Student Financial Aid Calendar
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College will be here before you know it.
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Senior Year, High School |
August
September |
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Narrow your list of schools down to five or ten.
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Request admission materials and catalogs from these schools, and check out school web sites.
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Ask for recommendations from your guidance counselor, teachers, and employers.
- Visit the schools on your list, meeting with admissions and financial aid staff, and with students and faculty.
Student Loan Consolidation for as low as 4.5% |
October
November |
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Make a list of all your application due dates.
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Start filling out your applications and writing your essays.
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If you want to apply for early admission, request an Early Financial Aid application.
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Download a copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can also find copies at your public library, your high school guidance counselor, or a local college.
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December
January |
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Apply for scholarships.
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Finish and submit your applications, even if they’re not due yet.
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Your parents should do their taxes early. This information will be needed when you fill out the FAFSA and other financial aid applications.
- Submit the FAFSA as soon as you can. Make sure you indicate the colleges you're interested in and keep a copy for your records.
Student Loan Consolidation for as low as 4.5% |
February
March |
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If it has been four weeks since you’ve submitted your FAFSA and you haven't heard anything, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID.
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Make sure your financial aid applications, recommendations, and transcripts have been submitted.
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Check the Student Aid Report (SAR) you’ve received carefully for accuracy. Send in any needed corrections. Keep a copy and send another to your school, if required.
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Prepare for advance placement exams, if applicable.
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Try to relax! Waiting to hear from colleges can be the toughest part.
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April
May |
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Compare the colleges that have accepted you and the financial aid they’ve awarded.
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Make the ’Big Decision’, then notify your chosen school and the ones you didn’t choose.
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Sign your financial aid forms and return them with your deposit.
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Take advanced placement exams for college credit, if applicable.
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June
July
August |
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If needed, you should apply for a Stafford Loan consolidation.
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If needed, your parents should apply for a PLUS loan; find out your school’s PLUS application deadlines and other requirements.
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Speak with your financial aid administrator and attend an entrance interview with a financial aid counselor who will explain the terms of your loan. Stafford borrowers may also complete their required entrance interview Online.
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Have a great summer! Look forward to a well-earned college experience.
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Student Loan Consolidation for as low as 4.5%
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Junior Year, High School |
| Fall |
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Narrow your list of schools down to five or ten.
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Request admission materials and catalogs from these schools, and check out school web sites.
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Ask for recommendations from your guidance counselor, teachers, and employers.
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Visit the schools on your list, meeting with admissions and financial aid staff, and with students and faculty.
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| Spring |
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Make a list of all of your application due dates.
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Sign up to take the SAT, SATII, and/or the ACT in March or April.
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If you know which colleges you want to apply to, indicate them on your registration form so your scores will be sent there.
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Ask your guidance counselor if you can register for advanced placement courses to earn college credit.
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Keep your grades up. Many colleges evaluate your performance through the first semester of your senior year.
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Continue to visit colleges. Spring break is a good time.
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| Summer |
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If you haven’t already done so, take the SAT, SATII, and/or the ACT.
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Plan more college visits.
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Get application materials from colleges.
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Keep studying and staying active in clubs and volunteer organizations.
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Sophomore Year, High School |
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Take the PSATs.
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Visit colleges in person, or virtually on the Web.
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Talk to college students you know.
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Think about the kind of college you’d like - large or small, public or private, urban or rural.
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Stay active - a record of volunteer or part-time work says a lot during the admissions process.
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Freshman Year, High School |
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Build a strong academic record.
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Join school clubs and community organizations.
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Begin talking with your guidance counselor.
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