11th Grade Year For both Students and Parents, it’s crucial to stay on top of college preparations during the 11th grade year and the following summer. Here’s what you should be doing- including looking into careers, searching for scholarships, and keeping the college savings account on track. Students: 

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Explore careers and their earning potential in either Bridges (Choices Planner tool – www.bridges.com – your counselor has codes if you need them to make your own portfolio account or check with the CTEC counselor for your school codes) – or – Occupational Outlook Handbook at this link: http://www.bls.gov/ooh Narrow down your college choices – need help with learning how to choose a college check out this website link: http://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools (all the different types of college etc.) – Go to your Family Connection account and be sure to save your top colleges for your counselor to review with you. Have a conversation with your parents about paying for college. It is not their responsibility to pay for your college, it is not a “right” you have but a “gift” from your parents IF they can pay or help pay for your college education. ASK!

 Go to College Fairs! Frisco ISD has a fair in mid September watch for details!  Take the PSAT in October! You must take the test in the 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.

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Narrow down your college selections to your top 3 to 5 colleges by early spring. In mid to early spring plan to take either / or both the SAT and/or ACT. Some colleges require a subject test with the SAT - check with your college choices. Apply for scholarships – Apply for scholarships – Apply for scholarships – Apply for scholarships Visit colleges to get a feel for the campus. Tour the campus, sit in on a class or two (really like to have you sit in on a Biology lecture class and a class in your career interest area), visit with a college academic advisor, visit with the financial aid advisors (with mom and dad on this one), and pick up a college newspaper (usually found just outside the bookstore – this is to find out what is really concerns the students have at the college). Decide if you are going to apply under a particular college’s early decision or early action program. Be sure to learn about deadlines and requirements. Use the FAFSA4Caster (https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm?execution=e1s1 ) to estimate and compare the results to the actual cost at the 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. Learn how to avoid scholarship scams and identity theft as you look for financial aid and then attend college. Check out this website link: http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/scams

Remember: Register for all tests (ACT / SAT) in advance and be sure to give yourself time to prepare appropriately! If you have difficulty paying for a registration fee, see your school counselor about getting a fee waiver.

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Take a look at your financial situations, and be sure you’re on the right track to either pay / help pay / or let your student know you cannot pay for college. Talk to your student about the schools he/she is considering. Ask why those schools appeal to them and help him/her clarify goals and priorities for their education and career. Attend college fairs with your student, but don’t take over the conversation with the college representatives. Just listen, and let your student do the talking. Take your student to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session. Let your student take the lead! Support your student as they work on scholarships to help pay for college. Ask your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children. Get in-depth information on the Federal Student Aid Programs – check this website address for more information: http://studentaid.ed.gov/types Learn about student and parent loans in this booklet “Your Federal Student Loans: Learn the Basics and Manage Your Debt” – here is the website address: http://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/yourfederal-student-loans_0.pdf Find out how the federal student aid application process works – here is a good informational website address: http://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa

http://StudentAid.Ed.Gov/Prepare -for-college/checklists/11th-grade