Enrolled: Preparing for College and Postsecondary Education
Enrolled Pathway: Shared Responsibilities for Student Success
Students who choose the Enrolled Pathway are preparing for continued education after high school. Beginning as early as middle school, students can explore interests and build a strong academic foundation.
The actions below represent suggested ways students, families, and schools can work together to support a successful transition. Responsibilities are shared, and each group plays an important role in helping students reach their goals.
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Stage Focus & Key Actions Middle School
(Grades 6–8)- Build strong study habits and attendance
- Explore interests through electives and activities
- Begin conversations about college and careers
9th Grade - Understand graduation requirements
- Build strong GPA habits
- Explore college options at a basic level
10th Grade - Continue academic rigor
- Begin exploring majors and careers
- Attend college or career events
11th Grade - Take SAT/ACT/CLT
- Narrow college list
- Begin financial aid and scholarship awareness
12th Grade - Apply to colleges
- Complete FAFSA
- Make final enrollment decisions
Post-Graduation - Attend orientation
- Register for courses
- Transition successfully to college life
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Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May: College Exploration - Explore 2-year and 4-year colleges
- Research majors and admissions requirements
- Encourage exploration
- Attend college events with student
- Provide college search tools
- Host college fairs
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Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May: Testing &
Admissions- Prepare for SAT/ACT/CLT
- Track application deadlines
- Support test registration
- Track deadlines and fees
- Offer testing opportunities
- Provide admissions guidance
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Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May: Financial Planning - Apply for scholarships
- Complete FAFSA with family
- Gather financial documents
- Review aid offers
- Host FAFSA nights
- Provide scholarship resources
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Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May: Application Process - Submit applications and essays
- Request recommendations
- Review applications if needed
- Support organization
- Send transcripts
- Write recommendations
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Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May: Transition to
College- Attend orientation
- Register for classes
- Support independence
- Discuss budgeting and housing
- Provide transition workshops
- Celebrate acceptances
View Full College Pathway Guide
College Pathway: Shared Actions & Support
Preparing for college is a shared journey involving students, families, and schools. The information below highlights suggested actions and areas of support that can help students prepare for college and successfully transition after graduation.
The roles identified in this guide are intended to show where students, parents/guardians, and schools may take the lead or provide support throughout the college planning process. They are not intended to represent required actions or obligations.
Key:
Suggested Lead — The individual or group that may take the lead on the action.
Supportive Role — The individual or group that may provide assistance, guidance, or encouragement.
Suggested Lead — The individual or group that may take the lead on the action.
Supportive Role — The individual or group that may provide assistance, guidance, or encouragement.
| Suggested Action | Student Role | Parent/Guardian Role | School/District Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Preparation for College | |||
| Encourage good study habits | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role |
| Maintain strong grades | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Monitor academic progress | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role |
| Offer advanced coursework | Suggested Lead | ||
| Provide graduation requirements | Suggested Lead | ||
| Support advanced course enrollment | Supportive Role | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead |
| Take rigorous courses (AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, Honors) | Suggested Lead | ||
| Track GPA & graduation requirements | Suggested Lead | Suggested Lead | |
| College & Career Exploration | |||
| Attend tours/fairs | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Connect students with college representatives/fairs | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Encourage career discussions | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Explore career interests through internships and electives | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Guide resources for all college types | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Host career exploration events | Suggested Lead | ||
| Plan campus visits together | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Research 2-year, 4-year, and selective colleges | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Research preferred high school courses to take for college | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Support exploration of multiple options | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| College Testing & Admissions Requirements | |||
| Assist with keeping track of testing deadlines | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role |
| Offer PSAT/SAT/ACT testing opportunities | Suggested Lead | ||
| Provide transportation to testing, if needed | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Register and prepare for SAT, ACT, or CLT | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | Supportive Role |
| Research college-specific entrance requirements | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Review results with a school counselor | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Share admissions requirement updates | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Support test preparation and registration | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | Supportive Role |
| Track registration deadlines for testing | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Financial Planning for College | |||
| Apply for scholarships | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Complete FAFSA | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Gather financial documents | Suggested Lead | Suggested Lead | |
| Host FAFSA and financial aid nights | Suggested Lead | ||
| Learn about student loans, grants, and work-study | Suggested Lead | ||
| Provide financial literacy resources | Suggested Lead | ||
| Provide guidance on Bright Futures & local scholarships | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Research college costs | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| College Application Process | |||
| Assist with managing scholarship/college deadlines | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Assist with paying fees or requesting waivers | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Draft a scholarship or college entrance essay | Suggested Lead | ||
| Provide scholarship/college entrance essay feedback | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Request recommendations | Suggested Lead | ||
| Submit a college application on time | Suggested Lead | ||
| Submit transcript request to school | Suggested Lead | ||
| Submit transcripts to colleges | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Transitioning to College | |||
| Arrange housing/meal plans | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Assist with moving/transportation | Suggested Lead | ||
| Attend orientation | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Build time-management skills | Suggested Lead | ||
| Celebrate commitments and achievements | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |
| Discuss budgeting/health/safety | Supportive Role | Suggested Lead | |
| Provide counseling on transition from high school to college | Suggested Lead | ||
| Register for college classes | Suggested Lead | ||
| Support independence while offering guidance | Suggested Lead | Supportive Role | |