Planning for college? Trying to stay organized? Need help keeping up with all of your high school information?
Well, I have created the perfect tool to help with all of these needs. The College Planner!
I designed the college planner to help you stay organized while beginning the college thought process. I would recommend looking through the entire planner to get an overall picture of what is included.
The first part of the planner includes a checklist for each grade level 9th – 12th. It is best practice to complete these checklists each year. However, if you purchase the planner later in high school, just fill out the checklist as soon as possible and continue to add information as you recall accomplishments, awards, programs you were involved in, etc. If you choose to attend a college that requires an essay upon entrance, then this information will be very useful.
Next, is the FAFSA section, which is Federal Student Aid. You will need to create an account which will require a parent user name and password and also a student user name and password. You can begin creating a FAFSA as soon as October the 1st of the year prior to college and it needs to be filled each year. For example, if the freshman year of college will begin August of 2021 then the FAFSA window opens October 1st of 2020. Also, remember the earlier that you fill out the FAFSA the better chance of receiving financial aid if you are eligible.
The next section includes
- making a list of colleges that you are considering
- making a list of scholarships to apply for
- keep up with colleges that you are applying to
- stay organized during your college visits
There is a section for ACT, SAT and the military test called the ASVAB. Each of these exams requires you to create an account, pay a fee, sign up for a test date. Be sure and keep up with your username and password and scores for each of test, you can document this in your college planner. You will need to log into these accounts often throughout the application process.
I have also included a goal sheet and short interests page to complete. The goal sheet was added later after my sons first choice school did not work out and we decided on a second school. He attended a smaller college where he was offered a pole vault scholarship. During the first semester of his freshman year, he broke his leg and was no longer able to pole vault. He needed to come up with a plan B, due to break he was not able to remain at school and had to move home and attend the local community college to finish his courses. Once he completed those courses, he then applied at a larger four year university, was accepted, worked the rest of summer to save up money for his living expenses and began his sophomore year.
He was reminded that sometimes in life things do not work our as we think they will, so it is always best to have a back up plan or another option.
The last part of the planner includes a year long school calendar to track any important dates throughout your senior year.
The planner can be purchased as a hard copy spiral bound book for $29.99 or if you prefer to print your own planner and place into a 3 ring binder like this one that I purchased at Amazon, then you may want to purchase the digital download version. This version is only $17.99.
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