College Planning - Senior Year

This Year is Critical in the Financial Aid Search

College planning is even more critical now that you are a high school senior and college is looming just on the horizon. You'll find you have a very full year of college planning in your senior year. Hopefully you've been doing some prep work in your Sophomore and Junior year that will help ease your tight schedule at this time. Diligently following the schedule listed below will greatly enhance the possibility of being accepted to the college of your choice.

College Planning - Senior Year - Fall

Request admission material and financial aid applications from colleges of your choice. Check application deadlines and look for any special requirements.

Continue to apply for private and outside grants and scholarships. Be sure and check for deadline dates. Apply for every scholarship you think you may have a chance of winning.

Keep a spreadsheet or listing of all applications and check to make sure all applications have arrived at their destination before the deadlines.

Make a separate folder for each college and keep a record and copies of all materials submitted to the college.

Ask teachers, coaches, employers, etc., for a letter of recommendation. Do not ask for this at the last minute. Give them several weeks to write this for you and you will get a much better letter if they don't have to rush to do this. Remember, no one is obliged to do this for you. They are doing you a favor.

Visit your guidance counselor to check if your transcript and test scores have been sent to the college of your choice.

Register in October to receive the CSS Profile form. Submit the profile to the college of your choice according to their timetable if they require this form.

Obtain a PIN for both parent and student for completion of the FAFSA application in January.

Ask the college financial aid office if they will provide an estimate of student aid based on your high school transcript and current EFC.

If you are sure about your college choice, submit applications for early decisions programs.

Prepare applications for your back up college choices.

College Planning - Senior Year - Winter

Complete the FAFSA form online and submit it in January as early as possible.

About four weeks after you submit the FAFSA, you will receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) which will have the EFC(Expected Family Contribution) listed on it. Immediately check to see if there are any mistakes on this. If so, correct these mistakes immediately online and you will receive a corrected copy.

Both parents and students should compile and file income tax reports early in order to complete the FAFSA.

Males 18 years of age are required to register with the Selective Service to receive federal financial aid. To register, fill in the appropriate section on the FAFSA application or register at your local post office.

Check with your school counselor or online to locate information on how to apply for state financial aid.

Promptly reply to all college requests for any additional information required.

Try to get to know the financial aid administrators at the colleges you have applied to. Take notes and remember their names so that you will have a record of conversations and statements made. This will be important if questions arise in the future.

Apply for aid as early as possible. Most aid is given on a first come, first served basis. An early application will help you get the best financial aid package possible.

Investigate company-sponsored tuition plans. Many companies have them, so don't miss out on this source of aid if it is available.

College Planning - Senior Year - Spring

Parents and students should review all financial aid letters together. If there is something that is unclear, contact the financial aid office for clarification.

Compare all the college award packages. These packages can often be negotiated os don't hesitate to contact the financial aid office to discuss the offer.

Narrow down you list of choices. As you do this, be sure to notify the colleges that have accepted you that you do not plan to enroll there. Do this nicely. Don't burn any bridges as you never know what the future holds.

Sign and return all financial aid forms.

Choose a college.

Send final transcript and student loan applications to the college of your choice.

Accept the financial aid package.

Submit the required tuition deposit to the college. Check the catalog or with the admissions department for any tuition discounts available. Some schools give a 10% discount for early tuition payments.