Senior Planning

Senior Planning


ACT
 

       Test Date                                       Registration                          Deadline (Late Fee Required)

September 10, 2011	August 12, 2011	August 13 – 26, 2011
October 22, 2011	September 16, 2011	September 17 – 30, 2011
December 10, 2011	November 4, 2011	November 5 – 18, 2011
February 11, 2012*	January 13, 2012	January 14 – 20, 2012
April 14, 2012	March 9, 2012	March 10 – 23, 2012
June 9, 2012	May 4, 2012	May 5 – 18, 2012

2011-2012 Senior Planning

 

Fall Semester

•  Check your transcripts to make sure you have all the credits you need to get into your college(s) of choice
•  Register for the ACT or SAT
• Make a final list of schools that interest you and submit applications as early as you can
• Attend an ACT workshop to increase your ACT skills
• Request a copy of your high school transcript be sent to your college(s) of choice
• Begin writing essays to be included with college applications
• Schedule college visit day(s) with colleges of interest
•  Make sure your official test scores are being sent to the colleges to which you have applied
• Ask teachers to complete any recommendation forms necessary for your college applications and/or scholarships
• Listen to morning announcements each day for updates on scholarship opportunities

Senior Action Plan

Pull Your Applications Together

• Narrow your list of colleges to approximately five to eight, and review it with your counselor. Get an application and financial aid info from each. Visit as many as possible.
• Make a master calendar and note:
  • Test dates, fees and deadlines
  • College application due dates
  • Required financial aid application and their deadlines
  • Recommendations, transcripts and other necessary materials
  • VCS deadlines for application requests, such as your transcript
• Ask for recommendations. Give each person your resume, a stamped and addressed envelope, and any required forms.
• Write application essays and ask teachers, family members and friends to read first drafts.

Decide Whether to Apply Early Action or Early Decision

• November 1: For early admission, colleges may require test scores and applications in early November. Send ACT and SAT scores.
• Ask if your college offers an early estimate of financial aid eligibility.

Get Financial Aid Info

• Attend financial aid info events in your area.
• Talk to your counselor about Financial Aid and Scholarships to desired colleges.
• Use Scholarship Search, school website - Guidance News , review scholarship books, and ask your counselor about local and state funding sources.

 

Winter Semester

Senior Action Plan

Review Application Details

• Most regular applications are due between January 1 and February 15. Keep copies of everything you send to colleges.
• Have your high school send your transcript to colleges.
• Contact colleges to make sure they've received all application materials.

Apply for Financial Aid

• You and your family should save this year's pay stubs to estimate income on aid forms that you'll file early next year.
• Submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon after January 1 as possible. Men who are 18 years of age or older must register with Selective Service to receive federal financial aid.
• Many priority financial aid deadlines fall in February. To get the most attractive award package, apply by the priority date. Keep copies of everything you send.

Spring Semester

• Complete and submit your college financial aid application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1, 2012 (make sure that your parents have completed their income tax returns for 2011 tax year)
• Complete any scholarship applications for your particular college(s)
• Contact the admission and financial aid offices of the college(s) to which you have applied to make certain that they have received your applications
• Continue to pursue scholarship opportunities and watch for due dates
• Request your final transcript be sent to your college(s) of choice
• Register for summer orientation sessions at your college
• Register for college summer school courses if you are planning on attending summer school
• Graduate and enjoy your summer!!!

Senior Action Plan

Review Acceptance Letters

• You should get acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April.
• Use Compare Your Aid Awards at College Board to compare awards from different colleges. Talk to financial aid officers at your college if you have questions about the award offered.
• If you haven't already, visit your final college before accepting.

Make Your Final Choice by May 1

• You must tell every college of your acceptance or rejection of offers of admission or financial aid by May 1. Send a deposit to the college you choose.
• Wait-listed? If you will enroll if accepted, tell the admission officer your intent and ask how to strengthen your application. Need financial aid? Ask if funds will be available if you're accepted. For more information about what to do if your wait-listed go to College Board at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/letters-are-in/124.html

 

 

Summer

Senior Action Plan

Take the Next Steps

• Ask your high school to send a final transcript to your college.
• Start preparing for the year ahead.

 

Websites

Look at these websites for more information:

www.fafsa.ed.gov (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov (Student Aid on the Web)

www.ihl.state.ms.us (Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid)

http://apps.collegeboard.org/cbsearch_ss/servlet/scholarshipsearchservlet?SS_ACTION=DB_SEARCH&pageIndex=1 College Board Scholarship Search

You can also visit the Guidance News link for more websites or call the school office for assistance.