Use this checklist to ensure you and your high school student are ready for college.

Freshmen Year

• Continue saving for college. If necessary, consult a financial adviser for help structuring your college savings plan.
• Start looking for scholarships.
• Emphasize to your teen the importance of taking "college prep" courses.
• Work with your child to identify academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Begin comparing college costs (tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation).
• Track all activities—academic and extracurricular.

Sophomore Year

• Continue saving for college. If necessary, consult a financial adviser for help structuring your college savings plan.
• Continue looking for scholarships.
• Evaluate careers of interest and the level of education required to support those goals.
• Encourage your child to make plans for honors courses in 11th and 12th grades, if advised for desired occupation.
• Make a plan to start visiting college campuses.
• Take the PSAT.

Junior Year

• Continue saving for college. If necessary, consult a financial adviser for help structuring your college savings plan.
• Start applying for scholarships.
• Start estimating your realistic contribution for your child’s education.
• Let your child know how much you can afford to contribute toward his schooling.
• Be sure your child is taking appropriate college prep courses.
• Find out the dates and locations of college fairs or parent nights in your area; mark your calendar and invite your child.
• Visit colleges and universities.
• Make sure your child registers to take required college admissions tests.

Senior Year

August–December

• Continue saving for college. If necessary, consult a financial adviser for help structuring your college savings plan.
• Continue applying for scholarships.
• Attend a financial aid presentation. See guidance office for details.
• Help your child track college application and decision deadlines.
• Be sure to get a U.S. Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from from your child’s high school counselor.
• Begin collecting documentation you'll need to complete the FAFSA.

December

• Save your last pay stub for this year to help you complete the FAFSA.

January–May

• Complete and file the FAFSA with your child as soon as possible after January 1.
• Prepare and file your federal income taxes as early as possible; schools may ask for them as verification of income.
• Help your child track college applications, decision deadlines, and important financial aid and scholarship deadlines.
• Letters of admission and financial aid offers will usually arrive by April.
• Help your child weigh the pros and cons of each school.
• Make a decision about how you will finance your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and begin the paperwork (this includes reading, signing, and sending in a promissory note if you are borrowing money).

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