Student Financial Aid Calendar--Junior Year
It is important to maintain and improve your grades during your junior year. Grades can make the difference in whether you receive scholarships and grants. Work to improve your vocabulary, reading and math skills-achievement test scores are also very important for both admission and financial aid. Start a personal file to document your achievements, awards, community service, sports, club and school activities.
September:
Register to take your PSAT.
Use the career center to explore educational and career opportunities available to you.
Get more involved in extracurricular activities.
October/November:
Take your PSAT in October.
Discuss your family's financial resources. Obtain an estimate of what your EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC) will be and determine adjustments to increase financial aid eligibility.
Start a list of college characteristics that are important to you.
December:
Register for January PSAT.
Attend local meetings about financial aid or college admissions. Take final steps to increase financial aid eligibility.
January:
BASE YEAR FOR FINANCIAL AID BEGINS.
Determine colleges and universities to explore based on admission requirements, educational programs and cost vs. your family's financial aid eligibility and ability to pay.
Take your SAT
February/March:
Register for May achievement tests in February.
Spring break is a good time for college visits.
E-mail colleges for information about admissions and financial aid. Include brief information about yourself.
April/May:
Attend college fairs.
Check admission requirements against your own course of studies.
Take achievement tests in May.
June/July/August:
Make a list of people who might write a letter of recommendation (teachers, counselors, employers). Contact them when school begins.
Visit colleges going or coming from vacation spots.
Start working on your personal essay and other writing requirements for the colleges you plan to apply to.
Narrow your college list to 6-8 based on scholastic, financial aid and personal criteria.
Register with the NCAA if you're an athlete.
It’s not too early to start looking for private scholarships.
Student Financial Aid Calendar--Senior Year
September:
Register to take your achievement tests (SAT's and/or ACT's).
Work with your guidance counselor on career interests and appropriate scholastic programs.
Obtain on-line applications for each school (6 to 8) that you're applying to.
Develop a chart to keep track of forms and deadlines. Will you apply Early Decission or Early Action.
Continue to search and apply for private scholarships as appropriate.
October/November:
Obtain financial aid information from each school, including forms, procedures and deadlines.
Attend college fairs and financial aid nights to gather information.
Continue to search for private scholarships.
Request letters of recommendation and transcripts.
Work on completing your applications.
December:
Finailize applications prior to Winter Break
Obtain on-line a worksheet for the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)and CSS PROFILE. Don't submit before January 1. Verify the deadlines for each school's financial aid office to which you are applying.
Begin collecting family tax information.
January/February:
Finalize the family tax information.
Submit the FAFSA, CSS PROFILE application on-line and/or other required needs analysis forms as soon as possible after January 1. Many schools recommend filing no later than February 1.
March:
Receive the STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR) and CSS PROFILE acknowledgment report--verify SAR and send signed copies to financial aid offices with documentation of any private or state aid received.
Promptly respond to requests from the college admissions or financial aid offices.
Visit college campuses you haven't seen yet.
April/May:
Receive financial aid award letters and acceptance notices. Review Results.
Finalize your decision on which college to attend based on award letters. Mail your acceptance and deposit.
Contact financial aid and admissions offices at the other colleges to let them know you won't be attending.
Promptly respond to any requests from the admissions or financial aid offices at the school you will attend.
Contact a lender to process any loans which may have been awarded in your aid package.
June/July/August:
Complete necessary loan applications and return them to the financial aid office.
Ensure your high school transcripts and other paperwork is on hand.
Ensure all financial aid documentation is on hand, what you were promised is available to you, and private sources have provided the necessary documentation or award payment.
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