Freshmen​

​TO DO:

• Talk to your school counselor or teachers about Advanced Placement courses. Find out what courses are available, whether you are eligible, and how to enroll in them. 

• Use the career search at StudentAid.gov/careersearch to search your career options.

• Make a list of your awards, honors, extracurricular activities, and paid and volunteer work. Consider participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such a music, arts, or science.

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TO EXPLORE:

• Visit StudentAid.gov/whycollege for a quick rundown on why deciding to attend college is a no-brainer.

• Find ways to get help for college at StudentAid.gov/prepare-for-college/help.

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Sophomores

​TO DO:

• Meet with your school counselor or mentor to discuss colleges and their admission requirements.

• Consider taking a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) or PSAT 10, or the PreACT.

• Plan to use your summer wisely: Work, volunteer, or take a summer course (away from home or at a local college).

• Research majors that might be a good match with your interests and goals. Consider what fits well with your results from the career search at StudentAid.gov/careersearch.

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TO EXPLORE:

• Learn the differences between grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships at StudentAid.gov/types.

• Think about starting to research different colleges. Play around with the College Scoreboard tool at collegescorecard.ed.gov to explore schools based on size, location, programs, and more. 

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Juniors

​TO DO:

...all year

• Explore careers and their earning potential with the Occupational Outlook Handbook search tool at www.bls.gov/ooh.

• Learn about choosing a college (and find a link to our free college search tool) at StudentAid.gov/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools.

• Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations hosted by college representatives.

...fall

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT. You must take the test in 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.

...spring

• Register for and take exams for college admission. The tests that many colleges require are the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Check with the college you are interested in to see what tests they require.

• Use the free scholarship search tool at StudentAid.gov/scholarships 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.

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TO EXPLORE:

• Visit www.YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid and go to the "Types of Aid" playlist to see how the government can help you pay for college.​

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Seniors

​TO DO:

...all year

• 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. 

...fall

• As soon as possible after its Oct. 1 release, complete and submit you Free Application for Student Aide (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov, along with any other financial aid applications your chosen school(s) may require. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February.

• After you submit the FAFSA, 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 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 such exams as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or ACT for college admission. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.

• Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO 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.

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TO EXPLORE:

• Refer to StudentAid.gov/fafsa to learn about the FAFSA process.

• Understand the FAFSA better by watching the videos in the "FAFSA: Apply for Aid" playlist at www.YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid.