September

-Review your high school transcript with your counselor to make sure you will have completed all of the required courses for graduation. In Texas, you need to complete the Recommended High School Curriculum http://www.collegefortexans.com/preparing/rhsp.cfm in order to be eligible for Texas Grant money. This curriculum is currently required for all high school students.

- Ask your high school counselor for information on college entrance exams, the SAT and ACT, and register to take (or retake) the appropriate test(s), if necessary. Excellent free test prep sites include: www.number2.com and www.collegeboard.com You can register online to schedule the SAT http://www.collegeboard.com/ and ACT http://www.act.org/ tests. Be sure to find out whether or not your college of interest also requires any SAT 2 Subject tests for admissions. You can also purchase test prep books such as those produced by Kaplan, Princeton Review or the College Board. For more tips on SAT calendars and deadlines, check out the College Board's Planning Calendars. The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) will be given several times during the year. Take the exit-level TAKS Test if you have not already taken it, or retake any sections that you have not passed. For more information and help in preparation, check out
http://www.collegefortexans.com/PREPARING/TEKSTAKS.CFM

-Begin researching various colleges and universities to identify which colleges meet your interests and academic goals. For excellent advice on "How to select a College" including a college search engine, go to: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/index.html The website www.AbileneEducationFoundation.org provides links online to every Texas university and college under the section titled "Scholarships, Grants and Loans." Consider size of university, cost of attending, location, and academic program among other important factors. Later in the year, you will be comparing various financial aid packages from different universities. Don't assume that a private college will automatically cost more than a public college. Significant financial aid is available through each university's financial aid office.

     -Attend the High School sponsored College Night, usually in September or November.
     -After identifying which colleges you are interested in, begin the application process.
     -Use the Texas Common Application for Admission if you are applying to one of the 35 public universities in Texas. Get a copy of the common application from your high school counselor, or click on the following link and download a copy now, or apply online at www.ApplyTexas.org. Applying online can save you time: complete the application once and send it directly on to as many of these public universities as you choose. Some colleges offer "no-fee" applications for students who are applying early (not "early decision", just early in the senior year). You may save money by completing applications well ahead of school deadlines. If you have financial need, you may also want to request a waiver of the application fee from the college. Contact the college admissions office with this request.

-If you plan to apply to a public community or technical college, contact the school directly for an application. You can find applications for many Texas independent (private) colleges and universities online at www.texasmentor.org(Your Guide to Texas Private Colleges), or contact the college or university directly for an application.

October

-Keep track of the application deadlines. Fill out application forms carefully and neatly. Start thinking about admission essays if required at the institutions to which you are applying. Write a rough draft. Click here,College Essay Writing ,if you need help with your essay. Start developing an organized filing system to help keep track of each application and financial aid offers. If you are certain of your first choice, consider applying Early decision, especially if it is a competitive college for acceptance.

-Choose your references. Colleges often want reference letters from two or three teachers. Pick teachers who know you well. Be sure to thank the teachers for their help. The high school may also require that you use their "Reference request form" when asking a teacher or counselor for help.

-Begin getting familiar with scholarships that are available locally and nationally. A good reference for local scholarships is the website www.AbileneEducationFoundation.org as well as your high school counselor. There are also links to national scholarships and competitions online under the section titled "Scholarships, Grants and Loans." Don't assume that you won't qualify for scholarships. Many are awarded on the basis of interests, merit and extra-curricular activities. Beware of scholarship scams. You should not have to pay anything to search or locate scholarships!

November

-If the college you are applying to has a December deadline (deadlines vary), complete your admission application. Give the teachers who are writing letters of recommendation stamped, addressed envelopes for mailing your reference letters. If you have financial need, you may want to request a waiver of the application fee from the college. Contact the college admissions office with this request.

-If you plan to apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in January. Ask your high school counselor for a copy or apply online at FAFSA ONLINE at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ The FAFSA application is free. You should not have to pay anything to complete and file this application. Make sure you use the correct official FAFSA website!

-Get familiar with the FAFSA early by getting online and getting a PIN number ahead of time. This will allow you to work on the application online and will make financial aid renewals easier. You may also call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). You can't apply before January 1, but plan to submit the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. Federal and State funds are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis. You can get an advance look at the FAFSA and even estimate the possible financial impact at http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/

-Begin checking with your counselor for information and applications on available scholarships. A list of scholarships available to Abilene area students as well as a list of scholarship search engines can be found at www.AbileneEducationFoundation.org For free online scholarship search engines www.Fastweb.com offers and excellent resource. Begin organizing scholarship applications in a filing system. Check with the counselor's office each week for new scholarship applications that will be released throughout the winter and spring season.

December

-Check all deadlines for early application and scholarships.

-Make sure all of your school records (official transcript) and test scores (official SAT or ACT scores record) are sent in time to meet the December deadline. Call to verify that the college or university received your materials.

-If the college(s) to which you are applying have later deadlines, go ahead and finish preparing application materials.

January

-Deadlines are near. Make sure your application files are complete.

-Check with the admissions office to find out if more information is needed. Supply any additional information as quickly as possible.

-If you plan to apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Ask your high school counselor for a copy or apply online at FAFSA ONLINE. You may also call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). You can't apply before January 1, but plan to submit the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. The sooner you submit your FAFSA, the better your chance for a good financial aid package. Important note for your parents: Prepare your IRS tax return early. This information will be needed to complete the FAFSA. You do not have to submit your tax return to complete the FAFSA but your student will need your information to complete the FAFSA. If you and your parents need help with these forms, contact the college or university financial aid office. Many colleges and banks offer free assistance in filing out the FAFSA. Make sure the form is filled out properly and mailed before the deadline. The online version will expedite the process and is easier to revise if corrections need to be made. We strongly recommend using the online application and getting a PIN number to make application corrections and yearly renewal easier. Keep a copy for your records.

February

-Students must take a basic skills test before enrolling in a Texas public college or university. This test is not used to decide admission, but shows which students need to improve their reading, writing or math skills. Students who need help are directed to developmental education courses or other activities to make sure they are prepared for college-level courses.

March

-Continue sending other information that your college requests.

-If your college requires you to have a physical exam before you can register for classes, make an appointment for an exam with a doctor and take the appropriate forms from the college.

April

-By the end of the month, the college(s) to which you are applying should have received your applications, letters, test results, and other information. Call to confirm that they have received all of the materials. The application process is over, and the waiting begins. You should receive word on acceptance by the end of the month.

May/June

-Graduation!

-Acceptance letters are arriving. Some colleges will ask you to accept or decline an offer of admission. Write to the college you have chosen and say you plan to attend. Also, write to other colleges that accepted you and tell them you will not attend so they can offer admission to another student.

Source: www.CollegeForTexans.com with additional notes from the Abilene Education Foundation and the Abilene ISD high school counselors.