Financial Aid Calendar
August 24, 2021
If your child will be applying for financial aid for college, here’s a calendar highlighting the important tasks to be done during senior year of high school.
September
- Create a timetable of financial aid deadlines for each college
- Obtain an FSA ID at fafsa.ed.gov as a prerequisite for submitting the FAFSA online
- Obtain a username and password at collegeboard.org as a prerequisite for submitting the CSS Profile online
October
- Gather last two years of tax returns for parent and student
- Complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1
- Complete and submit the CSS Profile if student is applying to college early action or early decision
November
- Research college and private scholarships and gather supporting materials (students may be considered for college scholarships automatically when they apply)
December
- Complete and submit the CSS Profile if student is applying regular decision
- Complete additional college-specific aid forms, if any
January
- Complete and submit private scholarship applications
- Review Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA showing your expected family contribution (EFC)
February
- Verify that all required federal and college financial aid forms have been submitted, and submit any additional documents as requested
- Continue to complete and submit private scholarship applications
March
- Watch for college acceptances; if acceptance contains offer of merit aid, make sure to understand requirements of any merit scholarships
- Receive financial aid award letters from colleges detailing financial aid package; read each award letter carefully
- Watch for notifications from private scholarship sources
April
- Compare financial aid awards by comparing out-of-pocket costs at each college as well as total overall costs
- Decide on a single college!
- Sign and return financial aid award letter
May
- Contact financial aid office to confirm all paperwork is in
- Notify financial aid administrator of any changes in circumstances that may affect your family’s ability to pay EFC
June
- High school graduation!
July
- Student signs student loan promissory notes, if applicable
- Student receives federal student loan counseling, if applicable
August
- Congratulations! Off to college!
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