Parents & Families
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9th and 10th Grade Parents & Families
As your student begins their high school journey, it's never too early to start thinking about the future. By offering guidance and support, you can help your student stay on track and explore their college options. Here are ways to support your student on their college decision journey.
Encourage & Discuss
- Talk with your student about college plans and what career they wish to pursue.
- Stay connected with student’s school work, grades and their testing skills.
- Encourage your student to take challenging classes they can handle such as Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP)/Advanced Placement (AP)/Honors/International Baccalaureate (IB). Work with your student to seek tutorial sessions when needed.
- Be aware if your student is on track for all standardized tests such as the PSAT, SAT and ACT. Encourage your student to pick up information from their high school counselor’s office and/or Collegeboard.com
Understand Financial Aid
- Talk with your student about a financial savings plan for college and begin the actual savings account, if not yet established.
- Become acquainted with FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and other types of financial aid.
Get Informed
- Work with your student and seek information about college nights or events when college representatives will visit their school. Talk to your student about the information they've collected on colleges of interest.
- Help them research different university websites for an overview of the school regarding types of majors, location, social aspects and other areas of importance when choosing a college—information can be found in their high school counselor’s office.
Plan a Visit
- Plan a visit to a college or university with your student during their high school spring break or summer. TCU offers Monday at TCU events for students to discover life as a Horned Frog, and virtual tours to explore campus from the comfort of home.