A NOTE FROM YOUR COUNSELORS: PLANNING & PAYING FOR COLLEGE

Planning for College

Ninth grade

  • Meet your counselor
  • Make plans for courses you will be taking. Include Advanced Placement or Pre AP courses.
  • Get involved with extracurricular activities.

    Tenth Grade

  • Keep in touch with the counselor.
  • Take challenging course work (Pre-AP, AP, etc.)
  • Keep grades high.
  • Get involved in academic clubs.
  • The school district offers the PSAT to all Sophomores. You will be taking the PSAT in October.

    Eleventh Grade

  • Meet with the counselor and ask for your GPA.
  • Continue with challenging course work and keep grades high.
  • Take the PSAT in October for eligibility for National Merit Scholarship awards.
  • Focus on becoming a leader; run for office or lead a team.
  • Preview college applications and become familiar with requirements.
  • Get to know your teachers and prepare a list of those from who you could ask for a letter of recommendation.
  • In the Spring Semester, commit to dates to take the SAT or ACt, fill out the registration information and mail it in or register online.

    Twelfth Grade

  • Meet with your counselor and check your GPA, as well as your class rank.
  • Continue with challenging course work and maintain high grades.
  • Make a list of colleges you might attend, along with the deadlines for application.
  • Take the SAT or ACT during the Fall semester.
  • Begin asking for letters of recommendation, evaluation forms, and school reports.
  • Visit colleges and prepare for interviews.
  • Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1.
  • Evaluate colleges and make final decisions.
  • Apply for scholarships!
  • Take the TASP test if you plan to attend a state college or university and before taking dual credit courses.

    TASP exemption scores:
    ACT 23 Composite Score (minimum 19 on English and Math)
    SAT 1070 (minimum score of 500 for Verbal and Math)
    TAAS 1770 Writing; 86 Math; 89 Reading

    Paying for College

    The following programs can help:

  • TEXAS Grant Program
  • Rising Star (DCCCD)
  • Tuition Exemption Programs
  • Work Study
  • Scholarships and Grants
  • Student Loans

    "What do I need to do to qualify for these programs?"

  • FAFSA

    The first step toward the financial assistance is the completion of the FAFSA form. You can get this form in the RLT College Room or online (www.fafsa.ed.gov). This form is required prior to applying for any tuition assistance program including scholarships.

  • The TEXAS Grant Program requires:
    • Texas resident
    • Completion of recommended or distinguished high school cirriculum.
    • Recent graduate of a public or accredited private high school in Texas.
    • Enroll at least 3/4 time in an undergraduate degree of certificate program within 16 months of your high school graduation
    • Acceptance by a non-profit Texas college or university of your choice.
    • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your financial need.
    • No conviction of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance.

  • Texas Top 10% Automatic Admission Policy
    • Students in the top 10% of the graduationg class receive automatic admission to general academic institutions.
    • Students must meet all conditions

    		• Created by Deven Thrivikraman, Class of 2007. Maintained by the Technology Honor Society. Please email any questions, comments, or problems to the webmaster.
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