Print out the planner and use it to check off each step as you complete it.
Please note these dates are meant to be general guidelines. They vary from year to year and from school to school. For specific information, contact your high school guidance office or college financial aid office.
If you find some of the financial aid terminology difficult to understand, please refer to
If you find this information useful, tell others about it.>
our Financial Aid Glossary for assistance.
Sign up and prepare for the PSAT
(Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test).
Begin to explore your college choices. Your guidance counselor can also tell you about upcoming college fairs.
Begin gathering information and refine your college preference. This is a good time to request catalogues and information from colleges and universities.
Take the PSATs.
Are you planning to apply for early admissions? If the school you are interested in requires the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), you need to register now with the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Parents should begin to explore their financial resources and financial aid possibilities.Scholarships 101, the Scholarships Search Tool can help you with this process.
Register for the SATs or the ACTs (American College Testing) with the Educational Testing Service if you plan to take them late in your junior year or early in your senior year.
Students and parents should visit colleges and start to narrow down their choices. Visit them on the Web when possible.
Create a short-list of schools to which you would like to apply. Begin determining the costs of the schools you are interested in and what types of financial aid they offer.
Get letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, friends in community organizations and advisors. Register with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for the SATs or ACTs if you are retaking one or taking one for the first time.
"Early Decision" applications should be completed and submitted now.
Application essays should be written and reviewed by an English teacher or Guidance Counselor.Meet with your Guidance Counselor to have your first-semester grades sent to the schools to which you are applying.
SAT and ACT tests. To register, visit with the Educational Testing Service
Complete and return all college admissions applications and any additional information that is required.Explore scholarship and grant opportunities online at GeoScholarships.
Start gathering tax information from the prior year. You will need it to process your FAFSA.
Parents complete their income tax and FAFSA forms.
Fill out the financial aid forms required by the colleges to which you are applying. Make copies and keep them in a safe place.Take the ACT test.
You will receive your Student Aid Reports (SAR). Also find out more about student loans that can help you fill the financial gap.
Colleges will notify you about acceptances or rejections and financial aid packages. Compare which package best meets your needs.See College loans to find out which types of loans you may be eligible for. Complete applications for a subsidized federal Stafford Loan, unsubsidized federal Stafford Loan or Federal PLUS Loan:
Still need money for college? Check all your loan opportunities...
College orientation. Make sure you attend. It's a great opportunity to meet members of your class and become familiar with the campus.
Congratulations. You are off to college! GeoScholarships wishes you a great time in college and in your future years.