Senior Year College Timeline

 

• September

  • Check transcripts for accuracy. Ensure you are in the right courses for graduation and college entrance requirements.

  • 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.

  • Register for October and/or November SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT tests.

  • Work on rough drafts of applications, personal statements, and common app essay prompts.

  • Give letter of recommendation request forms to appropriate teachers and counselor

 

• October

  • Register for November SAT test.

  • Take SAT and ACT tests.

  • Submit early decision/early action applications through common application.

  • Begin working on UC and CSU applications (CSU applications can be submitted beginning October 1 and UC applications can be submitted beginning November 1).

  • Research scholarship opportunities CSS profile available online (application for non-government financial aid at many private colleges and universities).

 

• November

  • Submit college applications for UC and CSU (deadline is Nov. 30th).

  • Take final SAT tests.

  • Check with each campus' housing services to determine if your housing application is due at the time you submit your general application for admission.

  • Get a PIN for yourself and another for a parent (so you can sign your FAFSA online - www.fafsa.ed.gov)

 

• December

  • Visit the FAFSA Web site (www.fafsa.ed.gov) to become familiar with content.

  • Make sure your official SAT and ACT scores were sent to the colleges you've applied to.

  • Submit remaining college applications if appropriate.

  • Help your parents gather documents necessary for completing FAFSA (see “Getting Started/Before You Apply" in the Help section at www.fafsa.ed.gov).

  • Check personal email address for any correspondence from colleges in which you have applied.

 

• January

  • Continue submitting college applications, if appropriate.

  • Complete, make copies, and submit FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st and before priority deadlines (March 2nd for UC, CSU, and CA Community Colleges) even if you haven’t been notified about your acceptance status.

  • Attend ACHS Financial Aid Night to get help with financial aid and the FAFSA.

  • If you need more help with the FAFSA, attend a “Cash for College Workshop” (www.californiacashforcollege.org)

  • Encourage parents to complete taxes to facilitate completion of FAFSA, but provide estimated figures if necessary.

  • Contact college admissions offices to be sure they’ve received all necessary application materials.

  • Complete CSS Profile (if necessary by private institutions) and submit by priority deadline.

  • Get a Local Scholarships Application - See Senior Counselor

  • See Senior Counselor if you failed Gov/Econ and/or English in the Fall semester to ensure June graduation.

 

• February

  • Complete, print copies, and submit FAFSA online. (if not done so already)

  • Continue submitting college applications if appropriate.

  • Submit Local Scholarship applications to senior counselor or counseling secretary.

  • Take math and English assessments for Community Colleges.

  • 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.

 

• March – April

  • March 2nd is the deadline to submit Cal Grant and FAFSA forms for students seeking a Cal Grant or federal student aid.

  • 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, assessment, and orientation/counseling processes. 

  • Check personal email addresses for to-do lists and placement testing requirements from colleges (if applicable).

  • CSU-bound students: Make sure to register for ELM and EPT math and English placement tests (if required).  To practice/study for these tests, go to www.csusuccess.org.

  • Make decision of which school you will attend and send in the necessary deposits (SIR deadline is May 1st). 

  • Apply to Napa Valley Community College and/or other local community colleges

 

• May

  • Complete housing documentation if applicable.

  • Review and complete student loan documentation if applicable.

  • Take AP exams if applicable.

  • UC-bound students: Make sure to sign up and take the Analytical Writing Placement Examination.

  • Register for CA Community College classes by Priority deadlines.

 

• June – August

  • Contact registrar to have final transcripts sent to your college (deadline for many colleges to receive official final  transcript is often by July 1).  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

  • Students attending a California Community College who missed the March 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 March 2nd deadline.)

  • 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 each year as soon as possible after January 1st and before priority deadlines.