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August
- Review your career plans and decide which type of school is
right for you.
- Visit some college campuses.
- Narrow your college list to no more than five schools.
- Request catalogs and admissions information.
- Contact your high school counselor for registration materials
and test dates for the SAT and/or the ACT.
- Sign up for Educaid's FREE email CollegeBound Newsletter at
www.educaid.com.
September
- Meet with admissions representatives who are visiting your
school.
- Make a list of test names, dates, fees, and registration deadlines,
and of deadlines for college admissions and financial aid applications.
- Remember you must take tests like the SAT and ACT at least six
weeks before the deadline for scores to be submitted to colleges.
- Begin asking teachers, guidance counselors, and employers for
letters of recommendation to include with your admissions and/or
scholarship applications.
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 the forms are due.
- Some private universities may require that your register for
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE at this time.
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 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 reviews
by schools.
January
- Submit your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(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 et your income tax returns prepared
early-schools may request them to prove eligibility for financial
aid.
February
- Check to see if your midyear 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 Advanced 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 applications is complete.
Find ut 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 your 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.)
May
- Advanced Placement (AP) examinations are given in high school
nationwide.
- If you need and are eligible for a student or parent loan, call
Educaid at 1-800-578-1233 for a loan application.
- Finalize summer school or summer job plans.
June
July
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