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Financial Aid Calendar

August

• Time to narrow down your options. Start visiting schools and/or plan fall day trips to your top choices to help in the decision making process.

• Start early by requesting admission and scholarship applications and information from top choices of colleges.

• Stay organized while considering your enrollment and admissions options. Keep college records and files for the information you request and receive from all colleges as well as copies of everything you send to them.

• Optimize your time by exploring college and scholarship information online.

• Register for the ACT given in September and don’t be late!

In the United States, U.S. Territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada

September

• Make a point of attending any college fairs and admissions representative visits.

• Consider fall, overnight and weekend college visitation programs to acquaint yourself with your target schools.

• If you’re fresh out of high school you should meet with your high school counselor and develop a college preparedness and admissions plan.

• Register and/or prepare for the October or November SAT, ACT, and/or prep courses.

• Consider early action admission programs.

• Check to see if you qualify for a admission application fee waivers.

• Make inquiries into on-campus housing and availability at your target schools.

• Important: Male students MUST register with the Selective Service by their eighteenth birthday to be eligible for federal and state financial aid.

October

• Create a timetable and schedule admissions and scholarship deadlines.

• Have all your school transcripts in order and request letters of recommendation.

• If you are registered take the October SAT/ACT now.

November

• Discuss college costs with your parents and determine your financial needs for the year.

• Submit your applications for early decision/early action programs.

• Follow up to ensure that you have collected letters of recommendation or that they have been submitted independently to your target schools.

• Register for or take the SAT or ACT if you haven't already done so.

December

• Check with your high school counselor to determine if there will be a financial aid program event for you and your parents.

• Obtain a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from your high school counselor.

• Review and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) regardless of your financial situation.

• Submit your admission and scholarship applications.

• Obtain any additional financial aid forms that may be required by your target schools.

• Search and continue to apply for scholarships.

January

• Make a conscious effort to complete your taxes early, which will help you in completing the FAFSA.

• Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.

February

• Make sure that you have submitted all required financial aid forms to your target schools.

• Be prepared to respond to colleges with additional information regarding financial aid (verification) by sending copies of you and your parents' income tax forms to financial aid offices.

March

• Consider Advanced Placement (AP) exams for college credit.

• Wait for your Student Aid Report (SAR), usually 4 days to 4 weeks after submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.

• Consider a summer job to supplement your finances

April

• You should start receiving admission notifications and financial aid award letters.

• Compare financial aid awards to the cost of attendance at your target schools and consider your options. You may want to consider a private student loan to.

• Make your final enrollment decision.

• Notify the schools you will not be attending as soon as possible.

• Sign and return award letters and send your Master Promissory Note (MPN) to your chosen college along with any other required financial aid forms.

May

• Prepare for your AP exams and finals.

• Contact the financial aid office of your chosen college and check your enrollment status.

• If you plan to live on-campus now is the time to solidify your college housing plans,

June

• Complete any remaining financial aid forms.

• If you’ll be traveling out of your state you should make transportation arrangements. Make sure to pre purchase your airline tickets early to save you money.

• Prepare your budget.

• If you plan on living off-campus prepare to lease an apartment. Have your references ready!

July

• Establish a bank account near your school. If you applied for a private loan through a bank your lender would be a good option.

• Set up your contact information in the form of an address/phone book. Make sure to include emergency numbers like doctors and insurance companies.

• If you’re not already covered consider acquiring health insurance.

• Notify your school of any medical complications you may have… i.e, medic alert etc.