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Dear Parents of Seniors,

I know how busy you are, so I’ll keep this simple.

For scholarships, the most important thing is to DO THE APPLICATION NOW.  I often suggest that by January of senior year, if you haven’t completed all your applications, that becomes your priority.  I suggest you put ALL other things on hold and do ONLY your applications.  It can make a huge difference financially to get them done as quickly as possible.  Often scholarship money is first come, first served. Many clients are already hearing about great scholarships – which means less money available for others that apply later.

The first most important thing for scholarships is to apply now.
The second most important thing is the application essay.
The third most important thing is the FAFSA.
The last is looking for outside scholarships.

If you need some help, I have some resources to get you going quickly.

#1 Applications: Real Fast College Applications
#2 Essays: College Application Essays — a Primer for Parents
#3 FAFSA: Five Minute FAFSA
#4 Private Scholarships: College Scholarships for High School Credit

If you have done those things, this article will help you with the other things to do during senior year: 15 Point Senior Year Inspection Checklist

Just so you know, I realize life can get crazy, and I know this situation can happen to anyone.  I’m just hear to help – not judge.

Calendar reminders for January

Seniors
Parents need to fill out the FAFSA now, even if it is just an estimate. You can correct the FAFSA when you finish your taxes in April, but they need an estimate as soon as possible – every day later means missed financial aid.

Juniors
Register for the SAT or ACT, and take it in March. Plan your college visits; what colleges will you visit? What week will you go? It’s important to do these things now, so senior year goes well.

Sophomores
Look online at two colleges, a private and a public school. What do they want from homeschool students? What courses do you need? Do you need to take a subject test this year?

Freshmen
Be sure to cover the core classes: reading, writing, math, science, and history. Those are classes you need to cover every year.

Middle School
Avoid panic! Spend some time this month learning how to homeschool high school. That way next year you’ll begin high school feeling confident in your decision to homeschool.

Learn more about steps you can take right now to meet all of your homeschool high school goals.

If you have a high school junior, it’s VERY important to visit some colleges now. It’s virtually impossible to know “the real college” unless you visit it. By next fall, your child will need to start college applications. If at all possible, visit colleges while classes are in session, so you can get to know students, professors, and see the campus “in action.” That means that you need to hurry, though. Colleges are finishing up their spring quarter, and you want to get your visit in quickly! By the way, it’s great for sophomores (and younger!) to visit now as well!

If you feel overwhelmed with the whole idea of college visits, my Finding a College can provide a primer for you.

Freshmen – 9th Grade:
Plan a rigorous curriculum, and don’t skimp on math. Here is an example of a typical course of study. Adjust it to meet your needs.

Sophomores – 10th Grade:
Take the PSAT “for fun” in October. Take a sample SAT and ACT test, and see which one you prefer. Learn how to write a 25-minute essay.

Juniors – 11th Grade:
Take the PSAT “for real” in October. You will be asked to list your favorite college. Go to college fairs, and decide on a long list of colleges you want to visit.

Seniors – 12th Grade:
Start college applications! They take a LONG time and a lot of effort, and sometimes scholarship money is “first come, first served.” Take the ACT or SAT if you haven’t yet, or if you can significantly raise your score by taking it again.

Homeschool Parents:
During the PSAT, students will be asked about their classes and grades, so you may want to explain that to them. It also asks about college majors and career interests. Colleges use that to contact students they want to attract.

9th Grade:
Plan a rigorous curriculum! See the ACT College Preparation Plan.

10th Grade:
Consider taking the PSAT “for fun.” Register for the PSAT here.

11th Grade:
Go to a college fair. Register by Sept. 15 to take the PSAT “for real” Register for the PSAT.

12th Grade:
Start college applications, and take the ACT or SAT. Register for the ACT or SAT for the first or second time.

Parents: Plan your record keeping strategies for the year, and visit a College Fair.

Seniors – Apply for College and Register for Tests
It takes a long time to complete a college application. Start now, and send it in as soon as they start accepting applications. Financial decisions may be made “first come first served” and applying early may help you get the best financial aid package. Register for ACT test by August 10th if you want to take the test on September 15th. Register for the SAT online before September 10th if you want your student to take the SAT or SAT II subject tests on October 6. This time of year, it’s usually the seniors who take the SAT, while younger students concentrate on the PSAT instead.

Juniors – Register now for the PSAT exam
The PSAT will be given on Wednesday October 17 or Saturday October 20th this year. You have to register at a local high school, public or private. Contact them as soon as possible to register – at least by the first week of school. Warning: Students must take the PSAT/NMSQT in eleventh grade to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship! There is only one opportunity to take this test each year, so register now for the October test!

Sophomores – Consider taking the PSAT
You may want to take the PSAT for practice, along with high school juniors. It won’t count for the National Merit Scholarship Competition yet, but it is good practice for next year, and at $13, it’s a cheap way to get a standardized test if required by your state. About half of the students who take the PSAT are actually sophomores.

Freshmen – Choose challenging courses!

Choose challenging courses this fall, so that you have maximum flexibility when it’s time to choose a college. Don’t skimp on the math and writing!