Financial Aid Timeline

What should students do and when should they do it when they are considering applying for college admission, scholarships, and financial aid? Advice for parents and students for early preparation is also available.

Junior Year Checklist

• If you think you may qualify for an athletic scholarship, register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.
• Take PSAT Qualifying Test
• Review interests and skills and explore career fields
• Visit high school counselor and review career info
• Review transcript with high school counselor
• Review college literature and college catalogs
• Make a list of schools with programs suited to your interests
• Write to schools to request info
• Find out admission requirements and application deadlines
• Find out financial aid and scholarship application deadlines
• Attend a college night/college fair program in your area
• Take the ACT (If you plan to attend a Michigan school, you

may not need to take the SAT. Check with the college you

plan to attend.)

• Take the SAT
• Take the MEAP high school tests
• Visit campuses of interest, talk with faculty, administrators, students

Senior Year Checklist

• Take the ACT or SAT as soon as possible if you didn’t take it

as a junior

• Attend local college night
• Attend campus open houses/visitation days
• Talk with college representatives visiting your high school
• Apply for admission to the colleges/universities of interest
• Apply for scholarships from these institutions
• Determine need to take or retake any tests (ACT, SAT, MEAP)
• Attend a local financial aid night program
• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon

after January 1st as possible

• Contact financial aid offices about available aid and scholarships
• Forward any documentation requested by financial aid offices
• Determine college choice
• Notify all admissions and financial aid offices of decision