| Senior Pre-College Calendar and Checklist |
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 admission information.
- Contact your high school counselor for registration materials and test dates for the SAT and/or the ACT.
- Go to www.fastweb.com and www.scholarships.com to review scholarships available to you.
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 takes tests like the SAT and ACT at least six weeks before the deadlines for scores to be submitted to colleges.
- Begin asking teachers, guidance counselors, and employers for letters recommendation to include with your admissions and/or scholarship deadlines.
- Contact your high school counselor about applying for national, state, and local scholarships. Some have Nov. 1 deadlines
October
- Take the SAT or ACT exam, if necessary.
- Work on admissions application 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 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.)
November
- Take the SAT or ACT, 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.
- Get a PIN for applying for federal aid online for you and your parents by going to www.studentaid.gov
December
- Pick up a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at your high school guidance office. Begin working on it. DO NOT SUBMIT IT BEFORE JANUARY 1.
- 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 review by schools.
January
- Submit your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the processor as soon after January 1 as possible. You may complete your FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- KEEP COPIES OF ALL FORMS YOU SUBMIT.
- Parents: It's helpful to get your income tax returns prepared 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.
- Rank your finalized list of colleges.
March
- Look for your student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail or via e-mail. Your SAR contains federal and 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.
- Keep copies of all forms you submit to the financial aid office.
- If you have not received your SAR four weeks after sending in your FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (319) 337-5665.
April
- Watch the mail or your college e-mail account for college acceptance and financial aid award letters. Compare the financial aid awards you receive.
- Make your final decision 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.).
Priority Dates
- March 15 for FAFSA
- April 1 for Kansas Board of Regent Scholarships
Important Websites