Academic Spotlight

An Academic Year: Preparing For College

August

• Review your career plans and decide which type of school is right for you

• Request admissions information and school catalogs

• Review school web sites

• Obtain registration information and test dates for the Scholastic Aptitude Test
(SAT) and/or the American College Aptitude Test (ACT)

• Start developing a financial plan for college

September

• Meet with college representatives who visit your high school

• Mark your calendar with registration, admissions, and financial aid deadlines and fees

• Ask employers, teachers, and guidance counselors for letters of recommendation to include with your admissions applications

October

• Take the SAT and/or ACT

• Work on admissions essays

• Visit your top school choices. Make appointments with faculty, staff and students

• Contact the school's financial aid offices to determine which forms are required (Some schools require special forms)

• Finalized portfolios, audition tapes, writing samples, or other evidence of talent if required

November

• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights

• Get financial aid forms from your guidance counselor

• Determine what information is necessary to complete the forms

• Begin completing your admissions applications - double check deadlines

• Follow up to ensure letters of recommendation sent

December

• Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Do not submit before Jan 1

• Research and apply for other financial aid

• Finalize your admissions applications. Many schools have online application processes. Keep copies of all forms you submit.

January

• Look for financial aid awareness programs in your area

• Ask your parents to file their tax forms as early as possible. Schools may need them to finalize your financial aid packages. Be prepared to send a copy of the tax forms to the schools if necessary.

February

• Research taking Advanced Placement (AP) or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams.

• Rank your preferred schools

• Ask your high school to send a copy of your transcript, including first semester senior grades, to the schools to which you have applied

March

• Submit tax forms to the financial aid office, if requested and find out what outstanding items need to be completed for the financial aid office

• Narrow your school choices and make campus visits

April

• Watch the mail for school acceptance and financial aid award letters - Compare the packages based on the various costs

• Make your final school decision and mail any deposits required

• Check with the school you've chosen about returning financial aid award letter

• Notify schools you will not be attending

• Watch for other important school deadlines

May

• Take Advanced Placement exams

• Be aware of any summer orientation sessions that you must attend at the school in which you will enroll, and make plans accordingly

• Finalize any summer job plans and make a plan for saving a portion of your summer earnings

• Prepare a realistic student budget using your college costs, taking into consideration the cost of books, supplies and other personal expenses

June

• Plan for college orientation, transportation and housing

• Follow-up with financial aid office to ensure that all paperwork is complete

July

• Finalize plans for school

• Contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission if you have additional questions about funding your education.

Call 1.800.974.1024 or 410.260.4565 or write MHEC 839 Bestgate Road, Ste 400 Annapolis, MD 21401