OfftoCollege.com

Task 1: Preview the Monthly Checklist

checklist of prior monthly tasks that should be completed

Many schools have January deadlines for college admissions. Make sure you send a completed application with transcripts, essays and letters of recommendation: jump to our application submission list: see september Contact the admissions office of the college(s) to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received and that they have everything they need from you.

For those who did early submission: Early admission notices should be received by early January. If no, contact your school to ask when early admission notices will be sent. Make sure you reply to any school request. If you are accepted, you must notify the college of your decision to attend (with the required deposit money) by mid-January. Watch the deadlines.

If you are taking any college entrance exams, check your dates: SAT I and SAT II ACT College Exam

Are you searching for scholarship money: over $24.3 billion worth of scholarships and grants in one location Beware of potential scholarship scams. A general rule to follow is, "if they request money from you in order to get money", they are likely a scam: Information on detecting scholarship scams: see our scholarship module

Have you estimated your college costs: see the November Plan

Take the CLEP Test to test out of some college classes: the collegeboard administers the AP exams. This site has all the information you need including test programs and dates: www.collegeboard.com

Men 18 years or older must be registered for Selective Service to receive federal financial aid. You can register online: www.sss.gov

Task 2: FAFSA Form

The US Department of Education's FAFSA form will be required for all Federal Aid Programs and many scholarships.

It is used by colleges to determine your financial aid eligibility.

The FAFSA form uses a methodology to calculate the cost of education at the school you are attending and the expected family contribution towards that cost. Your school will use the form to award what financial assistance you may need.

• Information about the Financial Aid process:
  see our Financial Aid Notes

 

Preparing for the FAFSA form:

1. Register for a PIN
   so that you can sign your FAFSA form and other loan documents electronically. It will speed up the process:
   www.pin.ed.gov
   
   
2. Start gathering the documentation needed to complete the FAFSA form:
   • social security number
   • driver's license number (if any)
   • W-2 Forms and other records of money earned
   • income tax returns
   • parent's federal income tax returns (if you are a dependent student)
   • untaxed income records
   • bank statements
   • business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
   • alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
   
   
3. Find your school codes:
   you will need this information so that your FAFSA filing can be sent to the schools of your choice. Again, the colleges use this information in designing a financial aid package to help pay the cost of college attendance.
   www.fafsa.ed.gov.../fslookup.htm
   
   
4. Register for Selective Service (male students):
   Young men that have reached age 18 must register with Selective Service before submitting the FAFSA form. This is required by law:
   www.sss.gov

 

Submitting the FAFSA form:
(submit anytime from January 1)

Submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible. Don't wait to hear whether you have been accepted or not by a college. You want the FAFSA form sent to the school so that they can assemble an award package as soon as you are accepted:

FAFSA online application:
www.fafsa.ed.gov/

You can request that your FAFSA form be sent to six schools. Need to send the form to more than six schools?
see Financial Aid Step 2

Task 3: For Late Starters

Have you started your college planning process?
You need to move fast. Most college admission deadlines are due this month for the upcoming Fall semester:

• selecting the type of career and studies: see our late starter file
  
• finding the right school: see the September plan
  
• submitting your college application: see October plan
  
• analyzing college costs: see November plan

Task 4: Important Housing Notes

Need to think about your housing.
Where are go going to live once you move to college?

For on-campus:
check with your college of choice. Once you get accepted into college, you need to move fast for on-campus housing arrangements to avoid being placed on a waiting list:

Check with your college web site for on-campus living:
use our college directory to link to your school


For off-campus:
link to our "Moving to College" housing plan for housing search: click here for college housing

Information about fraternities and sororities:
www.greekpages.com/
DMOZ open directory on fraternities and sororities:
dmoz.org/.../Fraternities_and_Sororities/

 

Something Extra

• Take a minute to review our online study guides and college prep strategies:
  click to view college prep center

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