HHS SENIOR CHECKLIST

August Ensure that your senior schedule meets all graduation

requirements for your diploma. Identify what SOL tests you have left to take for

graduation. Acquire an e-mail address for college applications,

SAT/ACT registration and FAFSA applications. Pay your senior dues.

September Discuss your career and/or college plans with your high

school counselor. Complete a senior information sheet for your guidance

counselor. Request college applications. Arrange campus visits. Register to take the SAT/ACT, if necessary. Continue to search for scholarships and ways to pay. Check out www.virginiamentor.org for scholarships,

SAT/ACT prep, college and career information. Stay organized: File copies of applications and

correspondence. Keep your calendar up-to-date tracking important dates and deadlines.

Attend college fairs and College Night Plus.

October Verify that your transcripts are accurate. Find out which financial aid applications are required at

your choice colleges. Ask for letters of recommendation to include with your

admissions and/or scholarship applications. (Ask teachers, coaches, counselors, employers who know you pretty well.)

Work on admissions application essays. Have at least one other person proofread your essay.

“Early Decision” candidates should complete college applications.

Submit a completed transcript request form to your guidance counselor.

November Continue completing your college applications. Search for additional sources of financial aid. Check out

the scholarship drawer in the Guidance Career Center. Order your cap and gown.

December Complete school applications ideally by December 1. Collect family tax information. Stay organized and keep up your grades!

January Attend the financial aid workshops at HHS with your

parent/guardian(s). Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.

Some student aid programs award funds on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are depleted. Waiting too long to submit your FAFSA could be costly.

Fill out and submit other required financial aid forms. Follow instructions carefully and make copies.

February-March College decisions start arriving. Watch the mail or e-mail for your Student Aid Report

(SAR). Carefully examine the results. A mistake could cause you to miss out on college funding.

Don’t panic if you are selected for verification. Just provide the college with the documents they need.

Stay on top of important financial aid deadlines. Respond quickly to college requests for additional

documentation. College acceptance and financial award letters start

arriving. Complete your graduation application and turn it in to

guidance.

April Carefully analyze your letters. Make a decision, most colleges request your reply by May

1, and send in your tuition deposit. Notify other colleges that you will not be attending. Register for Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if necessary. Mark your calendar with important deadlines (housing,

meals, transportation, financial aid, etc.).

May Let your guidance counselor know where you are

attending college (if applicable) so that they can send your final transcripts.

Notify the college financial aid office of any additional funding you will be receiving (scholarships and loans, etc.).

Evaluate student loan lenders and take time to understand student loans.

Send thank you notes to individuals who helped you get in.

June Attend graduation practice.

Summer Still need money for college? Complete necessary loan

applications. Borrow only what you need to cover the cost of your education. Every dollar you don’t borrow is a dollar you don’t have to repay.

Register for and attend orientation. Complete any college financial aid info received, if you

have questions-ASK. Finalize your budget.