b'55CHeCkLIsts Stay on track throughout high school with these checklists to help you prepare for college.FaMILYCHeCkLIstParents and guardians: whether or not you are a college graduate, you are an essential member of your childs CollegePrep 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 College Paying for CollegeCreate an environment at home that is conduciveInvolve your child in discussions about financingto doing schoolwork. his or her college education.Talk with school counselors and teachers about Attend financial aid workshops and do research your childs college plans and ask how you canonline (pp. 39-50).support their path to college. Open a Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Plan Learn about Philadelphia Futures Sponsor-A- account. Learn more at www.pa529.com.Scholar and College Connection Programs and Help your child research scholarships (p. 50).how they can help your child reach his or her goal Estimate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)of earning a college degree (back cover). (p. 40).Enroll your child in an SAT or ACT preparation Help your high school senior complete and course and/or find online test prep tools (p. 30). submit the FAFSA as close to October 1 as possibleTalk with your child about making good personal (pp. 44-45).decisions, which will support his or her goal ofRemember: a college is not the right fit if it isattending college (pp. 9-11). not aordable for your family.Find out if you have access toNAVIANCE FamilyConnection through your school and learn how it Transitioning to Collegecan help you through the college admissions process. Make sure your child keeps current with mail andApplying to College email the summer before college, for instructionsResearch colleges together to identify schoolsrelated to housing, billing, medical forms, etc.that fit your childs needs academically, socially,Talk with your child about managing expenses and financially.at college (p. 54).Attend college fairs and visit colleges with your Encourage your child to use on-campus resources,child (pp. 21-22). such as tutoring, the health center, and the Be aware of deadlines for college applicationscounseling center (p. 52).and financial aid forms. Put deadlines on aThe Family Educational Rights and Privacy Actfamily calendar. (FERPA) protects your childs privacy, but deniesHelp your child with applications by proofreading you access to financial, healthcare, or educational them and keeping paperwork organized. information about your child from his or her college. Your child must sign a waiver to grant youMake copies of all documents sent by mail oraccess to college bills, transcripts, and/or health submitted online and place in a college file. information. Look for information about FERPAon the colleges website.'