📍 Start Here: Your Parent Roadmap

I’m not a counselor. I’m a parent.

My daughter did everything right—grades, test scores, leadership, music—and we still got blindsided. No full ride. No clear roadmap. Just vague promises and expensive surprises.

If you feel behind or unsure where to start, you’re not alone. This is the page I wish someone had handed me. It’s not everything—but it’s enough to get you moving with clarity.

Step 1: Build a Brag Sheet

This is your foundation. It’s not just a resume—it helps you see what your son or daughter has done and what it might unlock. It’s also your first tool for scholarships, recommendation letters, and essay planning.

Step 2: Start Looking at Schools

Junior year is the sweet spot. Narrow it to 2–4 real options. Many schools offer preview days in spring—don’t miss them. They’re your best shot at understanding scholarships, honors programs, and housing before the pressure hits.

Step 3: Estimate What Aid Each School Offers

Use your brag sheet to estimate merit aid. Compare it to the college’s total cost—not just tuition. You want to know the net price after automatic scholarships but before the essays and extras.

Step 4: Create a Timeline

The college process is one long deadline. FAFSA, scholarships, housing, honors programs—they all move fast. Our printable checklists walk you through each grade level.

Step 5: File the FAFSA Early (October 1)

Even if you think you won’t qualify, file it. Some colleges require a FAFSA on file for scholarships, work-study, or aid reconsideration. Early is always better.

Step 6: Don’t Miss State Grants + Real-World Scholarships

Many states offer grants based on GPA or test scores. And not all scholarships are for superstar kids—some reward effort, service, or just applying early. Stack them where you can.

Step 7: Build Their Core Story

Your kid’s brag sheet isn’t just a list—it’s the blueprint for how they’ll show up in essays, interviews, and honors applications. Use it to help them identify a common thread: maybe it’s service, leadership, resilience, or curiosity. This early clarity can shape scholarship essays and give them a confident voice before the deadlines hit.

🛠 Tools You’ll Use Along the Way