Try This Resource PDF Checklist TO DO: ALL YEAR Explore careers and their earning potential with the Occupational Outlook Handbook search tool. Or, for a fun interactive tool, try this career search. Learn about choosing a college and find a link to our free college search tool. Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations hosted by college representatives. TO DO: FALL Take the PSAT/NMSQT. You must take the test in 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program. TO DO: SPRING Register for and take exams for college admission. The standardized tests that many colleges require are the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require. Use a free scholarship search to find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon. Find out what government financial aid you can apply for, and how, in Federal Student Aid at a Glance. Learn how to avoid scholarship scams and identity theft as you look for financial aid and then attend college. REMEMBER: Register for all tests in advance and be sure to give yourself time to prepare appropriately! If you have difficulty paying a registration fee, see your school counselor about getting the fee waived.   TO DO: SUMMER BEFORE 12TH GRADE Create a username and password called an FSA ID that you’ll use to confirm your identity when accessing your government financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. Learn about the FSA ID, and create yours. Note: You must create your own FSA ID; if your parent creates it for you, that’ll cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process. (By the way, you can watch a video about creating your FSA ID below.) Narrow down the list of colleges you are considering attending. If you can, visit the schools that interest you. Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines. Decide whether you are going to apply for admission under a particular college’s early decision, early action, or regular decision program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements. How to Create Your FSA ID   Parent Checklist Try This Resource PDF Checklist TO DO: Take a look at your financial situation, and be sure you’re on the right track to pay for college. Get in-depth information on the federal student aid programs. Create your own FSA ID if you don’t have one yet. (The FSA ID is a username and password that you’ll use for such purposes as signing your child’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Note: You must create your own FSA ID. If your child creates it for you, or if you create your child’s, that’ll cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process. (Need help? You and your child should watch the “How to Create Your FSA ID” video above.) Talk to your child about the schools he or she is considering. Ask why those schools appeal to your child, and help him or her clarify goals and priorities. Attend college fairs with your child, but don’t take over the conversation with the college representatives. Just listen, and let your child do the talking. Take your child to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session. Make sure your child is looking into or already has applied for scholarships. Ask your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children. Learn about student and parent loans in Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students and Federal Student Loans: Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents.   From <https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college/checklists/11th-grade>     Schedule your SAT or ACT exam. It can be intimidating to set a date for your first standardized test, but keep in mind that you can retake either one as many times as you need to, so try not to put it off. Once you receive your scores, you’ll have a better idea of which areas to focus on improving for next time, whether that is by hiring a tutor or buying test prep books to work through at your own pace.   Take challenging classes. One benefit of AP or Dual Enrollment classes is that you can earn college credits while you’re still in high school without paying college tuition. As a bonus, graduating high school with a few college credits under your belt will allow more time to explore interesting classes or electives while you’re in college. Talk to your guidance counselor about which options would be the best fit for you.   Take on a leadership role. Are you involved in an extracurricular activity? If not, now is the time to join. Be selective in your activities by prioritizing the things that are most important to you. Those will be different for each person, whether it is a school club or organization, volunteering, or a job. You don’t have to be the best at something to take the initiative. Does your school club need new supplies? Head up a fundraising event. Does your volunteer group need a team leader for a certain project? Offer to lead or co-lead it. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to take on the role of a leader in some way.   Narrow down your list of colleges. Do you learn best in a large lecture or a small, intimate seminar? Are school sporting events or on-campus social activities important to you? Does the campus atmosphere fit your personality? You can answer these questions by visiting your prospective colleges and experiencing the campus culture for yourself. Alternatively, you can attend college fairs, information sessions, and panels in your area. Be sure to keep a notebook with your list of pros and cons for each school, so that you can refer back to them as you decide where to apply. Apply for scholarships. You don’t have to wait until senior year to start applying for grants and scholarships! At Scholarships.com, we are constantly updating our database to bring you scholarships year-round. Be sure to keep your profile information updated, so that you are ready to apply when new scholarships become available.