Freshman

• Prepare academically for college by keeping up your grades. Admission offices at colleges are becoming more and more competitive.
• Start researching careers that you think will interest you.
• Get involved in school activities, athletics or join a local club or organization.
• Save money for college by starting a college savings plan if you haven't already.

Sophomore

• Think about the colleges that interest you. It is never too early to start preparing for where you would like to attend school.
• Prepare for and take the PSAT in preparation for next year's SAT or ACT. Taking the PSAT will also give you a chance to win a National Merit Scholarship.
• Continue to save for college.
• Remember to keep your grades up.
• Consider getting a part time job.
• Stay active in extracurricular activities.

Junior

July - August
• Start making visits to colleges that interest you.
• Work to earn and save money for college.

September - December
• Consider taking the PSAT if you have not already in order to prepare for admissions tests and to be eligible for a National Merit Scholarship.
• Invest in an SAT, SAT II or ACT prep course or book to help your performance on standardized admissions tests.
• Research overnight and weekend college visitation programs.

January - May
• Sign up to take the SAT, SAT II or ACT if you have not done so already.
• Start thinking more about where you would like to apply to school and discuss what your college budget is with your family.
• Look into the possibility of taking a college-prep summer course.
• Start talking to your high school guidance counselor about your plans for college.
• Plan your academic course schedule for your senior year. Remember to make all of your courses count! Ensure that you will meet all academic course requirements for colleges in which you are most interested and that your courses meet your high school's graduation requirements.
• Start asking your teachers for college recommendations. They will appreciate your early requests.
• Prepare for Advanced Placement exams, if applicable.
• Look for a summer job or internship. Earnings from a job/internship can help cover your college expenses and gain you career experience.

June
• Request college catalogs from admission offices.
• Take the SAT, SAT II or ACT if you haven't already.
• Create a list of colleges you would like to visit over the summer. Check out college tour dates and inquire about interviews with admissions representatives.
• Start working on your college essay(s).
• Look into financial aid offered by local businesses, your church or community. Many scholarships have deadlines in the early fall.
• Enroll in a SAT prep course while you prepare for your senior year.

Back to Top

Senior

July
• Make visits to colleges that interest you.
• Work to save money for college.
• Complete any scholarships that have a fall deadline.

August
• Educate yourself about the colleges that interest you. Visit campuses, attend financial aid events and take college campus tours to narrow your choices. Don't let cost be the only factor in determining to where you apply.
• Request applications and financial aid information from colleges.

September
• Create a filing system for all of your financial aid documents and college applications. Attend college fairs, financial aid events and college-planning workshops.
• Take or re-take the SAT, SAT II or ACT. Consider investing in a prep course to help your performance.
• Start filling out your college applications. Admission deadlines will soon be approaching.
• Get letters of recommendation from your teachers, employers or coaches.
• Search and apply for outside scholarships.
• Decide if you are going to apply for Early Decision or Early Action at any schools.

October
• Create a schedule of college admission, scholarship and financial aid deadlines. Create a plan of action that will help guide you on which tasks you need to complete each week.
• Have someone proofread your college essay.
• Mail early decision/early action applications with upcoming deadlines.
• Research overnight and weekend college visitation programs.
• Work on your college applications.
• Apply for more scholarship opportunities.

November
• Obtain financial aid information from each of your prospective college financial aid offices. Make sure to check out if the school has any financial priority deadlines.
• Complete and submit college essays and applications.
• Request that your ACT, SAT and SAT II scores to be submitted to your colleges of interest.
• Confirm that your transcript will be sent to your colleges of choice.

December
• Start collecting financial records you will need to complete financial aid forms (W-2s, 1099s, bank statements, benefit forms from Social Security, Department of Veteran's Affairs, etc.)
• Submit college applications with upcoming deadlines
• Apply early for financial aid: don't wait for your acceptance letter. Complete all financial aid forms accurately and legibly. Any missing information could lead to a delay in receiving your financial aid package.

January
• Register for a Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Number (PIN) for you and your parents.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the application online or get a hard copy from your high school) Remember to make a copy for your records.
• Attend financial aid workshops and seminars.
• Prepare and file your taxes as soon as possible. Information found on your tax forms is used to calculate your financial need.
• Complete any supplemental school financial aid forms. Beware of deadlines.
• File the CSS PROFILE, if required by your school.

February
• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy when it arrives.
• Notify schools of special circumstances that might affect your family's ability to fund your education.
• Follow up with colleges to make sure they received all necessary application materials from you and your high school.
• Submit your mid-year high school transcript to any colleges that require this information.

March
• Look into Advanced Placement (AP) exams, if applicable.
• Apply for more scholarship opportunities.
• Look for a summer job or internship. Earnings from a job/internship can help cover your college expenses and gain you career experience.

April
• Your financial aid award letters and college admission acceptance letters should start arriving soon! Determine which package best meets your financial and personal needs.
• Make an enrollment decision at the school to which you were accepted. Remember to send your deposit to the school you choose.
• Sign and return financial aid forms to the school you have chosen to attend.
• Prepare for Advanced Placement exams, if applicable.

May
• Apply for loans to help cover your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or to fill the gap between your family's costs and EFC. Look into Stafford loans and PLUS loans at AAA Student Lending.
• Take Advanced Placement tests, if applicable.
• Send final transcript to the college you have chosen.
• Follow up on pending scholarship applications.

June
• Work to help save for college.
• Start planning for college orientation!

Back to Top