POST SECONDARY TIMELINE

This is a guideline to help the senior student through the financial aid process and with getting ready for college. Some of these items the student may have completed during their sophomore or junior years.

August

• Request applications and information from colleges.
• Visit school campuses during the fall to help narrow down your choices.
• Check out weekend college visitation programs with your parents.

September

• Be aware of college fairs and college admissions representatives’ visits. Mark these on your calendar.
• Meet with a school counselor to help adopt a college admissions strategy.
• Register for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT).

October

• Explore college or scholarship information.
• Compose a timetable of financial aid and admissions deadlines.
• Complete college applications and essays.
• Ask for transcripts and letters of recommendation.

November

• Finish essays and applications.

• Make sure letters of recommendation and all other pertinent information are submitted and received for early decision applications.

December

• Complete, make a copy of, and submit college applications.
• Acquire any financial aid forms that may be used or required by your colleges.

January

• Attain a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from your career center or through the Department of Education Website. To fill out the FAFSA, you will need your family’s income tax information for the year (estimated).
• Complete the FAFSA online or fill it out by hand, make a copy, then submit it by mail.

February

• Get in touch with the college’s Financial Aid Office to see about financial aid programs within the college.
• Submit all the necessary paperwork or applications for any private or outside scholarships.
• Check to make sure that you have submitted all require forms: admissions application, FAFSA, scholarship applications.

March

• Talk to your high school counselor about Advanced Placement (AP) exams offered for college credit and about the cost of the exams.
• Pay attention to the mail for the Student Aid Report (SAR). This is the Department of Education’s reply to your submitted FAFSA and explains your financial aid eligibility.

April

• Receive admission notifications.
• Compare your financial aid awards to cost of possible schools attending.
• Make a final enrollment decision and submit acceptance notification.
• Notify any school that has accepted you, that you have chosen another school and will not be attending them.
• Sign and return financial aid forms for the school you will be attending.

May

• Take any appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
• Send final transcripts and student loan applications to your chosen college.
• Check the college’s financial aid office on your financial aid package.

June

• Request any Running Start or Tech Prep transcripts to be sent to college you will be attending.
• Complete any remaining forms.
• Plan for college orientation, transportation, and housing.

July

• Finalize college transportation and housing for the fall term.