Senior Checklist

September/October/November 

• • Narrow your college list and send in an application to each school you are interested in attending.  Watch for deadlines for colleges that waive the application fee for early applications.  It is best to have applications sent in by November 1. (Note: don’t close the door on schools you “think” will be too expensive.  Patiently let the financial aid process work itself out.)

  • Visit with the college admissions counselors who visit school during lunch time.

  • Research colleges on-line.

  • Visit the colleges you are interested in with a parent.

  • Retake the ACT or SAT (if necessary).

  • Attend college fairs.

  • Look at our Counseling website as well as the handouts offered throughout the year.

• • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with your parents starting on October 1.  You can apply and find more information online at www.fafsa.gov.  Watch for deadline dates.  

  • Apply for scholarships early. Make a list and pay attention to deadlines. Look especially on our website and college websites for ideas.

  • After the FAFSA is processed look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in your online FAFSA account.  

  • Make sure your colleges of choice have received your information

  • Create a MiSSG account at www.michigan.gov/missg to see what state financial aid you qualify for. In this MiSSG portal, you can also change your college choice (where you want the state to send your aid) and complete other state scholarship applications.

December/January

• • Research more scholarship opportunities and apply for them.

  • Look into what specific scholarships each college offers.

  • Verify that you have submitted all the necessary financial aid forms to the colleges to     which you have applied. (Watch for deadlines which are often February 1 or March 1)

  • Consider private scholarships from employers, church organizations, and local sources such as your Chamber of Commerce.

March

• • Evaluate your school options, make your final decision, and notify the college of your plans to enroll.  (Note:  it is polite to let the schools that you will not be attending know your decision as well.)

April/May

• • Watch for important deadlines at your college of choice (housing, financial aid, etc.)

  • Contact the admissions office and financial aid office at the college of your choice to make certain that everything is complete.

July

• • Packets from the college should be arriving regarding registration for classes, campus events and organizations, and services available for students.