Parent Action Plan: 11th Grade

Junior year is a turning point on your teen’s journey to what’s next after high school. This is because for most students and families, it’s when more specific future planning activities kick into high gear. Here's how you can support your teen in finding the best fit for them after high school. 

Fall 

• Make sure your teen meets with the school counselor. This meeting is especially important this year as your teen starts to engage in the college application process.  
• Encourage your teen to set goals for the school year. Working toward specific goals may help them stay motivated and focused. 
• Help your teen stay organized. Work with your teen to make weekly or monthly to-do lists or trackers to keep on top of the tasks required to get ready for applying to colleges. For more time-management tips, see 8 Ways to Take Control of Your Time. 
• Talk to your teen about preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT in October. The PSAT gives your teen low-stakes practice for the SAT and a score report showing exactly what to work on. Juniors who score well can also become eligible for National Merit Scholarship opportunities — so even this early test can connect to real scholarship dollars. 
• Build and refine a college list. A far-reaching college list  gives your teen more choices and a better chance at both acceptance and financial aid that works for your family. Search for colleges. 
• Plan a testing strategy. Every college has its own testing policy, so a clear plan helps your teen make the most of test day without extra stress or wasted effort. Give your teen enough time between test dates to review and improve — spacing out SAT attempts helps them walk in prepared instead of retaking the same test back to back. Explore the SAT. 
• Look into college savings plans and scholarship requirements. Starting early gives your family more options. Learn about BigFuture Scholarships and search for other scholarships. 
• Register for BigFuture Live virtual events to get advice from experts on helping your teen find their fit. 

Winter 

• Review PSAT/NMSQT results together by logging their BigFuture School mobile app. (If your teen cannot access the app, you can also use the student score reporting portal.) Your teen’s score report shows what they should work on to get ready for college, provides career insights, lists Advanced Placement courses that might be a good match for them, and connects them to free, personalized SAT practice on Khan Academy based on their results. 
• Help your teen prepare for the SAT. Many juniors take the SAT in the spring so they can get a head start on planning for college. See which other tests your high school junior may need to take. 
• Discuss taking challenging courses next year. Taking honors courses or college-level courses like Advanced Placement as a senior can help your child prepare for college work — and these are also the courses that college admission officers like to see. Learn more about the AP Program. 
• Check in regularly about schoolwork. Staying on top of tests, papers, and assignments will help you catch problems early and give you a reason to celebrate wins together. The habits your teen builds now can open doors: stronger grades, access to more classes, and more choices down the road. Try these tips to support your teen with homework.   
• Start learning about financial aid. It’s not too early to look into types of aid that could help you cover college costs. Find out how to pay for college and bookmark helpful resources to look at throughout the year. 

Spring 

• Help your teen get ready for AP Exams. AP Exams can earn your teen college credit and show colleges they're ready for challenging coursework. A little planning now — like talking with teachers about practice resources — goes a long way. 
• Search together for colleges that meet your child’s needs. Continue to refine your teen’s priorities when looking for college, and help him or her enter these criteria into College Search to create a broad list of colleges to consider applying to. 
• Attend college fairs and financial aid events. These events allow you to meet with college representatives and get answers to questions. Your child can ask the school counselor how to find events in your area. Check out the College Fair Checklist for more information. 
• Visit colleges together. Make plans to check out the campuses of colleges your child is interested in. 
• Attend your school’s junior planning or financial aid night. Many high schools host a financial aid night specifically for families — often with a school counselor or local expert walking through the FAFSA and aid process step by step. Learn more about how Financial Aid. 
• Help your teen research scholarships. This form of financial aid provides money for college that doesn’t need to be repaid. Learn more through BigFuture’s Scholarship Search. 
• Encourage your teen make summer plans. Summer is a great time to explore interests and learn new skills — and colleges look for students who pursue meaningful summer activities. Help your teen look into summer learning programs or find a job or internship. 
• Encourage your teen to qualify for BigFuture Scholarships. Make sure your teen starts their college and career lists to be eligible for monthly $500 and $40,000 scholarships from BigFuture. 

Summer Before 12th Grade 

• Support your teen in building new skills over the summer. Junior year was a great time to explore interests in more depth. Staying engaged now keeps every option open and makes future applications even stronger. 
• Ask how you can help your senior finalize a college list. You can help them choose which colleges to apply to by weighing how well each college aligns with their career, academic, and financial needs as well as personal priorities. 
• Visit colleges together. Seeing a college campus in person — even a nearby one your teen isn't seriously considering — helps make college feel real and exciting instead of far off and abstract. It's a low-pressure way to get the conversation started. Watch these college visit tips before you go. 
• Find out a college’s actual cost. Use Net Price Calculators, which every college provides, to get an idea of how the colleges your teen is considering may cost. Learn more about net price and how it can help you estimate your true cost of college. 
• Encourage your teen to get started on applications. Applications take time — essays, transcripts, and letters of recommendation all need lead time from your teen and from the adults writing on their behalf. Starting early means less pressure senior year and stronger, more thoughtful materials. Most applications open around August 1st  — check each college's site for details. 
• Help your teen decide about applying early. If your senior is set on going to a certain college, they should think about whether applying early is a good option. Now is the time to decide because early applications are usually due in November. Read about the pros and cons of applying early. 
• Gather financial documents. To apply for most financial aid, your child will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll need your most recent tax returns and an FSA to complete the FAFSA, which opens in the winter.