| Young Students (Pre K thru 8th Grades) |
| Preschool / Kindergarten |
| TIPS |
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If you have not already done so, apply for a social security number for your student. |
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Begin saving for college! Research and choose a savings plan that will meet your risk tolerance. |
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Make sure that careers and college are part of the school's curriculum. |
| Elementary (1st thru 5th Grade) |
| TIPS |
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Encourage your student to challenge him or herself academically. |
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Develop good study habits in your student. |
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Be involved in school and community activities (sports, scouting, etc...). |
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Discuss college and career options with your student. Encourage your student to always aim high, explore all the options, and let your student know that high school graduation is only the first large
step in the process of preparation for a career. |
| Middle School (6th thru 8th Grade) |
| TIPS |
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Continue to encourage good study habits. |
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Continue to be involved in school and community activities. |
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Make sure your student takes the right courses in middle school to be prepared for the college preparatory track in high school. Example: take Algebra I in the 8th grade; take a foreign language, if
available. |
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Encourage your student to think about people they know and the jobs they do. Do these jobs interest your student? Have them ask those people about the job, what skills and training are needed to perform
this job. What are your student's favorite subjects? What types of careers can he or she have using these favorite subjects? Example: Math - Engineering; English - Writer |
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Have your student talk to someone who is attending college - begin to find out what college is like. Begin thinking about going to a university, community college, or technical college. |
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During the spring of your student's 8th grade year, encourage him or her to sign up for the distinguished high school program track and have them take no less than the recommended high school
track. |
| HIGH SCHOOL (9th thru 12th Grades) |
| Freshman (9th Grade) |
| TIPS |
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Build strong academic skills by taking challenging courses. A "B" in Algebra means more than an "A" in Business Math to colleges and scholarship foundations. |
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Get involved at school. Participate in sports, clubs, UIL or other similar activities. These activities make high school more fun and help you develop leadership and teamwork skills that colleges and
scholarship foundations value. |
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Continue to research career interests, matching your abilities to each. Talk with your high school counselor about your interests and your future.
Discuss with your parents your career interests and college possibilities. Don't limit your possibilities. Ask them how much they can help you with paying for college. START a savings plan NOW if your family does not have
one. |
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Start a list of your awards, activities (i.e. community service, sports, scouting…), unique educational experiences, and other significant events. Keep the list updated throughout high
school. |
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Check into additional volunteer activities & summer job opportunities that will increase your skills and experience. |
| Sophomore (10th Grade) |
| TIPS |
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Continue to take the more challenging courses, building your academic skills. |
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Continue to build your leadership and teamwork skills by being involved. |
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Start thinking about colleges and universities. |
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Continue to discuss your career and college interests with your school counselor and parents. |
| MONTH to MONTH |
| |
| September |
Take your High School's career assessment test for career inventory information. |
| Take the PSAT test for practice. |
| December |
Begin your scholarship search. |
| If you intend to seek an appointment to a military academy, begin this process now. |
| May |
Update your awards and activity list. |
| June |
Use your summer time wisely by taking a job or volunteering. |
| Arrange to visit some college campuses. |
|
| Junior (11th Grade) |
| TIPS |
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Continue to take challenging courses, making the best grades possible. |
| MONTH to MONTH |
| |
| September |
Prepare for and take the PSAT test. This is the only time that the scores will be considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition. |
| October |
Make a list of colleges or universities you may want to attend and discuss them with your parents and counselor. |
| Discuss your financial plans. |
| December |
Continue to search for scholarship and financial aid sources. |
| Send letters or emails to the colleges on your list requesting information. When you receive the information, begin to evaluate the schools. |
| February |
Plan visits with your parents to the schools so that you will be on campus while classes are in session. Contact the admissions and financial aid office before visiting. |
| Sign up and prepare to take the last ACT & SAT I on the last test dates of this academic year. You should take both tests. The college must use the better score. |
| March |
Begin to narrow your list of college and career choices. |
| If you intend to apply for an ROTC scholarship, begin this process now. |
| May |
Update your awards and activity list. |
| Consider taking a college course at the local community college this summer. |
| Look for a summer job or volunteer activity. |
| June |
Begin writing your resume, assembling writing samples, portfolios, audition tapes or any other information that you may use in your college application. |
| July |
Sign up, prepare for, and take the THEA test; if applicable. |
| Try to narrow your school choices to no more than three. |
| August |
Begin admission, scholarship and financial aid application processes if you are planning to attend a school that has an early decision deadline. Keep copies of everything. |
| Be aware of DEADLINES for admission, scholarships, and financial aid. Each date will probably be different at each school. |
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| Senior (12th Grade) |
| TIPS |
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Continue to take challenging courses. DO NOT LET UP IN YOUR SENIOR YEAR! |
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REMEMBER TO KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SEND ALONG WITH THE DATES YOU SENT THEM! |
| MONTH to MONTH |
| |
| September |
Meet with your counselor to review and evaluate your college plans considering your ACT & SAT test scores and high school grades thus far. |
| Sign up to take or retake the ACT and SAT tests, if needed. |
| Sign up to take the THEA test, if applicable. |
| Make sure your high school transcript is correct and current. |
| Ask an adult who knows you well (usually not a family member) to write you a general letter of recommendation that can be copied and signed each time you need it. |
| Start the official process by making sure you have completed all required steps in the admission, scholarships and financial aid processes at each school you want to attend. Do not forget about
housing reservations, if applicable. |
| October |
Attend with your parents any local or regional college fairs including financial aid fairs or presentations. |
| Visit your preferred schools while classes are in session if you have not already done so. |
| Continue the admission, scholarships and financial aid application processes as needed. |
| If admission interviews are recommended, schedule them. |
| November |
If you have applied for a military academy appointment, an ROTC scholarship program, or at an early decision school, make sure everything is finalized. |
| December |
You should have an answer if you applied for a military academy appointment, an ROTC scholarship program, or at an early decision school. |
| January |
If you are going to a community college or technical college, inquire about admission, scholarships and financial aid processes and deadlines. |
| Pick up the new Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) from your high school counselor. |
| Encourage your parents to complete their income tax papers as quickly as possible. Have them help you complete the FAFSA. You may do this on the web or fill it out and mail it. Either way, KEEP A
COPY! |
| Check on the status of your admission and financial aid applications as needed. |
| February |
Complete the FAFSA if you haven't already done so. |
| Continue to monitor all applications. |
| March |
You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail, which is the result generated from your FAFSA. When you receive it, make sure all of the information is correct. Contact the financial aid
office of each school that you listed on the FAFSA and ask for a status report on your request for financial aid. Ask them when you should expect an award letter. |
| Begin the application process for all local scholarships. |
| April |
It is time to decide on a school. You may want to visit the campus again if you are having a difficult time making your decision, but don't delay any longer. |
| BE AWARE OF ALL DEADLINES & MEET THEM! |
| May |
Finalize details with your parents on paying room deposits, tuition deposits, and other immediate expenses. |
| Make sure your high school counselor sends your final transcript to the school you are going to attend. |
| Apply for a summer job. |
|
GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL
|
| June |
Notify your college financial aid office of any outside scholarships, grants or other kinds of student aid from private sources that you will receive. |
| Review your financial aid award letter with your parents. Follow the directions completely, sign it, and return it to the financial aid office. If you have questions or concerns, call immediately
or schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor. |
| If you were awarded a Stafford loan, follow the application instructions carefully. If your parents are applying for a PLUS (parent) loan, ask them to begin the process through the college
financial aid office as soon as possible. |
| Choose a Brazos lender for both loans. It makes a difference later on. |
| Look for information from your new college about orientation, housing and tuition bills, course selection and other initial activities. Return all materials related to these activities on a timely
basis. |
| If you accepted a Federal Work Study award in your aid package, it may be your responsibility to find an appropriate job. Check with the financial aid office. |
| July |
Make sure all things listed for June have been completed. |
| August |
Pack for college and look forward to the arriving on campus. |
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| COLLEGE STUDENTS (Freshman thru Senior) |
| TIPS |
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Make sure that you are enrolled and that financial aid has been finalized. |
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If you have taken out a Stafford loan, set up a loan file to keep all materials pertaining to those loans together. |
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Become involved but do not "overload yourself" |
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Don't be afraid to ask questions of your dorm counselor, professor, etc., when you need help with something. |
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Study! Study! Study! |
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Complete any entrance and exit counseling required by your financial aid office. You will need to complete this in order to receive your grades and graduate. |
| AFTER COLLEGE |
| TIPS |
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Make sure that you meet your school's requirement for completing Entrance and Exit Counseling. Your grades and transcripts may not be released until you complete this requirement. |
| MONTH to MONTH |
| |
| Graduation,Withdrawal, or Half Time |
The timeline starts the first day after graduation, separation or your last day of at least half-time class attendance. |
| Six Months after Graduation |
Grace Period. This is a transition period that allows you time to get a job and prepare for repayment. It is a good time to develop a monthly budget. |
| 120 Days |
Your lender will send you a repayment schedule that will provide you with your outstanding balance, amount of interest expected to accrue over the life of the loan, monthly payment amount, and the
number of expected payments. |
| 180 Days |
Your repayment period begins the day after your grace period ends. Your normal repayment period will last for 120 months (ten years). |
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| RETURNING STUDENTS |
| TIPS |
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This is for the non-traditional student returning to complete or start an undergraduate, graduate degree or certificate program. |
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Be aware of how long will it take to complete your choice of program and be sure of any maximum time limit requirements. |
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Can you transfer completed credits and receive credits for life experience? |
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Do you have to take entrance or placement tests? |
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Check with your school to see if they offer programs geared especially for adult learners. This may allow you to schedule classes around a job and family responsibilities. |
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Ask the financial aid office about financial aid offered to your course of study. Is there aid for half-time and less than half-time students? Does the financial aid office allow for loss of income if
you change from full-time employment to half-time or quit? |
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Does the school help with job placement for their graduates? |
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Does your employer offer tuition assistance or reimbursement? |
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Get the admission and financial aid deadlines early and meet them. |
| MONTH to MONTH |
| |
| January |
If you are going to a community college or technical college, inquire about admission, scholarships and financial aid processes and deadlines. |
| Request all academic transcripts from previous schools to be sent to your new school. |
| Pick up the new Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) from your high school counselor. |
| Finish your own or encourage your parents to complete their income tax papers as quickly as possible. You may do this on the web or fill it out and mail it. Either way, KEEP A COPY! |
| Check on the status of your admission and financial aid applications as needed. |
| March |
You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail, which is the result generated from your FAFSA. When you receive it, make sure all of the information is correct. Contact the financial aid
office of the school that you listed on the FAFSA and ask for a status report on your request for financial aid. Ask them when you should expect an award letter. |
| Begin the application process for all local scholarships. |
| BE AWARE OF ALL DEADLINES & MEET THEM! |
| June |
Notify your college financial aid office of any outside scholarships, grants or other kinds of student aid from private sources that you will receive. |
| Review your financial aid award letter. Follow the directions completely, sign it, and return it to the financial aid office. If you have questions or concerns, call immediately or schedule an
appointment with a financial aid counselor. |
| If you were awarded a Stafford loan, follow the application instructions carefully. If your parents are applying for a PLUS (parent) loan, ask them to begin the process through the college
financial aid office as soon as possible. |
| Choose a Brazos lender for both loans. It makes a difference later on. |
| Look for information from your new college about orientation, housing and tuition bills, course selection and other initial activities. Return all materials related to these activities on a timely
basis. |
| If you accepted a Federal Work Study award in your aid package, it may be your responsibility to find an appropriate job. Check with the financial aid office. |
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