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Getting Started

Preparing, Planning, and Paying for College.
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How to Prepare for your future.


Embarking on your college planning journey is an exciting opportunity! It involves exploring various colleges, curating a list of schools that resonate with your aspirations, and selecting classes that align with your academic goals—all while staying organized with admissions deadlines. 

While strong grades and standardized test scores can enhance your application, high school students must fully grasp the key elements of college planning to leverage their potential. Plus, navigating the financial aid landscape can open doors and make your college dreams more accessible, ensuring a bright future ahead! 

The RISLA College Planning Center is here to help you stay on track and is available for free assistance while preparing, planning, and paying for college.

For Parents & Students

What to Consider for College Planning

Starting your college prep early is such an exciting journey! It’s a excellent opportunity to discover more about yourself and your passions, which will help you shape your college goals. Embrace the adventure ahead—your future awaits!

Exploring Interests

Exploring Interests

A great way to kick off your college journey, no matter your grade, is to find out what really excites you! Do you love crunching numbers, or does creating art make your heart sing? By digging into what interests you and how it ties into your college plans, you’re already on the right track—something you can start exploring as soon as you hit high school.

Freshman Year
Keeping Good Grades

Keeping Good Grades

Colleges look at how students do in school over all four years of high school. That’s why it’s super important for students to start strong in their first year by getting good grades. To get ready for college, it helps to keep an eye on your grades, ask for help if you need it, and take some challenging classes in your sophomore year.

Sophomore Year
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Jump In Juniors!

Are you excited about the classes you’re taking? Your transcript is super important for colleges when they look at applications. They like seeing students taking challenging courses that interest them and doing well! Now’s a great time to think about your current courses and check out options for junior year, ensuring you’re on a path that motivates you. Let’s work on setting you up for success!

Junior Year
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Senior Plan

For seniors, the college admissions season is officially in full swing. There’s a ton for high school seniors to tackle from the start of the school year to application deadlines, especially if they’re going for early admission. The whole college application can get pretty overwhelming, but luckily, there are plenty of online resources to help students and parents figure it out.

Senior Year
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The Big Guide

Offers free tools and resources, a timeline to help parents and students stay on track, as well as financial aid guidance for FAFSA and FSA ID.

College Planning

How parents and students can prepare, plan, and pay for college.
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Types of Colleges

There are four types of colleges. Discover which one is the best fit for you!

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Choosing a College

Learn more about how to select the right college for you.

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Applying to College

Discover important information to consider when applying to colleges.

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College Application

Understand more about college applications and the required materials.

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Essays & Resumes

How to write compelling essays and resumes.

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Junior Timeline

Maximize your Junior Year of High School by preparing for college.

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Senior Timeline

The admissions season has begun, and now is the time to prepare for college.

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Financial Aid Basics

Explore options to help students and parents fund a college education.

RISLA College Planning Center

Schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

RISLA’s College Planning Center (CPC) is a free service dedicated to helping students gain access to higher education. Each year, the CPC helps thousands of students and families plan to attend college and pay for it. 

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We are with you for the journey.

College Planning

A free service aimed at helping students achieve their goal of attending college and paying for it. The CPC assists thousands of students and families each year in planning for higher education.

Scholarship Hub

Check out how to prepare for college—access free tools and resources.  Find local scholarships for college, and parents and students can enter to win $2,000 in college scholarships!

Student Loans

Our student loans offer flexible repayment options, competitive interest rates, and a simple application process, making them an ideal choice for parents and students.

Refinancing

With our refinancing options, you can enjoy the benefits of low fixed interest rates, no fees, and an auto-pay discount. Take advantage of this opportunity to save money and simplify your finances. 

What customers are saying about RISLA

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