College Application and Financial Aid Calendar

Activities for high school student's senior year

Whether you've been saving and planning for your child's college education the past 18 years or you just recently started discussing college plans with your child, senior year is the time when many decisions need to be made.

The summer before your child's senior year is a good time to narrow down college choices. If you haven't done so already, now is the time to research colleges online, request catalogs, attend college fairs, and visit campuses to help finalize the list of schools.

Be sure to note specific school deadlines for applications, scholarships, and financial aid forms and check it regularly. The following calendar is a general overview of the application and financial aid process.

Fall	Winter	Spring	Summer
Research colleges online, attend college fairs, and visit college campuses to make a final list	General admission applications are typically due in December or January—confirm deadline for each school	Review financial aid packages offered by various colleges; compare out-of-pocket cost at each college	Buy school and dorm supplies
Early decision/early action applications are typically due in October or November—confirm deadline for each school	Submit college PROFILE financial aid form and college-specific financial aid forms where necessary	Review ongoing requirements of any college scholarships if selected	Work to earn spending money
Attend financial aid night at local high school	Confirm that colleges have received all application and financial aid materials	Make final decision and notify college by May 1	Prepare to move if you are going away to school
The federal government's financial aid application, the FAFSA, can be filed as early as October 1	Continue to apply for college scholarships	Pay required college deposit	Sign student loan promissory note and receive federal student loan counseling if applicable
Apply for college-specific scholarships	Research and apply for private scholarships	Sign up for college orientation session if required	Off to college!

Stern, Kory, Sreden & Morgan, AAC
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