FALL |
One Last Time:: Finish making campus visits, or use this time to go back to a particular school that your child liked.
Apply Here :: By December, your child should complete and submit college applications (maybe earlier if they are applying for early admission), so use the fall season wisely.
Ask Around :: Your child should be asking for materials like recommendation letters that will accompany their application — and sure to allow plenty of time for teachers, counselors and coaches to write and mail them given their busy schedules.
SPRING |
Bottom Line:: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1 with your child to lock in your family's financial aid profile. Click here for more information on FAFSA and applying for financial aid. (Remember to review your child's Student Aid Report (SAR) when it arrives in case there are any errors.)
No Senioritis :: Remind your child that colleges don't stop looking at grades after applications are in, so encourage your senior to stay focused in school and keep their grades up.
Watch the Mailbox :: April is the most common time when admission decisions and financial aid award letters arrive, so keep an eye on the mail — and know your child will be, too.
SUMMER
Final Touches:: Make sure your child has a final transcript sent from their high school guidance office to their college's academic records office.
Getting Ready :: Spend time during your child's last summer at home helping them pack and prepare for the major changes associated with the move to college in the fall.
