College Planning for Seniors
September |
- Request applications and brochures from your target colleges if you haven’t already. For more college options, sign up for FastWeb’s College Search.
- SAT is offered on several different dates. Visit sat.collegeboard.org to get test dates and registration deadlines.
- ACT is offered on several different dates. Visit actstudent.org to get test dates and registration deadlines.
- Schedule college interviews with prospective schools.
- Set up a budget for college application costs – they can add up.
- Continue to check with online sources, such as FastWeb.com to find scholarship money.
- Check the Guidance webpage and the Bulletin Boards at school for local scholarship opportunities.
- Get your applications in order by creating files for your target schools. Make a list of application requirements (essays, transcripts, etc.) and deadlines for each.
- Request letters of recommendation from teachers, advisors, and employers.
- Work on application essays.
- Make an appointment to meet with your school counselor, Ms. Snyder, to discuss your options.
- Talk to your parents about college cost. Decide how much you can afford and explore your options for funding.
- Check with your prospective colleges about additional financial aid application forms and requirements.
- Start gathering materials and financial records for the FAFSA, available on October 1st.
- Create a FSA ID a week before planning to complete the FAFSA. Visit fsaid.ed.gov to do so.
|
October |
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available on October 1st.
- Request transcripts to be sent to your target schools.
- SAT is offered on several different dates. Visit sat.collegeboard.org to get test dates and registration deadlines.
- ACT is offered on several different dates. Visit actstudent.org to get test dates and registration deadlines.
- Visit FinAid.org to learn more about financial aid.
- Start applying for scholarships from private organizations. Check your FastWeb search results for new scholarships.
|
November |
- If you are applying for Early Action or Early Decision, get your application in this month.
- Keep copies of all applications and forms sent to colleges.
- Request test scores be sent to colleges.
- SAT is offered on several different dates. Visit sat.collegeboard.org to get test dates and registration deadlines.
- ACT is offered on several different dates. Visit actstudent.org to get test dates and registration deadlines.
-
- Continue to apply for scholarships from private organizations. Check your FastWeb search results for new scholarships.
- COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINE: THANKSGIVING!!!
|
December |
- If you missed the Thanksgiving deadline, work on college applications! Many applications are due this month or in early January.
- SAT is offered on several different dates. Visit sat.collegeboard.org to get test dates and registration deadlines.
- ACT is offered on several different dates. Visit actstudent.org to get test dates and registration deadlines.
- Continue to apply for scholarships from private organizations. Check your FastWeb search results for new scholarships.
- Start gathering materials and financial records for the FAFSA, available on January 1st.
|
January |
- Check with your prospective colleges about additional financial aid application forms and requirements.
- Send mid-year reports to colleges, if necessary.
- Verify that your applications have been received by colleges.
- Send thank-you notes to your recommendation sources.
- Continue to apply for scholarships from private organizations. Check your FastWeb search results for new scholarships.
- Begin to check regularly with the Guidance webpage, the Bulletin Boards, and Ms. Snyder for local scholarship opportunities.
- Review the SAR (Student Aid Report) to make sure the information is correct. You should receive it 4-6 weeks after you submit your FAFSA (1-2 weeks if you submit your FAFSA electronically).
|
February |
- Continue to apply for scholarships from private organizations. Check your FastWeb search results for new scholarships.
|
March – April |
- Check the mail for admissions letters and financial aid rewards.
- Compare your admissions offers. Unsure of which decision to make? Ask your school counselor, Ms. Snyder, to help you weigh your options.
- Contact the financial aid office if you have any special financial aid circumstances.
- If waitlisted, notify the admissions office if you are still interested.
- Apply for any and all local scholarships that you qualify for. Check the postings and with Ms. Snyder for available opportunities.
- Plan your summer internship, job, or program.
- Time for a decision! Most schools ask that you choose your school by May 1st.
|
May |
- Notify (in writing) the schools you have decided not to attend.
- Make sure you have received the necessary forms for housing, health insurance, financial aid, etc.
- Pursue additional student loan options.
- Notify colleges of any private scholarship awards.
- Request that all Dual Enrollment transcripts be sent to the college that you will be attending.
|
June – August |
- Have your final transcripts sent to your new school.
- For college student-athletes, ask to have your final transcripts sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
- Research banking options near your college.
- Double-check any final deadlines for housing, financial aid, etc.
- Set up a projected first-year college budget.
|