sent to the selected college, employer, apprenticeship, military branch, or training program.
• Request official transcripts directly from LBCC or any other college through which dual credit was earned.
• Save copies of the high school transcript, diploma, résumé, financial-aid records, scholarship notices, certifications, and important contact information.
• Complete college or training orientation and registration.
• Confirm transportation, housing, employment, and financial arrangements.
• Update contact information with the District if final documents are still being processed.

Who Can Help?

Students should contact the person connected to the type of assistance they need:

• Academic advisor: Graduation audit, course requirements, forecasting, credit recovery, and postsecondary planning.
• Registrar: Transcripts, transfer credits, enrollment records, legal-name corrections, and final records.
• Case manager: Individualized diploma requirements, transition planning, accommodations, and special education services.
• CLOA or FLEX staff: Program-specific participation, course-completion, communication, and documentation requirements.
• Teachers: Course progress, missing work, assessments, and plans for successful completion.
• Financial-aid office: FAFSA, ORSAA, grants, scholarships, verification, and financial-aid offers.
• Counseling and mental health staff: Personal, emotional, family, safety, or mental health concerns that may interfere with senior-year success.

Students should not wait until the end of the semester to ask for help. The earlier a concern is identified, the more options the school and student may have for resolving it.