Winter break is coming up, and your teen may have grand plans to live on the couch while binging reality TV. As fun as that may be, winter break is a really good small chunk of time to do some specific college prep. Encourage your teen to take the occasional break from doing nothing to make some gains on planning for the future. Read my latest blog for suggestions on how to do college prep during winter break by high school grade.

There are literally hundreds of millions of dollars available to students in the form of private scholarships, but it takes time and effort to apply. Read my latest blog for some tips to help you prepare successful scholarship applications.

An often overlooked component to seeking scholarships is calculating your financial eligibility. Your total student aid, including federal or state need-based aid, subsidized loans, and scholarships cannot exceed your total cost of college.

College is expensive, and most of the cost is up to the student and their family to pay. Part of your financial aid package will include the availability of federal loans. Before you apply for a student loan, it’s important to look into scholarship opportunities.

It’s vital to remember that people are always watching your online life, have access to your online history, and will judge you based on what you present. Take stock of your social media habits and personality to make sure that you’re not causing yourself potential problems.

As colleges and universities around the country are re-opening to students and live classes, they are also beginning to offer prospective student tours again. Visiting the schools you’re applying to is a fun and educational rite of passage, so take advantage of school visits before you commit to a top choice.

On October 1st, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and College Board CSS Profile will open for the 2022/2023 academic year. Colleges use these forms to determine aid eligibility. For teens and families, these forms may seem intimidating, but with the right preparation, it’s extremely manageable!

While your essay might be on any number of topics, customizing it to the school of your choice will not only attract admissions officers to your application, but it will also help you solidify your belief that this school will be a good fit for you.

By planning early and maximizing the four years of high school for exploration and self-discovery, teens can enhance admissions results and enter college with confidence.

Determining the “right fit” college is critical to successful college admissions. As your family begins the college search, consider these tips to help you assess the institutional and academic department and ensure they align with your teen’s values and goals.

Students are striving for a competitive GPA with honors and AP classes, and they are motivated to earn college credit before graduation. This method may work for some students, but it is not a magic formula. Your high school journey can be far more nuanced while still supporting your higher education goals.

Your high school schedule is packed with classes, homework, test preparation, activities, clubs, social commitments, and maybe even a part-time job. As you work through all these things physically, you are mentally on a journey of self-discovery and planning for your future.

No student needs to travel the path to college selection and career mapping alone. Every student has access to a network of people who provide information, encouragement, and guidance in support of making well-informed decisions.