Four-year Planning Guide

It's never too soon to start planning and preparing for college. Let us help you prepare for college from your freshman through senior year of high school!

9th Grade

Students

To Do

  • 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.
  • Get involved in school or community based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. Consider working, volunteering, and/or participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, or science. Remember—it’s quality (not quantity) that counts.
  • Ask your guidance counselor or teachers what Advanced Placement courses are available, whether you are eligible, and how to enroll in them.
  • Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search tool to research your career options.
  • Start a list of your awards, honors, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Update it throughout high school.

To Explore

  • Check out KnowHow2Go: The Four Steps to College, which suggests some actions you can take as you start thinking about education beyond high school.
  • Learn about managing your money.
  • Explore reasons to consider college and ways you can get help preparing.

Parents

To Do

  • Talk to your child about college plans as if he or she will definitely go to college.
  • Keep an eye on your child’s study habits and grades—stay involved.
  • Encourage your child to take Advanced Placement or other challenging classes.
  • Add to your child’s college savings account regularly; and make sure you are fully aware of the provisions of the account.

To Explore

  • Address your concerns about whether your child can or should go to college.

10th Grade

Students

To Do

  • Meet with your school counselor or mentor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
  • Consider taking a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) or check out the ACT Aspire exam "Sandbox".
  • Plan to use your summer wisely: Work, volunteer, or take a summer course away or at a local college.
  • Go to career information events to get a more detailed look at career options.
  • Research majors that might be a good fit with your interests and goals based on your results from the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search.

To Explore

Parents

To Do

  • Find out whether your child’s school has college nights or financial aid nights. Plan to attend those events with your child.
  • Help your child develop independence by encouraging him or her to take responsibility for balancing homework with any other activities or a part-time job.

To Explore

  • Learn about the standardized tests your child will be taking during 10th through 12th grades.
  • Get a brief overview of financial aid from Federal Student Aid at a Glance.

11th Grade

Students

To Do

  • Go to college fairs and college preparation presentations hosted by college representatives.
  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT. In California, 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 standardized 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 or if they are test optional (no test required).
  • Use a free scholarship search 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.

Summer Before 12th Grade

  • Create a username and password called an FSA ID that you’ll use to confirm your identity when accessing your government financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. Learn about the FSA ID and create yours. Note: You must create your own FSA ID; if your parent creates it for you, that’ll cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process.
  • 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.
  • Decide whether you are going to apply for admission under a particular college’s early decision, early action, or regular decision program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements.

To Explore

  • Find out what government financial aid you can apply for, and how, in Federal Student Aid at a Glance.
  • Learn how to avoid scholarship scams and identity theft as you look for financial aid and then attend college.

Parents

To Do

  • Create your own FSA ID if you don’t have one yet. (The FSA ID is a username and password that you’ll use for such purposes as signing your child’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Note: You must create your own FSA ID. If your child creates it for you, or if you create your child’s, that’ll cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process.
  • Take a look at your financial situation and be sure you’re on the right track to pay for college.
  • Talk to your child about the schools he or she is considering. Ask why those schools appeal to your child and help him or her clarify goals and priorities.
  • Attend college fairs with your child, but don’t take over the conversation with the college representatives. Just listen, and let your child do the talking.
  • Take your child to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session.
  • Make sure your child is looking into or already has applied for scholarships.
  • Ask your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children.

To Explore

12th Grade

Students

To Do

  • Work hard all the way to graduation—second semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility.
  • Stay involved in after school activities and seek leadership roles if possible.
  • As soon as possible after its Oct. 1 release, complete and submit your FAFSA form at fafsa.gov, along with any other financial aid applications your chosen school(s) may require. You should submit your FAFSA form by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February.
  • After you submit the FAFSA form, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks. This document lists your answers to the questions on your FAFSA form and gives you some basic information about your aid eligibility. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.
  • If you haven’t done so already, register for and take the standardized tests - typically the SAT and/or ACT . Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require or if they are test optional.
  • Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions and pay close attention to all deadlines.
  • Well before your college application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit the required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’re applying.
  • 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.

To Explore

Parents

To Do

  • Work with your child on filling out the FAFSA form.

To Explore