College Planning Timeline

Planning for college can be considerably less stressful if the process begins early.

Recommended steps for juniors and seniors are outlined below.

Juniors . . . | Seniors . . .

Juniors . . .
Fall:

• Attend Aurora High School career and college day
• Consider registering for and taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in October – registration takes place the last week in September
• Determine whether your high school courses are meeting college admission requirements - AHA local graduation requirements - University of Nebraska admission requirements
• Discuss college plans with parents, including financial needs, estimated costs, etc.
• Sign up for the Countdown to College e-mail service through the Education Quest Foundation for monthly college planning tips
• Develop your personal resume (online resource available through Education Quest Foundation that will allow you to update information and assist you with keeping track of your activities and accomplishments – just click on “Activities Resume” and fill in the blanks)
• Utilize the Nebraska Career Information System (NCIS) to seek information regarding occupations, employment, education, and training. Log on: aurora hs Password: wa1f3fles

Winter:

• Prepare for the ACT or SAT Tests by utilizing the practice tests, etc. available through the guidance office
• Visit the ACT or SAT homepage for sample ACT/SAT test questions and test-taking strategies
• Practice the ASSET and COMPASS tests online (the Asset Test is paper-pencil and the Compass Test is computer-based).
• Discuss colleges and careers with your parents and guidance counselor – check out college web sites and contact them if wanting additional information
• Register for the ACT or SAT Test either online or pick up registration forms in the guidance office
• Update your personal resume at Education Quest Foundation

Spring:

• Investigate potential summer experiences, including: work, summer school, special workshops, volunteer work, and college-bound programs
• Select appropriate senior-year courses to meet college requirements
• Practice the ASSET and COMPASS tests online (the Asset Test is paper-pencil and the Compass Test is computer-based)
• Discuss colleges and careers with your parents and guidance counselor – check out college web sites and contact them if wanting additional information
• Register for the ACT or SAT Test either online or pick up registration forms in the guidance office
• Identify people within the school, your work, the community, etc. who will write letters of recommendation for you.
• Update your personal resume at Education Quest Foundation

Summer:

• Visit colleges of your choice
• Begin scholarship search
• Take college entrance exam (ACT or SAT)

Seniors . . .
Fall:

• Attend Aurora High School career and college day
• Schedule a conference with your advisor and counselor to discuss your general plans and outline your senior year
• Review your high school courses for meeting high school graduation and college admission requirements - AHA local graduation requirements - University of Nebraska admission requirements
• Determine how your college expenses will be paid and what funds are available. This is very important because it will impact your college selection and applications
• Register for appropriate college entrance exams – this may be an initial test or a retake, but it is important to not delay
• Update your personal resume at Education Quest Foundation – some college application forms may require a resume to accompany the application and it is highly recommended that you provide your resume to anyone writing you a recommendation (definitely increases the quality of the recommendation)
• Review the scholarship list (available in the Aurora High School newsletter, in the guidance office, or on the bulletin board outside the guidance office) and make application to those with fall deadlines
• Visit colleges (with your parents) you have an interest in attending – your senior year will go fast and the personal tour and visit is extremely beneficial with your decision-making process
• Meet with college representatives when they visit our school if you have an interest in their college
• Submit admission applications to colleges with early admission programs (there are more of these all the time – early admission may offer financial benefits so read the information carefully and ask questions)

Winter:

• Obtain scholarship information from the guidance office – this information will be updated frequently during this time period so plan to stop by weekly to make sure you have the most current information
• Attend the Financial Aid Planning Night at Aurora High School with your parents – the meeting is conducted by the Education Quest Foundation and they provide excellent information on completing the FAFSA and financial aid information
• Complete income tax returns (parents and student) as quickly as possible as that information is a required component to completing the FAFSA form
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before March 1 – for assistance, the Education Quest Foundation will answer questions or file your form for you free of charge - it is recommended that you call for an appointment at 800-303-3745

Spring:

• Visit schools if your college decision has not been made
• Continue to apply for scholarships – many students let up during this hectic time period but some of your most accessible dollars will be from the local scholarships with spring deadlines
• Watch for college financial aid award letters – compare awards by calculating the gift aid, the loan requirements, and the out-of-pocket expenses for each
• Reply promptly to colleges – be sure to meet acceptance deadlines – if being awarded scholarships dollars return your signed award letter along with any other required documents to the college Financial Aid Office (housing applications and deposits may be required during this time)
• Decide on the college to attend and let other schools know that you will not attend
• Report to the guidance office all scholarships you have been offered, even if you are not accepting them
• Write a personal thank-you to all individuals who have assisted you with your college and scholarship process as well as those who have acknowledged your accomplishments with congratulatory cards and/or gifts

Summer:

• Complete the Stafford and/or PLUS loan applications
• Shop for reduced interest rate programs for student loans – there are many lending institutions that would like your business
• Make arrangements with your college about their summer orientation and registration program – make sure you have completed and sent all required papers and payments

For questions or comments, contact Maggie Rasmussen, Aurora High School Guidance Counselor