Pre-College Calendar
and Checklist
Senior
JRSRCAL0801
August
u Review your career plans and decide which
type of school is right for you.
u Visit some college campuses.
u Narrow your college list to 3-5 schools.
u Request catalogs and admissions information.
u Contact your high school counselor for
registration materials and test dates for the
SAT and/or the ACT.
u Sign up for Educaid's free e-mail
CollegeBound Newsletter at www.educaid.com.
u Go to www.scholarships.com to review scholar-
ships available to you.
September
u Meet with admissions representatives who are
visiting your school.
u Make a list of test names, dates, fees,
registration deadlines, and of deadlines for
college admissions and financial aid applica-
tions.
u Remember that you must take tests like the
SAT and ACT at least six weeks before the
deadline for scores to be submitted to colleges.
u Begin asking teachers, guidance counselors,
and employers for letters of recommendation
to include with your admissions and/or
scholarship applications.
October
u Take the SAT or ACT exam, if necessary.
u Work on admissions application essays.
u Visit your top school choices. Interview some
students, faculty, and staff.
u Attend special programs such as college fairs
and financial aid nights.
u Find out which financial aid applications your
college choices require and when the forms
are due.
u Some private universities may require that
you register for CSS/Financial Aid
PROFILE
TM
at this time. (This determines
your qualification for private school aid.)
November
u Take the SAT or ACT exam, if necessary.
u Obtain financial aid applications from your
guidance office or college of choice. Read them
carefully to determine what information is
required and when the applications are due.
November - Continued
u Begin preparing your college applications.
Check with the colleges to find out when
materials must be postmarked.
December
u Pick up a Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) at your high school
counseling office or your local library. Begin
working on it. DO NOT SUBMIT IT
BEFORE JANUARY 1.
u Apply for outside funding or scholarships.
u PARENTS: Save your year-end payroll stub if
it shows your earnings for the year. You may
need it for financial aid eligibility reviews by
schools.
January
u Submit your completed Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the
processor as soon after January 1 as possible.
u KEEP COPIES OF ALL FORMS YOU
SUBMIT.
u January is Financial Aid Awareness Month.
Look for special programs in your area.
(In some states)
u PARENTS: It's helpful to get your income tax
returns prepared early--schools may request
them to prove eligibility for financial aid.
February
u Check to see if your mid-year transcripts have
been sent to the schools to which you have
applied.
u Mail your FAFSA (Free Application for
Federal Student Aid), if you have not already
done so.
u Research taking Advanced Placement (AP)
or College-Level Examination Program
(CLEP) exams.
u Rank your finalized list of colleges.
u February is Financial Aid Awareness Month.
Look for special programs in your area.
(In some states)
March
u Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in
the mail. Your SAR contains federal financial
aid information.
u Submit SAR and tax forms to the financial
aid office if requested. Contact each office to
make certain that your application is
complete. Find out what else you need to do
to establish and maintain your eligibility for
financial aid.
March
u Keep copies of all forms you submit to the
financial aid office.
u If you have not received your Student Aid
Report four weeks after sending in your
FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid
Information Center at (319) 337-5665.
April
u Watch the mail for college acceptance and
financial aid award letters. Compare the
financial aid awards you receive.
u Make your final decision and send in a deposit
by the deadline.
u Check with the college you've chosen about
the details of signing and returning financial
aid award letters.
u Notify the other schools that you will not be
attending.
u Watch for important deadlines at your chosen
college (housing, financial aid, etc.).
May
u Take Advanced Placement (AP) examinations
that are given in high schools nationwide.
u If you need and are eligible for a student or
parent loan, call Educaid at 1-877-318-2368
for a loan application.
u Finalize summer school or summer job plans.
June
u Other:
u Important numbers:
Educaid: 1-877-318-2368
www.educaid.com
Your Student Loan Is
Ready for College... Are You?
When you need money for school, Educaid,
A First Union Company, is ready when you are.
Students and parents are invited to find out
more about our affordable student loans. Call
us at 1-877-318-2368, or visit us on the web
at www.educaid.com
Educaid
®
, First Union
®
and Your Student Loan Specialist
SM
are service marks of
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ration and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ©Educaid 2001
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