b'61Checklists Stay on track throughout high school with these checklists to help you prepare for college.ACTIVITYFamily 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, typically beginningTalk with your child about making good personalin October (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 to Xello through your school and learn how it can help you through theTransitioning to Collegecollege admissions process (p. 6).Make sure your child keeps current with mail and Applying to College email the summer before college for instructions related to housing, billing, medical forms, etc. (p. 59). Research colleges together to identify schoolsTalk with your child about managing expensesthat fit your childs needs academically, socially, at college (p. 60).and financially (pp. 14-25). Encourage your child to use on-campus resources,Attend college fairs and visit colleges with your such as tutoring, the health center, and thechild (pp. 21-22). counseling center (p. 58). Be aware of deadlines for college applicationsThe Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and financial aid forms. Put deadlines on a (FERPA) protects your childs privacy, but denies family calendar. you access to financial, healthcare, or educational Help your child with applications by proofreadinginformation about your child from their college.them and keeping paperwork organized (p. 38). Your child must sign a waiver to grant you access Make copies of all documents sent by mail or to college bills, transcripts, and/or healthsubmitted online and place in a college file. information. Look for information about FERPA Designate a place for all college-related mail andon the colleges website.regularly review it together.'