Countdown to College

Junior Year - May

Send for information from colleges (5-10) in which your interested. The Library is a great source of information(check the bibliography).
Visit the Web Site http://www.universities.com and use the Internet Guide for College Bound Students. Register with http://www.fastweb.com
Prepare to take the SAT or ACT early. Retake it if you don't do as well as you'd like.
Sign up for National Merit Qualifying
Memorize your Soal Security Number
Take the Advanced Placement Exams

June - August

EARN TO LEARN, Get a job(summer or winter) to help pay for college. If you are working, discuss with your supervisor getting a letter of recommendation for college.
Visit colleges, see Visiting College Campuses, ask questions (make a list), take tours.
Carefully review and discuss with your parents and financial aid officers the information from the colleges and universities.
Consider moving college savings out of your account for financial aid purposes. The tax forms you may be expected to provide are effective for the year before you apply for financial aid.

Senior Year - September

Schedule the tests required by the colleges and universities you've chosen. Make sure to meet their deadlines. Confirm test registration dates and actual test dates.
Prepare a calendar to help you keep track of important dates
Request more information about the colleges you've chosen, visit their web sites, check their catalogs
Attend "College Nights", talk to admissions and financial aid officers.
Explore Scholarship opportunities at the library. Track down private scholarships, grants and financial aid. Request applications and SEND the information required by the sponsors' deadlines.

October - November

Complete admissions applications forms.
Make photocopies of everything you send out. Make sure every form is signed.
If you're interested in an early admission decision be sure to meet the filing deadlines.
Complete your campus visits, try to meet with Financial Aid Representative.
Check housing, Residence hall space may be limited and assigned on a "First come..." basis

December-January

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Copies available at the Library and on the Web. You must complete this form to be considered for any financial aid from the federal government and from some state and private sources(it requires an estimated tax so you might have to wait for W-2 forms). It is also used to determine some scholarship and grant awards and it is required for most types of student loans.

Contact financial aid officers for application forms. If your first choice college offers a small financial aid package than your second choice, call the financial aid director at the first college and NEGOTIATE before making a decision.
Discuss with your parents how your college education will be paid for and whether you will need to work .

OVER

February - March

Many schools and private scholarships have March 1 deadlines, send applications early!
Study for and take any Advanced Placement tests.
Review the Student Aid Report(SAR) you receive from sending in the FAFSA. Make necessary corrections.

Send the SAR(or corrected SAR) to your choice colleges and universities.
Have your m-year grades sent to the colleges you've applied to.
Make sure your final transcript has been sent to the college you'll be attending

April-July

You should begin receiving acceptance notices from the colleges and universities to which you've applied for admission.
Note the deadlines for notifying schools whether or not you plan to accept. A deposit may be required for confirmation of attendance. Residence halls also may require a confirmation and deposit.
Review any financial aid packages from your schools.
Inform your school that you've decided to enroll there and accept the financial aid package it awards.
Complete the student loan application sent with the financial aid award letter.
Inform those colleges that have accepted you but which you don't plan to attend, of you decision. This may free up space for someone else who is waiting.
Report to your college or university any private grants or scholarships you receive.
Receive response or acknowledgment from your student loan application
Read and keep all information sent to you by your college or university.
Ask your college or university about the availability of interest-free tuition payment plans that will enable you or your parents to pay your college expenses in installments throughout the school year.
Take advantage of any pre-registration or orientation sessions offered.

August-September

Your student loan funds are disbursed to you college financial aid office
You and your parents, (if they applied for a parent loan)ill received acknowledgment of fund disbursement. Your financial aid office will tell you the procedures for releasing the funds. If you do not receive any acknowledgment from the college, call the college.
Classes begin!

See the College Times for a College Planning Calendar

Other Web sites with countdowns:

The Road to College - What Students Should Know http://www.roadtocollege.org/wssk.htm