Important Deadlines Seniors

Important College Deadlines for Seniors

September  Register for the SAT Reasoning Test in September at collegeboard.org. Register for the ACT at actstudent.org. Fee waivers are available for students on the Free or Reduced Lunch Program (see Mrs. Sampson for a fee waiver in the College Center AND don’t forget to register for the Lunch Program at cafe-la.lausd.net) You must take the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT by December (some schools have a November deadline).  If you want to be on an athletic team in college, register for the NCAA Eligibility Center (eligibilitycenter.org).  Request letters of recommendation from coaches, teachers, counselors, etc. (for scholarships and private colleges). “Brag Sheets” are available in the College Center.

October/November  CSU application period: Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 csumentor.edu.  UC application period: Nov. 1 – 30 universityofcalifornia.edu. The UC application requires two personal statement essays. Start working on it early!  USC application deadline is Dec. 1 for scholarship consideration. www.usc.edu.  Out-of-state and private school deadlines vary (check the school’s individual website).

December  Make sure you send your SAT scores to colleges by the end of December. Students can send scores to four schools for free; after that, it’s $10.00 per school. Use code 3594 to send scores to all CSU campuses at once.  Check your email regularly to see if colleges need any more information, such as transcripts, recommendations, etc.  If a college or scholarship needs a copy of your official transcript, fill out a request form in your SLC Office at least one week in advance.  Check the scholarship binder in the College and Career Center every week for local scholarships.

January/February  Application period for Financial Aid: Jan. 1 – March 2, 2012 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Check your email regularly for messages regarding your FAFSA.  Some colleges have earlier FAFSA deadlines – check your college’s website for deadlines.  Submit CalGrant GPA verification form.  Check email for notification of FAFSA and CalGrant status.  Check the scholarship binder in the College Center for new scholarships

March  FAFSA/CalGrant deadline is March 2.

April/May  Make corrections on your FAFSA (if necessary).  Commit to a college by May 1st.  If you are applying to a community college, start applying in early April through mid-June (the earlier, the better.)  Stay in contact with your college regarding housing deadlines, financial aid, and other important paperwork.