Begin to set up appointments to visit your top five colleges that currently interest you. You should give the University at least 2 weeks notice. Find out when you can audition for various scholarships, such as music and theatre. Get them already to be mailed by January 15th, if not before.
Some schools have early admissions deadlines.
Include your resume of activities with the application. While taxes aren't due until April 15th, many states have earlier deadlines for special financial aid. Kansas offers the Kansas State Tuition Grant. While brochures are nice, you really don't get a true picture of campus until you have seen it in person. Ottawa University does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, gender, color, religion, disability, national or ethnic origin in the recruitment and admission of students.