Timeline: Seniors
12th GRADE TIME LINE
September
- Check transcripts for accuracy
- Determine if schools you will apply to need official copies of your transcript at time of application.
- Review and note all college admissions requirements and deadlines.
- Check with the financial aid offices of all of the colleges and universities you are applying to and confirm the priority filing deadlines for financial aid applications (April 2nd for CSU, UC, and California Community Colleges, but possibly as early as mid-January or February 1st for some independent colleges and universities).
- Register for Oct/Nov/Dec SAT Reasoning Test and Oct/Dec ACT tests.*
- Work on rough drafts of applications.
- Give recommendation forms to appropriate individuals.
- Get a FSA ID for yourself and another for a parent (so you can sign your FAFSA or Dream Act online - https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa or https://dream.csac.ca.gov/landing)
October
- Register for Dec SAT and ACT tests.*
- Take SAT and ACT tests.*
- Submit early decision/early action applications.
- Begin working on UC and CSU applications (CSU applications can be submitted beginning in October).
- Begin working on California Community College applications and orientation/counseling processes.
- Check with each campus' housing services to determine if your housing application is due at the time you submit your general application for admission.
- Research scholarship opportunities throughout entire senior year.
- If necessary, obtain supplemental financial aid applications for the colleges you’d like to attend.
- CSS/PROFILE available online (application for non-government financial aid at many private colleges and universities).
- Students interested in military careers should sign up for the ASVAB test in the counseling office with Mrs. Seider.
November
- Submit college applications for UC and CSU (deadline is Nov. 30th) and California Community Colleges.
- Take SAT tests.*
- Send transcripts and test scores to colleges.
- Check with each campus' housing services to determine if your housing application is due at the time you submit your general application for admission.
- Visit the FAFSA Web site (www.fafsa.ed.gov) or Calfornia Dream Act (https://dream.csac.ca.gov) Act to become familiar with content.
- Help your parents gather documents necessary for completing FAFSA (see “Getting Started/Before You Apply" in the Help section at www.fafsa.ed.gov).
- Take the ASVAB test.
- Create college web portal accounts to receive important information about next steps in the admissions process.
December
- Complete, make copies, and submit FAFSA as soon as possible and before priority deadlines (April 2nd for UC, CSU, and CA Community Colleges) even if you haven’t been notified about your acceptance status.
- Take SAT and ACT tests.*
- Make sure your official SAT and ACT scores were sent to the colleges you've applied to.*
- Submit any remaining college applications if appropriate.
- Check college web portal accounts for important to-do lists.
January
- Continue submitting college applications if appropriate.
- Complete, print copies, and submit FAFSA online.
- Contact college admissions offices to be sure they’ve received all necessary application materials.
- Complete CSS/PROFILE if necessary and submit by priority deadline.
- Continue to check college web portal accounts.
- Local Scholarships - See Mrs. Seider in the Counseling Center (and check Career Center Website).
February (Financial Aid Awareness Month!)
- Complete, print copies, and submit FAFSA online.
- Attend RHS Cash 4 College/Financial Aid workshop to get help with financial aid and the FAFSA or CADAA.
- Continue submitting college applications if appropriate.
- Submit Local Scholarship applications to Mrs. Seider in the Counseling Center.
- If you’ve received your Student Aid Report (SAR) after submitting a FAFSA, make any needed corrections and return it for processing.
- Contact the financial aid offices of the schools you're applying to and make sure you have submitted all necessary information. Ask the financial aid offices how you should proceed if you have made corrections on your SAR.
- Check college web portal accounts.
March – April
- April 2nd is the deadline to submit Cal Grant and FAFSA/CADAA forms for students seeking a Cal Grant.
- You should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) shortly after submitting your FAFSA. If you haven't received it after four weeks, call 1-800-4-FED-AID (800-433-3243). Once you receive it, make any needed corrections online. Contact the financial aid offices of the schools to which you're applying and ask how you should proceed if you have made corrections on your SAR.
- Review, compare, and respond to acceptance offers.
- If placed on waitlist, contact school to reiterate interest.
- Continue California Community College application and orientation/counseling processes.
- Register for CA Community College classes by Priority deadlines.
- Check college web portal accounts for to-do lists and placement testing requirements (if applicable).
- Make decision of which school you will attend and send in necessary deposits (deadline is often May 1st).
May
- Complete housing documentation if applicable.
- Review and complete student loan documentation if applicable.
- Take AP exams if applicable.
- Continue checking college web portal accounts.
- Send thank-you letters to appropriate individuals.
June – August
- Contact the registrar to have final transcripts sent to your college (deadline for many colleges to receive official final transcript is often by end of June).
- Contact college to determine when tuition and housing fees are due and how much they will be.
- Finalize housing plans.
- Participate in summer orientation/advising programs for new students.
Subsequent Years
- Remember that you must reapply for financial aid each year you are in college. Work with your school's financial aid office to arrange for financing for subsequent years. When you're at college, be sure to submit your FAFSA or CADAA each year as soon as possible and before priority deadlines.
- Students attending a California Community College who missed the April 2nd Cal Grant deadline have until September 2nd to apply for the California Community College Cal Grant. As the number of awards in September is limited, students are encouraged not to miss the April 2nd deadline.)
* FOR UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING SAT AND ACT TESTING FOR THE UC, CSU, and NCAA, PLEASE SEE THE LINKS BELOW
- UC SAT/ACT UPDATES
- CSU SAT/ACT UPDATES
- NCAA SAT/ACT UPDATES
(Compiled from timelines available at
www.collegeboard.com/plan,
www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/scholarships-and-aid/index.html)
www.collegeboard.com/plan,
www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/scholarships-and-aid/index.html)