ACADEMICS ❑ Look into summer bridge programs at your college. (March) These are programs for the summer before college where you’d go to your campus, live like a college student and possibly take classes. They help you get a head start on college -- meeting the right people, getting to know campus, and developing the right habits -- and you might even be able to get some college credits out of the way! If you do a summer bridge program, there usually is a cost, but often you can fill out your FAFSA for the previous year and receive a Pell Grant to cover the full cost. Sometimes, you’ll even get a refund check!
❑ Register for and complete orientation. (May) Orientation usually will be late in the spring or over the summer. You will usually get an email about it after you get accepted. You might have to pay a registration fee to sign up, which could be from $20 to over $100. If you can’t pay the fee fee, reach out to your school’s admissions office to see if they can waive it. Explain your family’s financial situation and why you cannot pay it. During orientation you’ll learn more about the school and might register for classes or meet with your academic advisor. Before going, check if there’s anything you need to bring with you. There is a chance that they’ll ask you to bring documents like an ID or something to verify your residence, tax forms to finish financial aid or other documents. 14
