Senior Year

September

_____I have registered for the October SAT Exam.

_____I have reviewed all of the information in my college folders. I have thrown out all unnecessary information to focus better on my top choices.

_____I have prepared a list of all deadlines and necessary materials for the schools that remain in my college folders.

October – November

_____I have made my final college visits and contacted alumni from the schools I am interested in to get advice on the applications process.

_____I have taken the SAT Exam in October.

_____I have contacted the financial aid office at the schools I am considering and have found out what forms they need to consider me for financial aid and the deadlines for submitting those forms.

_____I have applied for private scholarships.

_____I have obtained a copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so that my family can review the application requirements.

_____I have completed any "early admissions" applications my colleges may offer (many schools require these applications to be received by November 15).

December – February

_____I have finished all of my essays and applications and I have made sure that all of my recommendations have been prepared.

_____I have kept copies of all of my tax information (and my parents have kept copies of their tax information). We will use these materials to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

_____My family has filled out the FAFSA and we will return it to the processor as soon after January 1 as possible. (The FAFSA cannot be processed if returned before this date.)

March – June

_____In March I received my Student Aid Report (SAR). (The date I received this depends on the date I returned the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This report tells me about my eligibility to receive a Pell Grant and it also includes a calculation of my estimated family contribution.)

_____I have reviewed and signed the Student Aid Report. I have returned this report to the processor along with documentation regarding any state or private scholarships I have been awarded. If there are errors on the Student Aid Report I will send the necessary corrections back to the processor.

_____I have reviewed the college financial aid award packages that I have received. My family and I are considering how much debt we will need to incur and how much we can afford to repay.

_____I have decided on my college and I have begun making attendance preparations. (I need to schedule meetings with the financial aid office, new student orientation, and other on-campus events.)

_____I have notified the schools where I have chosen not to attend.