Financial Aid Calendars Senior Year College Preparation 1) Must Do

Pick your colleges

02 Jul 2007 20:20:50 GMT

Pick your colleges
Monday, October 01, 2007, All Day

You may already have several schools in mind. Now is the time to narrow the list down. If you don’t, then it’s time to make a list.

Consider the college’s academic offerings, athletics, location, costs, campus life, etc. Ways to get more info about your school choices include:

• Visiting your guidance counselor
• Researching online at EducationPlanner.org
• Calling the school’s Admissions office to set up a campus visit

Priority: Must Do

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Must Do

www.educationplanner.org

Register for Selective Service

19 Oct 2006 18:13:29 GMT

Register for Selective Service
Monday, October 01, 2007, All Day

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

www.sss.gov

Mark deadlines on your calendar

02 Jul 2007 20:29:37 GMT

Mark deadlines on your calendar
Monday, October 01, 2007, All Day

Mark your calendar with important admissions and financial aid deadlines for any of the schools you are interested in. To find these dates, you can:

• Visit each school’s website. Check the admissions, financial aid or incoming student sections
• Call each school’s Admissions or Financial Aid offices

Priority: Recommended

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

Registration deadline for the SAT

02 Jul 2007 12:22:43 GMT

Registration deadline for the SAT
Monday, October 01, 2007, All Day

The registration deadline for the next SAT is TOMORROW.

Priority: Recommended

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

www.collegeboard.com…

Attend a financial aid information night

02 Jul 2007 20:35:58 GMT

Attend a financial aid information night
Monday, October 01, 2007, All Day

Learn how to apply and get financial aid to pay for college. Your school counselor should have a schedule of these events. Don’t forget to bring your parents!

Priority: Good Idea

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea

Meet with your school counselor

02 Jul 2007 20:22:03 GMT

Meet with your school counselor
Monday, October 01, 2007, All Day

Have a serious talk with your counselor about:

• Your choice of schools – ensure you are making good selections
• Your transcript and class schedule – ensure you are on track to get into those schools.
• Advanced Placement (AP) classes or exams – find out if your school offers them. You may be able to earn AP credits which let you skip certain college classes.
• The admission process, if you are interested in attending a military academy.

Priority: Good Idea

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea

www.collegeboard.com

Review admission applications for essay requirements

02 Jul 2007 12:56:50 GMT

Review admission applications for essay requirements
Monday, October 01, 2007, All Day

Look over the applications you’ve collected from the schools you're interested in. Check to see if any of them require an essay component.

Carefully read the topics they want you to write about and see if there are similarities between applications. You may be able to write one essay for multiple applications or at least cut-and-paste parts of one essay into another.

Priority: Good Idea

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea

Prepare for the ACT, SAT or TOEFL

02 Jul 2007 12:25:50 GMT

Prepare for the ACT, SAT or TOEFL
Thursday, October 04, 2007, All Day

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

Take the SAT

02 Jul 2007 12:57:22 GMT

Take the SAT
Saturday, October 06, 2007, All Day

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

Register to take or retake the ACT, SAT or TOEFL

02 Jul 2007 12:16:47 GMT

Register to take or retake the ACT, SAT or TOEFL
Sunday, October 07, 2007, All Day

Register to take the ACT or SAT entrance exam for the first time or take it again to improve your scores.

If English is your second language, you may need to register for the TOEFL. Visit your selected schools’ websites or contact their Admissions offices to find out if it is required.

Tip: You already know that high ACT or SAT scores help you get into college. But, did you know they also can get you more free money? If your score is in the top 25% for the school you are applying to, you are likely to qualify for more school grants.

Priority: Recommended

• ACT
• SAT
• TOEFL

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

Attend a college fair

02 Jul 2007 20:29:07 GMT

Attend a college fair
Wednesday, October 10, 2007, All Day

Find out from your school counselor when a college fair or information night will be held in your area and GO. You can meet college representatives face-to-face and get answers to your questions.

Priority: Good Idea

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea

Request admissions applications

02 Jul 2007 20:23:07 GMT

Request admissions applications
Monday, October 15, 2007, All Day

Gather the admissions applications for your list of schools. You can:

• Visit each school’s website,
• Call each school’s Admissions office and request an application by mail, or
• Find online applications to more than 4,000 schools at EducationPlanner.org. Tip: To increase your odds of getting in and maximizing aid from schools, apply to both:

• In-state, public schools and
• Private schools where your grades and test scores put you at the top of the class.

Priority: Must Do

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Must Do

www.educationplanner.com

Request letters of recommendation

02 Jul 2007 20:31:30 GMT

Request letters of recommendation
Monday, October 15, 2007, All Day

If your school requires these letters, now is the time to ask for recommendations from your teachers, counselors, coaches, etc.

• Give each individual a recommendation form (if one came with your admissions application), or
• Give them an envelope addressed to the Admissions office, so they can send their own letter (don’t forget the stamp).

Priority: Required if school application requires recommendations

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Must Do

Athletes: Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse

02 Jul 2007 12:31:37 GMT

Athletes: Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse
Monday, October 15, 2007, All Day

If you plan to compete in Division I or Division II (varsity) sports in college, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse after your junior year.

• Complete the Clearinghouse Student Release Form online and print a copy.
• Pay the registration fee.
• Print a copy of the Clearinghouse transcript release form.
• Give both of these to your school counselor.
• Check with your school counselor to make sure your class schedule meets NCAA requirements.

Your school counselor will submit your school transcript (first six semesters) and ACT or SAT scores to the Clearinghouse for initial-eligibility. Then, after you graduate, he or she will send your final transcript and proof of graduation.

Priority: Recommended for potential college athletes

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

www.educationplanner.com…

Go on a campus visit

02 Jul 2007 20:31:07 GMT

Go on a campus visit
Monday, October 15, 2007, All Day

Visiting your top college picks is the best way to experience the campus vibe. A visit may include:

• A walking tour with a student guide who gives you inside information on student life, both on-campus and off.
• A meeting with faculty members or tour of buildings according to your major.

These visits help you make better decisions about where to apply or go to school.

Tip: Mention your campus visit in your admission application or essay and how it affected your decision to apply. This lets school officials know you're serious about attending.

Priority: Recommended

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

Submit scholarship applications

02 Jul 2007 20:37:10 GMT

Submit scholarship applications
Monday, October 15, 2007, All Day

Complete the scholarship applications you have collected so far and then:

• Make a copy (or print out a copy) in case something happens to the original.
• Mail the original (or submit it online) to the appropriate scholarship address.

Priority: Recommended

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

Apply for early action or early decision

02 Jul 2007 20:31:59 GMT

Apply for early action or early decision
Monday, October 15, 2007, All Day

If your college offers an early action or early decision program, applications usually are due between October 31 and January 15. Check your admissions applications for an early consideration deadline or contact the school Admissions office for the exact date.

Tip: Judge the timing of your application.

• Apply early - have a higher chance getting admitted.
• Apply with everyone else - have lower odds of admission, but you may have a better chance at more aid from the school.

Priority: Good Idea

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea

Think about your major

02 Jul 2007 20:24:21 GMT

Think about your major
Monday, October 15, 2007, All Day

You may have known since you were 5 years old what you want to do. Or you may have no clue. Even if you aren’t sure, your major can be a big factor in choosing where to go to school AND in how much financial aid you can get.

• Some schools offer more aid to students who meet a demographic requirement for a major (such as females in engineering).
• The federal government offers grants of up to $4,000 for low-income students majoring in math, science or foreign languages.

EducationPlanner offers tools to help you choose a major.

Priority: Good Idea

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Good Idea

www.educationplanner.org

Prepare for the ACT, SAT or TOEFL

02 Jul 2007 12:26:05 GMT

Prepare for the ACT, SAT or TOEFL
Tuesday, October 16, 2007, All Day

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

Research scholarships

02 Jul 2007 20:45:26 GMT

Research scholarships
Monday, October 22, 2007, All Day

Scholarships are not just for athletes and underprivileged students. YOU can get a scholarship. You just need to find ones you are eligible for and apply. Scholarship sources include:

• Your high school guidance office
• EducationPlanner - free search of over 8 billion dollars worth of scholarships
• Colleges - your selected colleges may offer athletic, academic or need-based scholarships
• Community organizations
• Your church
• Your parent’s workplace

Tip: Every scholarship dollar is a dollar you don’t have to pay. Don’t overlook scholarships that offer just a small amount. They can add up.

Priority: Recommended

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

www.educationplanner.com

Take the ACT

02 Jul 2007 12:52:58 GMT

Take the ACT
Saturday, October 27, 2007, All Day

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

Registration deadline for the SAT

02 Jul 2007 12:22:58 GMT

Registration deadline for the SAT
Monday, October 29, 2007, All Day

The registration deadline for the next SAT is TOMORROW.

Priority: Recommended

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

www.collegeboard.com…

Register for Selective Service

19 Oct 2006 18:13:29 GMT

Register for Selective Service
Thursday, November 01, 2007, All Day

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

www.sss.gov

Registration deadline for the ACT

02 Jul 2007 12:21:07 GMT

Registration deadline for the ACT
Thursday, November 01, 2007, All Day

The registration deadline for the next ACT is TOMORROW.

Priority: Recommended

Event Type: College Preparation
Event Status: Recommended

www.actstudent.org…

Take the SAT

02 Jul 2007 12:57:51 GMT

Take the SAT
Saturday, November 03, 2007, All Day

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