Quick "March" Monthly Checklist

march task for HS seniors

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Use this checklist to review those tasks that should be completed by the start of March:

• You should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Government indicating your eligibility for financial aid. Sign and return the SAR to the school(s) you are attending.
  • Need to check your SAR status or make corrections to the FAFSA form:
    FAFSA web site
    
  • More information about the SAR report (including sending the SAR to more schools:
    view Financial Aid Note 3
• You must complete and submit your Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) before receiving the Student Aid Report (SAR).
  • For steps to the financial aid process:
    see our Financial Aid Step 2
    
  • For submitting your FAFSA:
    see the January Plan
• Contact the financial aid office of the schools to which you applied. Make sure they have all the information they need.
  • Directory list of Universities and Colleges:
    college search directory to find the Aid office
• 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:
    collegeboard.org
• If you are taking any college entrance exams, check your dates:
  • SAT Exam
  • ACT College Exam
• Search diligently for potential scholarship awards:
  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
• Do you have a place to live while at school:
  see our moving center for housing information
• Men 18 years or older
  must be registered for Selective Service to receive federal financial aid.
  
  You can register online:
  sss.gov
• Start getting yourself ready for college:
  • download FREE moving-to-college checklist
    references our college moving center
• Attention Students:
  • start saving with this cost advantage program for students. Cardholders save up to 50% OFF at more than 20,000 discount locations across the country:
    studentadvantage.com
    
  • also review how to best to manage your student funds by using pre-paid credit to manage spend:
    view pre-paid credit cards

Preview the Financial Aid Process

march task for HS seniors

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Let's talk money for college —
jump over to our College Financial Aid Guide

	understand the financial aid process
	submitting the FAFSA form for federal aid
	review the student aid report
	get the financial award letter

If you applied early to your college, you should have received your acceptance notice and Financial Award Package from your school:
see the April Plan

Finalize Your Scholarship Search

march task for HS seniors

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March is scholarship essay completion time. Many scholarships will require an essay for consideration. Get help reviewing your essay from experts:

• Scholarship essay resources:
  EssayEdge.com

There are plenty of scholarships available. So do your research:

begin your search for over $24.3 billion worth of scholarships and grants in one location

Beware of potential scholarship scams. There are unscrupulous web sites and email campaigns that are trying to get your money. A general rule to follow is,

"if they request money from you in order to get money",

they are likely a scam:

• Detecting/reporting scholarship scams:
  from the FTC: information about scholarship scams

Find a Summer Job

march task for HS seniors

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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:

jump over to our job center to search summer opportunities

Go to: April Calendar