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Students in elementary and junior/middle school

Every student needs education beyond high school. Everyone!!!!

Here are things to know to help get you started:

Learn about different types of careers that interest you by visiting the explore careers section.
Talk to your school counselor and teachers about the following:
- Courses and classes to start taking in 9th grade.
- The importance of getting good grades (colleges look at grades beginning in grade 9).
- College preparatory classes you should be taking in high school (grades 9 through 12).
- Academic enrichment programs (including summer and weekend programs) available through your school or local colleges.
Enroll in Oklahoma's Promise. You can earn free tuition if you meet certain academic and conduct requirements. You must sign up in the 8th, 9th or 10th grade.
Get involved in activities (such as sports, performing arts, volunteer work, etc.).
Explore different types of Oklahoma postsecondary institutions at the find a college page.
Save for college.
Check out resources available to pay for college by visiting the pay for college section.

*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

Students in high school

Higher education is a must to survive in today’s world. Getting additional education after high school can open the door to many career options and great learning opportunities. Choose your grade below to find out what you can do to get ready:

9th grade

10th grade

11th grade

12th grade

9th Grade

Enroll in Oklahoma's Promise if your parents earn $50,000 or less per year at the time of application (additional income restrictions apply when the student begins college). You can earn free tuition if you meet certain academic and conduct requirements. However, you must sign up in the 8th, 9th or 10th grade. In addition to meeting the family income requirement, eligible students must attend classes regularly, complete homework assignments and attain at least a 2.5 grade point average overall and in 17 specified courses. Students must also stay away from drugs and alcohol and refrain from delinquent acts.
Talk to your school counselor and teachers about the following:
- Establishing your college preparatory classes. Your schedule should have at least 4 college preparatory classes per year, including:
  - 4 years of English
  - 3 years of math (through Algebra II or trigonometry)
  - 2 years of foreign language
  - 2 years of natural science
  - 2 years of history/social studies
  - 1 year of art
  - 1 year of electives from the above list
- Establishing course requirements for Oklahoma Colleges and Universities.
- Using the OKcollegestart.org student planner to keep track of your courses and grades.
- Enrolling in algebra or geometry classes and a foreign language for both semesters (most colleges have math and foreign language requirements).
Create a file of the following documents and notes:
- Copies of report cards
- List of awards and honors
- List of school and community activities in which you are involved, including both paid and volunteer work, and descriptions of what you do
Get involved in other activities (such as sports, performing arts, volunteer work).
Explore different types of Oklahoma postsecondary institutions at the find a college page.
Find how to save for college and resources available to pay for college by visiting pay for college section.

*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

10th Grade

Last chance to enroll in Oklahoma's Promise if your parents earn $50,000 or less per year at the time of application (additional income restrictions apply when the student begins college). You can earn free tuition if you meet certain academic and conduct requirements. However, you must sign up in the 8th, 9th or 10th grade. In addition to meeting the family income requirement, eligible students must attend classes regularly, complete homework assignments and attain at least a 2.5 grade point average overall and in 17 specified courses. Students must also stay away from drugs and alcohol and refrain from delinquent acts.
Talk to your school counselor and teachers about the following:
- High school curriculum needed to satisfy college entry requirements.
- Advanced Placement courses:
  - What courses are available
  - Eligibility requirements
  - How to enroll in your junior year
Update your file, or start one if you have not already. (See 9th Grade)
Continue other activities - these will help in the college admissions process.
Continue participation in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, science, etc.
Prepare for the ACT by taking the PLAN test.
Take the PSAT in October. The scores will not count for National Merit Scholar consideration in your sophomore year, but it is valuable practice.
Register, in April, for the SAT II for any subjects you will be completing before June.
Take the SAT II in June.
Explore different types of Oklahoma postsecondary institutions at the find a college page.
Find how to save for college and resources available to pay for college by visiting the pay for college section.

*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

11th Grade Fall Semester
Talk to your school counselor and teachers about the following: Required high school courses needed to attend an Oklahoma college or university. Enrolling in Advanced Placement classes. Scheduling to take the ACT, PSAT, SAT I and II, and AP exams. Signing up and preparing for the exams. Asking for a preview of your academic record to determine what gaps or weaknesses exists. Obtaining schedules and forms for the ACT, SAT I, SAT II, and AP exams.
September:	Register for the PSAT exam offered in October. Remember that when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the scores will count towards the National Achievement Program. Check schedule and attend a College Day/Night event in your area.
October:	Take the PSAT. Narrow your list of colleges to ten. Visit our finding a college section for more information on the schools in which you are interested. Start researching your financial aid options in the paying for college section. Begin scheduling college interviews and tours with admissions counselors.
November/December:	Review your PSAT results with your counselor to identify your strengths and areas that need improvement. You will receive your scores from the October PSAT. Depending on the results, you may want to consider signing up for an SAT preparatory course.
Spring Semester
January/February:	Take campus tours online or in person to further narrow your list of colleges. Register for the March SAT and/or the April ACT tests. Find out from each college the deadlines for applying for admission and which tests to take.
March-June:	Take the March SAT I exam. If you are interested in taking any AP exam(s), you should sign up for the exam(s) at this time. Take the April ACT test. Talk to teachers about writing letters of recommendation. Take AP, ACT, SAT I, and SAT II, exams. Add any new report cards, test scores, honors, or awards to your file. Visit colleges. Call ahead for appointments with the financial aid, admissions, and academic advisors at the college(s) in which you are most interested.
Summer Between Junior and Senior Years
Practice writing online applications, filling out rough drafts of each application, without submitting them. Review your applications, especially the essays. Ask family, friends, and teachers to review your essays for grammar, punctuation, readability, and content. Decide if you are going to apply for a college's early decision or early action programs. This requires you to submit your applications early, typically between October and December of your senior year, but offers the benefit of receiving the college's decision concerning your admission early, usually before January 1. Financial Aid Checklist Research financial aid options and deadlines for applying. Visit Mapping Your Future and Federal Student Aid for Students. Use the ACT Financial Aid Need Estimator to plan financially for college. Get tax tips for you and your parents on the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Tax Credit.
*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

12th Grade Fall Semester
September:	Check your transcripts to make sure you have all the credits you need to get into your college(s) of choice. Find out from the colleges to which you are applying whether or not they need official copies of your transcripts (transcripts sent directly from your high school) sent at the time of application. If you are enrolled in Oklahoma's Promise, ensure you have met the course requirements. Explore opportunities to earn college credit while in high school, like concurrent enrollment or AP courses. Check schedule and attend a College Day/Night event in your area. Register for October/November ACT, SAT I, and SAT II tests. Most early decision and early action applications are due between October 1 and November 1. Research financial aid options and deadlines for applying. Visit Mapping Your Future and Federal Student Aid for Students. Use the ACT Financial Aid Need Estimator to plan financially for college. Get tax tips for you and your parents on the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Tax Credit.
October:	Make a final list of schools that interest you and keep a file of deadlines and required admission items for each school. Take ACT and/or SAT tests. Have the official scores sent by the testing agency to the colleges/universities that have made your final list of schools. Register for December or January SAT I and/or SAT II tests, if necessary.
November:	Submit your college admission applications.
December:	Early decision replies usually arrive between December 1st and December 31st. If you haven not already done so, make sure your official test scores are being sent to the colleges to which you are applying. Schedule any remaining required interviews.
Spring Semester
January:	Complete and submit your college financial aid application and the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) between January 1 and February 15, and check for other financial aid options. Obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for use throughout the federal aid process from the U.S. Department of Education's PIN Web site at http://www.pin.ed.gov/. To fill out the FAFSA form, apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will use your PIN for the FAFSA. Request that your high school send your official transcripts to the colleges to which you are applying. Make sure your parents have completed their income tax forms in anticipation of the financial aid applications. If they have not completed their taxes, providing estimated figures is acceptable.
February:	If you completed the FAFSA online, you should receive your Student Aid Report (S.A.R.) within 2-4 days. If you completed a paper FAFSA, the SAR will come within four weeks. Make the necessary corrections and return it to the FAFSA processor. Complete your scholarship applications. Contact the financial aid office of the college(s) to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received, and that they have everything they need from you.
March/April:	You will probably hear from the colleges as to whether or not you are accepted by April 15. Compare your acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers.
May:	Take AP exams for any AP subjects you studied in high school. You should make a decision by May 1st as to which college you will be attending and notify the school by mailing your commitment deposit check.
June:	Have your school send your final transcripts to the college which you will be attending. Contact your college to determine when fees for tuition, room and board are due and how much they will be.
Summer After Senior Year
Participate in any summer orientation programs for incoming freshmen.
*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

Parents

Parents can begin to prepare their children for college early by:

Helping them take the right junior high and high school courses based on the type of school they wish to enroll in after high school. Students enrolled in Oklahoma's Promise will have different course requirements. For more information about courses, visit the students in high school section.
Encouraging them to maintain good grades throughout their high school experience.
Helping them decide on the right school by researching the school's curriculum, the size of the school, the type of school, and a school's affordability.
Making a visit to the college or by visiting our section on finding a college.
Helping them obtain and complete admissions applications. Visit our section on college entrance exams
Assisting them with essays and preparing for admissions interviews.
Saving for college and learning about the financial aid available. Visit our section on paying for college.

To learn about special resources offered in your state, visit our section on what resources are available to help?
*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

Adult learners

Education is for everyone. About 90 million individuals participate in some form of adult education each year, including training and basic education offered outside traditional higher education. Most colleges have structured programs and services specifically for adult learners. For more information on entering college as an adult student, visit the Oklahoma higher education Student Center.

Career Options

Why are you considering returning to school? By focusing on your reason, you can better determine your career and educational goals. Do you want to change careers, increase your earning potential, and/or resume your college education and finish a degree program? Which careers match your skills and interests? There are probably more than you can imagine. Visit our section on exploring careers for assistance.

Things to Consider

Getting training after high school may help you get a better-paying job doing work you enjoy. But going to school is a big investment. You're investing your time. Chances are you'll also have to invest your own money or take out a student loan to go to school. So you need to be sure that you're choosing the right school.

Shop around. Contact more than one school. If you're looking for vocational training, check the Yellow Pages under "Schools" for phone numbers. If your area has a community college, call the admissions office and find out what kinds of training the college offers. For information about all the different types of postsecondary institutions, visit our section on finding a college.
Visit the school. Call the school and schedule a visit, preferably while classes are being taught. Get a feel for the school; make sure you're comfortable with the facilities, the equipment, the teachers and the students.
Don't be afraid to ask! A good school will be happy to answer your questions about its programs. Ask the school about its students: How many graduate? How many get jobs because of the training they received? What kind of job placement services does the school offer students and graduates?