Quick "April" Monthly Checklist

april task for HS seniors

(all external links open new window)

Use this checklist to review those tasks that should be completed by the start of April:

Getting Your Acceptance Letter

Check your mailbox for acceptance letters from colleges. If a college you are considering hasn't responded, contact the Admissions Office to follow-up:

• Compare Your Letters
  compare your acceptance letter, financial aid offers, and other criteria to narrow your selection down to 1-2 schools.
  
  Upon your selection of school(s), you will be required to send in a non-refundable deposit to secure your position in the Freshmen class. So make sure it's the right decision.
• College Comparison and Profiles
  you can profile two or more colleges on cost, student size, teacher ratio, and other criteria:
  collegeboard.org
  
  view college rankings by school criteria and other rankings
  see our tool set

Most Schools Have a May 1 Acceptance Deadline
Deposit money will likely be required to reserve your admission. Keep on track to meet these deadlines.

• You must complete and submit your Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) before receiving the Student Aid Report (SAR).
  • For steps to the financial aid process:
    see our Financial Aid Step 2
    
  • For submitting your FAFSA:
    see the January Plan
• Prepare taking Advanced Placement Courses:
  • the collegeboard administers the AP exams. This site has all the information you need including test programs and dates:
    collegeboard.org
• Do you have a place to live while at school:
  see our moving center for housing information
• Start getting yourself ready for college:
  • download FREE moving-to-college checklist
    references our college moving center
• Attention Students:
  • start saving with this cost advantage program for students. Cardholders save up to 50% OFF at more than 20,000 discount locations across the country:
    studentadvantage.com
    
  • also review how to best to manage your student funds by using pre-paid credit to manage spend:
    view pre-paid credit cards

Getting the Financial Award Letter

april task for HS seniors

(all links open new window)

You should receive your "Financial Award Package" with information on your qualifying financial aid from each school where you have been admitted.

The Financial Award Package will show the cost of attendance and the amount of each financial aid award that will be awarded. The difference between the cost and the amount awarded is the portion that the family is expected to contribute towards the cost of education.

The financial aid awards include:

• grants,
• scholarships,
• federally student loans,
• work study programs,
• other college assisted aid
  
  For information about the Financial Award Package:
  see financial aid note 4

Make a College Comparison

april task for HS seniors

(all links open new window)

Time to finalize which school to attend. Use our comparison worksheet to list your schools side-by-side. Determine which school is best for your academic objectives:

• this PDF file allows you to compare colleges based on size, student-teacher ratio, and other criteria
  download comparison sheet
• this Excel spreadsheet allows you to compare cost and aid awarded among colleges
  download college cost comparison spreadsheet
  (requires MS Excel or other to open)

You must give your acceptance notice by a certain date — most schools require May 1 deadlines. Remember to submit your deposit to reserve your admission.

Find a Summer Job

april task for HS seniors

(all links open new window)

Use the summer to raise money you will need for college. Money earned can be used for tuition, housing, transportation and for fun entertainment.

If you worked last summer with a job you liked, go back and see if you can work with them again this coming summer. Or try to find a different summer job that fits your career goals:

jump over to our job center to search summer opportunities

Go to: May Calendar