High School
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Every Year 9th Grade 10th Grade |
11th Grade Summer Before 12th Grade 12th Grade |
Summer Before 12th Grade
Students
To Do:
- 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 under a particular college’s early decision or early action program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements.
- Update your information in FAFSA4caster one last time at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov, and compare the results to the actual costs at colleges to which you will apply. To supplement any aid FAFSA4caster estimates you might receive, be sure to apply for scholarships. Your goal is to minimize the amount of loan funds you borrow.
To Explore:
- Find out what government financial aid you can apply for, and how, in the following parts of Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid at www.studentaid.ed.gov/guide:
- Part A, “What You Should Know Before You Apply”
- Part B, “How Do I Apply?,” especially the first two sections, “Getting Your Federal Student Aid PIN” and “Completing the FAFSA”
- Be careful when searching for scholarships: Read “Don’t Get Scammed on Your Way to College!”.
Parents
To Do:
- 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, and visit additional campuses if possible.
To Explore:
- Take a closer look at Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid at www.studentaid.ed.gov/guide to ensure you understand the federal aid programs and upcoming application process.
