Our planning-for-college calendar starts with your junior year. If you are a senior, scroll down to next September, but read the junior year lists to make sure you've done the groundwork.

September (junior year)

• Discuss college with your family: Talk about schools, finances, majors, your future.
• Review your courses with your school guidance counselor.
• Prepare a list of questions to ask school reps at college fairs.
• Register for the PSAT.
• Get and stay organized: Create files for applications and correspondence. Set up a calendar to track dates and deadlines.
• Get a professional-sounding email address: Use something based on your name or hobby; nothing cutesy or eyebrow-raising.

October–November (junior year)

• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights.
• Take the PSAT.
• Start searching for scholarships and ways to pay for your education.
• Review the different kinds of schools and think about What's important to you.
• Learn the basics about federal student loans and private student loans.
• Plan and make college visits.

December (junior year)

• Review your PSAT results with your counselor.
• Talk with your college friends about their schools.
• Take the SAT and ACT (at least once).

January (junior year)

• Identify what you want in a college.
• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights.
• Understand Sallie Mae's 1-2-3 approach to paying for college (and breathe a sigh of relief).
• See how tax laws could save your family money through education tax deductions and credits.

February (junior year)

• Run Sallie Mae's free Scholarship Search to see how much free money is out there.
• Register and study for the SAT and/or ACT.

March (junior year)

• Plan campus visits.
• Generate a list of at least 10 institutions you could attend.
• Contact the financial aid office for each college on your list to discuss payment options.
• Keep up college discussions with your family and counselors.
• Estimate how much various colleges will cost.

April–May (junior year)

• Select senior year classes. Check with your counselor to ensure your courses meet college requirements.
• Start visiting colleges.
• Take the SAT and/or ACT, if necessary.
• Take Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if necessary.
• Line up a summer job to earn extra money.
• Meet with your high school counselor if you are considering a military academy or an ROTC scholarship.

Summer

• Improve your reading and vocabulary skills.
• Continue searching for scholarships and ways to pay.
• Combine vacation plans with campus visits.
• Start working on your college application essays.
• Talk to people in interesting careers. See how they got there and what they do every day. Ask yourself if you would like to follow the same path.
• Decide who you’ll ask to write letters of recommendation.
• Talk with college friends home for summer about their schools.

September (senior year)

• Discuss your classes, college plans, and test scores with your high school counselor.
• Request college applications from the admissions office. Or, use College Answer's Online Application Search to see if your school's form is online.
• Arrange campus visits.
• Register for the October SAT/ACT, if necessary.
• Continue to search for free money (scholarships and grants) and other ways to pay.
• Run Sallie Mae's free scholarship search.
• Submit a CSS/PROFILE, if required.
• File copies of your applications and correspondence. Keep your calendar up-to-date: track important dates and deadlines.

October (senior year)

• Review your transcripts to verify that the information is correct.
• Send transcripts to your selected schools. Ask your counselor if you need help.
• Find out the application-of-choice used by each college (customized, Common App, online, etc.).
• Ask for letters of recommendation. Most admissions and scholarship applications require these letters.
• Get some pointers on writing admissions essays and scholarship essays.
• View some sample essay questions.
• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights.
• Candidates for early admission (early decision, early action, early admission, etc.) should complete and submit their applications. Early decision deadlines are often November 1 or 15. Investigate the pros and cons of this decision and get familiar with the early admission timeline on our early admission page.

November (senior year)

• Continue completing your college applications.
• Determine which financial aid forms the colleges on your list require. When in doubt, contact the financial aid office.
• Investigate state college information and programs.
• Search for other ways to pay.
• Get a jump on things by estimating your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

December (senior year)

• Submit school applications ideally by December 1.
• Determine if you are eligible for financial aid.
• Review the steps in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). (Don’t submit your FAFSA before January 1. It will be returned unprocessed.)
• Take SAT or Achievement tests.
• Stay organized. Continue to keep copies of everything. Continue to track important dates and deadlines on your calendar.

January (senior year)

• Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. Some student aid programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis. Waiting too long to submit your FAFSA can be costly.
• Fill out and submit required financial aid forms. Follow the instructions carefully and make copies.
• If you have financial aid questions, contact your financial aid office.
• Familiarize yourself with state financial aid deadlines. They can differ from federal and school deadlines.
• Take advantage of education tax deductions and credits.

February–March (senior year)

• College acceptance and financial aid award letters start coming in.
• Watch for your Student Aid Report (SAR). Carefully review it because a mistake could cause you to miss out on college funding.
• If there are special circumstances affecting your family’s financial situation, discuss them with the financial aid office.
• Don’t panic if you’re selected for verification. Just provide the documents they request.
• Stay on top of financial aid deadlines.
• Respond quickly to requests for additional documentation.

April (senior year)

• Carefully analyze your award letters: Use College Answer's Online Award Analyzer.
• Decide on a school and send your tuition deposit (most colleges require a response by May 1).
• Notify the other colleges that you won't be attending. (Other students will be happy to take your spot.)
• Register for Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if necessary.
• Carefully follow the instructions in your acceptance letter. Along with important deadlines, these letters provide specific instructions on housing, financial aid, orientation, and more.
• Continue to mark your calendar with important deadlines.

May (senior year)

• Mail your official transcripts.
• Respond quickly to requests and return necessary forms. When in doubt, contact the financial aid office.
• Notify your financial aid office of additional funding you’ll get for college (scholarships and loans, etc.).
• Learn about borrowing responsibly.
• Consider a cosigner to help you get your student loan.
• If you take out a student loan, borrow only what you absolutely need to cover the cost of your education. When it's time to repay, you'll have other financial obligations, too.
• Save some of your graduation money for school.

June (senior year)

• Respond to requests from the college you will be attending. Keep copies of everything you send.
• Read and be familiar with your college catalog, website, and class schedules.
• Ask friends who are home from college for advice.
• Make travel arrangements, if necessary.
• Send thank you notes or emails to those who helped you get into college.

July–August

• Confirm housing arrangements and meal plans.
• Finalize your college budget.
• Apply for private student loans if more funding is needed.
• Follow up and finalize private loan applications.
• Notify the financial aid office of all scholarships and loans you will receive.
• Consider taking out a renter's insurance policy.
• Keep tracking numbers of any boxes you are shipping to school.
• Open a bank account near campus.
• Review your cell phone plan to limit roaming charges.
• Contact your roommate and coordinate what to bring.
• Review College Answer's Getting college advice to pick up a few freshmen tips from people around the country.
• Attend orientation.
• Pack and get ready for college!