Preparing for College

College Prep Applying for college, selecting the right school, and financing your education can be complex- but starting early can help you feel more prepared for the process.

South Carolina is home to more than 80 institutions of higher education, from large research institutions to smaller technical and private colleges, offering programs and options to suit your post-high school plans.

Grade-by-grade college preparation tips:

Middle School

Students:

Middle

Think about college as an important part of your future.
Discuss your thoughts and ideas with your family and with people at school.
Start saving for college if you haven’t already.
Take challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school.
Ask your parent of guardian to help you research which high schools or special programs will most benefit your interests.
Develop strong study habits.
Do your best in school and on standardized tests. If you are having difficulty, don’t give up–get help from a teacher, tutor, or mentor.
Become involved in school- or community-based activities that let you explore your interests and learn new things.
Speak with adults, such as your teacher, school counselor or librarian, relatives, or family friends, who you think have interesting jobs. Ask them, “What do you like about your job?” and “What education did you need for your job?”

Parents:

Plant a Seed: It’s never too early to start a conversation with your son or daughter about college.
Join the Club: Make sure your child stays involved with student organizations, clubs and extracurricular activities at school.
Keep Reading: Encourage your kids to read for pleasure, not just for school.
Watch the Clock: Help them build time management skills during homework and daily routines to stay organized and prepared.

Set a Good Example: Talk to your child about the importance of studying hard and getting good grades as they look ahead to high school and college.
Stay in Touch: Meet regularly with teachers and counselors to stay informed about your child’s progress.
Get Social: Talk to neighbors, relatives and friends with students in college — their advice can be valuable.
Go to School: Find out if your child’s middle school hosts any college information sessions with admissions representatives or college graduates.

9th Grade

Build a Strong Foundation:

Students:

nineth

Take challenging core classes (English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language). Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), three years of mathematics, and three years of science. Many require two years of a foreign language.
Amplify your course load by adding electives in computer science and the arts.
Stay involved. Explore your interests through clubs, academic enrichment programs, community activities, summer workshops/camps or volunteering. This can aid in deciding a career later.
Talk to your guidance counselor or teachers about college, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, if you are eligible, and how to sign up.
Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search tool at www.mynextmove.org to research your career options.
Start a list of achievements: awards, jobs, volunteer work, and extracurriculars to add to throughout High school.

Parents:

Encourage involvement in school or community activities.
Learn about high school graduation and college admissions requirements.
Start exploring financial aid options early to allow time for necessary adjustments.
Get an estimate of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for your child’s education apart from financial aid.

10th Grade

Focus and Explore:

Students:

Work with your guardian to estimate your financial aid and begin to save for college.
Stay engaged in extracurriculars that reflect your passions.
Explore career paths that align with your favorite subjects.
Meet with your counselor to make sure you're on track academically.
Start thinking about college entrance exams like the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.

Parents:

Research financial aid, scholarships, and the college process.
Talk to your child regularly about their interests and future goals. (Ex: Favorite subject in school)
Ensure their classes match their goals for the future.
Revisit and adjust your college savings plan if needed.
Help your child register for college entrance exams in the fall (PSAT, SAT and ACT)

11th Grade

Prepare and Plan:

Students:

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Maintain a strong academic schedule and stay involved in meaningful activities.
Stay engaged in extracurriculars that reflect your passions.
Take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall — it's required for National Merit Scholarships.
Explore careers and their earning potential in the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/oco.
Research colleges and attend college fairs or presentations.
Start Narrowing your college list. Learn about choosing a college at StudentAid.gov/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools.
Register for and take the PSAT/NMSQT in the Fall. You must take the test in 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Register for and take exams for college admission. The tests that many colleges require are the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.
Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search at www.careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch to find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.
Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines.
Decide whether you are going to apply under a particular college’s early decision or early action program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements.
Use the Studentaid.gov financial aid estimator and compare the results to the actual costs at the colleges. To supplement any aid estimates you might receive, be sure to apply for scholarships. The goal is to minimize the amount of loan funds you borrow.

Parents:

Take a look at your financial situation, and be sure you’re on the right track to pay for college. Get in-depth information on the federal student aid programs.
Create your own FSA ID if you don’t have one yet. (The FSA ID is a username and password that you’ll use for such purposes as signing your child’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Note: You must create your own FSA ID. If your child creates it for you, or if you create your child’s, it will cause confusion later and slow down the financial aid application process.
Talk to your child about the schools he or she is considering. Ask why those schools appeal to your child and help him or her clarify goals and priorities.
Attend college fairs with your child, but don’t take over the conversation with the college representatives. Just listen, and let your child do the talking.
Take your child to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session.
Make sure your child is looking into or already has applied for scholarships.
Ask your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children.
Learn about student and parent loans in Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students and Federal Student Loans: Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents.

12th Grade

Finish Strong

Students:

Continue taking core academic courses and stay committed to your extracurriculars.
Stay involved in school or community-based activities.
Apply to colleges early and pay attention to deadlines.
Work with counselors and teachers to submit transcripts and recommendation letters.
Complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1.
(Fall) Meet with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.
(Winter) Complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1. If you have questions about the federal student aid programs or need assistance with the application process, call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or the TTY for the hearing impaired, 1-800-730-8913.
Apply for additional scholarships.
Review financial aid offers and compare them.
(Winter) After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.
(Winter) Complete any last scholarship applications.
(Spring) Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll.
(Spring) Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers.
(Spring) Finalize your college, notify that school of your commitment, and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.

Parents:

Work with your child on filling out the FAFSA form. For tips, read Federal Student Aid and Identity Theft.
Read IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education to see how you might benefit from federal income tax credits for education expenses.
Discuss the terms of student loans and financial responsibilities with your child.
Review all communication from colleges regarding aid and enrollment steps. If a school has offered you or your child Direct Loans, the Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students and Federal Student Loans: Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents booklets may be a resource.

Prerequisite courses are also a critical part of college preparation. Familiarizing yourself with information below will help you choose the most effective high school curriculum to prepare for college:

CHE College Preparatory Course Prerequisite Requirements for Entering College Freshmen (PDF)

We also recommend that students and families check out the following college preparation resources:

Explore More College and Career Planning Resources

SC CHE partners with the South Carolina Occupational Information System (SCOIS) to provide students and families with access to comprehensive college and career readiness tools.

Visit SCOIS (scois.ed.sc.gov)

College planning tools
Career assessments
Scholarship search features
Job market insights for South Carolina

This resource is provided in alignment with Title 59 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which outlines state requirements for higher education and college preparation services.