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FALL | SENIOR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
You are off to a great start building up your academic skills, joining extracurricular actives and maybe trying out a new sport. Now it's time to get serious about planning and preparing for college.
SEPTEMBER
RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
If you have not yet asked your teachers, mentors, or employers for a recommendation letter last year - Now is the time
STAY ORGANIZED
Use a calendar to keep track of admissions and financial aid deadlines.
COLLEGE ESSAY
Begin drafting your college essays. You may have more than one so give yourself time to get them done before required deadlines.
COMMUNICATE
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your timeline and plan.
Keep your parents in the loop! They should know all the important deadlines!
EARLY ADMISSIONS
Start preparing college applications for early admissions.
OCTOBER
FINANCIAL AID
Keep your parents in the loop! They should know all the important deadlines!
BOOK APPOINTMENT WITH COLLEGE PLANNING CENTER
Submit your FAFSA, CSS Profile and any additional forms required. Free completion assistance available at the College Planning Center.
SAT REGISTRATIONS
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your timeline and plan.
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Send early decision and early action applications by the deadline. Begin to send in regular admission applications. Keep copies of everything!
COLLEGE ESSAYS
Set aside plenty of time to draft, edit, and re-write your college essay.
NOVEMBER
SCHOLARSHIPS
Start checking with the guidance office regularly for new scholarship opportunities.
Search for free scholarships at RISCHOLARSHIPS.ORG
Enter to win a $2,000 KNOWLEDGE FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Continue submitting applications. Make sure your test scores will be sent to colleges you are applying to.
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT
Consider attending a financial aid night, usually sponsored by your high school.
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES
If you are applying to URI and wish to be considered for the Merit Scholarship, your admissions application must be received by Dec. 1.
If you are applying to RIC and wish to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship, your admissions application must be received by Dec. 15.
WINTER | SENIOR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
DECEMBER
TEST SCORES
Make to sure to send and confirm receipt of your test scores to desire colleges if applying regular decision.
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Your college applications should be submitted prior to winter vacation.
EARLY DECISION
If you applied to early decision, you should have an answer by now. If you have not heard, call the admission office.
JANUARY
HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
Ask your high school to send transcripts of your first semester grades to your college selections.
FEBRUARY
COLLEGE CHOICES
If you have not decided on a favorite school, arrange a second visit to those you are most interested in. Talk to students and faculty and sit in on a class.
SPRING | SENIOR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
MARCH
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Monitor your applications to make sure that all materials are sent and received on time.
RISCHOLARSHIP.ORG
Create an account at rischolarship.org to search for outside scholarships and grants.
APRIL
FINANCIAL AID AWARD LETTERS
Review your financial aid award letter with your parents. Be sure to understand the terms and conditions that apply to each type of aid offered. Contact COLLEGEPLANNINGCENTER.ORG for help.
PICK A COLLEGE
Decide on the college you will attend and send your tuition deposit. Inform other colleges that accepted you of your enrollment decision. Other students will want your spot! Be sure to respond by May 1.
COLLEGE ADMISSION WAITLIST
If your first choice college places you on the waiting list, do not lose all hope. Contact the college admission office to let them know you are still very interested and keep the college updated on your activities.
COLLEGE HOUSING & MEAL PLAN
If you want to live on campus, complete a housing/meal application and send it along with any necessary deposits.
MAY
COLLEGE EXPENSES
Work with your parents to establish a budget for tuition, books, supplies, and living expenses.
SUMMER | SENIOR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
JUNE
COLLEGE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
Carefully read anything received from your college, especially a request for additional information and documents.
FINAL TRANSCRIPT
Request a copy of your final transcript to the college you will attend. Notify the college financial aid office of any private scholarships that you will be receiving. Find out when payment for tuition, room, board, etc. will be due and start thinking of ways to cover the final coast.
SUMMER JOB & VOLUNTEERING
Apply for a summer job or consider volunteering at a community service agency. Plan to save a portion of your earnings for college.
JULY
BALANCE DUE
Expect to receive your bill from the college in the early part of this month. If you have a balance due, make arrangements to make payment by the due date.
AUGUST
INTRODUCE YOURSELF
Contact your roommate to introduce yourselves, and plan who is bringing what. Prevent duplication and spending extra money by deciding major room items like: TV, refrigerator, area rug, etc.
YOU MADE IT!
Start looking forward to a great college experience
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RISCHOLARSHIPS.ORG
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RISCHOLARSHIPS.ORG
SEARCH FOR FREE SCHOLARSHIPS
Look for hundreds of hard-to-find local scholarships.
Get started with your scholarship search today!
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QUESTIONS
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QUESTIONS
SCHEDULE A FREE APPOINTMENT
Do you have questions about college planning? We are here to help you prepare, plan, and pay for college.
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KNOWLEDGE FOR COLLEGE
Enter to win $2,000 scholarship
KNOWLEDGE FOR COLLEGE
ENTER TO WIN $2,000 SCHOLARSHIP
Visit our Knowledge for College Scholarship page to learn more and enter today!
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EVENTS
VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON EVENTS
EVENTS
UPCOMING VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON EVENTS
A free service offered by RISLA's College Planning Center.
RISCHOLARSHIPS.ORG
SEARCH FOR FREE SCHOLARSHIPS
Look for hundreds of hard-to-find local scholarships.
Get started with your scholarship search today!
QUESTIONS
SCHEDULE A FREE APPOINTMENT
Do you have questions about college planning? We are here to help you prepare, plan, and pay for college.
KNOWLEDGE FOR COLLEGE
ENTER TO WIN $2,000 SCHOLARSHIP
Visit our Knowledge for College Scholarship page to learn more and enter today!
EVENTS
UPCOMING VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON EVENTS
A free service offered by RISLA's College Planning Center.
