Planning Your Future

Questions to Resolve

1. How much education can you afford?
2. Describe three career paths of interest.
3. Are you willing to relocate out of the community, the state of Florida, the southeastern region, the United States?
4. Follow the Leader: Investigate three resumes of leaders in your career path.
5. Describe five career and five personal goals that you would like to accomplish within ten years of graduating with a degree.

It's All About the Money

1. Scholarship Newsletter (Nov-Dec 2012)
2. Download the 2011-2012 Scholarship Guide
   
3. How to Cut your College Costs in half- Dual Enrollment
4. Colleges Pay Students a Salary: Career Colleges/Professional Development Program- i.e. Northrop Grumman
5. Begin your grants and scholarships search  

Primary Sites

1. College Prep 101
2. Making the Transition from High School to College for Students with Disabilities

Student/ Parent To Do List

Getting Started

• Create a portfolio of your best work and extra-curricular activities on Google Suites (web)
• Interact with college, university, and trade campuses each year to identify the correct educational choice that fits your needs
• When narrowing your final selections investigate the resumes of the leaders currently in your career field

9th Grade

• Check your Academic Evaluations for grades and status towards meeting requirements for graduation, Bright Futures scholarships, and state university admissions online at www.facts.org.
• If you haven't already, look at possible careers and education requirements.
• Know your graduation requirements. If you're thinking about college, know the Bright Futures scholarships and state university admissions requirements too.
• Review your ePEP and update as needed.
• Take school work seriously because every year and course counts.
• Schedule a time to meet with your guidance counselor.
• Try to take computer classes early in high school because it will help with future courses.

10th Grade

• Check your Academic Evaluations for grades and status towards meeting requirements online at www.facts.org.
• Meet with your guidance counselor about placement into advanced coursework.
• Take the PSAT test in October; it's the SAT practice test and the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test.
• Get involved…explore clubs and organizations available at school. Future employers and schools like to see active students.

11th Grade

• Check your Academic Evaluations for grades and status towards meeting requirements online at www.facts.org.
• Register to take the PSAT test in October; it's the SAT practice test and the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test.
• Attend career and college fairs held at your high school or in the area.
• Register for the SAT or ACT test; registration deadlines are usually a month before the test date. The tests are offered several times a year and can be re-taken.
• Try to take advanced coursework; some courses can earn college credit with certain test scores. No matter what, employers and future schools like to see challenging courses.
• Spend some time in the guidance office or on FACTS.org reading information about different options and financial aid availability, talk with your parents about your goals.
• Be aware of deadlines and requirements for admission at schools you are considering.
• Narrow down your list of potential schools and contact them for an application and a new student information packet.
• Interested in an athletic scholarship? Talk to your coaches, contact the athletic departments of your favorite schools, or go to the NCAA web site for more information.
• Plan visits to college campuses. Make appointments, especially if visiting during the summer.

12th Grade

• Check your Academic Evaluations for grades and status towards meeting requirements through facts.org.
• Certain courses can earn college credit...know what scores you need.
• Register for the fall SAT or ACT by September.
• Apply for admission to your future school by October or November.
• In December, fill out the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) for state aid, including Bright Futures at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
• In January, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Make sure you list the schools or colleges you applied to on the form.
• Wait for college admission decisions and financial aid award letters from the schools/colleges you applied to. Determine the college best meeting your personal academic goals and financial needs (financial aid packages vary from one school to another).
• Many schools have an early-May decision deadline to accept or decline applicants.
• Not accepted? Work with guidance counselors to find colleges and universities with openings if your top choices are not available.
• When you make a decision, let the other colleges you applied to know. This frees up places and possible financial aid for other students.
• Be aware, after acceptance there may still be things to do such as arranging for final transcripts to be sent, housing applications, and immunizations.
• Don't slack off!! All senior year courses are considered and admission offers can be taken back for poor performance.

In order to receive priority housing and scholarships, apply to your university choices as early as possible and no later than the deadline. All universities prefer that you apply online. Each universities' online application fee is $30. If you have used an SAT fee waiver, you may receive up to 4 application fee waivers from your school counselor. You are also eligible for a fee waiver for the NCAA Clearinghouse if needed. After you have completed your applications, please remember to do the following:
1) Request your high school transcipt to be sent to each postsecondary school from our school registrar,
2) If applicable, mail your application fee waiver to each university, and
3) check your application status online to make sure all needed documents have been received by those institutions.