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Preparing For College

Preparing for college can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. Below are some steps and helpful information to make preparing, applying, and paying for college easier.
Download the complete Senior's Guide to Preparing for College

HELPFUL LINKS:

Download your “College Preparation Checklist” provided by the Department of Education HERE!
www.LaNext.com – Congratulations!  The finish line for high school is in sight. Now it's time to ask yourself, "What NEXT?"
www.LAePortal.com – Plan your education, careers, money for college, jobs and more!
www.careercompassla.org – You can be what ever you want to be!  Maybe college is not for you and that’s OK.
www.KnowHow2Go.org - Plan for college in just 4 simple steps!
www.NextStepU.com - NextStepU.com helps students plan for college, careers and life.
Fall of your Senior Year in High School
  • Early in your senior year, select three or four schools that interest you, and obtain admission applications and general information from each.
  • Make a note of important deadlines and meet them.
  • Make an appointment with your high school guidance counselor early in the school year to discuss your top school choices and your career path.
  • Schedule a visit to each college/university through the Admissions/Recruiting Office.
  • Schedule admission and placement examinations, including:
  • Schedule follow-up visits with your High School Guidance Counselor throughout the year to verify that all of the necessary information has been forwarded to your school choices:
    • Test scores
    • Transcripts
    • Letters of reference
    • Essays, if necessary
  • Keep your guidance counselor informed of any offers or acceptance letters that you may receive
  • Go to www.pin.ed.gov to register for a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Your PIN serves as your e-signature for the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are a dependent student, a parent should also register for a PIN at this time. See instructions on the Senior's Guide to Planning for College.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

  • Apply online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. *Note: If you are asked to "pay" for this application, you are at the incorrect website.
  • Click HERE for information on applying for the Federal Direct Loan.
  • Any questions? Feel free to contact Lela’s Customer Service Department toll-free at 800-228-4755 or email us at info@lela.org.

College Goal Sunday

Attend a College Goal Sunday event in February at a location closest to you to get help completing your FASFA. For more information about College Goal Sunday and to find a location near you, click HERE.

Spring of your Senior Year

  • Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or after January 1 and typically prior to May 1 of your senior year to be included for all types of Federal financial aid.  Check with your school for specific dates unique to their campus.
  • Receive, review, and revise your Student Aid Report (SAR) from each of your college choices. Make certain all the information on your SAR is correct.
  • Compare acceptance and financial aid packages from each of your college choices.
  • Accept all financial aid packages now. You can decline them later, once you make your final decision.
  • Select a college, and notify the others that you are declining their offers.
  • Look for summer jobs to help with college costs.

Consider All Types of Financial Aid

Scholarship Opportunities

  • Register for Lela's Quarterly $1,000 Scholarship Drawing. Click here to register.
  • Louisiana high school seniors, visit www.facebook.com/asklela to "like" askLela to be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship drawing.
  • askLela awards up to $5,000 in scholarships during our Holiday Art Contest in October - November for Louisiana seniors.  Visit www.asklela.org for entry rules and regulations.
  • During the months of March and April, visit http://www.lela.org/financialliteracy to test your financial literacy and become eligible for a random $1,000 scholarship drawing.
  • Search online HERE and HERE. Visit bookstores or libraries to review directories of scholarship opportunities.
  • Check with your Guidance Counselor for scholarship opportunities they receive throughout your senior year.
  • Search the Internet, using your personal interests or strengths as keywords.
  • Create a list of all potential scholarships. Include information such as requirements, deadlines, award amounts, and submit the information on a timely basis.
  • Plan to spend at least 50 hours conducting your scholarship search.
  • February is officially "Financial Aid Awareness Month" (FAAM). Scholarship opportunities are available for Louisiana high school seniors during FAAM.  Details about FAAM are sent to Louisiana High School Guidance Counselors, posted on www.Facebook.com/askLela and www.askLela.org.
  • Check with the college of your discipline (i.e.College of Nursing) at your campus for additional scholarship opportunities.

Compare College Costs

  • Click HERE for a Cost of Attendance brochure including most colleges in Louisiana
  • Click HERE for a Student Cost of Attendance Budget for all Title IV Assistance Programs