If you are thinking about college
This timeline can help you plan and prepare for college. Remember to work with your guidance counselor and youth transition worker about getting the help you’ll need to choose a school and go through the college application process.
Your Junior Year
□ Explore college/career options with your supportive adults.
□ Take a career interest inventory.
□ Attend a college fair and/or visit with college recruiters at your high school.
□ Take a Practice SAT exam (PSAT).
□ Send away for college catalogues or research options on the internet.
□ Make a tentative top 5 or top 10 choices list for your favorite colleges.
□ Arrange for a college tour.
□ Register to take the SAT your senior year.
□ Sign up at your local adult education office for a Financial Aid workshop.
Your Senior Year
September
□ Register to take the SAT, if you haven’t already.
□ Review your transcripts with your guidance counselor.
□ Visit with college representatives at your school and tour prospective colleges.
October
□ Begin your applications and essay.
□ Ask your guidance counselor and teachers for letters of recommendation.
□ Let your caseworker and youth transition worker know you are planning to go to college to talk about DHHS financial assistance.
November
□ Get your FAFSA ID that is required to complete the FAFSA. You can apply for a ID here: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm.
□ Take the SAT exams.
□ Complete your applications and essays and check application deadlines.
December
□ Get your W2 or any income information in order to complete the FAFSA (you can use last year’s and update the info later).
□ Fill out a FAFSA Worksheet: http://www.fafsa.gov.
□ Submit your college applications for processing.
January
□ Complete the FAFSA application: http://www.fafsa.gov. The earlier the better—aim for January 1st! Financial Aid is awarded on a first-come-first- served basis. You can also ask questions by calling: 1-800-433-3243. You can not apply for the tuition waiver (see February) without completing this step.
□ Complete your scholarship search. www.orphan.org are very helpful resources.
February
□ Applications for the Tuition Waiver are available on February 1st. You must complete the Tuition Waiver paperwork. (See “How do I apply for the Tuition Waiver” or http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/cw/post.htm) This process is very competitive. Your application must be mailed.
□ Complete additional scholarship applications.
March
□ When you receive the Student Aid Report (SAR), make sure to read through it and follow the instructions if corrections need to be made.
April
□ College acceptance letters, along with financial aid award letters, start to arrive. Be sure to go over any paperwork you receive from the college with your transition worker and return all necessary forms in a timely fashion! It is likely that you will need to fill out additional forms for housing and financial aid. This is very important!
□ Review your options to make your final decision
□ Send in deposits to hold your spot in the college of your choice (request funding from your DHHS Caseworker if needed).
□ Make sure the youth transition worker knows you will be attending a college or training program (funds are limited—there may not be money for you if the youth transition worker does not know you will need financial help).
May
□ Start your summer job hunt so that you will have money for college expenses and other things.
□ Take pre-placement tests, if required.
June
□ Attend college orientation. You will likely register for classes at the orientation—so going will help you get the courses you want at the time that best meets your schedule. Ask a trusted adult, your caseworker, or Youth Transition Worker to help you get there.