Middle school and high school

• Take challenging courses to prepare for college.
• Participate in ministries and extracurricular activities.
• Begin saving money for college.
• Start researching scholarships.

Freshman and sophomore years

• Gather information about potential colleges.
• Take college prep courses.

Junior year

• Narrow down college options.
• Gather more specific information about potential colleges and academic programs.
• Visit your top 3–5 schools.
• Take the SAT or ACT.
• Take college prep courses.

Fall of senior year

• Apply for admission to top colleges.
• Apply for scholarships.
• Revisit schools if necessary.
• Gather tax information for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Keep taking college prep courses.

January of senior year

• Complete and submit the FAFSA.

August after high school graduation

• Start college!