Post-High School Planning - BrightSpot Labs

A teen sitting at a desk weighing gap year vs. college options with a notebook and laptop open Design concept: Split-panel layout. Left side shows a college campus scene with a cap and diploma graphic, right side shows a road or travel scene representing a gap year.

Gap Year vs. College: 7 Questions to Help Your Teen Make the Right Call

Weighing a gap year vs. college for your teen? Learn what the research says, the right questions to ask, and how to support a thoughtful decision.

Parent and student reviewing what to do after the college decision

The Decision Has Been Made: Now What?

Figuring out what to do after the college decision? Here is what every family needs to know about FERPA, student privacy, and the key documents to get in order before they go.

College scholarships for high school students: a graduation cap on a jar of coins representing scholarship funding and financial aid

How Families Find and Win College Scholarships: A Complete Guide

By Antonietta Breitenfeldt, M. Ed. | BrightSpot Labs Related Reading For a full college planning roadmap, visit our complete guide: College Planning for Parents: 5 Essential Steps to Start. For a full breakdown of grants, loans, and scholarships, visit our complete guide: Understanding College Financial Aid: Grants, Loans, and Scholarships. Every year, families sit down …