b'61Checklists Stay on track throughout high school with these checklists to help you prepare for college.Family ChecklistParents and guardians: whether or not you are a college graduate, you are an essential member of your childs college prep team. Working together from ninth grade through the transition to college is important for your childs success.This checklist will guide you through each stage of the college admissions process. ChecklistsPreparing for CollegePaying for CollegeCreate an environment at home that is conduciveInvolve your child in discussions about financing to doing schoolwork (p. 10). their college education (pp. 39-43). Talk with school counselors and teachers about Attend financial aid workshops and do researchyour childs college plans and ask how you can online (pp. 39-50).support their path to college (p. 6).Open a Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Plan Learn about college prep programs for high account. Learn more at www.pa529.com .schoolers, like Advance at College, SummerHelp your child research scholarships (pp. 51-52).Search, and Upward Bound (p. 66).Estimate your Student Aid Index (SAI) (p. 40). Enroll your child in an SAT or ACT preparation Help your high school senior complete and submit course and/or find online test prep tools (p. 30). the FAFSA as soon as possible, beginning in Talk with your child about making good personalDecember 2023 (pp. 44-45).decisions, which will support their goal ofRemember: a college is not the right fit if itattending college (pp. 9-11). is not affordable for your family. Find out if you have access toNAVIANCEFamily Connection through your school and learn how Transitioning to Collegeit can help you through the college admissions Make sure your child keeps current with mail and process (p. 6). email the summer before college for instructions Applying to College related to housing, billing, medical forms, etc. (p. 59). Talk with your child about managing expenses Research colleges together to identify schools at college (p. 60).that fit your childs needs academically, socially,and financially (pp. 14-25).Encourage your child to use on-campus resources, such as tutoring, the health center, and the Attend college fairs and visit colleges with your counseling center (p. 58).child (pp. 21-22). The Family Educational Rights and Privacy ActBe aware of deadlines for college applications (FERPA) protects your childs privacy, but denies and financial aid forms. Put deadlines on a you access to financial, healthcare, or educationalfamily calendar. information about your child from their college. Help your child with applications by proofreadingYour child must sign a waiver to grant you accessthem and keeping paperwork organized (p. 38). to college bills, transcripts, and/or health Make copies of all documents sent by mail or information. Look for information about FERPAsubmitted online and place in a college file. on the colleges website. Designate a place for all college-related mail and regulary review it together.'