8th Grade
- Enroll in Oklahoma's Promise - OHLAP if your parents earn $50,000 or less per year. In addition to meeting the family income requirement, eligible students must attend classes regularly, complete homework assignments and attain at least a 2.5 (C+) grade point average overall and in 17 specified courses. Students must also stay away from drugs and alcohol and refrain from delinquent acts.
- Take the Educational Planning and Assessment System's (EPAS) EXPLORE test to evaluate your skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning, and to help you begin the process of career and educational exploration.
- Decide which high school or Advanced Placement courses will better prepare you for college. AP courses allow you to take college-level courses while in high school. Once you complete the course, you must pass an AP exam to receive college credit. See Earn College Credit.
9th Grade
- Sign up for Oklahoma's Promise - OHLAP if you did not apply during the eighth grade.
- Find out about college entrance requirements.
- Start your plan for college by taking courses that prepare you for college-level course work.
10th Grade
- Last opportunity to enroll in Oklahoma's Promise - OHLAP.
- Take core courses required for college entry.
- Take the EPAS PLAN test to evaluate your skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning, and to help you review your progress toward your educational and career goals.
- Investigate your options of taking AP courses as well as participating in concurrent enrollment, which allows juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses if they meet certain requirements. See Earn College Credit.
- Sign up for a practice exam to prepare for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which will determine your eligibility for a National Merit Scholarship.
- Make a list of reasons why you like different colleges an universities - degree programs, location, cost.
11th Grade
- Take core courses required for college entry.
- Explore opportunities to earn college credit while in high school. See Earn College Credit.
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT and the ACT or SAT exams.
- Research financial aid options and deadlines for applying.
- Attend a College Day/Night event in your area.
- Narrow your choice of colleges and universities you would like to attend and visit the campuses.
12th Grade
- Take core courses required for college entry.
- Explore opportunities to earn college credit while in high school. See Earn College Credit.
- Take the ACT or SAT several times to improve your score. Colleges use these scores to make admissions, guidance and placement decisions.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Jan. 1.
- Attend a College Day/Night event in your area.
- Research financial aid options and deadlines for applying. See Financial Aid.
- Decide which college you would like to attend and submit admission and financial aid applications.
