August – December
- Help your teen identify and strengthen academic areas that need improvement
- Help your teen track college application and decision deadlines
- Make sure your teen gets a U.S. Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (opens new window). These are available online or from your student's high school counselor
- Start collecting the documentation you'll need to complete the FAFSA
- Attend a financial aid presentation
- Watch out for scholarships & financial aid scams—avoid any service that charges a fee to help you find financial aid
December
- Save your last paystub for this year to help you complete the FAFSA
January – May
- Complete and file the FAFSA form as soon as possible after January 1. (The sooner the better—federal aid can run out.)
- If you need it, get help completing the FAFSA
- Prepare & file your federal income taxes as early as possible; schools may ask for them as verification of income
- Help your teen keep track of important financial aid and scholarship deadlines
- Letters of admission and financial aid offers will usually arrive by April
- Help your teen weigh the pros and cons of each school with ACT's College Comparison Worksheet (PDF, 1 page, 64KB) For assistance with PDF files, see these tips.
- Read, sign, and send in a promissory note if you are borrowing money
See the student checklist.
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