FAMILY &
EDUCATION NEWS

Middle school

Students should take time to develop study skills and get the hang of studying often. It can be with a friend or alone, whatever makes it easier for them to focus. They can talk to school counselors about taking harder classes, ones that will challenge their minds. It could be foreign language, a science class, a harder math class even. Start saving any bit of money you can get from gifts and or allowances, you can put this toward college. Visit high schools that have a great educational program, one that you could see yourself actually elevating academically. Start having conversations with your family about possible career choices in the near future. Parents should start a savings plan as early as possible for college funds. ​

9th Grade

Apply for a Social Security number on onlineFootnote. You can ask your school counselor about taking aptitude and skills assessments. Study career information that would interest you in the future. Take college level classes in high school to get ahead and better prepared. talk with your parents and teachers about career opportunities. Make sure your doing extracurricular activities weather its a sports team, band, or theater, anything at all. Visit college campus any chance you get. As a parent you should calculate your expected family contribution and also look into financial aid options. ​

Grade 10: Sophomore year

Students should start looking at scholarship search material. The PSAT or PLAN as a practice examination. You can Check with the school counselor for dates and cost. Continue to take appropriate courses for high school graduation requirements and college admission. Talk to your parents, relatives, and people in your community about different careers. You can ask the guidance office has special software for career searches. Some software packages you may find are Discover, My Road, Career Cruising, and Guidance Direct. Start looking at different colleges on the websites. For more detailed information contact the colleges for catalogs and departmental material. Ask an older sibling who is visiting colleges with your parents, if you can join them. Re-calculate your EFC. Compare it with the one completed last year to determine any changes in the expected family contribution.  

Grade 11: Junior year — fall/winter

Students should continue to take appropriate courses to graduate high school and for college admission. Find out about AP courses with your school counselor. Many colleges look for AP courses, and in the long run they may shorten your time in college. Start applying to grants and scholarships. Narrow down your college list and call the colleges asking for an estimate of financial aid. Financial Aid will go based off of your family income. Think about career choices and attend college fairs and seminars. Take the PSAT this is very important to get into college. ​Start to draft a plan on how the family plans to pay for college expenses. ​

Summer before grade 12: Senior year

Students should Visit colleges on family vacations. Also you should get a job and save a substantial portion of your earnings. Students should begin to request admission and financial aid application material and continue to apply for private and outside scholarships. (Note the deadline dates.)

Grade 12: Senior year — fall (September to December)

Students, continue to visit colleges, attend open houses, college fairs, and college day. Have meetings with college representatives when they visit your school or sponsor an event in your community. Request admission and financial aid applications from colleges on your list. Be sure to take the appropriate high school courses for graduation requirements and college admission. You can continue to apply for private and outside grants and scholarships just pay attention to the deadline dates. Submit your college admissions application according to the college's timetable. Make a folder for each college and keep a record of material submitted to the college. You can ask the financial aid office if they will provide an estimate of student aid based on your high school record and current family financial situation Be sure to register to receive the CSS Financial Aid Profile form, you must do so in October if any of your prospective colleges require it. Submit the Profile according to the college's timetable. Take the SAT/ACT if you plan to attend college after your senior year, or discuss with your school counselor if you should retake the SAT/ACT and what time is appropriate. Always obtain a PIN for parent and applicant for completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in January.

Grade 12: Senior year — winter (January to March)

Students should submit their FAFSA online or by mail between January 1 and February 15. If the college requires the FAFSA submitted any earlier, follow its timetable. Still apply for private and outside grants and scholarships before the deadline. After you submit the FAFSA, you will get an SAR, which will have an EFC listed on it. This EFC is the amount that colleges will use to determine your eligibility for federal student aid and often, but not always, the amount they expect the family to contribute toward college. If the SAR has mistakes, you should correct the mistakes online immediately. You will then receive a corrected SAR. Males 18 years or older have to register for the Selective Service to receive federal student aid. To register, complete the box on the FAFSA form. Apply for state financial aid according to the state's timetable and application procedure. Be sure to submit and respond to all colleges' requests quickly, for any information including the family's most recent federal tax forms.

Grade 12: Senior year — spring (April to May)

Students can review financial aid award letters with your parents. If you do not understand anything contact the financial aid office. Look at all college award letters. Look closely for the amount of grants and loans. Keep noted how much your family is expected to pay for your college education at each college. Know which colleges you may need more money for and contact the financial aid office. Which ever colleges you don't choose, notify them that you do not plan to enroll there​. You must re apply for financial aid every year.