b'55CHECKLISTS 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 College Paying for College Create 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 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 their goalEstimate 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 submit course and/or find online test prep tools (p. 30). the FAFSA as close to October 1 as possible Talk with your child about making good personal(pp. 44-45).decisions, which will support their goal ofRemember: a college is not the right fit if it is attending college (pp. 9-11). not affordable for your family. Find out if you have access to NAVIANCE Family 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. 52). Research colleges together to identify schoolsTalk with your child about managing expensesthat fit your childs needs academically, socially, at college (p. 54).and financially (pp. 14-25).Encourage your child to use on-campus resources,Attend college fairs and visit colleges with yoursuch as tutoring, the health center, and thechild (pp. 21-22). counseling center (p. 52). 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 his or herthem and keeping paperwork organized (p. 38). college. Your child must sign a waiver to grant you access 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.'