Preparing for Post-Secondary Education
  Junior High
  • Continue saving money for college/tech school or start now
    • Missouri tax saving plan, investments, savings accounts, etc.
  • Start talking about careers & education
  • Use your Missouri Connections account and continue to explore career options
 Freshman Year
  • Think about what you would like to be when you graduate
    • Research post-secondary education requirements
    • Look at what opportunities there are for the education
  • Use your high school classes as a way to prepare
    • Expand your papers, essay answers, etc. to help you write at a higher level
    • Talk to your teachers about college/tech school
  • Participate in agriculture and business contests throughout high school as a way to improve public speaking, organization, teamwork, and other skills
  • Get involved in extracurricular & community activities
    • Many scholarships are available for students who participate in school & community endeavors
    • Activities also help build relationships and increase that communication factor needed beyond high school
  • Talk to others in the community
    • Talk with someone who has a job that is of interest
 Sophomore Year
  • Use your SAE opportunity in agriculture class to explore a future career possibility
  • Take the ACT test toward the end of the year or in the summer if you would like to try it (The score may be lower than desired because you haven’t had many classes but it will give you an idea of which classes to focus on in the future)
  • Stay involved in positive activities
  • Talk with teachers, school counselor, community member, etc on going to college
Junior Year
  • Take the ACT test (at least one time)
    • Use FREE online resources to help prepare
    • ACT prep workshops are available in the area but there are usually associated fees
  • Tour college campuses
    • Visit while on vacation during the summer or other school breaks
    • Tour while at music contests, ag contests, business contests, sporting events, etc.
  • Research colleges
    • Look online and discover college admission requirements:
      • What high school classes are needed
      • What ACT score is accepted
    • Find out what activities, organizations, etc. are offered to students
    • Investigate living options
    • Research scholarship opportunities
  • Talk to college representatives who come to the school
  • Student athletes need to register with the NCAA clearinghouse if interested college athletics
 Senior Year
  • Take the ACT several times until desired score is obtained
  • Tour college campuses
    • Each senior gets 2 college visits
    • Take advantage of different times you are on campus for various contests & activities
  • Select high school classes that will prepare you for college     (LA IV, Statistics, Anatomy, Dual Credit)
  • Continue to research colleges
    • Narrow down to a couple of options & then take a tour
    • Apply to the colleges
  • Search for scholarships
  • Talk to college representatives who come to the school
    • Even if you don’t wish to attend that college
    • Ask questions relevant to housing, scholarships, activities, etc

​Beware of Scholarship SCAMS
Be alert for services that solicit money in exchange for scholarships. Watch out for pitches that boast:
           1. "You're a finalist!" or "You've won!" a contest or
                 scholarship you never entered. You must apply for
                 scholarships first to receive them. 
             2. "Millions of dollars go unclaimed." Legitimate
                 scholarship awards are predetermined. 
             3. "We'll do the work for you, for a fee." Make sure you
                 do your research before paying anyone to do a
                 search for you. 
If it sounds too good to be true......it probably is! Scholarship applications should NOT cost any money.
Websites to Explore & Plan for College
The College Board                          (www.collegeboard.org/parents/)
College Navigator                           (nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/)
Edge Factor Career Exploration   (edgefactor.com/my-success) 
Get Ready for College                    (www.aie.org)
How to Apply for College        (scribbr.com/college-essay/applying-for-college/)
Mapping Your Future                    (mappingyourfuture.org)
March 2 Success                            (march2success.com/)
Missouri Saving for Tuition (MO$T) Program   (missourimost.org/)
Schools in the USA.com                (educationconnection.com)
Study Soup                                      (studysoup.com)
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
College Bound Student-Athlete Guide
               NCAA                                 NAIA                                  NJCAA    
NCAA Clearinghouse       NAIA Clearinghouse      NJCAA Clearinghouse

Financial Aid & Scholarship Websites
https.bold.org 
www.collegeboard.org
www.collegeispossible.org
www.Collegescholarships.org
www.fastweb.com
www.finaid.org 
www.imagine-america.org/applyforscholarships/
www.moolahspot.com​
www.meritaid.com 
MyScholarshipCentral.org
www.salliemae.com/college-planning/
www.salliemae.com/student-loans/
www.scholarships.com​
scholarshipopportunity.org/​
studentaid.gov/
studentscholarships.org​
Military Information Websites
studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/military
todaysmilitary.com 
​www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/
www.va.gov/education/
www.military.com/education