Senior Planner

Meet with your high school counselor to discuss your college plans.
Keep refining your list of potential colleges.
Begin studying for your college entrance exams.
Start to research scholarships and ways to pay for college.
Make note of deadlines: SAT, ACT tests, financial aid apps., college apps., etc.
If you do not have a Social Security Number, apply for one.
If you are a male 18 — 25, register with the U.S. Selective Service.

Register for a PIN. You’ll need this for your online FAFSA.
Finalize your college list and review it with your parents and high school counselor.
Find out what applications are required at your choice schools.
Register for your college entrance exams.
Make note of college fairs and high school visits.
(Visit with your HS counselor for schedules and interviews.)
Continue to finalize your college applications.

Review the FAFSA worksheet and begin gathering the necessary information.
Request transcripts and letters of recommendations for your applications.
Complete and submit your college applications.
Contact the schools you are interested in and get their financial aid information.

Start to gather the financial information you will need to complete the FAFSA.
Decide whether you are going to submit your FAFSA on paper or on the Web.
(Note: Do not submit the FAFSA before Jan. 1.)
If you have not completed your college applications, finish them this month.
Stay organized. Keep copies of applications and correspondence.
Continue to track important dates and deadlines.
Begin thinking about possible campus visits.

Submit the FAFSA as soon after Jan. 1 as possible.
(Note: Some student aid programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.)
If you haven’t estimated your college costs, do that now.
Begin to research and look for scholarships.

If you haven’t already, apply for private scholarships.
Check your mail and e-mail for acceptance notices and financial aid awards.
When you get your SAR, check it carefully.
(Note: If necessary, submit corrections immediately.)
If any college, scholarship organization or schools requests additional information, submit it promptly.

Evaluate all financial aid offers against the total cost of attendance.
(While your award may be less at a given university, the total cost may be less.)
Consider grants, scholarships and other aid you don’t have to repay before accepting student loans.
Decide on a college and submit any required forms or deposits.
(Meet all deadlines.)
Sign and return the SAR noting the awards you are accepting and the ones you are declining.
Register for AP tests if appropriate.
Contact the school’s Financial Aid Office to make sure all your paperwork has been received.
Notify the colleges you won’t be attending.

Have your final transcript sent to your college.
See if the school offers spring orientation for high school students.
(Some orientations are in the spring; others are right before school starts in the fall.)
Continue to search for scholarships.
Evaluate student loan lenders.

Verify housing, meal plans and transportation requirements.
If you plan on working during the school year, you may want to start submitting job applications.

If you’ve done all your pre-planning and checking, the summer should be spent confirming that everything is in place.
Review and finalize your college budget.
Check your cell phone plan. (You don’t want unnecessary roaming charges.)
Finalize your living arrangements and travel arrangements.
Check on the meal plan options.
Make plans to attend orientation if appropriate.
Make a list and start packing all of your college living items.