top 10 Parent Tips

1. Encourage your student to take a challenging high school curriculum.
   (Consult with your guidance counselor)
• www.collegeispossible.org
• www.yic.gov/secondary/
2. Help your student research a college that fits them.
• www.studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege
• www.collegeboard.com/csearch
3. Insist your student takes the appropriate tests
• www.act.org
• www.collegeboard.com/testing/
4. Familiarize yourself with the application process.
   (Apply first semester senior year)
   • www.collegeforyou.org
   • www.yic.gov/secondary/
5. Research your family’s eligibility for financial aid.
• www.mapping-your-future.org/paying/
• www.studentaid.ed.gov
6. Help your student investigate scholarship opportunities early.
   (Start in the 9th grade)
• www.collegeanswer.com
• www.fastweb.com
7. Beware of scholarship scams!
• www.guideforparents.com
• www.nacac.com/preventscams.html
8. Understand specific costs associated with college.
• www.collegeanswer.com
• www.collegeconfidential.com/financial_aid/
9. Fill out the FAFSA in January of your student’s senior year and every year thereafter that they are in college.
• www.fafsa.ed.gov
10. Investigate student and parent loans.
    • www.finaid.org/loans/
    • www.scholarships.com/EducationLoans.asp