Senior

Following is a quick review of what you should be doing your senior year to keep you on track for college.

Early August:

• Update your student planner to include completed 11th grade classes and upcoming 12th grade classes.
• Review transcripts with your guidance counselor to ensure that they are accurate and you are meeting all of your college preparatory and Nevada Millennium Scholarship requirements (four years of English, four years of math including algebra II, three years of science and three years of social science).
• Review your college plans and evaluate them in light of your test scores and junior year grades. Continue the college application process. You and your family should meet with your guidance counselor to become familiar with the college admissions and financial aid processes. Some universities and colleges have fall deadlines while others are in the spring.
• Setting up a calendar with all the various tasks and deadlines associated with the application process will be very helpful to submit paperwork on time.
• Set aside plenty of time to draft, edit, and re-write application essays.
• Register for ACT or SAT if you either did not take the test last year, or if you have decided to retake the test.
• Continue to visit and obtain information on the colleges or universities that you have included on your potential list.
• If you are a student athlete make sure you visit the NCAA Clearinghouse for more information https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/student/index_student.html

Early October:

• Keep track of all college application deadlines and file yours accordingly. If you want to live on campus, and have not already done so, complete a housing/meal plan application.

December:

• Begin researching the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available through your high school or on the internet at the U.S. Department of Education site (www.fafsa.gov). The site will also provide financial aid and eligibility information and can calculate your estimated financial aid award.

January:

• Request that your high school send the transcript of your first semester senior year grades (also known as 7th semester transcripts) to the colleges to which you’ve applied.
• Work with your parents to complete the FAFSA form on or as soon after January 1 as possible. Send it no later than February 1 to be considered for the maximum amount of available awards. You will receive the Student Aid Report (SAR) via e-mail from the financial aid processor. 
• If you have not received your SAR within a few days after you file your FAFSA form, call 1-800-4FEDAID to inquire about your application status. 

February/March:

• Make sure that all application materials are sent and received on time.
• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. If necessary, correct any inaccurate items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor.
• When a corrected SAR is returned to you, review and keep a copy for your records. If a college requests your SAR, submit it promptly. Do this even if your SAR says you are not eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, as the college may be able to offer you other aid based on the information in that report.

April:

• Review your financial aid award letters with your parents; be sure that you understand the terms and conditions that apply to each type of aid offered.
• Review all college acceptance letters.
• Decide on the one college that you will attend and send in your tuition deposit. If you are unable to cover the tuition deposit, contact the financial aid or admissions office at the college you plan to attend to inquire about deposit waivers.
• Notify all other colleges in writing, no later than May 1 that you have selected another school. Other applicants will be hoping to receive your spot. If you are on a college waiting list, notify the admissions office and let them know that you are still interested.

May:

• Parents, devise a budget with your child and determine how much will be covered by financial aid, how much you’ll provide, and how much your child will contribute by working and/or borrowing.

June:

• Request that your high school send a copy of your final transcripts to the college you will attend.
• Notify the college of any private grants or scholarships you will receive, as this may affect your other financial awards.
• Find out when payment for tuition, room, board, etc. will be due.
• Be sure that you understand how financial aid will be disbursed and whether you can defer bill payment until the funds are available.

July/August:

• Look for information from your new college about housing, orientation, course selection, etc.
• Receive your Millennium Scholarship award in the mail.
• Pack for college and look forward to a stimulating and rewarding experience!

Of course you can go to college!