Plan for Life After High School

Answer questions about location, price, majors, and more to narrow down a list of ideal colleges to apply to.

Find the right college for you

    Stay On Track This School Year

    Use the checklist to keep track of key steps to complete this school year as you plan for life after high school.

    9th Grade

    9th Grade

    10th Grade

    10th Grade

    11th Grade

    11th Grade

    12th Grade

    12th Grade

    How to Prepare

    The FAFSA Essentials

    The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is now open to all students. Here are some essential resources to help you complete your application. 

    Start Your FAFSA Application

    Applying for the FAFSA is the most vital step to receiving federal aid. Federal Student Aid provides information about the application, federal and state deadlines, and frequently asked questions to assist in completing your application. 

    Start Application

    Complete the FAFSA to Qualify for a $500 or $40,000 Scholarship.

    Class of 2025 seniors who verify their FAFSA completion by Friday, February 28 can enter monthly BigFuture Scholarship drawings for $500 or $40,000. Keep in mind that states and colleges have separate deadlines for FAFSA completion.

    Qualify Now

    FAFSA Topics and Resources

    Use BigFuture resources and tools to learn what information you need to complete your application and understand the steps before and after submitting the FAFSA form.

    Review Topics and Resources
    A group of students sitting on a lawn studying.

    How to Plan for College

    Watch this video to see what we have to offer you to help you plan for any type of college.

    Get the Basics About College

    There are thousands of types of colleges out there. Start here to get guidance to help you plan.

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    Convert Your GPA to a 4.0 Scale

    Colleges report GPA (grade point average) on a 4.0 scale. See how to calculate your GPA and convert your grades to the 4.0 scale.

    Convert Your GPA
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    Types of Colleges

    Colleges offer various programs to serve students with different needs and goals. Learning about the types of colleges will help you find the best choices for you.

    Learn More
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    Why College Is Important

    Considering the pros and cons of going to college? Learn reasons why college is worth it for career growth and future financial opportunities.

    Get Started

    What to Major In

    It's OK if you don't know what to major in! There are so many options, so let us help you navigate them.

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