If your child is applying for financial aid for college, here is a calendar highlighting the important tasks to be done during senior year of high school. The dates are generally relevant for students applying regular decision.
| September | October | November |
- Create a timetable of financial aid deadlines for each college
- Obtain an FSA ID at fafsa.ed.gov as a prerequisite for submitting the FAFSA online (only need to do this once)
- Obtain a username and password at collegeboard.org as a prerequisite for submitting the CSS Profile online
| - Gather last two years of tax returns for parent and student
- Complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1
- Complete and submit the CSS Profile if student is applying to college early action or early decision
| - Research college and private scholarships and gather supporting materials (students may be considered for college scholarships automatically when they apply)
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| December | January | February |
- Complete and submit the CSS Profile if student is applying regular decision
- Complete additional college-specific aid forms, if any
| - Complete and submit private scholarship applications
- Review Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA showing your expected family contribution (EFC)
| - Verify that all required federal and college financial aid forms have been submitted, and submit any additional documents as requested
- Continue to complete and submit private scholarship applications
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| March | April | May |
- Watch for college acceptances; if acceptance contains offer of merit aid, make sure to understand requirements of any merit scholarships
- Receive financial aid award letters from colleges detailing financial aid package; read each award letter carefully
- Watch for notifications from private scholarship sources
| - Compare financial aid awards by comparing out-of-pocket costs at each college as well as total overall costs
- Decide on a single college!
- Sign and return financial aid award letter
| - Contact financial aid office to confirm all paperwork is in
- Notify financial aid administrator of any changes in circumstances that may affect your family's ability to pay EFC
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| June | July | August |
| - Student signs student loan promissory notes, if applicable
- Student receives federal student loan counseling, if applicable
| - Congratulations! Off to college!
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