This year, month by month
Typical US timing for the grade you picked above. Your school and each college set their own dates, so check them on official sites.
FallYour teenStart a weekly routine and one planner.YouStart a ten-minute weekly check-in.
WinterYour teenHigh school info night; learn the course sequences.YouGo to parent night; ask how sequences work.
SpringYour teenChoose Grade 9 courses with teachers’ advice; PSAT 8/9 if your school offers it.YouStart a family folder; first calm money talk; save a little if you can.
SummerYour teenOrientation, reading, rest and a small project.YouPut Grade 9 dates on the family calendar.
Aug–SepYour teenMeet teachers; choose one or two activities; start your activity log.YouMeet the counselor; keep the weekly check-in.
Oct–NovYour teenProgress reports: ask for help early if a grade slips.YouConferences: listen first, then coach.
JanuaryYour teenMid-year review: keep, change or ask.YouUpdate the family folder.
Feb–MarYour teenChoose Grade 10 courses; apply for summer jobs or programs.YouHelp compare summer options by value.
Apr–JunYour teenFinals plan; update your log.YouWatch sleep and stress; June review.
SummerYour teenA job, free course or project; log it.YouLearn the types of aid.
Aug–SepYour teenTake on a deeper role; protect study blocks.YouWeekly hours check, sleep first.
Oct–DecYour teenKeep your log; strengthen weak skills.YouRun Net Price Calculators together.
Jan–FebYour teenChoose Grade 11 courses that fit; summer applications.YouAgree on a yearly college budget.
SpringYour teenPSAT 10 if your school offers it; nearby or virtual college visits.YouPlan low-cost visits.
SummerYour teenA job, course or project; log it.YouKeep the savings habit; next money talk.
Aug–SepYour teenChoose SAT or ACT; start a college tracker.YouFind the tax records the FAFSA will use.
OctoberYour teenPSAT/NMSQT (National Merit qualifying test).YouJunior parent night.
Nov–JanYour teenPractice tests with an error log; research colleges.YouTalk about the budget and the list.
Feb–MarYour teenRegister for spring SAT or ACT; plan visits.YouPlan visits around school breaks.
Apr–MayYour teenAsk two teachers for recommendations; AP exams in May.YouCreate your StudentAid.gov account if you’ll be a contributor.
JuneYour teenList of 10–15 with net prices; retake plan.YouScam rules: no fees, no guarantees.
SummerYour teenEssay drafts, activity list, final research.YouLearn the FAFSA steps and each college’s aid deadline.
AugustYour teenApplications open (the Common App on August 1); set internal deadlines.YouFamily tracker for aid deadlines.
SeptemberYour teenRequest the school report and recommendations through your school; finish essays.YouEarly Decision cost check with the Net Price Calculator.
OctoberYour teenSubmit early applications before your internal dates (deadlines are often November 1 or 15).YouThe FAFSA opens in the fall: complete it; CSS Profile if required.
Nov–DecYour teenEarly decisions arrive; finish Regular Decision essays.YouWatch for document requests.
JanuaryYour teenRegular Decision deadlines (often January 1–15); mid-year report.YouRespond quickly to verification or other requests.
Feb–MarYour teenScholarships; check every college portal.YouAsk aid offices about a review if finances changed.
Mar–AprYour teenOffers arrive: compare net prices; ask questions.YouCompare offers together.
By May 1Your teenDecide and deposit (Decision Day).YouCelebrate the decision.
SummerYour teenHousing, health forms, orientation, final transcript.YouWeekly portal and email checks, then hand over the tracker.
Where you live
The planning habits work everywhere. The admissions and aid steps differ by country.
United StatesThis course follows the US system: high school transcript from Grade 9, SAT or ACT where required, the Common App and college applications, the FAFSA on StudentAid.gov, the CSS Profile at some colleges, and May 1 Decision Day at many colleges.
CanadaAdmission is mostly based on Grade 11 and 12 marks and required courses, through provincial application centres (for example OUAC in Ontario or EducationPlannerBC). Most Canadian universities don’t require the SAT. Aid comes through provincial student aid and Canada Student Financial Assistance; an RESP can add the Canada Education Savings Grant. The habits, records, cost thinking and family system in this course apply fully.
IndiaAdmission depends on board exam marks and entrance exams such as CUET-UG, JEE and NEET, with their own dates from the official agencies. Scholarships are on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). The habits, planning, honest records and family system in this course apply fully; for US colleges from India, the US steps here apply directly.
What the research says
The methods in this course are informed by published research. The research supports these methods; it does not prove that this new course works. We’ll pilot it and report what we find, honestly.
Grade 8 · Harvard University and Duke UniversityNancy Hill and Diana Tyson’s review of parent involvement found that “academic socialization,” talking with children about goals, learning and future plans, was more strongly linked to achievement in middle school than helping with homework.
Grade 9 · University of Chicago Consortium on School ResearchResearch on the transition to high school found that Grade 9 course performance strongly predicts graduation, and that early support from adults makes a real difference.
Grade 10 · Stanford University and the University of VirginiaHoxby and Turner found that clear, low-cost information about colleges and net prices changed where high-achieving, lower-income students applied and enrolled.
Grade 11 · Federal Trade CommissionThe FTC warns families that scholarship and financial aid “guarantees” and upfront fees are common signs of scams, and that legitimate aid information is free.
Grade 12 to Decision Day · Harvard University and Stanford UniversityBettinger, Long, Oreopoulos and Sanbonmatsu found that helping families complete the FAFSA increased college enrollment, showing how much the aid forms matter.
Original Global Yuva content: stories, characters, illustrations, questions and tools. Narration uses your device’s built-in read-aloud voice. Dollar amounts are made-up teaching examples. Dates are typical timing; your school, each college and official agencies set the real dates and rules, which can change. For informational and educational purposes only; not admissions, financial-aid, tax, legal or mental-health advice, and no admission, scholarship or outcome is guaranteed. Verify every requirement, cost and deadline with official sources such as your school, each college and StudentAid.gov. If you or someone you know is unsafe or in crisis, contact a trusted adult or local emergency services. The grade certificate recognizes completion of a Global Yuva program and is not an academic credential.
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