Class of 2026
District News: HCPSS Class of 2026 Graduation Window, May 18-June 4, 2026 -
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has received confirmation from Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP) of the window for the Class of 2026 high school graduations as May 18-June 4, 2026.
No graduations will be held on weekends, or on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 or Eid al-Adha, the evening of Tuesday, May 26-Wednesday May 27. All ceremonies will be held in person at MPP, except for Cedar Lane School, which will hold its graduation at the school.
CLASS OF 2026 FAMILIES - 2026–27 FAFSA® Form Now Available - The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now available to everyone. You can complete the form to apply for financial aid for attendance at college or career school between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Here are some ways you can get ready to fill out your FAFSA form:
- Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).
- Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.
- Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.
- If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.
- Start a 2026–27 FAFSA® Form
Congratulations!! You are Seniors!!
Class of 2026: Take time and map out when you will take care of all your requirements for college/trade school/apprenticeship applications. Use the HCPSS college checklist and decide which weeks you will focus on the different requirements. A sample plan is linked here.
Essential Resources
- HCPSS Class of 2026 College Application Google Site
- HCPSS School Counseling Canvas Page
- HCPSS College Application Checklist
- College Application Tracker
- FAFSA Opens October 1, 2025
Stay-tuned for important information for Seniors!
