Ongoing...all the time...

• Keep grades current and passing!

• Second-semester grades may impact scholarship eligibility.

• Stay involved in after-school activities.

• Seek leadership roles if possible.

 

Fall

• Meet with your school counselor.

• Make sure you are on track to graduate and meet college admission requirements.

• Register for and take the ACT that is required for college admission. 

• Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!

• Well before your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’re applying.

• As soon as possible after OCTOBER 1st, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), along with any other financial aid applications your school(s) of choice may require. You can complete the FAFSA online or on paper, but completing the application online is faster and easier. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying.

• After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks. Quickly make any necessary corrections, and submit them to the FAFSA processor.

 

Winter

• Encourage your parent(s) to complete income tax forms early. If your parent(s) has (have) not completed tax forms, you can provide estimated information on your federal student aid application, but remember to make any necessary changes later.

• Complete any last scholarship applications.  The more scholarships you receive, the better!

 

Spring

• Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll.

• Review your college acceptances, and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers.

• Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you. In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what—they can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit.

• When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.

​