COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMELINES

11th Grade Fall (Aug – Dec): PSAT/PreACT; Research / create a list of Schools…

11th Grade Spring (Jan – June): SAT/ACT; AP Exams; Touring (virtual) Schools…

11th Grade Summer (June – Aug): SAT/ACT; Choose Admission plan (deadlines); Create portals accounts, fill out detail; Request Letter of Recommendations; Tour schools (in person/virtual); Thinking about writing admission essays…

12th Grade (Sept): Send test scores, transcripts, recommendation letters for ED/EA deadlines; Writing admission essays; Continue Scholarship applications;

12th Grade (Oct): File FAFSA, continue to send scores, transcripts for ED/EA…

12th Grade (Nov): Early Decision I (Nov 1 or 15); Early Action (Nov 1 or 15); Regular decision: Send scores, transcripts, recomm. letters for RD deadlines;

12th Grade (Dec): RD rolling admissions, repeat Nov steps for RD admission

12th Grade (Jan): Early Decision II (deadline Jan 1 or 15)

Differences between SAT and ACT

Both tests have an optional essay. SAT has a Math section where you can’t use a calculator. ACT has a Science section that SAT doesn’t have. ACT requires students to read more quickly because it requires answering each of the reading questions in less than 1 minute, but SAT allows students to answer each reading question in more than 1 minute. You have more time in SAT than the ACT. Same as the Writing sections. For Math, 1 min per question in ACT, but students have more than 1 minute for SAT.

If you need more time, SAT is better.

ReadingACT TimeACT QuestionsACT Min/QuestionSAT TimeSAT QuestionsSAT Min/Question
35min40< 1min / Question65min52>1min / Question
Writing45min75< 1min / Question35min44<1min / Question
Math60min60=1min/Question80min58>1min / Question

What is FAFSA?

To receive financial aid, you will need to apply and be accepted by the college. To apply, you will need to complete an application. The two basic types of financial applications are the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and the CSS PROFILE forms.

The FAFSA form is used to calculate EFC. All 2022–23 FAFSA® forms must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time on June 30, 2023.

There are three ways to file a FAFSA:
1) by mailing it to the FAFSA,
2) by filing online through FAFSA on the WEB (www.fafsa.ed.gov),
3) by filing online directly through the college.

The need based analysis uses your financial information from the tax return from 2 years prior.

FAFSA® Process

You can click on the “Apply Now” button on the home page, and just follow the directions on the screen.

You will be assigned an FSA ID, username and password which let you sign FAFSA®. Your FSA ID also can be used to sign loan contracts. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. You will need to fill out your name, social security number, date of birth, address, driver’s license, Tax info including w-2, untaxed info, and all your financial situation, etc.

You can list a few schools on the online FAFSA. You can add more schools later. Schools you list on your FAFSA will automatically receive your FAFSA results electronically.

In order to receive financial aid, the student must: 1) Demonstrate financial need, 2) Received a high school diploma, 3) Be enrolled in college, 4) Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, 5) Have a valid social security number, 6) Make satisfactory progress while in college (2.0 GPA), 7) Certify the financial aid will be used for educational purposes, 8) Not be in default of a federal loan.