SEPTEMBER
Review SAT/ACT scores and decide if you need to retake either test
If so, register for the SAT and/or ACT
Review SAT and ACT material; take practice tests; take a course if available
Go to FSA ID to register in the Federal financial aid system
Download the FAFSA worksheet online
Research colleges, universities, and other after-high-school options
Check college application deadlines
Check you transcript; be sure you admissions requirements for the colleges you you hope to attend
Work on college admission and scholarship essays; proofread with your ASPIRE mentor
Request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors
Learn about the CSS Profile that colleges may require for financial aid and start working on it
Start submitting college applications; pay attention to deadlines
If you are applying to a college that uses the Common Application, start working on it
If you are applying to a community college, start working on the Oregon Promise application for financial aid
Create your account in OSAC, the portal to more than 500 scholarships and start working on the application
Explore other scholarship opportunities
Determine if you will be applying to any colleges by Early Decision or Early Admission, and check deadlines
Undocumented students complete the ORSAA, the alternative to the FAFSA
OCTOBER
Complete the FAFSA; applications are accepted beginning on October 1
Review Student Aid Report (SAR) and make corrections if needed; you will receive access information online after filing FAFSA
Continue with items listed for September that have not yet been completed
NOVEMBER
Work on OSAC scholarship application, including your Personal Statement and your Activities Chart
Continue with items listed for September that have not yet been complete
DECEMBER
Continue with all items listed above that have not yet been complete
JANUARY
Submit applications to at least 3 colleges
Monitor your applications; make sure they have been received by the colleges to which you applied
Make sure that mid-year transcripts are sent to those colleges
Complete the Oregon Promise application if not already finished
Apply for local, regional, and individual college scholarships
Submit the OSAC application
Track scholarship application deadlines
Regularly check your email and OSAC Student Profile for notifications
FEBRUARY
Request high school transcript for OSAC scholarship application
Be sure that OSAC application is submitted by February 15 Early Bird deadline. It should include your Personal Statement, Activities Chart, and transcript
Check with colleges to make sure they have received all necessary information
Complete Oregon Promise application if not already finished
Complete any items from previous months that are not yet finished
Check your email and OSAC Student Profile for notifications
MARCH
Final deadline for OSAC application is March 1
Complete the ASPIRE senior exit survey
Complete any items from previous months that are not yet finished
Keep you grades up. Grades in the second half of your senior year do matter to colleges
Check your email and OSAC Student Profile for notifications
APRIL
Keep you grades up
If you are on a college wait list, let the college know if you are still interested
Submit requested tax forms or other documentations to the college financial aid office
Use the Students and Families section of the Oregon Student Aid website, or BigFuture, to compare financial aid offers
Compare loan in a Loan Comparison Chart such as the one found at BigFuture
Accept admission and financial aid offers from the college you will be attending
Notify other schools of your decision
Write thank-you notes to scholarship donors
Take a placement test if you will be attending a community college
Review sample student budgets with your ASPIRE mentor
Check your email and OSAC Student Profile for notifications
MAY
Check deadlines for accepting financial aid awards
Keep your grades up
If you are on a college waiting list, inform the college that you are still interested
Continue with the lists shown in previous months as needed
JUNE
Request that your year-end transcript be sent to the college you will be attending
Respond to all mail and email from your selected college\
Create an online school account
Register for housing, orientation, and classes
Tour your chosen campus
Continue checking your OSAC account
JULY
Continue with all items listed for June as needed
Determine what items you will need for dorm life at college
Prepare for college: acquire needed supplies, begin packing
AUGUST
Same as July
Many colleges have a freshman orientation week that begins before older students arrive on campus; be prepared to report to your college in August.