Preparing Find out what you need to do to prepare for education beyond high school. Education beyond high school can give you choices that may not otherwise be possible, open doors to better paying positions, and give you the opportunity to do the things you enjoy most. By advancing your education, you can expand your possibilities and increase your career choices. Non-federal financial assistance programs and requirements often vary from school to school. Always check with your school before applying for financial aid.

Students Assess Yourself The first step to finding the right program and type of school for you is to evaluate your interests. This self-assessment will help you examine your interests and goals, and offers some ideas about fields of study and careers that might be right for you. For more information about which career fields are growing fast, how to get the training you need for the job you want, and where to look for a job, visit Career Voyages. Planner Timeline Find out what you should be doing each year of high school to start preparing for college. Student Planner Use this tool to enter your high school courses and standardized test scores and determine whether you meet the minimum requirements of the schools of your choice. Please be patient if we don’t currently have the academic requirements of your college choice; we are adding more as we receive them. Take the Tests Once you have assessed your interests and determined what type of program you want to enroll in, you may be required to take one or more standardized tests. Here you will find more information about common standardized tests and what you need to do to prepare for them. Kids and Parents Start Early Because it's never too early to start planning for what you'll do after high school, we've developed a resource for elementary and middle school students called "Think College Early." It's a great way to learn about your post-high school options. Parents Preparing for your child's higher education is a long-term commitment. Find out here about higher education savings plans and what you can do to help your child get ready for life beyond high school. Parents can also find relevant information in "Think College Early". College Savings Calculator Use this handy calculator to determine how much you could or should be saving to meet college expenses, and how to maximize your savings efforts.