9th Grade Students

• Work with a parent to update your information in FAFSA4caster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov and continue to save for college

• Take challenging classes in core academic subjects

• Stay involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests

• Talk to your school counselor and other mentors about education after high school

• Start planning for college and thinking about your career interests

• Make a list of your awards, honors, paid or volunteer work and extracurricular activities; consider participating in summer workshops and camps which focus on music, art and science

9th Grade Parents

• Continue to talk to your child about college plans

• Keep an eye on your child's study habits and grades

• Encourage your child to take challenging classes

• Add to your child's college savings account regularly

• Learn from Help Your Child Improve in Test-Taking at www.ed.gov/parents

• Use the College Savings Calculator at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/myfafsa to determine how much you should be saving to meet college expenses and how to maximize your efforts

• Make sure you are aware of the provisions of any college savings accounts you have opened