Introduction

If you're thinking about going to college, even if that's still several years off, you should browse through our Planner Timeline. It's got a lot of information that'll help you get ready for college. Here are some general guidelines, with links to important information. If you want to go directly to the Planner Timeline, click on your grade level above.

1. Start early.
   The best time to start is in the eighth grade, because then you can set up a plan for all four years of high school that'll get you ready for college. If you're already in high school, it's not too late, even if you're a junior or senior.
   
   Regardless of the grade you're in, you should:
   
   
   • Pay attention to dates and deadlines.
   • Plan to take the pre-college curriculum required by all public universities in Kentucky.
   • Take at least two years of the same foreign language.
   • Get the best grades you can in the most challenging courses your school offers.
   • Take part in extracurricular activities at school (band, sports, clubs, etc.) and volunteer in the community.
   
   
2. Start looking at what you want to do with your life.
   If you have a definite career goal in mind, that makes getting ready for college a lot easier. You'll know what you need to take in high school to get you ready for what you'll have to take in college.
   
   
3. Find the college that's right for you.
   You can use GoHigherKY.org to help you find a college by name, by comparison (Comparative View) or by preference (Matching Assistant). Then you can use Campus Tours for a virtual look at the colleges you're interested in. It's also a good idea to visit campuses in person, of course.
   
   
4. Look for ways to pay for college.
   If your parents are picking up the whole tab, you're in great shape. If not, you need to find out all you can about scholarships, grants, work-study and loans.
   
   
5. Apply online.
   
   
   
6. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - the FAFSA - as soon as you can after January 1.
   We'll help you through the financial aid process and teach you other ways to get money for college.