Parents- High School Planning Guide

1High School Planning Guide for Parents and Students

Parents – 10 Steps to Planning for Your Child’s Education

1. Save money as early as possible to help pay for your child’s education.

2. Encourage your child to prepare academically for higher education, by taking the right classes.

3. Discuss with your child his/her skills and interests, career options and schools he/she is interested in attending.

4. Meet with the high school guidance counselor to determine what schools match your child’s academic abilities.

5. Gather information about the schools your child is interested in attending including information on financial aid. Review the junior year tips and follow the senior year calendar to help your student prepare for admissions and financial aid.

6. Help your child apply for admission. To apply for financial aid, help your child complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

7. Consider scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs. Complete any necessary applications and forms.

8. Consider Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS loans) only after you’ve researched free financial aid.

9. Consider the loan programs available to you and your child. Federal loan programs include: Federal Family Education Loans, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans.

10. Help your child to manager his/her student loan debt by deciding how much you and your student can afford to borrow and pay.