• Meet with your school counselor to make sure your classes are preparing you for college or career goals. The courses you take during freshman year help shape the rest of your high school experience.
• Start or continue saving for college. Most financial aid programs expect families to contribute toward educational costs, so planning early can make a difference.
• Begin learning about scholarships, grants, financial aid, and federal and state resources that can help pay for college.
• When possible, participate in programs or courses offered on nearby college campuses. Experiencing campus life early can help students see themselves as future college students.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities such as clubs, athletics, music, journalism, student leadership, or volunteer work. Colleges often look for students who are active and engaged outside the classroom.
• Keep track of your activities, volunteer hours, awards, leadership roles, and accomplishments in a folder or digital document. This information will be helpful later for college applications, scholarship applications, and essays.

• Register for and take the PSAT and/or the PreACT. These tests provide valuable practice for future college entrance exams. Free SAT and ACT practice resources are available through the official testing websites and other college preparation platforms.
• Start thinking about career interests and future goals. Talk with your school counselor, teachers, family members, and professionals about careers that interest you and the education or training those careers may require.
• Review your class schedule to make sure it aligns with your diploma path, college goals, and career interests.
• Begin exploring colleges and universities that interest you. Use college websites, virtual tours, and ASLA’s College Search Tool learn more about programs, campus life, admissions requirements, and costs. A listing of institutions in Arkansas can be found on the Arkansas Division of Higher Education’s website.
• Visit colleges when possible. Campus tours, information sessions, and virtual visits can help students better understand what different colleges have to offer.
• Continue participating in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, athletics, music, leadership organizations, or other interests that help build experience and involvement.
• Keep an updated record of your activities, achievements, awards, leadership roles, and volunteer service. This information will be useful later for college and scholarship applications.
• Start or continue saving for college. Most financial aid programs expect families to contribute toward educational costs, so planning is important.

Your junior year of high school is one of the most important years in preparing for college. This is the time to focus on strong grades, challenging coursework, standardized testing, and building your college and scholarship plans.

If you have not started planning for college yet, now is the time to get organized. Create a filing system to keep track of important information, including academic achievements, leadership roles, work experience, community service, awards, and extracurricular activities. These details will be valuable when completing college and scholarship applications.

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• Determine your college list based on both academic and financial fit. Use ASLA’s College Search Tool to compare college cost costs. Further explore financing options using ASLA’s Loan Estimator, and better understand what colleges may be affordable for your family.
• Take a challenging course schedule that includes college preparatory, honors, AP, or concurrent credit courses when available and appropriate. Many colleges allow high school students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time.
• Register in early fall for the PSAT/NMSQT in October. This test serves as both practice for the SAT and the qualifying exam for National Merit Scholarships.
• Continue preparing for the ACT and SAT by using free online resources, including practice tests available through the ACT and SAT websites.
• Begin searching for scholarship opportunities and create a timeline for senior-year application deadlines. Utilize free scholarship search tools, including ASLA’s College Planning Services’ Scholarship Search.
• Start identifying your college selection priorities, such as academic programs, location, campus size, cost, extracurricular opportunities, and career preparation.
• Research colleges of interest using websites, college fairs, brochures, virtual tours, and campus visits.
• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT during the spring of your junior year. Be sure to check which tests are required or recommended by the colleges you are considering.
• If you are enrolled in AP courses, register for and complete AP exams in the spring.
• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if you plan to participate in Division I or II athletics in college.
• Begin visiting college campuses. While summer visits are convenient, visiting when classes are in session provides a better sense of campus life and student experience.
• Be aware that earnings from spring and summer employment may impact future financial aid eligibility.
• Start or continue saving for college. The federal financial aid process assumes families will contribute toward educational expenses when possible.

Your senior year is your final opportunity to prepare for college and make important decisions about your future. Staying organized is essential. Create a filing system and calendar to keep track of college applications, scholarship deadlines, financial aid documents, and other important materials. Planning ahead will make the process much less stressful.

Review your ACT and/or SAT scores and determine whether retaking the tests could improve your college admission or scholarship opportunities. It is also a good time to revisit freshman, sophomore, and junior year checklists to ensure you have completed all important college planning steps.

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• Continue taking a strong college preparatory curriculum. Colleges will review both your senior-year courses and academic performance during the admissions process.
• Register for and take the ACT, SAT, or any required subject tests during the fall if needed.
• Continue using free online test preparation resources, including practice tools available through the ACT and SAT websites.
• Begin drafting college and scholarship essays during the summer or early fall. Give yourself time to revise and seek feedback from teachers, counselors, family members, or mentors.
• Continue visiting colleges and narrow your list of potential schools. If available, take advantage of overnight campus visits at the colleges you are seriously considering.
• Begin thinking seriously about your college major and future career goals. Consider your interests, strengths, and long-term plans as you explore possible fields of study.
• Prepare for possible college admission interviews. Be ready to discuss your interests, goals, academic background, and reasons for applying to the school. Dress appropriately, arrive on time, and practice beforehand.
• Complete college and scholarship applications carefully and submit them before all deadlines. Pay close attention to special admission options such as Early Action and Early Decision.
• Apply to multiple colleges and always have a strong “Plan B” option, not just one school choice.
• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if you plan to play sports at a Division I or II college.
• Search for scholarship opportunities throughout your senior year and continue applying for scholarships whenever eligible.
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after it becomes available. Filing early may increase eligibility for certain types of aid.
• Apply for Arkansas state scholarships through the Arkansas Division of Higher Education beginning October 1 through ADHE’s Scholarship Application Management System (SAMS).
• Attend financial aid workshops at your high school or in your community to receive assistance with completing the FAFSA and understanding the financial aid process.
• Review your Financial Aid Summary at studentaid.gov and compare financial aid offers from the colleges where you have been accepted.
• Make informed college financing decisions by comparing your financial aid and borrowing options carefully. Review all costs associated with attending college and understand your repayment responsibilities before borrowing by using tools from the ASLA Toolbox.
• Visit your final college choices and meet with admissions and financial aid staff before making your decision.
• Submit your enrollment deposit by the college’s deadline, typically May 1, unless another date is specified by the institution.
• Register for and complete AP exams for any AP classes you are taking during your senior year.
• Consider taking CLEP exams if your college accepts them for credit.
• Complete all required paperwork for housing, loans, orientation, and enroll at the college you plan to attend.
• Attend orientation and registration sessions offered by your college to help prepare for your transition to campus life.
• Continue saving for college expenses whenever possible. Even small savings can help reduce future financial stress.