Before you step foot on campus, find out what you should look for and what questions to ask.

In honor of this major US holiday, University Language presents a short history of the American flag:

When was the first American flag flown?

The “Grand Union Flag,” with red and white stripes and the Union Jack in the upper left corner, was used during the American Revolution. However, the Second Continental Congress in 1777 called for the country’s first official flag to have 13 red and white stripes, as well as 13 white stars on a blue background.

Who is Betsy Ross?

Betsy Ross is said to have sewed the first American flag, with the 13 white stars arranged in a circle on the blue background.

When was the current American flag adopted?

In 1959, after Alaska became the 49th state in the union, but before Hawaii became the 50th.

What do the stars and stripes of the current American flag represent?

The 50 stars represent the 50 states that make up America.

The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies.

What is the etiquette for displaying the flag?

The American flag should not touch the ground. In addition, the flag should be illuminated if it is displayed at night.

What is the meaning when a flag is half-staff?

The flag is flown halfway up the flagpole as a sign of mourning.

What are some nicknames for the American flag?

Star-Spangled Banner; Old Glory; the Stars and Stripes; the Red, White and Blue

These aren’t million dollar cuts. Instead, colleges are trimming a few hundreds dollars here and a few thousand dollars there, according to a recent article in the New York Times.

A few ways colleges are pinching their pennies, according to the Times:

• Whittier College in California eliminated trays from the cafeteria, eliminating food waste and cleaning costs.
• Davidson College in North Carolina switched from bottled to tap water at many events.
• Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania will give trustees cafeteria passes instead of serving them breakfast at meetings.

Inevitably, a few student perks are falling by the wayside. Dickinson College in Pennsylvania is trimming the free student laundry service. Whitman College in Washington is replacing free, unlimited photocopying in libraries and labs with a $60 per semester limit.

But other colleges are finding ways to help their budget and students’ billfolds at the same time. The College of Wooster, in Ohio, is offering minimum wage campus maintenance jobs to students.

More and more schools likely will be following in these schools’ footsteps as budgets are chopped and students need more financial aid. Far from demeaning the college experience, these changes may even enhance innovation. Already, many colleges are holding contests to cut energy costs.

In fact, it would be wise to continue many of these college budget cuts even as the economy improves. Would you rather have your college spend precious budget resources on scholarships … or window washing?

The new FAFSA form is “shorter, simpler and more user friendly,” according to the US Department of Education.

“Simplifying the FAFSA is another significant action in our quest to keep a college degree within the reach of every person who aspires to higher education,” US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a press release.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be completed by all students who want to be considered for federal financial aid. Many states, colleges and universities also use the FAFSA to award aid.

At least one new change has already been implemented. Since May, applicants have received instant Pell Grant and student loan eligibility estimates, rather than waiting for weeks.

Additional FAFSA changes, which are scheduled to take place by January 2010, will make the online FAFSA easier to navigate and allow online applicants to easily get tax information from the IRS.

College applicants — and their parents — have long said that filling out the FAFSA is a tiring, time-consuming process. The new FAFSA form aims to make this necessary step in the college application process a little less so.

Wait. Prepare for the SAT?

Yep. It’s the perfect time! In the summer you can concentrate on preparing for the SAT without the stress of schoolwork and college applications.

Every student is unique. When you prepare for the SAT, make sure you take a track that is right for you. If vocabulary is your weakness, study word lists and make a special effort to read good books. If math is your problem, review the basic math concepts you’ll need to know for the SAT.

In any case, get started studying for the SAT exam early and take advantage of the free time you have right now. Here are 5 tips to help you get started:

1. Buy a Practice Book.

An SAT practice book is a worthwhile investment. These generally include lists of vocabulary words and math concepts you are likely to see on the test, SAT practice problems with answers and explanations, and at least one full-length practice test. If you can’t afford a formal prep course or a private tutor, simply going through SAT books and doing as many practice problems as possible will help you prepare for the SAT on your own.

2. Boost Your Vocabulary.

Increasing your vocabulary is one thing that can help you score higher on the SAT. Most practice books include vocabulary lists of frequently used SAT words. Reading will improve both vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. Read a little every day, challenge yourself with difficult reading, and look up words you don’t know.

3. Study Math Skills.

There are a number of basic math skills that you are sure to see on the SAT. Most SAT prep books provide an index of math skills that the SAT includes. These are all things that you should have learned in school, so odds are you won’t have to learn new concepts. Just make sure you review math concepts you may have forgotten as you prepare for the SAT.

4. Take a Prep Class.

If you are having trouble studying on your own as you prepare for the SAT, consider taking a formal SAT prep class. Most SAT prep classes meet once or twice a week and include practice problems for homework. You’ll be assigned vocabulary words to learn, review math concepts in class, and you may also get the chance to take an in-class practice test.

5. Get a Private Tutor.

If you are particularly weak in a certain area, a private tutor may provide individual specialized attention you can’t get in a group class. For example, if you discover you never mastered the math skills tested on the SAT, a private tutor can help you. You’ll have a better idea of whether a tutor is necessary after you have already begun to prepare for the SAT and have found your weaknesses.

Think You Don’t Need to Study?

Even if you got a killer score on the PSAT and don’t think you need to prepare for the SAT over the summer, don’t neglect SAT studying! You want to keep your brain sharp over the summer months. You also may want to consider taking one or more SAT II subject tests, which you also can start studying for.

College testing is an important part of the admissions process, and the summer is the ideal time to begin to prepare for the SAT.

A gap year can give students time to earn money, volunteer or gain valuable life experiences. But without a plan, your gap year could turn into ten!

While taking a gap year is beneficial to some students, it’s not the best choice for everybody. Consider these points about taking a gap year before you decide to take time off from your studies.

Financial Benefits of Taking Time Off

Tuition at a US college can put a dent in your wallet, so it’s no surprise that some students consider taking a gap year in order to save money for school. If you are thinking of doing this, remember that this will be helpful only if you have a decent paying job (read: more than minimum wage) and are living at home where you don’t pay rent. With the right job and financial planning, however, working for a year can make a big financial difference.

These days some high school seniors in the United States also are considering taking a gap year as they wait for the US government to finish legislation that will increase funding for Pell Grants and other government loans by 2010. If you are eligible and are planning to get financial aid for school, this increased funding may be worth the wait.

What to Do During Your Gap Year

If you think taking a gap year is right for you, you must decide what you will do in your year off from school.

If you have financial freedom, a gap year is the perfect time to participate in volunteer work abroad. There are many programs that allow you to travel and volunteer simultaneously.

However, if you hope to save money before heading back to school, getting a job is the obvious solution. For most students, this means finding something in their hometown, so they can continue to live rent-free at home.

If you will be working, consider participating in extracurricular activities. Constructive extracurricular activities for college will be fun for you and will look good to admissions counselors. Try taking a class or two at a local community college, or volunteering in your community.

Planning for After the Gap Year

If you decide on taking a gap year, figure out your post-gap-year plans sooner rather than later. It might seem silly to plan so far in advance, but you don’t want your gap year to become 10 years!

The easiest way to secure your future after taking a gap year is to apply to schools while in high school, and then defer enrollment at your chosen school. That means you put off enrollment for a specified period of time. The school has to approve your deferred enrollment, so you’ll have to explain why you want to defer admission and what you plan to do in the meantime.

While deferred enrollment is the most reliable option, some students may choose to wait to apply until they’ve completed high school and are already in their gap year.

This can make admissions difficult - you won’t have the same resources you had in high school, and colleges may question your decision to take a gap year. This is really advisable only if you plan on doing something impressive with your gap year that will help your odds of admission.

Talk to Guidance and Admissions Counselors

When considering taking a gap year, one of the best things you can do is talk to your high school guidance counselor, as well as admissions counselors at the universities you are interested in attending. Counselors will be able to look at your individual case and advise you about whether taking a gap year is a good option for you.