Grade 12 Timeline

SEPTEMBER

  • Review SAT/ACT scores and decide if you need to retake either test

  • If so, register for the SAT and/or ACT

  • Review SAT and ACT material; take practice tests; take a course if available

    • Go to FSA ID to register in the Federal financial aid system

  • Download the FAFSA worksheet online

  • Research colleges, universities, and other after-high-school options

  • Check college application deadlines

  • Check you transcript; be sure you admissions requirements for the colleges you you hope to attend

  • Work on college admission and scholarship essays; proofread with your ASPIRE mentor

  • Request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors

  • Learn about the CSS Profile that colleges may require for financial aid and start working on it

  • Start submitting college applications; pay attention to deadlines

  • If you are applying to a college that uses the Common Application, start working on it

  • If you are applying to a community college, start working on the Oregon Promise application for financial aid

  • Create your account in OSAC, the portal to more than 500 scholarships and start working on the application

  • Explore other scholarship opportunities

  • Determine if you will be applying to any colleges by Early Decision or Early Admission, and check deadlines

  • Undocumented students complete the ORSAA, the alternative to the FAFSA

OCTOBER

  • Complete the FAFSA; applications are accepted beginning on October 1

  • Review Student Aid Report (SAR) and make corrections if needed; you will receive access information online after filing FAFSA

  • Continue with items listed for September that have not yet been completed

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

  • Continue with all items listed above that have not yet been complete

JANUARY

  • Submit applications to at least 3 colleges

  • Monitor your applications; make sure they have been received by the colleges to which you applied

  • Make sure that mid-year transcripts are sent to those colleges

  • Complete the Oregon Promise application if not already finished

  • Apply for local, regional, and individual college scholarships

  • Submit the OSAC application

  • Track scholarship application deadlines

  • Regularly check your email and OSAC Student Profile for notifications

FEBRUARY

  • Request high school transcript for OSAC scholarship application

  • Be sure that OSAC application is submitted by February 15 Early Bird deadline. It should include your Personal Statement, Activities Chart, and transcript

  • Check with colleges to make sure they have received all necessary information

  • Complete Oregon Promise application if not already finished

  • Complete any items from previous months that are not yet finished

  • Check your email and OSAC Student Profile for notifications

MARCH

  • Final deadline for OSAC application is March 1

  • Complete the ASPIRE senior exit survey

  • Complete any items from previous months that are not yet finished

  • Keep you grades up. Grades in the second half of your senior year do matter to colleges

  • Check your email and OSAC Student Profile for notifications

APRIL

  • Keep you grades up

  • If you are on a college wait list, let the college know if you are still interested

  • Submit requested tax forms or other documentations to the college financial aid office

  • Use the Students and Families section of the Oregon Student Aid website, or BigFuture, to compare financial aid offers

  • Compare loan in a Loan Comparison Chart such as the one found at BigFuture

  • Accept admission and financial aid offers from the college you will be attending

  • Notify other schools of your decision

  • Write thank-you notes to scholarship donors

  • Take a placement test if you will be attending a community college

  • Review sample student budgets with your ASPIRE mentor

  • Check your email and OSAC Student Profile for notifications

MAY

  • Check deadlines for accepting financial aid awards

  • Keep your grades up

  • If you are on a college waiting list, inform the college that you are still interested

  • Continue with the lists shown in previous months as needed

JUNE

    • Request that your year-end transcript be sent to the college you will be attending

  • Respond to all mail and email from your selected college\

  • Create an online school account

  • Register for housing, orientation, and classes

  • Tour your chosen campus

  • Continue checking your OSAC account

JULY

  • Continue with all items listed for June as needed

  • Determine what items you will need for dorm life at college

  • Prepare for college: acquire needed supplies, begin packing

AUGUST

  • Same as July

  • Many colleges have a freshman orientation week that begins before older students arrive on campus; be prepared to report to your college in August.