Question

aiden is in 6th grade and plans to attend college. He has created a college preparation plan.

1. He will fill out the FAFSA form and send it in immediately.
2. He will ask his parents if they have a college savings account.
3. When he gets to high school, he will start trying harder in school so he can qualify for academic scholarships.
4. During his last year of high school, he will get involved in sports and clubs he enjoys to qualify for scholarships.
5. Upon graduation, he will start saving money for college.

Which statements identify errors in Jaiden’s plan? Check all that apply.

Answer 1

Errors: 1, 3, 4, and 5.

- 1 (FAFSA immediately): FAFSA can only be completed for your senior year (opens each year on October 1 of the senior year), so you can’t send it in now.
- 3 (wait until high school to try harder): You should build good study habits and academic record now — grades and coursework from all of high school (and even earlier habits) affect scholarship eligibility.
- 4 (join activities only in your last year): Many scholarships look for sustained involvement and leadership over several years, so start clubs/sports earlier, not just in your final year.
- 5 (start saving only after graduation): It’s much better to begin saving earlier (or have parents contribute to a college savings plan) rather than waiting until after graduation.

Statement 2 (ask parents about a college savings account) is correct and a good step.