AES Financial Aid Calendars Senior Year 1) Must Do

Make your final school choice

05 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Monday, May 5, 2008

Congrats, you’re going to college!

• Submit all required acceptance paperwork along with any deposits before the acceptance deadline.
• Make sure you understand your financial aid award. Contact the school’s Financial Aid office if you have any questions regarding your expected contributions.

Priority: Must Do

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Must Do

Decline to attend other schools

05 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Monday, May 5, 2008

As a courtesy to other schools that accepted you, send the Admissions office a letter indicating that you will not attend.

Priority: Recommended

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

Registration deadline for the SAT

05 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Monday, May 5, 2008

The registration deadline for the next SAT is TOMORROW.

Priority: Recommended

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended
More info: www.collegeboard.com…

Take AP exams

05 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Ongoing through Friday, May 16, 2008

Re-check your calendar for the time and location of each exam you will be taking.

Priority: Good Idea

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea
More info: www.collegeboard.com

Registration deadline for the ACT

08 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Thursday, May 8, 2008

The registration deadline for the next ACT is TOMORROW.

Priority: Recommended

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended
More info: www.actstudent.org…

Check on acceptance letter, financial aid and housing/meal contract

12 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Monday, May 12, 2008

Call the appropriate offices to check the status of three items:

• Admissions Office – your acceptance letter was received
• Financial Aid Office – your financial aid forms were received
• Student Housing/Student Services – your housing/meal contract was received

Priority: Good Idea

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea

Check your Student Aid Report (SAR) status

15 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Thursday, May 15, 2008

If you submitted your FAFSA more than four weeks ago and haven’t received your SAR, check the status of your application. Visit the FAFSA Check Status page or call 1-800-4-FED-AID.

Priority: Recommended

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended
More info: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Apply for a DOE PIN

19 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Monday, May 19, 2008

Apply for your personal identification number (PIN from the Department of Education. Both you and your parents must a have a PIN to apply for financial aid online. In the future, you can use your PIN to review the results of your financial aid application and to apply for federal student loans.

Priority: Must Do

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Must Do
More info: www.pin.ed.gov

Complete financial aid forms

22 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Let’s review. You have already:

• Completed the FAFSA and received a Student Aid Report (SAR) detailing what federal aid you can get.
• Completed any state or school-level forms to get state grants, school grants, school scholarships, work study, etc.
• Received your school’s financial aid award telling you what aid you’ll receive for college.

Now you need to apply for that aid. Typically, each type of aid (loan, work study, etc.) has a different form that you or your parents must fill out.

For example, you may need to submit a Stafford loan application and your parents may need to apply for a ParentPLUS loan. Find out which loan is best for you by comparing all loans now. Then, you can apply online.

If you are unsure which forms you need, call your school's Financial Aid office.

Priority: Must Do

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Must Do
More info: www.aessuccess.org…

Prepare for the ACT, SAT or TOEFL

23 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Friday, May 23, 2008

It’s a good idea to get some practice before taking a required college entrance exam. Check out these resources for help:

• Free ACT and SATpractice test at EducationPlanner.org.
• Your school counselor may have practice tests.
• Your high school or community library may offer preparation classes.
• Buy a review book where you can work through sample questions.
• Get preparation information online for the ACT, SAT or TOEFL

Priority: Good Idea

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea

Check on your final transcript

30 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Friday, May 30, 2008

Stop by your school counselor’s office to make sure that your final transcript is forwarded to your college.

Athletes: check that your school counselor has forwarded your final transcript and proof of graduation to the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Priority: Good Idea

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea

Apply for federal financial aid

01 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is required to be considered for federal and most other types of student aid awarded by state agencies and colleges.

If you do not submit a FAFSA, you will NOT be eligible to receive student aid.

• Get your online application. • Request a paper application from your school counselor or college financial aid office.

You can submit the 2008-2009 federal FAFSA after January 1, 2008. The earlier you submit it, the better. Here’s why:

• Your federal aid amount is determined from this application. It will be sent to you in a Student Aid Report (SAR).
• Some aid is available only on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The schools that accept you use your SAR to determine your total financial aid award (federal aid + school grants, scholarships, etc.).
• Many states use your FAFSA to award state grant aid as well. State deadlines are often earlier than the federal deadline, so check with your state agency.

Tip: When you complete the FAFSA, you will be asked to list the schools you would like to attend. List several schools even if you only plan to attend one. Some schools will provide you with a more competitive financial aid award based on the “competition.”

Priority: Must Do

• FAFSA
• DOE PIN
• State grant agency

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Must Do
More info: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Register for Selective Service

01 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Sunday, June 1, 2008

If you are male and 18-25 years old, you must register with the Selective Service in order to qualify for financial aid. Register online, by phone or at the post office.

Priority: Must Do

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Must Do
More info: www.sss.gov

Go to orientation

02 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Monday, June 2, 2008

Your school should send you an invitation for freshman orientation, during which you will visit campus before classes begin, get a tour, register for classes, order books and find out what to expect when school starts.

Typically, these are offered in multiple sessions, so you can choose one that fits your schedule.

Priority: Recommended

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

Take the SAT

07 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Re-check your calendar for the time and location of the exam.

Make sure to indicate your colleges of interest on your test booklet. Your scores will be forwarded directly to these schools.

Priority: Recommended for those who have not taken it or want to boost their scores

Event type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended