Print This Page

Your Timeline: 12th Grade/Senior Year

  • Explore opportunities to earn college credit while in high school (concurrent enrollment).

  • Enroll in remaining college preparatory courses.

  • Review courses with your school counselor to make sure you are meeting high school graduation and entrance requirements for the colleges that interest you.

  • Update your High School Planner with new grades, test scores, honors, awards, etc.

Fall Semester:

  • Keep saving. Keep studying.

  • Register for October/November ACT and/or SAT tests.

  • Give any recommendation forms to the appropriate teachers or counselors with stamped, college-addressed envelopes and make certain that your portion of the forms are filled out completely and accurately.

  • Attend college fairs, college planning sessions and financial aid information sessions.

  • Visit college campuses that are a good match with your abilities and career interests.

  • Narrow your choice of colleges. Many students select three to five schools to apply to  — their "dream" school, their "safety" school and two to three other choices.

  • Prepare your online applications on OKcollegestart.org. Compose any essays that need to be included in your applications.

  • Search and apply for scholarship money in the Financial Aid section of OKcollegestart.org.

  • Be sure to consult with your school counselor about scholarship opportunities.

  • Complete your scholarship applications and mail according to deadlines.

  • Check with the financial aid office of schools you are applying to for:

    • Specific information on scholarships and costs for tuition, fees, room and board.
    • Any institutional or additional financial aid forms that may be required.

  • If you haven't already done so, make sure your official test scores are being sent to the colleges to which you are applying.

  • Schedule any remaining required interviews.

Spring Semester:

  • Complete and submit your college financial aid application and the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15 and check for other financial aid options. In other words, get money. In order to be considered for financial aid, you will need to submit these forms even if you have not yet been notified of your acceptance to the college(s) to which you applied.

  • Fill out the FAFSA on the Web form now.

  • Make sure your parents have completed their income tax forms in anticipation of the financial aid applications.

  • Contact the admissions office(s) of the college(s) to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received and that they have everything they need from you.

  • If you completed the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks. Make the necessary corrections and return it to the FAFSA processor as soon as possible in order to have your forms processed quickly.

  • Contact the financial aid office of the college(s) to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received and that they have everything they need from you.

  • Take exams for any AP and other honors-level subjects you studied in high school.

  • Request that your high school send your official transcripts to the colleges to which you are applying.

  • You will probably hear from the colleges as to whether or not you are accepted by April 15. Compare your acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers.

  • You should make a decision by May 1 as to which college you will be attending and notify the school. When you choose to accept a college's invitation to attend the institution, you may be required to pay a nonrefundable deposit (this should ensure your place in the entering freshman class).

  • If you were placed on a waiting list for a particular college and have decided to wait for an opening, contact that college and let them know you are still interested.