OfftoCollege.com

Task 1: Preview the Monthly Checklist

checklist of prior monthly tasks that should be completed

Most schools have a May 1 deadline for acceptance. Deposit money will likely be required to reserve your admission. Check your school for information.

Be considerate and promptly notify all other schools where you have been accepted that you will be attending another school. It opens up the admission slots for other students.

If you are on a waiting list for a school you would like to attend, contact the school to let them know you are still interested. Keep your channels open.

Stay the course. Check for scholarships and grants: over $24.3 billion worth of scholarships and grants in one location

Task 2: Take the AP Placement Exams

Sit for the Advanced Placement Exams or the CLEP tests to test out of subject areas you had in high school.

This avoids from having to take similar classes in college.
The exams are generally administered in May:

• Information about the advanced placement program:
  the collegeboard administers the AP exams. This site has all the information you need including test programs and dates:
  www.collegeboard.com

Task 3: Review Your Financial Award Letter

Financial Award Package

You should receive your "Financial Award Package" with information on your qualifying financial aid from each school that you have been admitted.

The Financial Award Package will show the cost of attendance and the amount of each financial aid award that will be granted. The difference between the cost and the amount awarded is the portion that the family is expected to pay.

 

The financial awards include:

• grants,
• scholarships,
• federally student loans,
• work study programs,
• other college assisted aid
  
  For information about the Financial Award Package:
  see financial aid note 4

 

View these summary charts of financial aid options:
(link to our financial aid center)

• summary aid chart for first-time students (undergrad's)
• summary aid chart for parents

 

Understand the financial aid process for student loans, grants, scholarships and other student aid:
see Financial Aid Process

Note 1:   understand the financial aid process
Note 2:   submitting the FAFSA form for federal aid
Note 3:   review the student aid report
Note 4:   get the financial award letter
Note 5:   view financial aid options
Note 6:   apply for and manage student funds

 

Note the Ways to Pay for College

1. Scholarships and Grant Aid Programs:
   

   over $24.3 billion
   worth of scholarships and grants in one location
   

2. Federal Student and Parent Loans:
   federal student and parent PLUS loans are available — view details and options
   view summary note: federal student loans
   view summary note: federal PLUS loans
   
   
3. Private Education Loans:
   need a little extra to cover the full cost? — compare plans
   view summary note: private student loans
   
   
4. Home Equity (Bank Equity Program):
   use the equity in your home to finance all or part of your education without restrictions
   view summary note: home equity loans

Task 4: Review Housing and Moving Notes

Respond to all requests from the college you will be attending. Notify all other colleges of your decision not to attend.

Need to finalize your housing arrangements.

Check your college for on-campus living arrangements or make arrangements to live off-campus:

For on-campus:
check with your college of choice. Once you get accepted into college, you need to move fast on 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

 

Start getting yourself ready for college:
download this FREE moving-to-college checklist
also reference our college moving center: click here

Check out some online courses that you could take over the summer. Some colleges will allow credit for courses completed online. This will give you the flexibility to arrange your schedule:

Source for online learning courses:
view directory of online programs

Task 5: Find the Summer Job

Have you found that summer job?

Use the summer to raise money you will need for college.

Money earned can be used for tuition, housing, transportation and for fun entertainment.

If you worked last summer with a job you liked, go back and see if you can work with them again this coming summer. Or try to find a different summer job that fits your career goals

• Summer work programs:
  Job listing for teens from many brand-name retail and other name companies:
  www.snagajob.com
  another posting of summer jobs:
  www.summerjobs.com
  job postings exclusively for teens:
  www.teens4hire.org
  
  
• Internship Programs:
  internships in your field of interest is a great way to get experience that will help you college
  internships.wetfeet.com
  
  
• Search Classified ads in LOCAL PAPERS:
  you will find many local summer jobs through your local online classifieds:
  find local online classifieds | search craig's list

printer-friendly page