College Planning Calendar

Fall

• Be sure your high school course selections are appropriate for your college/career interests.
  
• Be sure that you are meeting high school graduation and college admissions requirements.
  
• Discuss your current plans for postsecondary education with your counselor.  Consider your high school grades and SAT/ACT scores when meeting with your counselor.
  
• Request application materials for admissions, scholarships and financial aid from schools to which you plan to apply, if you have not already done so.
  
• Be sure that your application materials are submitted by the deadline, if you are requesting college admission on an Early Action or Early Decision basis, 
  
• Attend college fairs.
  
• Take or re-take the SAT I or the ACT. 
    
• Do not procrastinate. Be sure to meet admissions and financial aid application deadlines. You must request a transcript be sent. Transcript request forms are in the guidance office. Keep copies of all applications and supporting materials you submit.
  
• Be sure to meet application deadlines for any private scholarships you intend to seek.  Keep copies of your applications and letters.
  
• Give recommendation forms to teachers, counselors, and other persons from who you are seeking references at least two weeks before they are due to be returned; include a stamped, addressed envelope. 
  
• Be sure your file is current if you are seeking appointment to one of the military academies.
  
• See your coach for instruction if you are seeking an athletic scholarship. 
  
• Complete portfolios, audition tapes, writing samples, or other evidence of talent that is required for admission or for scholarships.
  
• Schedule admission interviews.

• Complete and mail college applications before winter break to ensure getting desired housing.
  
• Attend, with your parents, the Financial Aid Workshop, which is held in early December at Station Camp High School. 
  
• Apply for your pin number.
  
• Submit your family's financial information on the need analysis document (based on the current year's Income Tax return) as soon after January 1 as possible.
  
• Request that your high school send a copy of your transcript which includes first semester senior grades to the school to which you have applied. 
  
• Continue to apply for scholarships.

• Make your final decision about which postsecondary institution you will attend.  Notify the school of your choice by the appropriate deadline.  

• Decline other offers of admission (other students may be waiting for that place in the freshman class). 
  
• Review your financial aid award letter with your parents.
  
• Sign your financial aid award letter and any other items requiring your signature and return them. 
  
• Notify the financial aid office of schools in writing if you decide to decline their offer.  (other students, who wish to attend that school, will need the aid that you decline).
  
• Continue to apply for scholarships.

• Find out when payment of school charges for tuition, fees, room and board, etc., will actually be due.Plan how you will meet those charges.  Be certain that you understand how financial aid or scholarships will be disbursed, and whether you can defer bill payment until the funds are available.
  
• Be sure to attend any summer orientation sessions that you must attend at the school in which you will enroll.