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Counseling · College and career

Plan for college and career, grade 6 to 12

College is a path you walk one step at a time. Start early, keep good records, and never pay to apply for help. These pages show what to do, when to do it, and where the money is.

  • Grades 6 to 8: strong habits, explore interests, start a "me file".
  • Grades 9 and 10: grades count now. Log activities. Try the PSAT.
  • Grade 11: PSAT/NMSQT, SAT or ACT, AP exams, build a college list.
  • Grade 12: FAFSA, TAP, applications, scholarships, compare aid offers.
Steps from grade 6 to 12 lead to a college building, with coins and a diploma along the way 6-89101112 College 📝 tests💵 FAFSA · TAP🏅 scholarships
General information, not financial, tax, legal or admissions advice. Rules, amounts and dates change every year. Check each college, the official office (links at the bottom of each page) and your school counselor. Facts checked November 8, 2026.

🗺️ Six pages, one plan

When

📅 Timeline, grade 6 to 12

What to do each year, and month by month in 11th and 12th grade. A personal checklist that saves only on this device.

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Tests

📝 PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP, IB, CLEP

What each test is, 2026-27 dates, National Merit, test-optional rules at SUNY and CUNY, accommodations, fee waivers and a free prep plan.

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Money

💵 Financial aid

FAFSA, CSS Profile, Pell, TAP, Excelsior, NYS DREAM Act, EOP, HEOP, SEEK, work-study, loans, a net price tool and a sample aid letter.

Open financial aid →
Money

🏅 Scholarships

Where real scholarships are, New York HESC awards, National Merit, college merit aid, Long Island options, essays and scam warning signs.

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Apply

📨 How applying works

Common App, SUNY and CUNY applications, Early Decision vs Early Action, recommendations, community college, apprenticeships, CTE and the military.

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📚 Courses and family guides

SAT · ACT · PSAT Prep course · College and Career Planning course · Regents and graduation · Paying for school and college · NY 529 · Opportunities

⏳ Key dates, counting down

Days left are counted on this device from today's date. Each date comes from the official source listed on the page where it is explained.

The real deadline is usually earlier. Federal and state deadlines are the last possible day. Colleges set their own priority dates for aid, often months earlier. Apply as soon as the FAFSA opens.

🌱 "As early as possible": the 7 habits that win the most aid

  1. Grades are the biggest key.College merit aid and New York awards like the Scholarships for Academic Excellence and the STEM Incentive look at grades, class rank or Regents scores.
  2. Keep an activity log from grade 9.Clubs, sports, jobs, family care, volunteering, awards, hours per week. You will need it for every application.
  3. Take the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 11.It is the entry test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
  4. File the FAFSA the first week it opens.Some aid is limited. Early filers are first in line at many colleges.
  5. Check the opportunity program box.EOP (SUNY), HEOP (private New York colleges), SEEK and College Discovery (CUNY) give extra support and aid.
  6. Use fee waivers.If you qualify, SAT, ACT, CSS Profile and many application fees can be free.
  7. Never pay for scholarship "help".Real help is free: your counselor, studentaid.gov and hesc.ny.gov.

❓ Quick questions

We don't think we can afford college. Should we still plan?

Yes. Many New York students pay much less than the posted price. Pell, TAP and Excelsior together can cover full SUNY or CUNY tuition for families that qualify. See Financial aid.

Is college the only path?

No. Community college, a registered apprenticeship, a CTE program, a certificate, or the military are all real paths. See other paths.

Who can help us for free?

Your school counselor first. Also HESC (New York's student aid agency), the college's financial aid office, and studentaid.gov.

Does Goal100 save what I type here?

No. Checklists and tools run only in this browser. A checklist you tick is saved only on this device.

Disclaimer. General information, not financial, tax, legal or admissions advice. Programs, amounts and deadlines change. Check with the official office, each college and your school counselor. Last checked November 8, 2026.

🔗 Official sources (checked Nov 8, 2026)

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