~ Moscow High Pride ~

Seniors

~ Month by Month ~

Financial Aid Preparation ~ FAFSA

Summer Before 12th Grade

Students...To Do:

bulletNarrow down the list of colleges you are considering attending. If you can, visit the schools that interest you.
bulletContact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines.
bulletDecide whether you are going to apply under a particular college’s early decision or early action program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements.
bulletUpdate your information in FAFSA4caster one last time at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov, and compare the results to the actual costs at colleges to which you will apply. To supplement any aid FAFSA4caster estimates you might receive, be sure to apply for scholarships. Your goal is to minimize the amount of loan funds you borrow.

To Explore:

bulletFind out what government financial aid you can apply for, and how, in the following parts of Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/guide:
bulletPart A, “What You Should Know Before You Apply”
bulletPart B, “How Do I Apply?,” especially the first two sections, “Getting Your Federal Student Aid PIN” and “Completing the FAFSA”
bulletBe careful when searching for scholarships: Read “Don’t Get Scammed on Your Way to College!”.

Parents...To Do:

bulletReview your financial situation and make sure your child is looking into or already has applied for scholarships.
bulletAsk your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children.
bulletFind out whether your child has added any schools to his or her college wish list since the last time you visited colleges, and visit additional campuses if possible.

To Explore:

bulletTake a closer look at Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/guide to ensure you understand the federal aid programs and upcoming application process.

12th Grade

Students...To Do:

All Year

bulletReview “Every Year in High School”.
bulletWork hard all year; second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility.
bulletStay involved in after-school activities, and seek leadership roles if possible.

Fall

bulletMeet with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.
bulletIf you haven’t done so already, register for and take such exams as the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, or ACT for college admission.* Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.
bulletApply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!
bulletWell before your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’re applying.
bulletTo prepare to apply for federal student aid, be sure to get a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov so that you can complete your application and access your information online. One of your parents also should get a PIN.
 

* REMEMBER:

Register for all tests in advance and be sure to give yourself time to prepare appropriately! If you have difficulty paying a registration fee, see your school counselor about getting a fee waiver.

Winter

bulletEncourage your parent(s) to complete income tax forms early. If your parent(s) has (have) not completed their tax forms, you can provide estimated information on your federal student aid application, but remember to make any necessary changes later.
bulletAs soon after Jan. 1 as possible, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), along with any other financial aid applications your school(s) of choice may require. You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or on paper, but completing the application online is faster and easier. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February. Refer to “FAFSA Filing Time” as you go through the application process.
bulletIf you have questions about the federal student aid programs or need assistance with the application process, call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or the TTY for the hearing impaired, 1-800-730-8913.
bulletAfter you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.
bulletComplete any last scholarship applications.

Spring

bulletVisit colleges that have invited you to enroll.
bulletReview your college acceptances and compare the colleges' financial aid packages.
bulletContact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you. In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what—they can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit.
bulletWhen you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.

To Explore:

bulletRefer to Part B of Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/guide as you work through the FAFSA process.
bulletMake informed decisions about student loans; the following resources are important at this point:
 
bulletThe “Why Get a Federal Student Loan?” section
bulletYour Federal Student Loans: Learn the Basics and Manage Your Debt, especially the sections headed “PREPARE,” including “How are federal student loans different from private loans?,” and “RECEIVE” (www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/repayingpub)
bullet Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid, especially the sections headed “Borrower’s Responsibilities” and “Borrower’s Rights” (www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/guide)

Parents...To Do:

bulletReview “Every Year in High School”.
bulletWork with your child on filling out the FAFSA (see “FAFSA Filing Time” for specific instructions).

To Explore:

bulletMake sure your child’s personal information is safe when he or she applies for financial aid. For tips read “Student Aid and Identity Theft”.
bulletRead IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education to see how you might benefit from federal income tax credits for education expenses.
bulletUnderstand the benefits of federal student loans by reading “Why Get a Federal Student Loan?”.
bulletHelp your child learn about the responsibilities involved in accepting a student loan by reviewing Your Federal Student Loans: Learn the Basics and Manage Your Debt (www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/repayingpub) with him or her.
bulletLook at communications from schools to which your child sent FAFSA information. If a school has offered Federal Direct Loans (also called William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans, Direct Stafford Loans, or Direct PLUS Loans), the Direct Loan Basics for Parents brochure might be useful to you.

General Reminders

bullet Focus on grades and maximizing learning
bullet Maintain and update personal profile/resume
bullet Attend college presentations in the Counseling Center by visiting college reps
bullet Check high school bulletin and counseling office regularly for new scholarship applications
bullet Register for ACT / SAT if not yet taken or you want to improve your score
bullet Register for SAT II if required by schools to which you intend to apply
bullet Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if there is a chance you may want to participate in collegiate athletics
bullet What families should ask about financial aid

~ 2011/2012 Calendar to be Updated in Fall 2011 ~

September 2011 October 2011
bulletStart planning for SAT or ACT so you don’t end up taking it the Saturday after the all-night graduation party in June!
bulletWe start working with Senior Class officers for the graduation ceremony
bulletMake appointment with photographer of choice for senior portrait session.  Get portrait taken ASAP.  Yearbook deadline for photo is Nov. 30, 2010. Black and White wallet size 2-1/4 by 3-1/4 preferred.
bulletSept. 9 Deadline for Oct. 10 SAT & Subject test
bulletSept 16 MHS Open House
bulletSept 18 Deadline for Oct. 24 ACT test
bulletStudent should complete personal profile and give a copy to counselor and teachers from whom you wish to receive a recommendation
bulletDiploma forms taken home for parent signatures
bulletSubmit college applications for early decision
bulletVisit college campuses under consideration
bulletReceive senior portrait proofs and place portrait order.
bulletOct. 10 SAT & Subject test date
bulletOct 16 End of first 6-week grading period
bulletOct 24 ACT test date
bulletOct. 1 Deadline for Nov. 7  SAT & Subject test
November 2011 December 2011
bulletDiploma order is mailed by MHS Registrar
bulletSubmit applications to colleges – meet each deadline. Request letters of recommendation and Secondary School Reports at least 3 weeks prior to deadlines
bulletForward all SAT/ACT scores to colleges
bulletCheck with colleges to see if they have additional financial aid forms or requirements
bulletNov 3 - Cap and Gown, and Announcement orders will be placed at lunch hour.
bulletNov 7 SAT & Subject Tests
bulletOct 31 SAT registration deadline for Dec 5 test date
bulletNov 6 ACT registration deadline for Dec. 12 test date
bullet Nov 11 MHS Counseling Center is hosting a financial aid workshop at 6:30 pm in the auditorium. A UI Student Financial Aid Services will discuss the forms of aid, need vs. merit based aid, The FAFSA, and other topics of interest. All parents of college bound students should plan to attend
bulletNov 24 End of 2nd 6-week grading period
bulletNov 24  Deadline to submit senior portrait for yearbook. Black and white wallet size (2-1/4 x 3-1/4) preferred.
bulletDec 5 SAT  & Subject Tests
bulletDec 5 Deb's Night
bulletDec 12 ACT test date
bulletDec 15 SAT & Subject Tests deadline for Jan. 23 test date

 
January 2012 February 2012
bulletSubmit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
bulletJan 5 ACT registration deadline for Feb. 7 test
bulletJan 4 School resumes
bulletJan 15- 21 End-of-Semester Final Exams, no night activities scheduled this week
bulletJan 18 Human Rights Day, No School
bulletJan 23 SAT & Subject Tests
bulletMost college applications and financial aid forms are due by the end of this month. Check exact deadlines for specific schools and scholarships so you don't miss any important dates.
bulletFeb 6 ACT test date
bulletFeb 4 SAT registration deadline for March 13 test date
bulletFeb 15 Financial aid priority deadline at University of Idaho
March 2012 April 2012
bulletMar 5 ACT registration deadline for April 10 test date
bulletNotify counselor of college acceptance and scholarships received
bulletFill out a request for final transcript to be sent to the college of your choice in June
bulletAttend Freshman Orientation Day at the college of your choice to be assigned an advisor and pre-register for courses
bulletMar 5 End of fourth 6-week grading period
bullet Mar 13 SAT test
bulletMar 25 SAT & Subject test registration deadline for May 1 test
bulletGraduation announcements delivered, date TBA
bulletApr 10 ACT test date
bulletApr 23 End of fifth 6-week grading period

April 29 SAT & Subject Tests registration deadline for June 5

 

 

 
May 2012 June 2012
bulletTBA - PROM
bulletDignified Behavior graduation letter to parents
bulletCaps and gowns are distributed unless graduation requirement is at risk
bulletMay 1 Correspondence Studies Cut-off
bulletMay 1 SAT & Subject Test
bulletMay 7 ACT registration deadline for June 13 test
bulletTBA - Academic Awards Ceremony
bullet TBA - Athletic Awards Banquet
bullet TBA - Senior Sneak
bulletJune 9  Last Day for Students
bulletJune 10 Make-up Day, Teacher Work Day
bulletJune 11 8:00 a.m. Graduation practice REQUIRED (No participation, no graduation)
bulletJune 11 7:30 p.m. Graduation at U of I
bulletJune 5  SAT & Subject test date
bulletJune 12 ACT test date (This is the one we warned you about way back in September...)

 

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