College Application Calender - Senior Year

Senior College Prep Plan

Grade	When	Activity
Seniors	September	Meet with your guidance counselor to review your college plans and evaluate them in light of your test scores and junior year grades. It's a good idea to involve your parents in this meeting and to discuss your prospects for financial aid at this time.
Seniors	September	If you have not already taken the required tests, or you and your counselor feel that you should take it again to try to improve your score, sign up for the October ACT or October/November SAT I and/or SAT II: Subject Tests.
Seniors	September	Write to the colleges on your list and request admission, financial aid, and, if appropriate, housing applications. Keep a checklist with all the admissions and financial aid deadlines for the colleges you are considering. Check with your school to make sure your transcripts and other records are up to date and accurate. Ask teachers, employers, or coaches to write you letters of recommendation. Give them any forms that colleges require and follow up to make sure the letters are mailed on time.
Seniors	September	Pick up a copy of the CSS Profile Registration Guide from your high school guidance office to see if any of the colleges on your list require this financial aid application form. If so, register for the profile service.
Seniors	October	Attend a regional college fair to further investigate the college on your list. Make sure that your transcript and test scores have been sent. Set aside plenty of time to draft, edit and re-write application essays. Be sure to give your parents enough time to help you fill out any college financial aid forms, such as the CSS Profile. If applying for 'early decision,' send in your application now. Sign up for December/ January tests, if necessary. Begin to send in applications; be sure to keep copies of everything you send, with the date on which it was mailed.
Seniors	November	Continue to file admission applications. You should also file the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) online at http://www.fafsaonline.com/
Seniors	December	File your last college applications. If you've applied for early decision, you should have an answer by now.
Seniors	January	Request that your high school send the transcript of your first semester grades to the colleges to which you've applied.
Seniors	January	Work with your parents to complete the FAFSA on or as soon after January 1 as possible. Send it in no later than February 1. If the financial aid processor requests additional information in order to process your application, submit it promptly. Check with your high school to find out if your state student aid program requires an additional application.
Seniors	February / March	Monitor your applications to make sure that all materials are sent and received on time. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. If necessary, correct any inaccurate items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor (if you had a college transmit your FAFSA data directly, you must notify the college of any changes or corrections). If you have not received an SAR four weeks after you file your FAFSA, call 1-800-4FED-AID to inquire about your application status.
Seniors	February / March	When a corrected SAR is returned to you, review it one more time. Then, if it is correct, keep a copy for your records. If a college requests your SAR, submit it promptly. DO this even if the SAR says you are not eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, as the college may be able to offer you other aid based on the information in that report.
Seniors	February / March	If you haven't decided on a favorite campus, try to arrange a second visit. Talk to students and sit in on some classes so you can make an informed decision.
Seniors	April	Review your financial aid award letters with your parents; be sure that you understand the terms and conditions that apply to each type of aid offered.
Seniors	April	Decide on the one college that you will attend and send in your tuition deposit. Notify in wiring the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another school. This is an important step. Other students will be hoping to receive your spot! Be sure to respond by May 1.
Seniors	April	If your first choice college places you on its waiting list, do not lose all hope. Some students are admitted off the waiting list. Contact the college, let the admissions office know you are still very interested, and keep the college updated on your activities.
Seniors	April	Remind your parents to check their eligibility for the HOPE and Lifetime Learning tax credits when they file their taxes. Next year, they may be able to reduce their taxes by up to $1,500 by claiming one of these credits for college expenses.
Seniors	May	Work with your parents to establish a budget for your books, supplies, and living expenses. Determine how much of that budget grants and scholarships will cover, how much your parents will contribute, and how much you will need to supply. Then determine how much of your contribution will come from savings, from a student loan, and from what you might earn at an academic year job. Then, if necessary, complete a loan application form. Be sure you understand the terms of the loan before you and/or your parents sign a promissory note.
Seniors	May	If you want to live on campus, and have not already done so, complete a housing/meal plan application.
Seniors	May	Take Advanced Placement exams, if appropriate.
Seniors	June	Request that your high school send a copy of your final transcript to the college you will attend. Notify the college of any private grants of scholarships you will receive.
Seniors	June	Find out when payment for tuition, room, board, et. Will be due and investigate whether your college offers a tuition payment plan that lets you remit these charges in installments. Be sure you understand how financial aid will be disbursed and whether you can defer bill payment until the funds are available.
Seniors	June	Apply for a summer job. Plan on saving a portion of your earnings for college.
Seniors	July	Look for information from your new college about housing, orientation, course selection, etc. If your financial aid package included a Federal Work-Study award, it may be your responsibility to find an appropriate job. Plan to follow up with the financial aid office as soon as you arrive on campus.
Seniors	August / September	Pack for college and look forward to a great experience.