| The Federal Student Aid website helps Parents prepare for college. Following are suggestions on preparing your child for college. |
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Pre-High School:
- Start saving for college and researching College savings plans provided in the State of Florida.
- Motivate your child to do their best in school. If they are having difficulty, don’t give up---see if there is a mentor or after-school program to help students with their homework.
- Encourage your student to become involved in school or community-based extracurricular activities that enable your child to explore their interests, meet others and learn new things.
High School EVERY Year:
- Continue to save for college.
- Your child must initiate challenges by including additional core courses in their academic subjects.
- Encourage your child to stay involved in school and community-based extracurricular activities.
- Your son or daughter should apply for a part-time job and volunteer work that will enhance their college applications.
High School – Freshman Year:
- Your student should continue to take challenging core courses.
- Start Planning for college and visit the www.studentaid.ed.gov site for research on careers and college options.
- Visit http://student.assessment.com/StudentArea/default.asp for a motivational appraisal on personal potential. This site provides a free assessment for high school and college students to identify their top 20 career areas, tasks associated with that career and educational resources.
- Visit http://www.floridanext.com/ and you will find a great resource on how to prepare your child who is currently attending high school and going to college in the fall.
High School – Sophomore Year:
- Make sure your sophomore student is continuing to take challenging core classes at high school.
- Parents should meet with the school guidance counselor to discuss colleges and their entrance requirements.
High School – Junior Year:
ALL YEAR
- Your child must continue to take challenging or advanced courses at their high school to prepare for college.
- Research colleges that interest your son or daughter.
- Investigate financial aid and scholarships options so that you understand the different programs.
- Visit colleges that your child is interested in attending.
- In their junior year a student should take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Your child must take the test in the 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Program.
- Encourage your son and/or daughter to register for and take exams that are needed for college admission. Many colleges accept the SAT while others accept the ACT.
High School – The summer before their Senior Year:
- Narrow down the list of colleges that your child is interested in attending. If you can, visit the schools at this time or during the fall semester of their Junior Year.
- Contact the college admission office to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements and deadlines.
- Apply early to the college that your child would most like to attend because this is your student’s college of choice. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements.
High School – Senior Year:
- Students must work hard all year in school to keep their grades up and still maintain involvement in extra-curricular activities after school and on weekends. Have your child seek out leadership roles. This will help to strengthen their admission application.
- Parents should meet with guidance counselors to make sure their child is on the right track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.
- At this time your son or daughter must apply to the colleges they have chosen.
- Make sure your child requests letters of recommendation and transcripts EARLY in the year. Teachers will get multiple requests for letters of recommendation. It’s important to request their assistance as soon as possible.
- Even if you feel your child will not qualify for federal student aid; you should still apply and wait for the response. You might be surprised!
- Complete your income taxes for the given tax year in January. After January 1st sit down with your son or daughter and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with any other financial aid applications the school may require.
- Once your child has received their acceptance letters, please notify the college if they decide to attend. For many colleges in Florida and other states they require a deposit and confirmation by May 1 of the upcoming school year.
Here are some helpful questions to ask when visiting college campuses:
This information was obtained from Meeting College Costs, College Board, 2004. Visit www.collegeboard.com for additional resources and excellent information about “Preparing for College.”
1. Does the college charge a standard amount for tuition and fees for the academic year, or does tuition vary by enrollment status (number of credits carried)? What is the typical number of credits first-year students carry? Upper-class students?
2. Does the college give academic credits for advanced placement courses? Under what conditions?
3. Does the cost of a residence hall room vary by the quality of the room or other factors? What is the cost of a single room, a double room or a triple room?
4. Can first-year students live off-campus? What is the average rental cost in the college community?
5. Are there different meal plan options for off-campus students vs. on-campus?
6. What are the typical costs for books and supplies for your child’s intended major?
7. Are all students expected to own computers, or only students in certain majors? Are computers readily available in computer labs?
8. How much should we budget for our child’s personal expenses?
9. Are there special fees to consider such as lab fees, health insurance, music, sorority, fraternity, athletics and loan fees?
10. How long will it take to graduate? Does the graduation rate vary by major?
11. What is the total cost of education for the average undergraduate student?
12. By what percentage have education costs increased each year for the past five years?
Select E-campus tours to request a virtual reality tour of the campus your child may be interested in attending.
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