1	Should I really start planning for college in my 9th grade year? Yes! Although you probably won’t need to make any final college decisions this year, familiarizing yourself with the application process and starting to form some ideas about where to go and what you want to study are good ideas.
2	What can I do academically to start preparing myself for college? Try to take some challenging courses, especially those that might be relevant to fields you might want to study in college. Some schools even offer classes that allow you to earn college credit while still in high school!
3	Who can I talk to with my questions about college? Your high school counselors have access to information about the entire process of getting ready for college. They are willing to help you with any questions you have, as well as to help you with filling out forms. Family, friends, favorite teachers, college fairs, libraries, and the Internet are all excellent resources.
4	How will I pay for college? There are plenty of options available when it comes to paying for college. It’s a good idea to at least familiarize yourself with the financial aid process, especially the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Also, begin learning about the different types of aid, such as grants, loans, scholarships, and workstudy. Some federal grants require that you take specific courses in high school to qualify, so you really do need to plan now if you want to qualify for the most free aid. Most university websites have financial aid sections with this information.
5	What else can I do to plan ahead? Participate in extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports. Talk to friends and family that went to college, and ask them for advice. Consider a summer job to start saving money.
6	What options are available if I decide to live on campus? Universities have many different types of rooms available, including single rooms and double rooms that can be shared with a friend.
7	What will I need to bring with me to campus? Rooms are usually supplied with basic furniture, so you’ll need to provide your own sheets, towels, clothes, phone, television, laptop or computer, and other personal belongings. Most schools have a list of suggested items to bring available on their websites.
8	Is campus housing co-ed? That depends on the campus and the building. Sometimes residence halls are male only or female only, some are co-ed by floor, and some have separate male and female rooms on each floor.
9	Are pets allowed on campus? Some campuses allow students to have a small fish tank, but larger pets aren’t allowed.
10	Will I be able to choose the room I want? This varies from college to college. Incoming freshmen are often required to stay in a freshman-specific building to help ease the transition into college life. Students returning the following year are allowed the first pick of the rooms they want during room selection in the spring.
11	Is Internet/phone service/cable available on campus? Most, if not all, housing on UA campuses have these included, usually at no extra charge.
12	Is on-campus housing comparable to living off-campus? Yes, and it is often less expensive as well. The cost of a room on campus usually includes the cost of all the utilities, making life that much simpler for you. Plus, you have the added convenience of not needing to drive to and from campus.
13	What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Completing it on time is a vital part of receiving financial aid from the school you will attend. For more information contact the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, or visit the website at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
14	When is the deadline for filing my FAFSA? You’ll want to file your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st of each year to qualify for the most financial aid possible. In addition to federal grants and loans, schools typically award specific funds that are given on a “first come, first served” basis to eligible students with need.
15	What sports/activities/clubs are available on campus? What is the weather/area like? The easiest way to find out this information is to visit the school’s website, which will have links to information about everything from life on campus to intramural and collegiate sports to local weather.
16	Can I work while going to school? Yes. In fact, you can get a job as a student employee on campus working up to 20 hours per week during the school year.
17	Will I need to know exactly what I want to study when I enroll? No. In fact, many people don’t know exactly what they want to study when they start college, and students can change their majors if they don’t like what they’ve started to study.
18	What food options are available to students living on campus? Meal plans are typically available to students living on or off campus. They are comparable to or even less expensive than eating off-campus.
19	Where else can I go for information? High school counselors, family, friends, college fairs, libraries and the Internet are all excellent resources for questions about college.