Seniors

Seniors

All YearFallWinterSpring
Work with one of your parents to estimate your financial aid using FAFSA4caster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov and continue to save for college.
Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), three years of mathematics, and three years of science, and many require two years of a foreign language. Round out your course load with classes in computer science and the arts.
Stay involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. Consider working or volunteering. Remember – it’s quality (not quantity) that counts.
Talk to your school counselor and other mentors about education after high school. Your counselor can answer questions about what classes to take in high school, how to sign up for standardized tests, and where to get money for college.
Work hard all year—second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility.
Stay involved in after-school activities, and seek leadership roles if possible.
Meet with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.
If you haven’t done so already, register for and take such exams as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or ACT for college admission. Check with the college s you are interested in to see what tests they require.
Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!
Well before your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g. transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’re applying.
Encourage your parent(s) to complete income tax forms early. If your parent(s) has (have) not completed tax forms, you can provide estimated information on your federal student aid application, but remember to make any necessary changes later.
As soon as possible after Jan. 1, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), along with any other financial aid applications your school(s) of choice may require. You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov or on paper, but completing the application online is faster and easier. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February.
If you have questions about the federal student aid programs or need assistance with the application process, call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or the TTY for the hearing impaired, 1-800-730-8913.
After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.
Complete any last scholarship applications.
Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll.
Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers.
Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you. In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what—they can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit.
When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.
Juniors

Juniors

All YearFallSpringSummer
Work with one of your parents to estimate your financial aid using FAFSA4caster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov and continue to save for college.
Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), three years of mathematics, and three years of science, and many require two years of a foreign language. Round out your course load with classes in computer science and the arts.
Stay involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. Consider working or volunteering. Remember – it’s quality (not quantity) that counts.
Talk to your school counselor and other mentors about education after high school. Your counselor can answer questions about what classes to take in high school, how to sign up for standardized tests, and where to get money for college.
Explore careers and their earning potential in the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/oco.
Learn about choosing a college at StudentAid.gov/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools.
Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations by college representatives.
Take the PSAT/NMSQT. You must take the test in 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Register for and take exams for college admission. The tests that many colleges require are the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.
Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search at www.careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch to find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.
Narrow down the list of colleges you are considering attending. If you can, visit the schools that interest you.
Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines.
Read a lot.
Decide whether you are going to apply under a particular college’s early decision or early action program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements.
Use the FAFSA4caster financial aid estimator one last time at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov, and compare the results to the actual costs at the colleges to which you will apply. To supplement any aid FAFSA4caster estimates you might receive, be sure to apply for scholarships. Your goal is to minimize the amount of loan funds you borrow.
Sophomores

Sophomores

Work with one of your parents to estimate your financial aid using FAFSA4caster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov and continue to save for college.
Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), three years of mathematics, and three years of science, and many require two years of a foreign language. Round out your course load with classes in computer science and the arts.
Stay involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. Consider working or volunteering. Remember – it’s quality (not quantity) that counts.
Talk to your school counselor and other mentors about education after high school. Your counselor can answer questions about what classes to take in high school, how to sign up for standardized tests, and where to get money for college.
Freshmen

Freshmen

Work with one of your parents to estimate your financial aid using FAFSA4caster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov and continue to save for college.
Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), three years of mathematics, and three years of science, and many require two years of a foreign language. Round out your course load with classes in computer science and the arts.
Stay involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. Consider working or volunteering. Remember – it’s quality (not quantity) that counts.
Talk to your school counselor and other mentors about education after high school. Your counselor can answer questions about what classes to take in high school, how to sign up for standardized tests, and where to get money for college.
Talk to your guidance counselor or teachers about Advanced Placement courses. Find out what courses are available, whether you are eligible, and how to enroll in them
Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search tool at www.mynextmove.org to research your career options.
Make a list of your awards, honors, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Consider participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, and science.
Middle School

Middle School

Think about college as an important part of your future. Discuss your thoughts and ideas with your family and with people at school.
Start saving for college if you haven’t already.
Take challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school.
Take challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school.
Take challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school.
Take challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school.
Ask your parent of guardian to help you research which high schools or special programs will most benefit your interests.
Develop strong study habits.
Do your best in school and on standardized tests. If you are having difficulty, don’t give up–get help from a teacher, tutor, or mentor.
Become involved in school- or community-based activities that let you explore your interests and learn new things.
Speak with adults, such as your teacher, school counselor or librarian, relatives, or family friends, who you think have interesting jobs. Ask them, “What do you like about your job?” and “What education did you need for your job?”
Elementary School

Elementary School

Do your best in school.
Read a lot.
Have fun learning!