9th Grade
Attend 9th grade orientation for students and parents.
Explore career and college opportunities on Big Future College
Students with disabilities need to check with their counselor about applying for test accommodations on PSAT, SAT, and AP exams-College Board and ACT: ACT
Register for the PSAT at your school (cost – about $15).
Take the PSAT in October.
Attend the NACAC College Fair at Prime Osborne in October as well as other college and career fairs in the area.
Review your PSAT score report with your parents (Dec/Jan).
Sign on to My College Quick Start after receiving your PSAT scores.
Meet with your counselor to develop next year’s schedule, review post-secondary plans, and review your 4 year plan. Check on prerequisites for advanced level junior and senior courses.
Participate in and track extracurricular activities: sports, clubs, and community service (required for Bright Futures scholarships).
Turn community service hours form in to your school counseling office to be entered into the system.
Start thinking about life after high school, talk to people about careers you might find interesting.
Look for a summer job, internship or volunteer position to help you learn about your field of interest.
Put aside money for college or other post-secondary plans.
Check your Bright Futures eligibility online in March and July FLVC.
10th Grade
Explore career and college opportunities on College Board
Take the PSAT in October (FREE- for 10th graders).
Attend the NACAC College Fair at Prime Osborne in October as well as other college and career fairs in the area.
Review your PSAT score report with your parents (Dec/Jan).
Sign on to My College Quick Start after receiving your PSAT scores.
Research available test prep for ACT/SAT.
Take the PERT if you are interested in Dual Enrollment classes your junior year.
Apply for Dual Enrollment courses (if eligible).
Visit at least 3 college or other post secondary websites to review programs, admissions requirements, freshman profile, costs, and AP equivalents.
Interested in a service academy? If yes, request a pre-candidate questionnaire from the service academy.
Keep up participation in school activities and volunteer efforts.
Check your Bright Futures eligibility online in March and July FLVC .
Turn community service hours form in to your school counseling office to be entered into the system.
Meet with your counselor to develop next year’s schedule.
Attend a parent/student/counselor conference to develop post secondary plans.
Apply for ACT/SAT/AP test accommodations if you are eligible (specific deadlines and requirements apply).
Look for a job, internship or volunteer position to help you learn about your field of interest.
Put aside money for college or other post secondary.
11th Grade
*Fall
Make a list of your abilities, social/cultural preferences and personal qualities. List things you may want to study or do after high school.
Explore career and college opportunities on College Board
Make a file to manage your postsecondary plans search, testing, and application information.
Register for PSAT at your school (cost – about $15).
Take the PSAT in October.
Participate in test prep for ACT/SAT.
If interested in going into the military make sure you talk to a recruiter and take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude battery (ASVAB).
Contact your counselor about eligibility for ACT/SAT fee waivers (free and reduced lunch as well as several other criteria).
Register for ACT and/or SAT for the spring (check current costs on website or in school counseling office) ACT Website, College Board Make sure to use your school code so results come to your school!
Ask your school counselor about taking the SAT Subject Area Tests.
*Winter
Review your PSAT score report with your parents (Dec/Jan).
Sign on to My College Quick Start after receiving your PSAT scores.
Check your Bright Futures eligibility online in March and July FLVC .
*Spring
Take the ACT and/or SAT (tests are on various Saturdays Sept-June).
Take the PERT for postsecondary readiness.
Apply for Dual Enrollment courses (if eligible).
Begin your search for financial aid sources: on the district website, in your school counseling office, on college and university websites, and on various scholarship websites.
Scan local newspapers to see which civic, cultural and service organizations in your area award financial aid to graduating seniors. Start a file.
Develop a list of 10-15 colleges or other postsecondary opportunities that attract you. Request view books and information about financial aid and academic programs that interest you.
Visit colleges you might be interested in. If you are considering a service academy or ROTC scholarships, contact your counselor before leaving school for the summer. If you want a four-year ROTC scholarship, you should begin the application process the summer before your senior year.
Check your Bright Futures eligibility online in March and July.
Meet with your counselor to develop next year’s schedule, progress towards graduation requirements, and review postsecondary plans.
If you are an athlete planning to play sports in college, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center NCAA Clearning House.
Turn community service hours forms in to your school counseling office so they can be entered in the system and sent to Bright Futures in the summer.
Check YOUR Bright Futures eligibility online in March and July FLVC .
*Summer
Create a resume of your accomplishments, activities and work experience since you started high school.
Download applications (or request paper copies) from colleges to which you will apply. Check application dates- large universities may have early dates or rolling admissions.
Put aside money for college or other post secondary plans.
12th Grade
*August/September/October
Narrow your list of post secondary options. Download college applications and financial aid forms.
Create a master list or calendar that includes:
-tests you will take and their fees, dates and registration timelines
college application due dates, fees
-financial aid application forms required and their deadlines
(aid applications may be due before college applications)
-other materials you will need such as recommendations and transcripts
-your high schools application processing deadlines
(how far in advance do you need to request transcripts, recommendations)
Ask for recommendations well in advance of your deadline. Make sure to provide a profile of information about you, your goals, interests and accomplishments for the recommendation writer. (Think about who you will ask to write the recommendation- preferably someone who KNOWS you and LIKES you).
If you are submitting essays, write the first draft and ask teachers and others to review them.
If you did not have your scores sent to the colleges you are applying to, contact College Board and ACT to have scores sent.
Attend credit check meeting with counselor to review graduation status and postsecondary plans (September)
Register for the ACT and/or SAT if higher scores are needed (check current costs on website or in school counseling office). ACT, College Board
Take the ACT and/or SAT if needed (tests are on various Saturdays Sept-June).
Complete and submit college admissions applications (if eligible for test waivers may be eligible for fee waivers- check with counselor).
Complete scholarship applications.
*November/December/January
Apply for spring Dual Enrollment courses (if eligible).
Complete the online Florida Financial Aid Application for Bright Futures (beginning December 1).
Turn community service hour forms in to your school counseling office to make sure they are in the system for the 7th semester Bright Futures evaluation.
Attend a Financial Aid Night at a school for parents and students (Dec/Jan).
Attend a BEACON financial aid session for seniors at your school (Jan/Feb).
Apply for a PIN for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (for student and parent).
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens January 1.
Go online to check Bright Futures status in late February and July.
*Spring
Review financial aid packages generated by your FAFSA.
If you plan to compete in athletics in college make sure you have submitted the fees and final transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center NCAA Website.
Check your Bright Futures eligibility online in March FLVC .
*Summer
Have final transcript sent to college, NCAA.
Check 8th semester Bright Futures evaluation. Make sure the college you plan to attend is listed on the application.
Check YOUR Bright Futures eligibility online in July FLVC .
**Make note of the following:
Class Rank, State GPA (unweighted), District GPA (weighted), Bright Futures GPA (found only at FLVC.org), SAT Scores, ACT Scores, PERT