Summer: Tips for parents of high school students or recent graduates.

Tips for parents of high school students

Keep the brain active.

Help your child stay on track academically by encouraging him or her to exercise the brain during summer break.

• Check out Vermont summer camps that help keep the brain and the body active: www.vermontcamps.org and www.vtliving.com/summercamps/.
• Help your child find books of interest. Few things can help boost academic success like reading. Plan a trip to the bookstore or library to find challenging and fun reading material.
• Schedule a summer tutor to provide support and encourage progress during the relatively non-stressful summer months.

Review the school schedule.

Look over your child's course schedule for the fall to make sure that he or she is taking challenging college prep classes that meet graduation requirements.

Assess the challenges of the past year.

Discuss the past school year with your child. What can be learned from last year to help with the upcoming year? What should he or she do differently or continue to do? Be sure to praise successes and encourage problem solving.

Tips for parents of graduated seniors

Finalize college costs.

Make final decisions about how your family will cover the cost of your child's college education. Make sure that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of the following payment options:

• federal Stafford loans for students
• federal PLUS loans for parents
• private loans for students
• tuition payment plans

Help your CHILD pack for college.

Take advantage of back-to-school sales to help your child pack all the essentials. Don't forget:

• desk supplies
• laundry supplies (including quarters)
• odds & ends – hangers, extension cords, hammer, clock, and any other useful items.