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AUGUST |
- Review your career plans and decide which type of school is
right for you.
- Visit some college campuses.
- Narrow your college list to 3-5 schools.
- Request catalogs and admissions information.
- Begin to gather the information needed for applications -
including teacher recommendations.
- Contact your high school counselor for registration materials
and test dates for the SAT and/or ACT.
- Continue to develop your resume for employment or educational
experiences. Here is the chance for you to sell yourself - list your
achievements, honors, activities, etc.
- Check the Internet for scholarships you may qualify for.
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SEPTEMBER |
- Meet with admissions representatives who are visiting your
school.
- Make a list of test names, dates, fees, registration deadlines,
and of deadlines for college admissions and financial aid
applications
- Remember that you must take tests like the SAT and ACT at least
six weeks before the deadline for scores to be submitted to
colleges.
- Start sending your college applications.
- Make copies of all
applications and other materials sent to colleges for your files.
- Apply to several schools, including "dream" schools and "safety"
schools.
- Begin asking teacher, guidance counselors, and employers for
letters of recommendation to include with your admissions and/or
scholarship application. Be sure to provide a stamped,
addressed envelope for each school. Give each person at least a
month to write the recommendation; don't forget to write thank you
notes.
- Start gathering the information needed for applications -
including teacher recommendations.
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OCTOBER |
- Take the SAT or ACT exam, if necessary. Make sure the test
scores can be sent to your chosen schools before the application
deadline.
- Applications - don't wait until the final deadline -
Make copies of all applications and other materials sent to colleges for
your files. Apply Early.
- Deadlines for out of colleges vary be sure to make note of
deadlines for each college you are applying to.
- Some college applications require an essay. Develop an outline
and ask your English teacher for assistance.
- Visit your top school choices. Interview some students, faculty, and
staff.
- Attend special programs such as college fairs and financial aid nights.
- Look and listen for announcements about scholarships in school
bulletins, local newspapers and use scholarship databases available
in the guidance office.
- Find out which financial aid applications your college choices require
and when the forms are due.
- Some private universities may require that you register for CSS/Financial
Aid PROFILE at this time. (This determines your qualification for
private school aid.)
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NOVEMBER |
- Take the SAT or ACT exam, if necessary.
- Obtain financial aid applications from your guidance office or college
of choice. Read them carefully to determine what information is
required and when the applications are due.
- Attend a college senior day or open house.
- Complete your applications as soon as possible. Do not wait for
test scores. NOTE DEADLINES
- Check with the colleges to
find out when materials must be postmarked.
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DECEMBER |
- Pick up a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
at your high school counseling office and start working on it, fill out
online. DO NOT SUBMIT IT BEFORE JANUARY
1.
- Apply for outside funding or scholarships.
- File your last college applications. Make sure to also submit
official high school transcripts and test scores
- Ask your parents to save their year-end payroll stub if it shows your earnings for
the year. You may need it for financial aid eligibility reviews by
schools.
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JANUARY |
- Submit your completed Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) to the processor as soon after January 1 as
possible.
- Don't fall prey to "Senioritis!" All college acceptances are
provisional - contingent upon the maintenance of your present level
of achievement plus successful completion of this semester's work.
- PARENTS: It’s helpful to get your income tax returns prepared early –
schools may request them to prove eligibility for financial aid.
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FEBRUARY |
- Men 18 years of age and over must register for the Selective
Service in order to receive federal financial aid
- Check to see if your mid-year transcripts have been
sent to the schools to which you have applied.
- Mail your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), or
complete online application, if you have
not already done so.
- Research taking Advanced Placement (AP) or College-Level Examination
Program (CLEP) exams.
- Rank your finalized list of colleges
- KEEP COPIES OF ALL FORMS YOU SUBMIT.
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MARCH |
- Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail.
Your SAR contains federal financial aid information.
- Submit SAR and tax forms to the financial aid office if requested.
Contact each office to make certain that your application is complete.
Find out what else you need to do to establish and maintain your
eligibility for financial aid.
- Look for Pell Grant program information in your Student Aid
Report.
- Keep copies of all forms you submit to the financial aid office.
- If you have not received your Student Aid Report four weeks after
sending in your FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information
Center.
- Be on the lookout for scholarship award letters.
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APRIL |
- Closely review the SAR (Student Aid Report) that you received in
the mail and make any necessary corrections.
- Watch the mail for college acceptance and financial
aid award letters. Compare the financial aid awards you receive.
- Evaluate your options, make your final college selection and send in a deposit by the deadline.
- Check with the college you’ve chosen about the details of signing and
returning financial aid award letters.
- Notify the other schools that you will not be attending.
- Watch for important deadlines at your chosen college (housing, financial
aid, etc.).
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MAY |
- Make sure that you accept the financial aid award from the
college you decide to attend. You should decline offers from the
other schools so those funds can be made available to other
students.
- Review your financial aid award letters. If you have any
questions, call or write the financial aid office of the individual
colleges.
- Watch for important deadlines at your college of choice
(housing, financial aid, etc.).
- Clear all senior obligations with the guidance counselor.
- Notify your counselor of any awards or scholarships (academic,
artistic, athletic, dramatic, etc.) that you receive.
- Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams that are given in high schools
nationwide.
- Don't forget to study for final exams, the grades you receive
will still count.
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JUNE/JULY |
- Graduation!!!
- Finalize summer school or summer job plans.
- Write thank you notes for any scholarships you've received and
for all graduation gifts.
- If needed, you should apply for a Stafford Loan.
- If needed, your parents should apply for a PLUS loan; find out
your school's PLUS application deadlines and other requirements.
- Stafford borrowers may also complete their required entrance
interview online.
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AUGUST |
- Buy the things you need for college gradually over the summer,
avoid last-minute, expensive buying decisions.
- Pack for college. See college packing checklist.
- Do not miss your freshman orientation dates. - you may not be
able to register for class until you attend.
- Begin your first semester at college.
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