Student Checklist

TO DO: ALL YEAR

• Work hard all the way to graduation—second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility.

• Stay involved in after-school activities, and seek leadership roles if possible.

TO DO: FALL

• As soon as possible after its release, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, along with any other financial aid applications your chosen college or career/trade school may require. You should submit your FAFSA form by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February.

• After your FAFSA form is submitted and processed, you can view your online FAFSA Submission Summary in your account Dashboard. This document lists your answers to the questions on your FAFSA form and give you some basic information about your aid eligibility. Review the documents, make any necessary corrections, and submit the corrections.

• If you haven’t done so already, register for and take the standardized tests required for college or career school admission. Check with the schools you are interested in to see what tests they require.

• Apply to the colleges and career schools you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!

• Well before your college or career school application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit the required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the schools to which you’re applying.

• Complete any last scholarship applications.

• Understand the FAFSA process better by watching the videos at YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid.

• Follow or like the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid at X.com/fafsa  and Facebook.com/FederalStudentAid to get regular financial aid tips.