ed.gov or on

ine is faster and

the earliest finan

you are applying,

dent aid programs

cess, call 1-800-4-

 (1-800-433-3243)

Y for the hearing

1-800-730-8913.

submit the FAFSA,

d receive your

id Report (SAR)

e to four weeks.

make any necessary

ns and submit them

FSA processor.

scholarship

ns.

l.

pare financial aid

 to attend, notify

bmit any required

his notification

Preparation 

Checklist

College 

To download this checklist, visit

www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs

For a more comprehensive checklist, visit

www.studentaid.ed.gov/collprep

Schools, libraries or nonprofit organizations

may order bulk quantities at 

www.edpubs.org/ml

2004 Photos: U.S. Department of Education
✔ Decide whether you are going to apply under a particular college’s early decision or early action program. Be sure to learn

about the program deadlines and requirements.

High School:

12th Grade All Year 

✔ Keep taking classes that

challenge you.

✔ Work hard all year; secondsemester grades can affect

scholarship eligibility.

✔ Stay involved and seek leadership roles in your activities.

Fall

✔ Meet with your school counselor to make sure you are

on track to graduate and fulfill college admissionrequirements.

✔ If you haven’t done so

already,register for and takeexams such as the SAT I,SAT II: Subject Test, or ACTfor college admission. Checkwith the colleges you areinterested in to see what tests they require.

✔ Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE

ATTENTION TO DEADLINES! 

✔ Well before your application deadlines, ask your counselor

and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript,letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’reapplying.

✔ To prepare to apply for federal student aid, be sure to get a

PIN at www.pin.ed.gov so that you can complete your application and access your information online. One of your parents must also get a PIN.

High School:

10th Grade

✔ Continue to take challenging core

classes.

✔ Meet with your school counselor or

mentor to discuss colleges and theirrequirements.

High School:

11th Grade All Year

✔ Continue to challenge yourself academically.✔ Research colleges that interest you.✔ Investigate financial aid,

including scholarships.Understand the differenttypes and sources of aid.

✔ For more information about

scholarships and federal student aid opportunities, visitwww.studentaid.ed.gov.

Fall

✔ Take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship

Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).* You must take the test in11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Program.

Spring 

✔ Register for and take exams for college admission.* Many

colleges accept the SAT I and/or SAT II: Subject Test, whileothers accept the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.

High School: 

Summer Before 12th Grade

✔ Narrow down the list of colleges you are interested in attending. If you can, visit the schools that interest you.✔ Contact colleges to request information and applications for

admission.Ask about financial aid, admission requirements

and deadlines.

chool

chool:

y Year

e for college.

g classes in core

cts: most colleges

of English, at least 3

tudies (history,

y, economics, etc.),

ematics, and 3

and many require

ign language.

 course load with

uter science and

 school- or com

xtracurricular

terest you or en

re career interests.

ber

—it’s quality 

chool:

Grade

**REMEMBER: Register for all tests in advance and be sure to give yourself time to prepare appropriately! If you have difficulty paying a registration fee, see

your school counselor about getting a fee waiver.