December calendar: collect aid info
enjoy the holidays and get ready for the new year
December is holiday time. Enjoy! But take time during the month to collect vital information you will need to submit the FAFSA form in January. The FAFSA form is used by colleges and many scholarship funds to determine financial need and eligibility.
Below are three (3) quick summary tasks for the month of December:
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for HS seniors
Monthly Checkup
A quick checklist of prior monthly tasks that should be completed:
- Complete and submit your college entrance application. Most regular college admission deadlines are in January/February. Make sure all official transcripts and reports are sent to your colleges. Schedule any interviews that may be required.
- For those who did early submission: check with your colleges to make sure they have all of the information. Early admission notices will start arriving. Make sure you reply to school requests.
- If you have been accepted due to early submission, you must notify them of your decision (with required deposit money) by early next month. Watch the deadlines.
- Continue searching for scholarship money.
for HS seniors
Collecting Aid Information
Start collecting financial information about you and your parents in order to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form will be required for all college aid programs. You can submit your FAFSA form anytime after January 1.
The FAFSA form is administered by the Federal Government and it will be required for all Federal Student Loans, many scholarships, and other college financial aid packages. It is used by colleges to determine your financial aid eligibility.
| more about FAFSA form | |
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View the January calendar ... |
for HS seniors
AP/CLEP Testing
Consider taking and preparing for the Advanced Placement Exams or CLEP tests, if applicable.
This allows you to test out of some college courses that can save you time and money.
The exams are administered each year in the Spring with some preparation required prior to the exam. Check with your school for exam administration, enrollment and information.
| some helpful resources | |
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see the CollegeBoard.org who administers these exams |
Helpful Tools
Some helpful tools for making decisions:
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