Contact military schools and plan to visit the campuses with your family. On campus, you will be able to experience first-hand military education and lifestyle. Speak with the school about the application process, financial aid, and the transition into military school.
Prepare and send applications. A checklist of requirements and deadlines is a helpful tool to use when filling out applications. Late applications can be denied. Some general application requirements may include an application fee, copies of identification, academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and standardized test scores. Check standardized test dates and make sure your child has passed the tests before the application deadline.
Practice for a fitness evaluation. Athletic training is a substantial part of military education. Most military school applications will require a fitness or physical evaluation. A fitness evaluation will test your child's physical condition with a series of rigorous athletic events, such as running, swimming, sit-ups, and push-ups. Look up each school's specific fitness events and standard of scoring the evaluations in order to physically prepare.
Prepare your child mentally for the transition into the military school lifestyle. Share potential worries or fears. Stress, homesickness, and difficulty adjusting may affect your child at military school. If this is your child's first time away from home for an extended period of time, tell him that boarding school can be a shocking and lonely experience at first. Discuss ways the family can keep in close contact, like scheduled weekly phone calls, campus visits, or care packages. Encourage your child to make new friends and to seek an academic adviser or counselor if things become overwhelming or stressful.
Discover financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, grants, and loans. Check with the military school's financial aid department to apply for any available financial aid. Your child may qualify for need-based grants or scholarships. Payment plans are another option to finance your child's education. Outside of financial assistance from the school, private loans and private scholarships are available. Private scholarships given by various organizations tend to have specific eligibility requirements, including membership in the group.