College Planning Calendar

We’ve compiled a list of key events that need to be completed as you prepare for college.

Download a printer-friendly version of this College Planning Calendar.

High School Juniors:

• Review the courses you plan to take during your senior year with your HS counselor. Ensure that they meet college admission requirements and that they also reflect the impression you want to make to college admissions officers.

• Take your ACT and SAT exams now or register and start studying before your senior year!
  
  

High School Seniors:

Aug / Sept I Oct I Nov I Dec I Jan I Feb I Mar I Apr I May I June I July

• Deadlines are a big part of what you have to deal with as your senior year starts. Check with your HS counselor to get deadline dates for the following:
  • scholarships (also see a list of scholarships on FastWeb.com),
  • SAT / ACT test dates if necessary,
  • Financial aid deadline dates at the colleges you are interested in attending.

• Get information about college programs and schools by meeting with college admissions representatives who visit your high school or attend local college fairs.
  
  
• Visit prospective colleges to determine which is the best fit for you:
  • Speak with the staff in the financial aid office, along with current students to ensure you are comfortable with their attitudes and approach
  • Determine the size of the campus and its atmosphere
  • Are you comfortable with the campus location? (Does it require a plane ticket home or can you simply drive home?)

• Take the ACT or SAT exam.
  
  
• Application essays – you will need these for some of the scholarships you apply for and you may need this to accompany your admissions applications.
  
  Tip - Write about something personal that really tells a story about you, how you think, feel, maybe even your dreams -not only does it make a better read for the admissions staff, but it could be the difference between you and other applicants. Also, make sure to have your essays reviewed at least three times (to ensure it is clear, concise and grammatically correct) prior to submission. A messy, error-filled essay can quickly get you denied for college admission or scholarships.


• Ask for letters of recommendation from your teachers, coaches, counselors, church members, employer, etc. These letters are necessary when submitting your college applications– don’t wait until the last minute –the people you ask to prepare these letters will really appreciate you being proactive!
  
  
• Don’t just depend on your grades or your athletic skills - volunteer your time by serving on a committee or being part of an organization. Colleges are looking for well rounded students. So be sure to include any leadership position that you have held such as an officer of your student government or a manager of a fast food establishment. This makes you a very attractive candidate to the schools.

        Holidays are coming up and time is running out. Did you…

• get the ACT or SAT test scores you wanted and submitted to your prospective colleges?
  
  
• visit prospective campuses and get the admissions applications?
  
  
• talk to your HS counselor to make sure you have all the required classes for college admissions?
  
  
• apply for any scholarships that you found?

• Get your paperwork ready (both you and your parents) to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA). You and one of your parents will need to register for a PIN number (that will serve as your electronic signature on the FAFSA) by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov.
  
  
• Male students over the age of 17 need to register with the selective service to be eligible for federal student aid. If you haven’t already done so, you can either get the appropriate forms from your HS guidance counselor, or you will automatically be registered when you complete the FAFSA.

• Get all your tax paperwork together [for yourself and your parent(s)] as of January 1st, when you can begin the FAFSA submission process. You have the option to complete the FAFSA online. Processing time is a matter of days and if you make a mistake you can just go back online and immediately make corrections. Any college that you set up to receive your results will receive updates once you submit the changes.

Remember – If you don’t have your taxes completed you can “estimate” on this document. Better to get the application submitted early than to wait for your accountant!

Tip - At this point, roles begin to change between who you deal with – the HS Counselor or the college Financial Aid Office. Here’s the rule of thumb:

• HS Counselor: Work with your HS Counselor to make sure transcripts are sent, grades and required classes are taken, and recommendations are submitted with admission applications. Scholarships are generally coordinated through the HS counselor; however, check with your counselor as this may not always be true.
• Financial Aid Office Issues: College funding questions need to be directed toward the college financial aid office or a trusted group (such as Student Lending Works). Both resources have counselors to assist you when determining your financial needs.

• Be sure that requests for more information or “verification” from colleges are addressed promptly. One out of every three FAFSA forms requires “verification”, which basically means that the school needs justification or clarification on some info that was provided on the application. Delayed responses to the colleges could delay your financial aid award, so time is of the essence!
  
  
• If you’ve changed your mind about the college you wish to attend, be sure to log onto the FAFSA web site and add that school code to your FAFSA application.
  
  Tip - Everyone - without exception – should complete the FAFSA. Everyone will be offered a student loan no matter how much or how little money their household makes. Be sure to check out Student Lending Works’ loan options for the best rates in Ohio.

College admission and financial aid offers should start rolling in. Be sure to notify the financial aid office if there has been any change with your financial needs. They will have you complete a “Special Circumstances” form to determine if your changes affect your financial aid award package.

 

• Evaluating financial aid award letters – after you have applied for financial aid the school(s) will present you with a financial aid package. This package outlines the total cost of attendance and the types and amount of aid the school is offering.
  
  
• Not every college will provide the same amount or type of aid. For example, some colleges strive to award aid equally across to all eligible applicants, while others award aid based on a first-come, first-served basis and encourage applicants to seek other sources outside of the school to fill the funding gap.
  
  
• Once you receive all award letters, compare each offering. Be sure to look at the total amount of aid awarded and the types of aid being offered. Also pay close attention to the terms and conditions of scholarships and grants to make sure it is clear how long you will be receiving them and under what conditions.
  
  
• Loans are your last line of defense for paying for college – if you need them, use them. Stafford loans may have the lowest rates and should be considered first, Parent PLUS loans are your next alternative if you still need additional funding. PLUS loans cover the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus any other financial aid offered.
  
  Tip - Do not consider private or alternative loan programs unless you have used up all of your other options (such as scholarships , grants, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Grad PLUS Loans, and Federal Parent PLUS Loans). Private and alternative loans typically have a much higher interest rate.

• Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams.


• Finalize your financial aid and admissions with your college.
  
  
• Start preparing for some summer fun or kickoff your summer job hunt.

• Be sure that your high school forwards your final transcripts to the college that you will be attending.
  
  
• Get the dates for college orientation and start getting your things together that you will need on campus.
  
  
• Try to save money from your summer job. The extra cash can help you pay for college expenses such as food, books, and supplies.

• Make copies of all the financial aid information you have compiled so far so you have a copy on campus and at your parent(s) home. Keeping copies will help you resolve questions quickly in case you run into any issues regarding your financial aid in the future.
  
  
• Send out thank you notes to everyone who helped you with your college applications and transcripts.
  
  
• Start packing for college and enjoy yourself!!!