Financial Aid Basics
Information courtesy of AES (www.AESmentor.org)

Are You “College-Ready”?

Regardless of whether you’re a sophomore, junior, or senior in high school, you may think that post-secondary schooling is well down the road for you, with plenty of time for you to think about it later. Actually, there are several things that you need to start doing right now if you want to prove yourself as the type of student that admission counselors are looking for. 

1. Think about different jobs and careers that interest you. Then think about your own interests, skills, and talents. The Internet is a great resource to help you get started. Also, talk to those professionals who already work in the field that you are interested in. Get the inside scoop on what that career really entails. This will give you a better idea as to whether this is what you would like to do.

2. Start thinking about the type of school that you would like to attend. Through AESmentor (www.aesmentor.org) you can compare colleges and universities across the nation in terms of total enrollment, campus setting, average class size, tuition, and the percentage of attending students who receive financial aid. You can also take virtual campus tours. The Matching Assistant allows you to search for schools that meet your specific criteria. A free e-mail service is also provided, allowing you to create an account through which you can communicate with those schools that interest you.

3. Make sure that you have taken all of the necessary courses in school. Just as there are certain requirements you must fulfill to graduate from high school, there are requirements for going on to higher education. Talk with your high school counselor and check informational brochures on schools you are interested in attending. 

4. If you can, take Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These courses take a more in-depth look at the subject, and usually require more applied theory and preparation than a general-study course. However, if you accept the challenge you may be able to skip college introductory courses in that subject. AP tests are offered to first-year students allowing them to “test out” of these classes. For example, if you take AP English while in high school, and pass the test, you could be taking a course directly relating to your major while other students are taking English 101 to fulfill the school’s core requirements.

5. Study hard! You don’t have to be the smartest student in your school, or even earn the highest GPA, but you do need to work hard and meet your own potential. You can show an admission counselor dedication and initiative by working hard to earn high marks and showing improvement. Don’t be discouraged and keep working!

6. Get involved in extracurricular activities. Don’t overdo it and join several all at once, but select activities that interest you and allow you to exhibit your leadership skills. Consider sports teams, school clubs, community groups, and church activities. Most admissions counselors are looking for a well-rounded student—someone who can bring more than just “book smarts” to their school. Plus, it shows that you are responsible enough to handle the pressures of schooling, while still taking part in other activities. 

7. Take advantage of your school counselor’s experience. In addition to the information and advice that your counselor can offer, you will find post-secondary school brochures, scholarship applications, admission applications, financial aid applications, SAT dates, and much more. Your school counselor will also be sending your high school transcripts to the schools that you are applying to, so it is important to form a good relationship early on. 

It’s important to get started on these right away to ensure your place at your chosen post-secondary school!