Getting Ready for College Early

A Handbook for Parents of Students in the Middle and Junior High School Years

We must make the thirteenth and fourteenth years of education?at least two years of college?just as universal in America by the 21st century as a high school education is today, and we must open the doors of college to all Americans.?

President Clinton
State of the Union Address
February 4, 1997

A Note to Parents of Middle and Junior High School-Age Youth

Getting a college education is an investment that will pay back for a lifetime: people with a college education have better job opportunities, earn more money, and develop skills and knowledge that can never be taken away. However, what many families don?t realize is that preparing for college doesn?t begin during a student?s junior or senior year of high school?it begins even before a student first sets foot in school, and it continues through middle school and high school. Getting ready for college means planning for the future and making some very important decisions early. This guidebook will help you and your children understand the steps you need to take during the middle and junior high school years to get ready for college.

A note of encouragement as you begin: Children in America can go to college if they work hard, take challenging courses, and have the desire to further their education. State governments, colleges and the U.S. Department of Education (which supplies most financial aid for college students in America today) provide financial assistance to help students and families pay for college. Recent legislation greatly expands financial aid for college for middle income, working families and low-income families. Families also need to save for their children?s college education and learn about the many kinds of financial aid available to them.

Likewise, students need to plan ahead to take challenging courses?starting with algebra and geometry in the eighth and ninth grades?and hold themselves to the highest academic standards. This is a big job, but there is help here, too?mentors and before- and after-school programs can provide extra help. Programs like GEAR UP for College and TRIO give students help to prepare for college, and I urge everyone to support these types of efforts. ?A mind is a terrible thing to waste.?

We have a responsibility to our children. While they represent only 20 percent of our population, children are 100 percent of America?s future. They are our greatest investment, and it?s up to us to help them understand the importance of investing in themselves.

Yours sincerely,

Richard W. Riley
U.S. Secretary of Education
Fall 2000


Step 1 Making the Decision	Step 2 Getting Ready	Step 3 Planning Ahead	Step 4 Paying for College