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This survey is a requirement for all seniors to complete.
You will be answering questions about yourself and your plans after you graduate.Â
What you list as your future plans will be included in the graduation program next to your name.
FINDING YOUR FIT
How To Begin Your College Search
Narrowing your college list can be overwhelming! How to start? By focusing on you! Before you begin researching colleges online, take some time to think about how YOU learn, succeed, and achieve.
Consider the following questions:
Do I want to study a certain major?
Do I want to stay in my home state or move away?
Do I want to be in a big city or small town?
What extracurricular activities would I like to join in college?
Do I want a small or large college?
Am I motivated by challenge, or by an environment with extra support?
Do I want to live in a college dorm? At home? Somewhere else?
After financial aid and scholarships, what final cost would be comfortable for me?
Do I have any savings or family support to help me pay for college?
Now you're ready to begin your search! Your answers will help you narrow your online college search to fit your priorities, helping you find the best college for YOU!
COLLEGE VISITS
College visits are one of the most important things you'll do during your college search. A college visit will let you see what a college is really like. You'll be able to talk to current students and staff, get a feel for the campus community, and get to personally experience whether the college is a good fit for you.
Step 1: Scheduling a College Visit
You can schedule a campus visit on most colleges' websites. Search "campus visit" on the search bar at the top of the college website or check the Undergraduate Admissions page of their website.
Step 2: Things to do on a College Visit
Tour campus
Ask to eat in the cafeteria
Visit a dorm room
Ask to sit in on a class
See the sports complex & gym
Go to the library & check out the tutoring or study groups
Have an IEP or 504 in high school? Visit the college's Accessibility Services office
Tour the city around the campus
Eat at an off-campus student hangout
Step 3: Ask Questions! When you see a student, consider asking...
What do you like about this college?
What do students do on the weekends?
What are classes like?
What are other students like?
What do you think of the professors?
Why did you choose this college?
Step 4: Take Notes
You may think you'll remember the details, but the more colleges you visit the more they'll start to blend together. Write down your thoughts about the campus as soon as you finish each visit. Include things like:
What did you learn about your major at this college? Include details like classes, popularity of the major, professors or experiences outside of the classroom.
If you're undecided about your major, what is the experience like for undecided students at this college? Include details like advising, general requirements, and the variety of courses available.
What clubs, sports or other activities might you join at this college? Are they a good fit for you?
What are your impressions of the students at this college? Do they seem like people you'll want as your future roommates, friends, and classmates?
Completing Your FAFSA
Step 1: Create your FSA Student ID
Students: Go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account and click "Get Started."
You'll need your legal name (no nicknames!), social security number, and your own email address that you'll have access to throughout college (not your high school email or your parent's email).
You'll create a username and password. Write them down so you'll remember later!
Step 2: Connect with your parent(s)
For most students, your parent(s) will need to create their own FSA ID. Make sure they use a different email address from yours.
If your biological or adoptive parents are married and file joint taxes, either parents may create an FSA ID.
If your biological or adoptive parents are unmarried but live together, or are married but do not file joint taxes, both will create an FSA ID.
If none of the above is true, the parent that provided the most financial support during the previous 12 months will create an FSA ID, as will that person's spouse (if they're married but don't file joint taxes).
Still unsure about parent information?
Try studentaid.gov/help/who-is-parent to decide which parent(s) need an FSA ID.
Check studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency if you think you may not have to include any parent information.
Step 3: Log in to the FAFSA
Go to fafsa.gov. Click "Log in to Start" and login with the FSA ID that you created.
You'll indicate that you're a student and will begin answering questions about yourself. After answering a few questions, if you are a dependent student, you will be asked for your parent(s)' contact information so that they can be invited to join your FAFSA.
Step 4: Complete the FAFSA
The student and parent(s) will each log in separately to complete their own part of the FAFSA using their own FSA ID.
Unsure about a question? Click the "i" square in the top right corner to get more information.
Take your time! You can save your progress and return to the FAFSA later if you don't complete it in one sitting.
Step 5: Check your email
You'll receive an email when your FAFSA is processed. FAFSA will also send your information directly to every college that you listed on your FAFSA application. If you're accepted to that college, the college will send you financial aid award information.
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