Monthly Planning Guide For The College Bound Student
Courtesy of U.S. Bank
PDF Version
Junior Year
September - December
- * Review your courses for this year and plan for your senior year. Be sure you select the high school courses required for college admission.
- * Investigate Advanced Placement Courses (High School courses which will count for college credit).
- * Prepare a list of colleges you're considering. Check with your school counselor and/or library for books and computer materials on the colleges you're interested in attending.
January - February
- * Begin to narrow the college list and contact the remaining colleges for literature.
- * Set up a file for each college you are considering.
- * Check out financial aid/scholarship information at www.finaid.org.
March - May
- * Take the ACT or SAT.
- * Grades aren't the only thing schools evaluate; how's your public service involvement?
- * Keep your grades up!
June - July
- * Visit colleges and take tours. Continue to refine your list of colleges.
- * Continue to evaluate colleges, perhaps talking to a recent graduate or current student.
- * Add money from your summer job to your college savings account.
Senior Year
August
- * Decide which school is right for you-large or small, public or private, close to home or away from home?
- * Use the summer to narrow your choices and visit schools.
- * Register to take the SAT or ACT, if you did not do so as a junior or if you want to retake the tests.
September
- * Check with your school counselor about local college fairs.
- * Call or write the schools you are interested in and ask for catalogs and applications.
- * Get letters of recommendation.
- * Research private scholarship sources and write letters requesting application information for those you've identified.
October
- * Visit additional colleges, and make necessary second visits.
- * Discuss your application essay with your English teacher.
- * Complete and submit your application if you are applying on an "early decision" basis.
November
- * Remind your parents that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms are due as soon as possible after January 1.
- * Check priority deadlines and entrance requirements for all colleges that you are considering.
- * See if any of the colleges you are considering offer an early financial aid estimate.
December
- * Apply to selected colleges (usually three to five). Keep copies of applications and other paperwork in your file folders.
- * Check out the U.S. Bank Internet Scholarship Program at www.usbank.com/studentloans.
- * Last chance to take SAT or ACT.
January
- * Obtain a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from your high school or Dept. of Ed. web site at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- * Fill out and submit the forms required by the schools you have applied to.
- * Attend a financial aid night at your high school.
February
- * After you and your parents complete your tax returns, complete the FAFSA and submit it for processing.
- * Research possible sources of financial aid with your High School Guidance Office or a College Financial Aid Office.
March
- * As college forms arrive, promptly complete and return them to colleges, don't let them sit! (Keep copies in your files.)
- * Submit copies of tax forms if required by the Financial Aid Office.
- * Look for a summer job
April
- * Make your final decision on which school you want to attend and send in your deposit.
- * If you need a student loan call U.S. Bank for an application and the lender code for your state.
- * Complete the application for any student loans for which you plan to apply.
May
- * Notify colleges to which you applied but will not attend.
- * Send thank you notes to the teachers and counselors who helped you.
June
- * Have your high school send your final transcript to your college.
- * Have fun at graduation.
July
- * Add more money from this summer's job to your college savings account.
- * Pay required school fees and bills.
- * Consider U.S. Bank as your student loan lender if you need to borrow money for college.
Information courtesy of U.S. Bank
U.S. Bancorp, Member FDIC
For more information call 1-800-242-1200
or visit: www.usbank.com/studentloans
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