I know that sounds stupid, but I have no clue, it seems like I cant do anything til I am a senior (next year). I want to go to my community college, for at least two years, then go on to another school...Im thinking NOVA (4 hour drive away) in ft. lauderdale FL. But no one can help me.

Ive tried 3-4 times to talk to my guidance counselers, but they are busy, and as a junior, the seniors are more important. I just got off the phone with my community college counseler, he cant help me either. I know I need scholarships, and financial aid, but I dont have the slightest notion on how to get it. My mom wants to help but she never went to college, and neither has anyone else in my family. I feel like the whole world says YOU HAVE TO GO TO COLLEGE!, but when I ask for guidance it says YOURE ON YOUR OWN.

How do I apply for scholarships? I dont want to do it all my senior year. PLEASE- help me out

if it helps...

I live in FL, am an 11th grader, want to be a kindergarten teacher, have a decent (3.?) GPA...idk what else will help

 I would be busting down the doors of my counselors.  It sounds like you are old enough to qualify for dual enrollment (take some of your classes at community college - get both hs and college credit for it - free tuition/you buy books).  It is not unheard of to hear of some finishing up an Associates degree BEFORE finishing high school.  I'd go down to the community college also and go to admissions.  Nicely bug them until you get the info you want.  (Its good practice, you will have to be chasing someone your whole college carear.)  

 I have been out of college about nine years so little rusty but here are the basics.
 
Get a Cataloge from the colleges you want to go to both community & Universty..study them for reqriements for entrance.
There should also be a section in each with with a list of availabe scholarships and the requirements for each of those..some with be just GPA ,
some you can get if your a certain religion, your parents work in certain fields, you plan to teach in certain areas etc. It is good for you to know
so if they require commuinty service you could work on that during your next summer and Sr. year.
Applying  for financila aid is not hard,,I'm not sure how much is done online now since I'm old LOL ...but just go the community colleges financial aid
deptartment and ask for a packet of informantion they should have them. ( or check thier webiste) That will tell you all the details bout grants vs. loans etc. Get all the grants you can.
Since you know what you want to do it might help to contact your local elementary school and see if any teachers went to the colleges your intrested
in in the recent past. They can tell you not only about the program and what to expect but they might be good refrecnces if you need some
for scholarships. If haven't already taken it many scholarships are linked to the your ACT/SAT score so that is a major focus. I got half entire tuition for Jr. college paid due to my ACT score through a schoalrship.
Hope some of this helped.

All of this is helping, I put in another request today to see them, and Ill call the 2 elementary schools around here I went to. To anyone who went to college, why do they try to make it seem like you cant do anything til your senior year of HS?

Tiffany,

First look up Bright Futures Scholarship - it is for Florida students- here is a link that should help.

 http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/BF.htm

For the full amount of that scholarship you will need to volunteer. I am not sure how many hours  of volunteer work is required.

Google the college you want to attend to find out info on admissions and there should be a listing of scholarships that are available through different organizations somewhere on their site. It will also give the deadline for applying.

Here is information on being duel enrolled in Fl.:  http://www.fldoe.org/articulation/pdf/dualenrollfaqs.pdf  In Florida, duel enrolled students do not have to pay for classes or books. The school system pays the cost. You will need to talk to a school counselor. If they refuse to talk to you, have a parent call until they agree to see you.

 Once you graduate college and if you need financial aid you will have to fill out a FAFSA form : http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ . Fill this out as soon as possible each year. Your will need tax info, so it is better to have completed your federal taxes before filling out the FAFSA. If you do not work, or are a dependent you will need your parents tax info.

This should get you started. I also live in Florida and am currently working on my degree for teaching.

make sure your sat or act grade point is ok before you graduate then go to the public liabrary ask the people behind the desk where to look for schalerships you know like web sites, and one question why not near by the house its kinda cheaper if you go to like 2 year programs verses 4 at this time and age and yes its really expensive to go I feel sorry for this generation of kids going to collage I swear you need 5 jobs to support going to school and to get books and a computer note book along with transportation to get back and fourth yes I was in your shoes once I got a bussines dagree in bussiness yup two year of the stuff 5 years to pay off the loan I had too bussness going at the same time it was car titles and  and other yeah I know gross used cars it helped a bit got out now retired due to health good luck and last do this about the research when you are a jounier better ahead the being a enier then to latre keep the gpa up as much as you can good luck.

Go to the college's website and find the page about admissions.  Look for "early admissions" or just for admissions, if you can't find that.  It should have information about who to call.  If you can't get help on the phone, you may have to go to the college and register in person. 

Who pays the college tuition for dual enrollment courses? Eligible public school students are exempt from registration, matriculation, or laboratory fees for courses taken through dual enrollment. Tuition is waived. 

Tiffany,

My DD, who is a sophomore, is on The College Board's email list. The College Board is the entity that administers the SAT exams. They send her tailored advice on what she should be doing now in college searches, how to prep for the SAT, etc.

You can go to their website and get the same info: http://www.collegeboard.com/

When you register, they'll ask for some info so they can send you the advice you need right now.

AWESOME! and to who mentioned it, I am trying to go to a college right down the street from my house, I plan on biking everyday (i do that now to my high school.) so I dont have to pay for gas, or insurance, or the car. :D

sometimes, it honestly SUCKS, like today, it was pouring, to and from school. but its all good most of the time. I havent taken the SAT or ACT yet, but I plan on it this summer (i have to get a price waiver) but according to my english teacher my PSAT scores show that Ill do fine on the SAT.  what is the difference between the SAT and ACT, besides how it is scored, is it the same material, and two tests?