College Planning Calendar High School Seniors

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College Planning CalendarHigh School Seniors
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September

• Discuss your classes, college plans, and test
  scores with your high school counselor.
• Request college applications from the admissions
  office. Or, use College Answer's Online
  Application Search to see if your school's form
  is online.
• Arrange campus visits.
  
  

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September

• Register to take the SAT/ACT, if necessary.
• Continue to search for free money (scholarships
  and grants) and others ways to pay.
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• Submit a CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, if required.
• Stay organized File copies of applications and
  correspondence. Keep your calendar up-to-date
  tracking important dates and deadlines.

4
October

• Review your transcripts to verify that the
  information is correct.
• Send transcripts to your selected schoolsask
  your counselor if you need help.
• Find out the application-of-choice used by each
  college.

5
October

• Ask for letters of recommendation. Most
  admissions and scholarship applications require
  these letters.
• Get some pointers on writing admissions essays
  and scholarship essays.
• View sample essays and essay questions.

6
October

• Download College Answer's College Fair Checklist
  (pdf).
• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights.
• Candidates for early school admission (early
  decision, early action, early admission, etc.)
  should complete college applications. It's a good
  idea to investigate the pros and cons of this
  decision and to get familiar with the early
  admission timeline.

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November

• Continue completing your college applications.
• Early decision deadline is often November 1 or
  15.
• Determine which financial aid forms the colleges
  on your list requirewhen in doubt contact the
  financial aid office.

8
November

• Investigate state college information and
  programs.
• Search for additional sources of financial aid.
• Get a jump on things by estimating your Expected
  Family Contribution (EFC).

9
December

• Complete school applications ideally by December
  1.
• Determine if you are eligible for financial aid.
• Understand the steps in completing the Free
  Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

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December

• Determine how to submit your FAFSA (paper or on
  the Web). Important Dont submit your FAFSA
  before January 1it will be returned not
  processed.
• Stay organized. Remember to keep copies of
  applications and correspondence. Continue to
  track important dates and deadlines on your
  calendar.

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January

• Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as
  possible. Some student aid programs award funds
  on a first-come, first-served basis. Waiting too
  long to submit your FAFSA could be costly.
• Fill out and submit required financial aid forms.
  Follow instructions carefully and make copies.

12
January

• When you have financial aid questions contact
  your financial aid office . Familiarize yourself
  with state financial aid deadlines. They tend to
  differ from federal and institutional deadlines.
• Let your parents know that the IRS could save
  them money through education tax deductions and
  credits.

13
February-March

• College decisions start rolling in.
• Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR).
  Carefully examine the results. A mistake could
  cause you to miss out on college funding.
• If there are special circumstances affecting your
  familys financial situation, be sure to discuss
  them with the financial aid office.

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February-March

• Dont panic if youre selected for verification.
  Just provide the college with the documents they
  need.
• Stay on top of important financial aid deadlines.
  
• Respond quickly to college requests for
  additional documentation.
• College acceptance and financial award letters
  start rolling.

15
April

• Carefully analyze your lettersuse College
  Answer's Online Award Analyzer.
• Make a decision and send your tuition deposit
  (most colleges require a response by May 1).
• Notify the other colleges that you wont be
  attending (other students will be happy to take
  your spot).

16
April

• Register for Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if
  necessary.
• Carefully follow the instructions in your
  acceptance letter. Along with important
  deadlines, these letters provide specific
  instructions on housing, financial aid,
  orientation, and more.
• Continue to mark your calendar with important
  deadlines.

17
May

• Mail your official transcripts.
• Respond quickly to requests and return necessary
  formswhen in doubt contact the financial aid
  office.
• Notify your financial aid office of additional
  funding youll receive to pay for college
  (scholarships and loans, etc.).

18
May

• Take time to understand student loans and
  evaluate student loan lenders.
• Learn about borrowing responsibly.
• Consider a cosigner to help obtain your student
  loan.

19
June

• Save some of your graduation money for school.
• Respond to requests from the college you will be
  attending . Keep copies of everything you send.
• Read and be familiar with your college catalog
  and semester class schedule.

20
June

• Talk with friends who are home from college.
• Make travel arrangements, if necessary.
• Send thank you notes or postcards to those who
  helped you get into college.

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July-August

• If you still need money to pay for college,
  consider a student loan. Apply online at College
  Answer.
• Register and attend a college orientation
  session.
• Confirm housing arrangements and meal plans.

22
July-August

• Finalize your college budget.
• Notify the financial aid office of scholarships
  and loans you will receive.
• Consider taking out a renter's insurance policy.
• Returned borrowed items, such as library books,
  rental videos, and things borrowed from friends.

23
July-August

• Note tracking numbers of boxes you are shipping
  to school.
• Open a bank account near campus.
• Review your cell phone plan to limit roaming
  charges.
• Contact your roommate and coordinate what to
  pack.

24
July-August

• Review College Answer's College Advice for
  Students section and pick up a few freshmen tips.
• Download College Answer's What to Pack for
  College Checklist (pdf).
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• Congratulations Class of 2009!