Paying for College:
A Financial Checklist For Parents

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PRE-HIGH SCHOOL:

• Start saving money for your child's college education.

• Investigate different ways to save money - buying U.S. Savings Bonds or opening a savings account in a bank, etc.

HIGH SCHOOL:

9TH GRADE

• Continue to save for college.

10TH GRADE

• Continue to save for college.

11TH GRADE

• Help your child investigate the availability of financial aid from federal, state, local, and private sources. Call the Student Aid Hotline at the U.S. Department of Education (1-800-4FED-AID) for a student guide to federal financial aid. Have your child talk to his or her guidance counselor for more information.
Help your child investigate the availability of scholarships provided by organizations such as corporations, labor unions, professional associations, religious organizations, and credit unions.

• If applicable, go to the library with your son or daughter and look for directories on scholarships for women, minorities, and disabled students.

12TH GRADE

• Make sure your child completes all necessary financial aid forms, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the U.S. Department of Education. Call 1-800-4FED-AID; TDD 1-800-730-8913 or visit the FAFSA web site at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.

• Continue to save for college.