College Planning Calendar:
Junior Year
Senior Year
August/September/October
November/December
January/February
March/April
May/June
June/July/August
September
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College Planning Calendar
Choosing a College:
- Use the college search offered on this website to continue to narrow down your options.
- Request additional information from the colleges that interest you.
- Attend additional college fairs and open houses.
- Narrow down your list of possible college choices and prepare application materials, especially early decision applications or ROTC Programs.
Grades and Testing:
- Focus on grades during your first quarter. These are the grades that potential colleges will see.
- If you have not completed the SAT or ACT, or if you are not satisfied with your score, find test dates and register. Schedule an early test date, so your scores are available to the colleges in time for their submission deadlines.
- Get practice with sample tests or enroll in a test prep course.
Paying for It:
- Continue your scholarship search. Your high school guidance office can help you pinpoint local scholarships.
- Ask your parents to create a file that holds any information that may be required when submitting financial aid applications.
Networking:
- Ask teachers, counselors, and employers for letters of recommendation to include with your applications.
- Find out when college admissions representatives will be visiting your school and schedule a time to meet with them.
Organizing:
- Keep track of what's done and what's next. List the colleges that you are interested in, along with their admissions and financial aid deadlines and application fees. Add or drop college names as you narrow down the list, add scholarship information and deadlines and include financial aid options.
- Prepare a portfolio that highlights your accomplishments, just in case the college admissions personnel ask. This is important for students entering performance or artistic fields.
Choosing a College:
- Get your parents' input as you finalize your list of colleges.
- Ask counselors and/or teachers to review your application essays.
- Continue to gather letters of recommendation.
- Send out applications. Application fees add up, so be sure you are applying to schools that you are serious about.
- Be sure your test scores and letters of recommendation are scheduled to be sent to the correct colleges. When parts of the application packet are sent separately, it is a good idea to check with the admissions office so that everything is received and completed.
Testing:
- Finish any outstanding testing that you registered for.
Paying for It:
- Go along with your parents to any financial aid seminars.
- Read all financial aid applications that you have obtained and determine what information is required and when the applications are due.
- Pick up your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.ed.gov, the college of your choice, guidance office, or local library. Review and continue to gather information needed to complete this form.
- Ask your parents to save copies of their year-end pay stubs. These may be needed for financial aid eligibility reviews by your chosen college.
Choosing a College:
- Confirm that the colleges have received the materials needed to make their decision. Send test scores, recommendations and transcripts, if needed.
- You should begin to receive acceptance letters.
Paying for It:
- Submit your completed FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible. You can complete the paper or online form.
- Encourage your parents to complete their tax returns early. You will need at least estimated tax information to complete the FAFSA form. However, some schools will request your actual tax forms in order to prove eligibility for financial aid.
Organization:
- Keep copies of all forms that you submit.
Choosing a College:
- After weighing your options, call or mail a written acceptance letter to the school of your choice.
- Let your guidance counselor know your decisions.
- Notify all colleges that accepted you of your final decision.
Paying for It:
- Look for a SAR (Student Aid Report) in the mail. It contains federal financial aid information based on your FAFSA submission. You will need to revise any incorrect data. If you have not received the SAR within 4 weeks after submitting your FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Center at 800.433.3243.
- Review the financial aid award letters from colleges at which you've been accepted. If you have not made your final college choice, your final decision may rest on the type of financial aid package supplied by each school. Speak with the Financial Aid Office, should you have any questions, or to inform them of any change of financial circumstance.
- Figure out how to cover any additional costs that the FAFSA offerings may not cover. Do you need a private loan?
- Start looking for a summer job.
Choosing a College:
- Send in any deposits or forms that the college of your choice requests. Fill out any dorm or meal plan forms.
- Ask your high school to send a final transcript to the college you have chosen.
Paying for It:
- Call the Financial Aid Office to verify that they have received all the necessary forms, information, and payments.
- Submit private loan applications, if necessary. Visit CampusDoor.com to find a loan that fits your funding needs.
Graduation:
- Congratulations, your hard work has paid off!
Choosing a College:
- Attend your college's orientation program.
- Select your courses for the first semester.
- Call or email your new roommate. Schedule a time to meet in person, if possible. Get to know one another.
- Gather dorm room necessities. Decide what you will bring and what your roommate will bring. Your dorm room is your home away from home.
Paying for It:
- Plan your budget for when you arrive on campus.
- Finalize all financial aid needs.
College Life:
- Go to College!
- Unpack and relax. Walk around the campus and get acquainted with your new surroundings.
- Stop by the campus bookstore for anything that you may need for your first semester.
- You've Made It!
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