Senior's

Planning for College

• Fall - August through December
   
  • Make sure you continue to meet high school graduation and college                admission requirements.
  • Organize and record relevant dates on a calendar so you can plan your year more efficiently.
  • Register for the Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if needed.
  • Make copies of your admissions and financial aid forms. Practice filling them out before doing the final one.
  • Meet with visiting recruiters from the schools that interest you.
  • Arrange visits to schools your are considering and schedule admissions interviews if required.
  • Make the final preparation of your portfolios, audition tapes, writing samples, or other evidence of talent required for admission and/or for scholarships. Finalize your resume to send with your applications.
  • Submit your college admissions applications. Watch out for deadlines.
  • Talk with your parents about what type budget you'll be on your freshman year.
  • Take or retake the ACT or SAT.
  • Keep records of everything you submit.
  • Identify at least two of the following to write solid recommendation forms for you: a teacher, an extracurricular advisor, a counselor, a principle, or an employer. Give the recommendation forms to teachers, counselors, etc. at least one month before they are due. Follow up on the progress of these recommendations.
  • If seeking athletic scholarships, contact the coaches from the schools you are considering and include a resume of your accomplishments.
  
  
• Spring - January through May
  Suffering Through Senioritis
  
  
  • Apply for financial aid by completing and submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 as possible. The FAFSA is available from your guidance counselor, from your college's financial aid office, or online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
  • Call the school of your choice and confirm that they have received your admissions applications materials, including letters of recommendation and housing applications.
  • Request that your high school send a copy of your transcript to the school where you have applied. Make sure your first semester senior year grades are included on the transcript.
  • The information you receive back, after the FAFSA is processed, is the Student Aid Report (SAR). If any portion of the information on the SAR is incorrect, please correct it and resubmit it to the processing center.
  • Submit any additional financial aid forms and documentation that is required by the school of your choice. Some of these forms may be available online including the FAFSA and some admission applications.
  • Notify the school(s) in writing as to whether you are accepting or declining admission by the proper deadline.
  • Review your financial aid award letter with your parents and be sure that you understand the terms and conditions that accompany each kind of aid. Sign your financial aid award letter and return it to the school.
  • Notify the financial aid office of any outside scholarships or grants that you have accepted since your initial application.
  • Be aware of due dates for tuition, fees,room an board, and other expenses. Find out how your financial aid will be disbursed and whether you can defer payments until the funds are available.
  • Respond immediately to all correspondence regarding school, scholarships, and financial aid.
  • Participate in summer orientation programs for incoming freshman after graduation.
  • Meet all class registation deadlines.

Come by the counseling office if you have any questions.

Remember: The financial aid Process begins again in January for the next year of study!