You can do it

Daniel funds his education at Illinois State through a combination of loans, work, and help from his parents. He didn’t know a lot about paying for college or the financial aid process before he decided to come to Illinois State.

“The important thing for students to know is that they can do it. If you do enough research, you can pay for college and it’s definitely worth it,” Daniel said.

Daniel isn’t sure exactly what is in store for him after graduation, but he is considering graduate school and the Peace Corps. In either case, he realizes he may have to defer some student loan payments until he gets a job.

High School Freshmen-Juniors

Good planning is key to making college affordable. By starting your plans now, you'll be much better prepared when you graduate high school.

Freshman Year

• Talk with your parents. Make sure they know you want to go to college. If they went to college, ask them about their experiences. Find out how they paid for school and how they chose the college they attended.
• Save money. This may sound easier said than done, especially if you aren't old enough for a job, but try to put cash gifts for birthdays and other occasions directly into your savings account. If your parents have a college savings plan for you, ask grandparents and other family members to contribute to it instead of giving traditional gifts.
• Plan your course of study. Take math, English, and science each year. Also, be sure to take a foreign language or fine art.
• Keep up your grades. Your cumulative high school grade point average is an important factor in college admission. Try to do as well as you can in your courses, but at the same time, make sure you are challenging yourself. The rigor of your coursework is also important in admissions decisions.

Sophomore Year

• Participate. Whether it's volunteer work, an academic club, or a sport, find an activity you enjoy. A couple of activities will be a big boost on scholarship applications.
• Track your accomplishments. File of your report cards and any awards or honors you receive. Also, keep a list of any paid or volunteer work you do and any school or community activities in which you participate.
• Take the ACT PLAN test. The PLAN test helps you prepare for the ACT which is used for college admission and often taken into consideration for scholarship eligibility.

Junior Year

• Continue building your academic resume. Challenge yourself academically by taking courses outside of your comfort zone. Take on a leadership role in a club or sport.
• Prepare for and take college entrance exams. Most colleges consider your American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores when making admission decisions. If you are enrolled in an Illinois public school, you will take the ACT exam as part of the Prairie State Assessment Examination (PSAE) during April of your junior year. You may want to brush up on subjects such as English, math, and science before the exam. Some students also take ACT or SAT preparation courses. Don't stress too much about the tests. You can always retake them if you aren't happy with your results. 
• Search for scholarships. Your high school guidance counselors’ office is a good place to start. They know about the scholarships available only to students in your school, town, or county which are typically easier to get because the applicant pool is smaller. Also, find out if you qualify for scholarships at Illinois State.