Timelines for Scholars – Benjamin Banneker

Junior Year

September	Prepare for and take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). This is the only time that the test scores will be considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition. Sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT at your high school Guidance office.
October	Make a list of colleges or universities you may want to attend and discuss them with your parents and counselor. Discuss your financial plans.
December	Keep looking for scholarships and financial aid sources (or get started now, if you haven’t already).Fastwebwww.fastweb.comwww.finaid.com
January	Send letters or emails requesting information to the colleges in your list. Start evaluating schools.
February	Plan visits with your parents to the schools that interest you. If possible, arrange to be on campus while classes are in session.
March	Begin to narrow your list of college and career choices. If you intend to apply for an ROTC scholarship, begin the process now.
April	Go to FAFSA4caster.ed.gov to get a jump start on figuring out your financial aid eligibility.
May	Update your list of activities and awards. Consider taking a course at the local community college this summer.Look for a summer job or volunteer activity.
June	Begin writing your resume, and start assembling writing samples, portfolios, audition tapes or any other information that you may use in your college application.
July	Try to narrow your school choices.
August	Schools with early decision- start admission, scholarship, and financial aid application process. Keep copies and dates you sent them. Be aware of deadlines.

Senior Year

September	Meet with your counselor to review and evaluate your college plans in light of your ACT and SAT scores and high school grades thus far. Sign up to take or retake the ACT and SAT tests, if needed.Make sure your high school transcript is correct and current. Ask and adult who knows you well to write a general letter of recommendation for you that can be copied and signed each time you need it.Make sure that you’ve completed all required steps in the admission, scholarship, and financial aid processes at each school you wan to attend.
October	Attend local or regional college fairs. Keep looking for scholarship money at fastweb.com and other sources.
November	If you’ve applied at an early decision school, make sure everything is finalized.
December	Watch for a response to your application for a military academy appointment, ROTC scholarship or an early decision school.
January	Pick up the new Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid from your high school counselor or find it online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Encourage your parents to complete their income tax form as quickly as possible. Complete and submit the FAFSA and keep a copy.
February	Complete FAFSA, if you haven’t already done so.Continue to monitor all applications.
March	Watch your mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR). When you receive the SAR, make sure all of the information is correct. Contact the financial office of each school that you listed on the FAFSA and ask for a status report on your request for financial aid. Begin applying for local scholarships.
April	Decide which school you want to attend.
May	Finalize details with your parents on paying room deposits, tuition deposits, and other immediate expenses.
June	Let your college financial aid office know about any outside scholarships, grants, or other kinds of student aid form private sources that you’ll receive. Review your financial aid award letters. Follow the directions, completely, sign it, and return it to the financial aid office. If you have any questions or concerns, call the school’s financial aid office right away. If you accepted a Federal Work-Study award in your aid package, it may be your responsibility to find an appropriated job. Check with the financial aid office.