-
Period: to
Earn college credits with AP classes and/or Dual Enrollment
-
Period: to
Prior to Senior Year - College Prep
-Talk with your school counselor, parents and other trusted adults to develop a college admission plan for your college and career plans.
-Research and explore college colleges. Check college websites for information on their total cost of attendance, financial aid opportunties, and graduation and placement rates.
-Begin narrowing your career choices so that you can decide on a major later in the year.
-Consider schools at different total cost levels. Target schools that are affordable to you. -
Period: to
SAT Prep Class for Juniors
-
SAT Test
-
Period: to
Create a financial aid folder
-Keep all your financial aid documents and information organized. Be sure to keep this folder throughout your years in college. -
Period: to
Scholarships
-Search and apply for outside scholarships. Check with your place of worship, parents' employers, and local social or civic organizations that your parents belong to. -
Period: to
Visit potential college campuses.
-Most students visit schools during the summer before their senior year. However, this can be done at anytime and there is nothing worng with getting an early start. -
Period: to
Gather financial info & Obtain FAFSA PIN
FAFSA PIN -Info: Income and asset documents. Consider obtaining a copy of the FAFSA or other financial aid forms so you will know exactly what info you will need. -
Period: to
Attend college fairs and financial aid events.
-Make sure to meet with admissions representatives who visit the high school.
-These events are open to all students, not just seniors! -
Period: to
Meet early decision and early action deadlines for colleges
-
Period: to
Narrow your college choices down
-Understand admissions requirements and deadlines, and submit application materials. -
Period: to
Individual Senior Meetings with Counselor
-Discuss college and career goals.
-Review where the student is at with his/her college apps
-Review transcript and credits.
-Review website links to scholarships and financial aid.
-Review websites for career prjections, such as ONET and OOH
-Review Parchment website for transcript requests
-Review "Letter of Recommendation" requests -
Period: to
FAFSA Completion
FAFSA
-Parents should prepare income tax returns as early as possible since they are required.
-File the FAFSA
-Notify the school's financial aid office of any special circumstances, such as unusual medical expenses or unemployment, which may affect your family's ability to pay for college. -
Financial Aid Night & FAFSA Workshop
-
Period: to
College Application Week & Senior EDP's
-
Period: to
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
-If your school requires it, file the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE at least four weeks before the financial aid deadline at your school. The PROFILE will determine your eligibility for nonfederal financial aid, such as institutional aid and scholarships. -
Period: to
Student Aid Report (SAR)
-After filing the FAFSA, watch your email for your SAR. The SAR summarizes your FAFSA info and provdies you an opportunity to make corrections, if necessary. -
Period: to
Award Letters & College Decisions
Comparison Tool
-Receive financial award letters detailing how much financial aid you will receive and what your aid will consist of in terms of loans, grants, and work-study. Compare your award letters by using the online comparison tool.
-Begin to decide which college to attend, based on how it will meet your academic and financial needs. Notify schools that you will not attend so they are able to redistribute your aid. -
Period: to
Supplemental Financial Aid & MPN
MPN
-If needed, apply for supplemental finacial aid to cover your cost of education. Parents may borrow up to your cost of education minus financial aid through the Federal PLUS Loan. Students may apply for private loans as well.
-Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) for your Federal Stafford Loan, which acts as a contract between you and your lender. -
Period: to
Final College Decision
-Decide which school you will attend and be aware of the dealine for submitting an enrollment dpeosit. Inform every school to which you were accepted of your decision.
-Complete your housing arrangements, orientation and course registration requirments at your school of choice. -
Local Scholarship Meeting
-
Period: to
Summer after Senior Year
-Inform your school's financial aid office of any additional grants or scholarships you will receive from outside sources.
-Inquire about work-study jobs on campus if elgible.
-Students borrowing federal student loans for the 1st time must complete "entrance counseling." Contact the FA office at your school for info on how to complete this process.