September Take college prep courses in high school Start looking at colleges Make sure you have Social Security Card or Student Visa Interest testing to determine major Start talking to people in career field of choice. Network! Job shadow! Start making a list of accommodations you will need at college Join school clubs or volunteer activities Start saving money for college and transportation to college
October Start visiting colleges and making contact with Disability Coordinator at college Discuss accommodations and support you will need with Disability Coordinators at each college Plan how you would get to each college of your choice Attend college fairs Start collecting applications and mark their deadlines on this calendar so you meet them Start saving for college application fees Start working on college essays, planning what to write Register for SATs or ACT Search for scholarships with Run College Answer site: http://salliemae.collegeanswer.com/paying/scholarship_search/pay_scholarship_search.jsp Ask 3 adults for letters of recommendations for colleges of your choice (see college applications for rules) Keep saving money and getting good grades in school
November Visit colleges if haven t visited yet and meet with their Disability Coordinators Begin filling out college applications Write college essay and show to someone to proofread Find out what financial aid is needed for each college of choice Begin writing scholarship essays Open Bank Account, if not already open Keep saving money Learn how to cook and do laundry so you can do it yourself at college Keep studying hard!!!
December Finish final draft for college essay Finish college applications and show to adult to proofread Finish scholarship essays and show to adult to proofread Learn how to use bank account Create savings account/budget for next year Explore FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website to learn how to fill out forms Begin preparing for college interviews Write plan with BRS counselor for VR supports at college once agree upon career choice Keep saving money! Study hard!
January Mail College applications and essays with application fees Make sure high school transcripts are sent to college Check mail for interview appointments from colleges Make doctor appointments for college health records (if needed) Make sure you and parents complete income taxes ASAP so can do FAFSA Review budget with adult and save hardcopy in portfolio Keep saving money! Take some college prep courses Keep studying hard!!!
February Fill out and complete FAFSA Watch your mail for Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA If disagree with SAR or family can t afford to help you in college as SAR states, talk to Financial Aid Officer Respond to college letters with requests for more information as quickly as possible Respond to college interview appointments as quickly as possible Keep saving money for college, supplies, laptop, and transportation Begin looking into summer camp jobs and volunteer activities Study hard! Don t give into senioritis!!!
March FAFSA (Financial Aid) due! Check mail for college acceptance letters Check mail for scholarship letters Start planning on narrowing down college of choice and how you will get to each college FAFSA should be all set by now Fill out VR-21 form for BRS and mail to counselor Talk to your college s disability center about early registration for classes, and register early if possible. Make sure Disability Office provides accommodations for classes you register for Remember your grades are important! Don t give into senioritis! Keep saving money, more money you save, more you can get for college!
April If accepted into college, decide which college you wish to attend Pay deposit fee for that college Make a decision on which scholarships you wish to accept Notify other colleges that you won t be attending their college CAREFULLY, follow directions of acceptance letter and stay on top of deadlines for housing, financial aid, orientation, and others Mark these deadlines on this calendar so you meet the deadlines Begin making a college address/contact book with list of important numbers, emails, and addresses (doctors, bookstore, FAFSA, BRS, friend, family)
May Begin looking for summer job or volunteer activity Continue to check mail and respond quickly to college requests and deadlines Notify your Financial Aid Officer of any addition funding you will be receiving (scholarships) Look over student loans with BRS or Guidance counselor. Never take more loans than needed, for you have to repay them! Learn more about credit cards and borrowing money
June Mail your official transcripts to college Share grades with BRS counselor and make sure plan is finalized Discuss how much money BRS can contribute towards college Accept and/or apply for loans if more money is needed (remember, don t apply for more than is needed, for you have to pay this money back) Start your summer job or volunteer activity Make plans for transportation for orientation in August. If airfare, reserve this month Prepare what to pack for college, download guide if needed: http://salliemae.collegeanswer.com/global/checklists/whattopack.pdf Shop for bargains!
July Continue packing for college Finalize any loans or additional financial resources Talk to college friends who are home for summer about freshman tips! Make sure your book of contacts (addresses, emails, and phone numbers are updated and ready to bring to college) Have fun!!! This is your last summer before college!!!!
August Review previous months to make sure everything is completed Make sure transportation to college is arranged and on time Give your summer employer 2 weeks notice that you will be leaving this employment for college (if can no longer work while in school) Purchase a good scheduler/calendar, books, notebooks, pens and pencils Make sure your college courses are chosen and ready to start
September