November Financial Aid Action Plan

At this point, you should have completed the written application portion of your college search. Start finishing up those essays and get them proofread by the end of this month. You will need to start submitting them by the end of November through mid-December, so it is important to have a few rough drafts done by now. The same applies for any scholarship essays. Remember you can visit www.financialaidtips.com and follow the Admission Essay Center and Scholarship Essay Guide for free help. Although these deadlines are disbursed throughout the year, you need to keep a constant tab on the status.

Begin gathering your reference letters from the people you asked to write them. Make sure the reference letters are sealed with a piece of tape with the reference’s signature over it so the schools you submit the letters to are aware that you have not tampered with them. Some schools may require the referral letters to be mailed directly from the person who wrote them; otherwise, just file them along with your pending applications and essays until you are ready to send them all.

If you have not ordered a transcript from your high school, then do so now. Check with the front office and ask who to speak to about transcripts. Schools often charge a small fee for processing the transcript. Determine the quantity of transcripts you will need and be prepared to pay for each of them. Universities and colleges only accept an official transcript which is mailed from your high school. So, when you contact the high schools to order them, be sure to have the addresses to each school’s admissions department with you.

Financial aid preparation for this month includes continuing your scholarship research, applying to universities, and signing up for your FAFSA pin number. We covered scholarship searching last month and suggested you get started free with one or both of our recommended, safe scholarship search providers by going to www.scholarshipsearch.financialaidtips.com.

In order to receive financial aid from the government to help pay for school, you must fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA requires you and your parents to create an electronic pin number in order to electronically identify yourself and “sign” any documents. In order to do this, go to the FAFSA website. Click on “Before Beginning a FAFSA.” If you scroll down the list, you will come to a link titled “Students & Parents Apply for a PIN”, click on it. The page will provide information on what a PIN is used for and will list the link to the website where you will apply for the PIN. Begin registering for your pin and have your parents register for one as well. Your PIN provides protection from other people having access to your personal information. Your PIN will always be the same every year you renew your FAFSA! DO NOT discard the number after you have finished with your FAFSA application! Keep it in a safe place that you can remember so you can access it and reuse it every year.

Parents need to apply for their own PIN number in order for you to submit your application. Remind your parents to take the same measures in keeping their FAFSA PIN safe and accessible. They will need it to sign your FAFSA, ensure the financial information they submitted during the application process is accurate, and confirm that you are a dependent in their household.

Filing the FAFSA is one of the most important parts of your financial aid process, so be sure to prepare EARLY for it! The first step is applying for your PIN. You should also meet with your parents and make sure they understand the steps you will all need to take in January, when it is time to submit your FASFA application. It is important that your parents assist by filing their taxes as early as possible in the new year and by working with you to complete the application.

A reminder to you procrastinators out there: If you have not yet taken the SAT or ACT: you need to do so this month! If you still haven’t taken them, check with your counselor for the next available dates and sign up! No more excuses! Remember, if you take the tests early enough, you will be able to retake them to get your desired score. Also, make sure to prepare thoroughly by taking practice tests our courses.  We like the online practice tests from Petersons.  We made arrangements for our readers to take one of their practice tests FREE!  You can take yours by visiting www.testprep.financialaidtips.com.  Also prep by reviewing the free material in the Standardized Test Center at www.financialaidtips.com.  It is very helpful.  As a final touch, we suggest you invest in a good test prep book that give you strategies, tips and more practice tests to get you really prepared. See our recommendations at www.bookstore.financialaidtips.com.

As usual, remember to maintain good grades. Your grades during your senior year are still a very important factor, and colleges will definitely be reviewing them. Keep your family and your counselor involved in what your plans are and what you are accomplishing or still need. They are important, not only because they can give advice and help, but they can also provide the support you will need during stressful times.

In Summary, this month you need to:

o   Complete your applications

o   Collect everything you need for your application package

o   Make sure you and your parents each apply for a FAFSA pin number

o   Take the SAT or ACT, if you haven’t already – also take the practice tests and invest in a good test prep course

When you have finished all of these, sit back and enjoy some turkey! Next month you will continue to navigate through the FAFSA site to familiarize yourself with the layout before January. We will also talk about early decision applications and learn about grants.

For more information on financial aid, scholarships, admission and more, visit www.financialaidtips.com.