As you approach your high school graduation, it’s important that you make sure that you are on track to meet all your requirements. Earning the right credits is only part of what you need to consider.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How do I know if I am prepared for high school graduation?&nbsp;</h2>

In Texas, most students will graduate on the Foundation High School Program with an endorsement. This graduation plan requires that you take a 22-credit foundation program, which includes your core classes, plus a series of courses in a related field to help you explore possible college or career options. This is called an endorsement. 
To learn more about which credits you are required to earn and your endorsement options, explore <a href="https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/brochures/14grad-toolkit-booklet.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TEA’s Graduation Toolkit</a>.

Know your graduation plan and follow it! 

Figuring out where you want to go in life is easier when you take a little time to explore. While in high school, take some time to consider your interests and skills, and how those relate to possible career fields. Take the <a href="/interests-skills-quizzes/interests-quiz/">My Texas Future Interests Quiz</a> to get started! 
Once you have an idea of what you want to do, determine the next steps to get there. Will you go to a four-year university, a two-year college or technical school, or are you bound for the military? Talk to your school counselor to create a plan for how to get there.

Make a plan for after high school. 

No matter where you are going after high school, you need to be ready when you get there.  
Colleges will want to know that you are prepared to be successful in your classes. You may be required to take the <a href="https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/training-materials/tsia2-student-informational-brochure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TSIA2</a>, or other tests, to determine if you are ready for entry-level college classes. You must show your readiness in reading, writing, and math upon enrolling in college. If you don’t prove readiness in math, for example, you’d need to take a developmental course. It’s kind of like a refresher course tailored to your needs. You may be able to take a developmental course at the same time as college-level courses, but sometimes, you must complete developmental courses first.
If you are planning to go straight to the workforce, high school is a great time to earn credentials needed in your career field, by completing a CTE program. Whether you&#8217;re interested in healthcare, technology, or another field, CTE programs provide hands-on experience and real-world skills that can make you a more competitive applicant. Your CTE teachers can help you explore which certification tests you can take now! 
Or if you plan to join the military, you need to show that you have the skills and stamina required to do the job. Talk to a local recruiter to learn more about enlistment requirements and when you can take the <a href="https://www.officialasvab.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASVAB</a>.

Get college, career, or military ready.

All high school seniors in Texas need to submit a financial aid application to meet graduation requirements. Why? Because Texas wants more students to get money to help pay for college or training after high school. And to get financial aid, you have to apply for it. Every year, billions of financial aid dollars go unclaimed by students, simply because they aren’t applying for aid. To learn more about this graduation requirement and find helpful resources, check out the <a class="Hyperlink SCXW258396166 BCX8" href="https://txoc-academy.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/financialaidwebsite/TexasOnCourse_Students_Fin+Aid+Requirement+Toolkit.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Financial Aid Graduation Requirement Toolkit for Students</a>.

Complete a financial aid application. 

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