High School Students Planning for the Future

The College and Career Section has information on financial aid, community service, and workforce educaiton. Click here to visit the College and Career Section.

Check with your school counselor to make sure your courses fit the program you wish to follow throughout high school.
Begin to develop a personal portfolio.
Explore and analyze your interests.
Establish personal goals or focus.
Begin researching your career choices and the educational requirements for careers of interest.
Develop good study habits and computer skills.
Participate in a varied program of extracurricular activities.
If you plan to attend a state university, be sure to take at least two credits in the same foreign language. Some colleges/universities require three or more years of the same foreign language.
Become knowledgeable of requirements for The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Investigate job shadowing or work based experience.
Take inventory of your own test-taking abilities. Begin reading materials on exams necessary for college admission and various scholarships.
Visit the College/Career Resource Center at your school.
Plan to attend the College and Career Expo.

Review your high school course of study with your counselor to make sure courses you are taking will meet your goals.
Consider taking the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) in the fall if you are planning to attend college. Even though only junior year scores are eligible for National
Merit Scholarship competition, sophomore year testing will give students a good idea of what to expect and help you to identify strengths and weaknesses. Learn more about the PSAT by visiting The College Board website.
Take the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test).
Continue to review your career choices. The interest you had in earlier grades may have changed.
Become knowledgeable of admission requirements and time lines.
Consult your guidance counselor or college/career facilitator to learn of any scholarships available to sophomores.
Review eligibility requirements for The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Plan to attend a College and Career Expo.

Take the PSAT in October for National Merit Scholarship competition.
Review your course of study with your guidance counselor to make sure courses you are taking will meet requirements for your future plans.
Take the High School Competency Test (HSCT).
Attend meetings with college representatives at your high school.
Take the ACT and/or SAT I in the spring if you plan to go to college. Determine if CPT (College Placement Test) or SAT II is needed. Access information for the ACT Test on the ACT website.
Explore the availability of scholarships, loans, grants, work study, and other financial aid if you plan to continue education beyond high school.
Become knowledgeable of admission requirements and time lines.
Visit the College and Career Resource Center in your high school.
Make sure you know the requirements for The Florida Bright Scholarship Program. Eligibility will be determined at the end of term seven of the senior year.
Determine whether you are interested in applying for college through early admission.
Send for a pre-candidate questionnaire beginning January 31 if you are interested in any of the Service Academies.

Meet with your guidance counselor to make sure courses you are taking are the courses needed to meet your goals.
Review eligibility requirements for The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Take the SAT I and /or ACT early in the fall if you have not yet done so, or if you wish to retake the tests. Determine if the CPT or SAT II subject area tests are needed.
Visit the College/Career Resource Center at your school.
Check frequently with your Guidance Counselor or College/Career Facilitator for scholarship information and arrange to do scholarship searches. Complete college admission applications by mid-November, if possible. Some schools may have earlier deadlines.
Visit web sites for post secondary institutions of interest. Many colleges and universities have applications online.
Develop a resume to give to those from whom you request a letter of recommendations.
Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible after January 1 if you wish to apply for financial aid.
You may submit a FAFSA online at the FAFSA website.
Meet all deadlines! Remember, "deadline" means to be received by the close of business on that particular day unless the phrase "postmarked by" precedes date.
If you are in the AP (Advanced Placement) Program, check prospective colleges' policies regarding AP credit.

Polk County Public Schools, Students