There’s a lot a 10th-grade student can do to stay on the right track toward college, and a lot a parent can do to help.
Take a look at these tips for thinking about the future, managing time, taking standardized tests, and more.
Students
To Do:
- Meet with your school counselor or mentor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
- Consider taking a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), or check out the ACT Aspire exam "sandbox."
- Plan to use your summer wisely: Work, volunteer, or take a summer course (away or at a local college).
- Go to career information events to get a more detailed look at career options.
- Research majors that might be a good fit with your interests and goals based on your results from the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search.
To Explore:
- Learn the differences between grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.
Parents
To Do:
- Find out whether your child’s school has college nights or financial aid nights. Plan to attend those events with your child.
- Help your child develop independence by encouraging him or her to take responsibility for balancing homework with any other activities or a part-time job.
To Explore:
- Learn about the standardized tests your child will be taking during 10th through 12th grades.
- Get a brief overview of financial aid from Federal Student Aid at a Glance.
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