Four-Year Planning Guide

For Students

• Challenge yourself academically. Take strong core classes in English, math, science, and social studies, along with foreign language, computer science, and arts courses when available.
• Get involved. Explore school clubs, community activities, volunteering, work, summer programs, or camps that match your interests.
• Ask about advanced courses. Talk with your counselor or teachers about Advanced Placement or other challenging classes.
• Explore careers. Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s career tools to learn about different career paths.
• Track your accomplishments. Keep a list of awards, honors, work, volunteer experience, and extracurricular activities throughout high school.

For Families

• Talk about college as an expected and achievable next step.
• Stay involved in study habits and grades.
• Encourage challenging or Advanced Placement courses when appropriate.
• Continue contributing to college savings and understand how the account works.
• Talk through any concerns about whether college is the right path.

For Students

• Meet with your counselor or mentor. Talk about colleges and admission requirements.
• Explore testing. Consider a practice PSAT/NMSQT or check out the ACT Aspire exam “Sandbox.”
• Use your summer well. Work, volunteer, or take a summer course.
• Explore careers. Attend career events and learn more about fields that interest you.
• Research majors. Use your career interests to begin exploring college majors that may be a good fit based on your results from the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search.
• Learn the basics of financial aid. Understand the differences among grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.

For Families

• Attend college nights or financial aid events with your student.
• Encourage your student to balance school, activities, and work independently.
• Learn about the standardized tests students may take during high school.
• Review an overview of financial aid through Federal Student Aid.

For Students

• Attend college fairs and presentations. Meet representatives and ask questions.
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT, if appropriate for your goals.
• Review admission testing requirements. Check whether the colleges you’re considering require the SAT, ACT, or are test optional.
• Search for scholarships early. Some deadlines begin before senior year.

Summer Before 12th Grade

• Create your own FSA ID for federal financial aid access and signatures.
• Narrow your college list and visit campuses when possible.
• Contact colleges about admission, financial aid, requirements, and deadlines.
• Understand application options. Learn the differences among early decision, early action, and regular decision before choosing how to apply.

For Families

• Create your own FSA ID if needed. Parents and students should each use their own account.
• Review your family’s financial plan for college.
• Talk with your student about the schools they’re considering and why.
• Attend college fairs, but let your student lead conversations with representatives.
• Visit campuses together, preferably while classes are in session.
• Encourage your student to search and apply for scholarships.
• Check whether your employer offers scholarships for employees’ children.

For Students

• Finish strong. Your senior-year grades may still affect admission or scholarship eligibility.
• Stay involved. Continue participating in activities and look for leadership opportunities.
• Complete the FAFSA and any other required financial aid applications by your schools’ deadlines.
• Review your FAFSA information and make corrections if needed.
• Complete admission testing, if required by the colleges you’re considering.
• Submit your college applications and carefully follow each school’s instructions and deadlines.
• Request required documents early. Give counselors and teachers time to send transcripts or recommendations.
• Finish scholarship applications.
• Visit colleges that you’re seriously considering.
• Compare admission and financial aid offers.
• Ask questions about financial aid. Contact the school’s financial aid office if anything is unclear.
• Choose your college and complete the required commitment steps, including any enrollment deposit.

For Families

• Make sure your child’s personal information is safe when he or she applies for financial aid. For tips, read Federal Student Aid and Identity Theft.
• Read IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education to see how you might benefit from federal income tax credits for education expenses.
• Help your child learn about the responsibilities involved in accepting a student loan by reviewing “What should I consider when taking out federal student loans?” with him or her.
• Look at communications from schools to which your child sent FAFSA information. If a school has offered you or your child Direct PLUS Loans, the Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students and Federal Student Loans: Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents booklets might be useful to you.