HS Senior Calendar: Getting Ready
summer months before starting college
Congrats! You are now ready to start college. Use the summer to get ready and finalize your financial aid needs. Good luck!
Monthly Tasks:
Task 1: Preview the Summer Checklist
checklist of prior monthly tasks that should be completed| Confirm housing and dining options at your school: see your college web site for information |
| Plan to attend any orientation programs at your school |
| Find a summer job to help pay your way: link to our student jobs directory |
| Have you found transportation while attending school: see transportation in our college move section |
| You will be starting your own home when you go away to school. Think about what you might need for the bedroom, kitchen, study area, closet, etc.:
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| Keep tabs on upcoming registration deadlines and fees. |
| Make sure your high school transcripts have been sent to your college. |
| Promptly complete any financial aid information sent to you by your college. |
| Do you have a computer for your school studies?
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Task 2: Finding Additional Aid
Do You Have Enough Money:
You need to add up your financial aid position to analyze whether you have enough funds to pay for a full academic year:
When You Need Extra Funds:
If you need extra aid to close the gap between the cost of education and the amount of financial aid awarded, get a private student loan to make up the difference.
You can use the loan to pay for tuition, housing, transportation, books, computer, living expenses and more.
You can borrow up to the full cost of education minus any financial aid received as certified by your school.
Link to our private student loan module for complete information
or dial: 1-866-813-7760 for assistance
Be Sure to Budget Your Expenses:
Use our FREE budgeting worksheet to help you budget and manage your monthly expenses and financial aid:
jump over to our college budgeting tool
Task 3: Getting Ready for School
School Registration:
Your college should notify you on important registration dates and requirements for first-time students. In you haven't received anything, or need clarification on some items, check with your college admissions office:
Use our directory of universities and colleges to link to web site: college search directory
Class Registration:
Many colleges have online or mail-in class registration. Check your class requirements.
Some colleges may allow credit for online courses sponsored by other colleges. This will give you the flexibility to arrange your schedule. Again, check with your admission's office:Source for online learning courses:
view directory of online programs
Packing Up:
Get ready. You need to "make-your-home" away from home. That means packing and gathering a few things.
Download our FREE "Off-to-College" Checklist of moving items you should consider taking to school:
click to download moving checklist
Getting There:
You need to arrange your move to college. Will you be driving, taking the train or bus, or flying? Need to make those important travel arrangements:
Check our college moving module for detail information:
click here for college moving center
Task 4: Managing Your Money
There will be a lot of money that will be changing hands over the next year. The question is how best to manage your money.
- Setup a checking account with your family bank.
Many banks offer FREE student checking accounts. Use your checking account for ATM access and check writing such as paying tuition and monthly rent.
- Use your credit card for everything else.
Whenever possible, use your credit card to pay for everything else. Many merchants will not accept student checks, so your credit card will be necessary (avoid carrying cash).
- Setup a College Budget:
Make sure you budget your college expenses. You want to avoid having to borrow more money to finish the year.
Credit Card Use 101:
- As a graduating high school student,
you will be targeted by credit card companies on the "EASE" of using and having your own credit card.
Think about it! Your own personal card to buy pizza, clothes, gas, music — you name it — without having to pawn money from your parents.
- But there is a hitch.
The credit card charges will come due in about 25 days. And if you are like most students, you won't have have enough money to pay your credit card off.
- No problem!, say the
credit card companies.
Simply pay the minimum payment (which will be very low) and continue using your card as you like.
- That is where the
credit card companies entrap you — they want to keep you paying that
low minimum payment from
month-to-month.
By paying just the minimum payment each month, it will take you about 23 years to pay off your by credit card balance
Being Smart About Credit Card Use:
What Type of Credit Card for School:
- How to use pre-paid credit to manage money
summarizes how pre-paid credit can manage student funds
- Building rebate dollars
learn how to manage your credit cards using a computer (FREE download)
Task 5: Building Credit
Before making a decision about credit cards, student loans, and other credit financing, take a brief moment to view our affiliated center on credit card and debt management:
(links go to our affiliated site at SayGoodCredit.com)
Credit Management
summary review of credit management and how to start and develop your own credit skills. Topics include:
introduction: about credit
types of credit
about your credit report
Applying for Credit
establishing credit
maintaining good credit
repairing your credit
Debt Management
learn tactics to manage and avoid debt.
Topics include:
about debt management
how much debt
solving your debt problems
managing credit card debt
Budget Management
develop important budgeting skills while in school.
Topics include:
why budget
what's in the budget
developing a spending plan
tips: Lowing Your Bills
Task 6: Shopping School Supplies
Find a Computer
Most schools require the use of a computer. How about getting your own:
- Visit our center for a complete reference line of computers and computer peripherals and software.
Everything you need to get your computing needs going:
click here for our computer selection directory
School . . . transportation . . . computers . . . supplies . . . make sure you and your parents review all possible options:
-
View this summary chart of financial aid options:
Find College Books and Supplies
Every College requires books. Buy them online. See our "Moving to College" books and supplies plan:
click here for college supplies
Stuff For the Dorm
Besides books, you may need some study / personal items:
- See our "Dorm Section " for dorm and other personal items:
click here for dorm items
Task 7: Achieving Success
Time to get serious and set some personal achievement goals. Try this helpful plan:
- FREE Download
Complete guide on discipline and character building. Has illustrations on the building blocks of success.
view our "building success" module: FREE downloads
Don't forget about Halloween in October.
We've got a great party package that will make your party a "spooky" smash:
- Halloween Kit:
FREE download
- Download FREE Halloween Story:
click to download
College Planning Guide
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