Planning Your Final Year of High School- Checklist
Senior Year | |
Enroll in courses | |
Volunteer 25 hours | |
Take at least one SAT prep test on Khan Academy | |
Take the ACT or SAT again if you need to get a better score very early in your senior year | |
Take AP tests for college credit hours- if taking AP classes | |
Complete resume | |
Plan with your E3 Mentor all year | |
Get a job/summer internship | |
Go on at least 2 college visits (you get two excused absence at school for college visits) | |
Apply to college | |
Get accepted to college!! | |
Prepare for college- housing/food plans/books, etc. | |
Check in with the school counselor- see if you are eligible for fee waivers! You can apply to 4 colleges for free! | |
Apply for FAFSA in October | |
If joining the military- meet with your recruiter to plan | |
If planning on receiving a career certificate, follow all college readiness plans above as well as working with technical school to ensure you are enrolled. |
Paying for College
There are many ways to pay for college. Please answer the following questions:
FAFSA/TAFSA is free money that you can get in college, up to $6,000 a year! We are going to give you the information you need to prepare your parents. You will need their help to apply. The application opens up for you and your parents in October of your senior year of high school.
Summer Before 12th Grade
Students: TO DO LIST:
( ) Create a username and password called an FSA ID that you’ll use to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. You and your parent will each need your own unique FSA ID. Learn about the FSA ID, and create yours, at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing . 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. Your parent has their own and you have your own FSA ID.
( ) Focus on your Top 5 Colleges. And make sure they are realistic in nature to ensure acceptance. Don’t focus on only colleges that are a long shot to get into. Make sure at least 1 of your 5 is a Community College. If you are focused on Trade School, do you have 1 or 2 options?
( ) Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines.
( ) 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’s deadlines and requirements.
( )Apply for scholarships. You can never have too much scholarship money!
( ) Find out what government financial aid you can apply for, and how.
( ) Be careful when searching for scholarships. Don’t apply for sweepstakes. And you should never have to spend money to apply for a Scholarship!
Parents: TO DO LIST:
( ) Create your own FSA ID if you don’t have one yet. (See “To Do” in the “Summer Before 12th Grade: Students” section for details.) This will be a different FSA ID than your student.
( ) Review your financial situation and make sure your child is looking into or already has applied for scholarships.
( ) Ask your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children.
( ) Find out whether your child has added any schools to his or her college wish list since the last time you visited colleges. Visit additional campuses if possible.
( ) Take a closer look at Student Aid websites to ensure you understand the federal aid programs and upcoming application.
Check List from Now Though Summer