How do I set up a long-range plan?
Step by step, you can help your child make informed decisions
about his or her education, do well academically, learn about
colleges, and find the best possible opportunities for a college
education.
Following are two checklists that are designed to help you
and your child, year by year, progress toward preparing for
college -- both academically and financially. The first list
speaks directly to your child, although he or she may need
your help. The second list speaks directly to you.
Pre-High School:
- Take challenging classes in English, mathematics,
science, history, geography, the arts, and a foreign language.
- Develop strong study skills.
- Start thinking about which high school classes
will best prepare you for college.
- If you have an opportunity to choose among
high schools or among different programs within one high
school, investigate the options and determine which ones
will help you-
- further your academic and career interests and
- open doors to many future options.
- Start saving for college if you haven't already.
- Investigate different ways to save money -
buying a U.S. Savings Bond or opening a savings account
in a bank, investing in mutual funds, etc.
- Find a mentor who will support your positive
goals and help you with questions about plans for your future.
High School:
9TH GRADE
- Take challenging classes in English, mathematics,
science, history, geography, a foreign language, government,
civics, economics, and the arts.
- Get to know your career counselor or guidance
counselor, and other college resources available in your
school.
- Talk to adults in a variety of professions
to determine what they like and dislike about their jobs
and what kind of education is needed for each kind of job.
- Continue to save for college.
10TH GRADE
- Take challenging courses in English, mathematics,
science, history, geography, a foreign language, government,
civics, economics, and the arts.
- Continue to talk to adults in a variety of
professions to determine what they like and dislike about
their jobs, and what kind of education is needed for each
kind of job.
- Become involved in school- or community-based
extracurricular (before or after school) activities that
interest you and enable you to explore career interests.
- Meet with your career counselor or guidance
counselor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
- Take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment
Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
You must register early. If you have difficulty paying the
registration fee, see your guidance counselor about getting
a fee waiver.
- Take advantage of opportunities to visit colleges
and talk to students.
- Continue to save for college.
11TH GRADE
- Take challenging classes in English, mathematics,
science, history, geography, a foreign language, government,
civics, economics, and the arts.
- Meet with your career counselor or guidance
counselor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
- Continue involvement in school- or community-based
extracurricular activities.
- Decide which colleges most interest you. Write
these schools to request information and an application
for admission. Be sure to ask about special admissions requirements,
financial aid, and deadlines.
- Talk to college representatives at college
fairs.
- Take advantage of opportunities to visit colleges
and talk to students.
- Consider people to ask for recommendations
- teachers, counselors, employers, etc.
- Investigate the availability of financial
aid from federal, state, local, and private sources. Call
the Student Aid Hotline at the U.S. Department of Education
(1-800-4FED-AID) for a student guide to Federal financial
aid. Talk to your guidance counselor for more information.
- If you are interested, learn more about AmeriCorps
by calling 1-800-942-2677 or TDD 1-800-833-3722. Via the
Internet, go to www.americorps.org.
- Investigate the availability of scholarships
provided by organizations such as corporations, labor unions,
professional associations, religious organizations, and
credit unions.
- If applicable, go to the library and look
for directories of scholarships for women, minorities, and
disabled students.
- Register for and take the Scholastic Assessment
Test (SAT), the ACT, SAT Subject Tests, or any other exams
required for admission to colleges you might want to attend.
If you have difficulty paying the registration fee, see
your guidance counselor about getting a fee waiver.
- Continue to save for college.
12TH GRADE
- Take challenging classes in English, mathematics,
science, history, geography, a foreign language, government,
civics, economics, the arts, and advanced technologies.
- Meet with your counselor early in the year
to discuss your plans.
- Complete all necessary financial aid forms.
Make sure that you fill out at least one form that can be
used for Federal aid.
- Write colleges to request information and
applications for admission. Be sure to ask about financial
aid, admissions requirements, and deadlines.
- If possible, visit the colleges that most
interest you.
- Register for and take the Scholastic Assessment
Test (SAT), American College Test (ACT), SAT Subject Tests,
or any other exams required for admission to the colleges
to which you are applying. If you have difficulty paying
the registration fee, see your guidance counselor about
getting a fee waiver.
- Prepare your application carefully. Follow
the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!
Be sure to ask your counselor and teachers at least two
weeks before your application deadlines to submit the necessary
documents to colleges (your transcript, letters of recommendation,
etc.).
PRE-HIGH SCHOOL:
- Start saving money for your child's college
education.
- Investigate different ways to save money -
buying U.S. Savings Bonds or opening a savings account in
a bank, etc.
HIGH SCHOOL:
9TH GRADE
- Continue to save for college.
10TH GRADE
- Continue to save for college.
11TH GRADE
- Help your child investigate the availability
of financial aid from federal, state, local, and private
sources. Call the Student Aid Hotline at the U.S. Department
of Education (1-800-4FED-AID) for a student guide to federal
financial aid. Have your child talk to his or her guidance
counselor for more information.
- Help your child investigate the availability
of scholarships provided by organizations such as corporations,
labor unions, professional associations, religious organizations,
and credit unions.
- If applicable, go to the library with your
son or daughter and look for directories on scholarships
for women, minorities, and disabled students.
12TH GRADE
- Make sure your child completes all necessary
financial aid forms, including the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the U.S. Department of
Education. Call 1-800-4FED-AID; TDD 1-800-730-8913 or visit
the FAFSA web site at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- Continue to save for college.
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