Financial Aid Calendar:

A Timeline for Increasing The Odds of Getting Funding

High School Juniors

September/October

Register for PSAT in September.
Attend College representative conferences at your school.
Take PSAT in October.

December

January

Take the SAT. Get a good night's rest. Have a good breakfast. Go relaxed and refreshed.

February

Register for May SAT 2. Check your student Bulletin for dates. The normal pattern is: English, Math Level I and one other in a terminal course, e. g., Chemistry, U. S. History, or Language if you plan to end your language study.
Get copies of "Meeting College Costs". These are available in The Career Center.

March

Possible time for college visits or planning visits.

April/May

Write for college catalogs.
Check admission requirements against your own course of studies.
Read through catalogs.
Visit colleges.
Take the SAT 2.
Take ACT which is required by some colleges.

Summer

High School Seniors

September

See your college counselor early to formulate plans to avoid pitfalls. For example:
Check schools of engineering and business that fill well before application deadlines.
Check schools where housing fills by mid-October.
Check schools where enrollment for women closes before stated deadlines.
Write for college catalogs/applications.
Begin planning to visit schools of interest in early Fall.
Register for October ACT if required by college of your choice.
Register for November SAT. November/December combination of Boards is possible. Check with advisor about the best combination for you.
Meet with college representatives visiting the school.

October

Register for December ACT if required.
Register for December SAT or Achievement tests if you are planning to take either.
Check to find out if the college requires particular Achievement Test for admission. For example: Chemistry and/or Physics for Engineering Program.
Work on applications.
Meet with college representatives visiting school.
Take October ACT if registered.
Early Decision candidates should complete college applications.

November

Take November SAT if required.
Be in the process of completing college applications.
Early Decision deadline is often Nov. 1 or Nov. 15.
Check financial aid deadlines.
Determine which financial aid forms are required by the schools you are considering. Write to each one and request a financial aid packet.
Remind your parents that your financial aid application (needs analysis form) is due after January 1st, so they can begin gathering financial records.
Research additional sources of financial aid with your guidance office or financial aid officer.
December
Ideally complete applications by December 1.
Register for January Achievement Tests if not taking in December.
Take SAT or Achievements if registered.

January

Take Achievements.
Have school send 7th semester report.
Deadline for many applications.
Fill out & submit needs analysis form. You may need to fill out more than one depending on the requirements of your intended colleges. Follow the directions carefully and make copies of all forms submitted.

February/March

College replies are returned.
Notify college counselor of college's decision.
You will be receiving your needs analysis report, known as a student aid report (SAR) in the mail. Make any necessary changes. Colleges may require signed copies of the student and parent 1040 tax forms. Be sure you have met the deadline for the institutional aid form. If you are uncertain, call the financial aid office at the college to check if they have received all the required forms from you.

April

Decision on your college choice.
Withdraw applications from all colleges you choose not to attend.
Prepare to reply by May 1.
Schools will begin to notify you about acceptance and financial aid packages with a financial aid award letter. Compare the financial aid offers you receive.

May

Return all necessary forms to the college you plan to attend.
Notify the college counselor of your final choice.
If you are considered to have financial need, start the process of obtaining the Federal Pell Grant or Stafford Student Loan. The Loan will be disbursed to the college you choose and you will co-sign the loan with the college.
If you are not considered to have financial need, Federal PLUS loans are a good alternative. Parent supplemental loans (PLUS) are available through financial institutions. Complete these applications and return to the financial aid office of the school you have chosen. They will send them on to the lender.

References

The following reference sources are recommended sources of additional information for students, parents and counselors.

College Costs at Selected Colleges and Universities

Includes a summary of costs for tuition, fees, board and room at selected colleges and universities in the United States. Available through the New York Life Insurance Co., 51 Madison Ave., Room 1107, New York, NY 10010, or any New York Life Agent. (Free)

The College Handbook

This is an invaluable reference book and should be available to all students considering a college education. The College Handbook outlines in detail study programs, degrees, admission requirements, locations, facilities, expenses, financial aid available and almost any facet of college life on which a student or parent may have a question.

This book is available from College Board Publications, Dept. S62, Box 886, New York , New York 10101-0886. ($26.95 paperback, postage $2.70)

The College Costs and Financial Aid Handbook

This is a "how to" reference book for students and parents. It outlines major aid programs, discusses how financial need is determined, and lists current costs at more than 3,500 two and four-year public, private, and proprietary institutions.

College Board Publications, Dept. S62, Box 886, New York, New York 10101-0886. ($22.95, postage $2,95)

Chronicle Four-Year College Databook

The first section provides information on more than 2,130 colleges and universities offering baccalaureate, master's first professional and doctoral programs in more than 750 majors.

Second section gives tabular and general information on enrollment, admissions, accreditation and costs and financial aid at four-year colleges and universities.

Available from Chronicle Guidance Publications, Inc., 66 Aurora Street Extension, P. O. Box 1190, Moravia, New York 13118-1190. (502CM4; 537 pages; $24.99 pre-paid plus $2.25 shipping and handling) 800-622-7284.