3. Plan ahead August and September  Write or email colleges for catalogs, applications and financial aid forms applications  Check registration dates  Check deadlines for ACT and SAT tests

4. Plan ahead August and September  Register for test(s)  Give teacher recommendation forms

5. Plan ahead October - November  Take (or retake) SAT and/or ACT  Schedule interviews (if required)  Apply for “early decision” (optional)

6. Plan ahead December  Fill out financial aid forms financial aid financial aid  Finish and mail in applications Finish and mail in applicationsFinish and mail in applications

7. Plan ahead January  Mail in financial aid forms financial aid financial aid

8. Plan ahead February  Review Student Aid Report

9. Plan ahead March - April - May  Review school offer(s)  Notify school(s) of decisions

10. How college works --Credit system: generally 1 credit assigned for the number of hours you meet each week. -- Most courses are 3 credits (meet 3 hrs. a week) --Some courses are more credits (higher math, etc. can be 4-5 credits). -- Some courses are fewer credits (p.e., certain labs are usually 1-2 credits) -- 12 credits is considered full time; most students take 12-15 hours. -- An overload is considered anything over 18 hours.

11. First two years -- General education courses such as composition, math, government, biology, etc. are required along with electives such as p.e. and art and whatever you are interested in taking. --After two years you take the CLAST test in order to go on to the upper level classes or to transfer to a university from a community college.

12. Last two years -- Last two years are a concentration in your “major”; your field of study. This will require anywhere from 30 to 45 credits + electives. -- A “minor” is a field of study with 15 or more credits. --To get a Bachelor’s degree, you earn 120-150 credits. -- A Master’s degree requires 30-45 credits beyond a Bachelor’s degree and is in a concentrated area of study. -- A Doctorate (also called a Ph.D.) requires approximately 90 hours BEYOND the Master’s degree.

13. Money matters Tuition -- the money you pay to take the class (pays professor’s salary, energy costs, etc.). Fail a class? Don’t get your money back. Fees -- for laboratories, activities, parking, etc. Room-- If you live on campus, this is the money you pay for your dormitory. Board (aka meal plan): Money you pay to eat at the college’s cafeterias. You can choose 1, 2 or 3 meals a day; or 14 meals a week, etc. Books: Books will run $70 - $120 EACH! Buy used if you can! (They are already notated and highlighted)

14. Money matters Scholarships -- Money awarded for meeting certain criteria. Most are related to high academic achievement. Some may be related to ethnicity, volunteering, a parent’s job, a talent, athletic skill, etc. Grants -- based on financial need. You will need to fill out a FAFSA form in order to receive grants. Loans -- banks and other institutions will lend you money for college at low interest rates. You will not need to pay back until you finish college (OR DROP OUT). Work study -- the college will give you a job on campus to help you with expenses.