Step 1. Prioritize Financial Fit
As you finalize your college list pay close attention to the affordability of each school so that you do not waste time and money applying to colleges that are not affordable for your family.
Even more importantly, you want to avoid a situation where you fall in love with a “dream” school only to find out after you have been admitted that it is not an affordable option.
If you have not already done so, review and complete the tasks that are outlined in the Freshman\Sophomore year checklist and the Junior year checklist.
Next Steps
1. Organize Your Financial Aid Application Process
It is very important to start planning for the financial application process at the beginning of senior year. Too often, students and parents lose sight of financial aid application requirements and deadlines as they focus on the admissions application.
The Applying for Aid video provides an overview of the financial aid application process.
2. Download and Complete the Financial Aid Application Manager
The Financial Aid Application Manager will help you keep track of all financial aid requirement and deadlines.
You will need to visit the financial aid website for each of your target schools to find information about their requirements and deadlines.
Carefully record all financial aid requirements and deadlines. Set reminders in your personal calendar so that you won’t miss any deadlines.
3. Apply for your FSA ID’s
Both the student and one custodial parent must create a Federal Student Aid ID. Watch the FSA ID Video and then go to create your ID’s on the FSA ID site.
4. Complete the FAFSA
The FAFSA is available each year starting on October 1. We recommend that you complete the FAFSA in October even if your target schools have later FAFSA deadlines.
5. Complete the CSS Profile – if it is Required by Any of Your Target Schools.
The CSS Profile is also available each year starting on October 1. If you are applying early (either Early Decision or Early Action) to any schools that require the CSS Profile, then the deadline will likely be November 1 or November 15. Regular Decision deadlines generally range from mid-January to mid-March.
6. Complete all Non-Custodial Parent Forms required by Any of your target schools.
Most schools using the CSS Profile now require non-custodial parents to complete the standard CSS Profile, which is available on October 1st.
List of schools that require the non-custodial parent to complete the CSS Profile.
If you are applying early (either Early Decision or Early Action) to any schools that require non-custodial parent information, the submission deadline will likely be November 1st or November 15th. Regular Decision deadlines generally range from mid-January to mid-March.
7. Continue Your Outside Scholarship Search
Don’t worry if you are just getting started on the Outside Scholarship process. Most outside scholarship application deadlines are in the winter and spring of senior year. That said, applying for outside scholarships is a lot of work so if you are just starting the process you have some catching up to do.
