Your entire high school experience is a factor in getting accepted to your desired college and obtaining the financial aid you need to make it affordable. Preparations for college start as early as your Freshman year in high school. Follow these steps to a successful college application process:

Freshman Year - Think about which subjects are interesting to you. Join clubs, organizations or other extracurricular activities that interest you. Keep your academic record strong. It's not too early to talk to your guidance counselor about college.

Sophomore Year - Take any classes or tests that will prepare you for upcoming SAT or ACT exams, such as the PSAT. Think about the types of colleges you might be interested in attending and visit them if possible. Keep up your academic record and extracurricular activities.

Junior Year - Sign up to take the SAT, SAT II or ACT as early as possible. If you don't get the score you believe you can achieve, retake the exam. Register to take any advanced placement courses for college credit. Talk with your guidance counselor about getting application materials from colleges, scheduling campus visits and collecting information on the Internet. Research scholarship and grant opportunities. Keep your academic record strong and participate in extracurricular activities.

Plan your senior year carefully to be the most effective for your college preparations:

September - December

• Make appointments with your high school counselor to discuss college and financial aid options.
• Talk to financial aid administrators at the colleges you are considering to get a better understanding of the financial aid process.
• Talk to your family - can they help you with the tuition in any way? Will they lend you money, cosign a loan or borrow money for you?
• Become familiar with the financial aid process of your prospective school. Do not rule out a school because of the cost of tuition. There may be a way to finance the tuition.
• Attend financial aid workshops.
• Apply for scholarships and grants - the earlier the better!
• Plan a financial strategy to fund your education by researching different ways to pay.
• Apply to your top college choices.
• Visit campuses and talk to students and professors. Tour classrooms and dorms. Sit in on a class if possible.

January - March

• After January 1, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For faster results, file online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Find out the application deadlines for your school. Check for any additional financial aid forms, scholarships or grants for the specific school to which you are applying.
• After your FAFSA has been processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) and your school's financial aid office will determine your eligibility for aid.
• You will receive award offers from March through the summer.
• When you are assessing the total cost of education, remember to consider housing, food, books, lab fees, transportation and any other necessities.

April

• Meet with a financial aid or admissions counselor for the details of your award. Ask whether or not your award is renewable. If your financial status has changed since you submitted the FAFSA, let your financial aid counselor know.
• Compare the offers and decide which school is the best value for you.

May - June

• Once you have decided on a school, accept the offer and make any necessary payments to ensure proper enrollment. Sign any letters of offer and return them to the financial aid office.
• If there is a difference between your financial aid offer and what you can afford to pay out of pocket, you should research alternative or private financial resources.
• Check on all financial aid arrangements in preparation for the fall.
• Sign up for new student orientation if offered by your school.

July

• Find alternative or private funds to make up the difference between the financial package offered and the total cost of your education.
• Pay required school fees and bills.
• Check with the financial aid office for work-study programs.

August - September

• Schools typically start classes in August or September. Congratulations!

Be aware that changes in course load may impact the amount of your aid. Check with the financial aid office before you change your schedule or credit load.