Are you a senior? Have you thought about your college career already? Have you ever wondered what you have to do and when to do it? This is the place to look.

August of your Senior year
-Review your career plans and decide which type of school is right for you.
-Visit some college campuses.
-Narrow your college list to 3-5 schools.
-Request catalogs and admission information.
-Contact your high school counselor for registration materials and test dates for the SAT and/or the ACT.

September of your Senior year
-Meet with admissions representatives who are visiting your school.
-Make a list of test names, dates, fees, registration deadlines, and deadlines for college admissions and financial aid applications.
-Remember you must take tests like the SAT and ACT at least six weeks before the deadline for scores to be submitted for colleges.
-Begin asking teachers, guidance counselors, and employers for letters of recommendation to include with your admissions and/or scholarship applications.

October of your Senior year
-Take the SAT or ACT exam if necessary.
-Work on admissions application essays.
-Visit your top school choices, interview some students, faculty and staff.
-Attend special programs such as college fairs and financial aid nights.
-Find out which financial aid applications your college choices require and when the forms are due.
-Some private universities may require that you register for CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE at this time.

November of your Senior year
-Take the SAT or ACT exam if necessary.
-Obtain financial aid applications from your guidance counselor or college of choice. Read them carefully to determine what information is required and when the applications are due.
-Begin preparing your college applications. Check with colleges to find out when materials must be postmarked.
-To apply for federal and state financial aid, you will file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in January. This is best done online. To file your FAFSA online, both you and one of your parents must have a pin code. Apply for a PIN code now by visiting www.pin.ed.gov

December of your Senior year
-To prepare for filing your online FAFSA, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to obtain a FAFSA on the Web Preapplication worksheet. Answer the questions on the worksheet to be ready to file your FAFSA in January. If you will not be able to file online, obtain a paper FAFSA application at your high school counseling office or by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800)433-3243
-Apply for outside funding or scholarships.
-Parents: Save your year-end payroll stub if shows your earnings for the year. You may need it for financial aid eligibility reviews.
-Ask your high school counselor to send your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission for Cal Grant consideration. The deadline is March 2. The school will either send the GPA directly online or certify a GRA Verification form to you to mail but it is up to you to make sure they mail it in.

January of your Senior year
-Submit your FAFSA. Have your school certify your GPA for Cal Grant consideration.
-Keep copies of all forms you submit.
-Parents: It's helpful to get your income tax returns prepared early-schools may request them to prove eligibility for financial aid.

February of your Senior year
-Check to see if your midyear transcripts have been sent to the schools to which you have applied.
-Research taking Advanced Placement (AP) or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams.
-Rank your finalized list of colleges.
-February is Financial Aid Awareness Month. Look for special programs in your area.

March of your Senior year
-Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail. Your SAR contains federal financial aid information.
-Submit your SAR to the financial aid office and tax forms if requested. Contact each office to make certain that your applications are complete.
-If you have not received your SAR four weeks after sending it your FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

April of your Senior year
-Watch the mail for college acceptance and financial aid award letters. Compare the financial aid awards you receive.
-Make your final decision and send in a deposit by the deadline.
-Check with the college you've chosen about the details of signing and returning financial aid award letters.
-Notify the other schools that you will not be attending.
-Watch for important deadlines (housing, financial aid, etc.) at your chosen college.

May of your Senior year
-Take AP examinations which are given in high schools nationwide.
-If you have not received a notice regarding your Cal Grant application, call 1-888-CAGrant as soon as possible.