What seniors should be doing to plan for college

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Planning for college is a tedious process, but we have resources to help you with your college hunt!

August | September | October | November | December | January | February | March | April | May | June | July

October

• Take the SAT or ACT exam, if necessary.
• Work on admissions applications essays.
• Visit your top school choices. Interview some students, faculty, and staff.
• Attend special programs such as college fairs and financial aid nights.
• 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.)
• Get your free email account at www.collegeclub.com/highschool and start learning about the colleges you're considering.

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. 
• Begin preparing your college applications. Check with the colleges to find out when materials must be postmarked. 

December

• Pick up a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at your high school counseling office or your local library. Begin working on it. DO NOT SUBMIT IT BEFORE JAN 1!!!  We highly recommend that you use the online FAFSA form.
• Apply for outside funding or scholarships
• Parents: Save your year-end payroll stub if it shows your earnings for the year. You may need it for financial aid eligibility reviews by schools. 

January

• Submit your FAFSA to the processor as soon after January 1 as possible. 
• KEEP COPIES OF ALL FORMS YOU SUBMIT
• January is Financial Aid Awareness Month. Look for special programs in your area. 
• Parents: It's helpful to get your income tax returns prepaid early--schools may request them to prove eligibility for financial aid.

February

• 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), if you have not already done so.
• Research taking Advance Placement (AP) or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. 
• Rank your finalized list of colleges. 

March

• Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail. Your SAR contains federal financial aid information. 
• Submit 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. 
• If you have not received your Student Aid Report four weeks after sending in your FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (319) 337-5665.

April

• Watch the mail for college acceptance and financial aid award letters. Compare the financial aid awards you receive. 
• Make you final decision and send in a deposit by the deadline. 
• Check with the college you've chosen to attend 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.)