College Preparation Timeline

❏ Meet with your counselor to review your credits and ensure that you are on track to meet requirements for graduation, endorsements, and performance acknowledgements
❏ Attendance affects high school course credit. Make sure you attend school regularly and make up any missed assignments and tests by scheduling them with your teachers. Maintain the best grades you can and attend tutorials when needed
❏ Consider taking rigorous courses, such as Honors, AP, UT OnRamps, dual credit courses, and courses designed to prepare you for college, such as AVID
❏ If you are enrolled in a program that culminates in an industry certification, review testing requirements and verify that you are taking the courses required to complete the certification
❏ Consider participating in extracurricular activities offered at school
❏ Find your passion - what do you love? Consider service projects, volunteer work, and leadership opportunities in your areas of interest
❏ Review automatic admission updates and how the effort you put into classes can affect the benefits you may receive for college (https://tea.texas.gov/academics/graduation-information/automatic-college-admission)
❏ Use resources such as your Xello account, Texas OnCourse (www.texasoncourse.org), BigFuture (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org), and postsecondary institution websites to research and compare postsecondary options. Additional resources are also available on CFB and campus counseling websites
❏ Attend the CFBISD college fair in the fall and compare options
❏ If you plan to participate in college athletics, read the National Collegiate Athletics Association - NCAA eligibility checklist (http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future) and/or the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics - NAIA eligibility information (https://play.mynaia.org/)

❏ Speak with your counselor to ensure you are taking high school courses that meet college athletics requirements

❏ Visit college campuses
❏ Build a high school résumé and save all the awards, honors, and certificates you receive. Add awards, internships, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities as you receive them
❏ Create a personal file with items such as your transcript and resume
❏ Create a file or organize all of the college materials you receive in the mail and at college fairs
❏ Speak with your parent/legal guardian about college costs and check out FAFSA4Caster to estimate financial aid (https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/)
❏ Look into scholarship options, including micro-scholarships that you can start earning now such as Raise.me (https://www.raise.me/how-it-works#how-raise-me-works)
❏ Review SAT/ACT prep courses and consider trying one

❏ You can link your PSAT results online to Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/) in order to practice the skills you need to be on track for college readiness

❏ Complete activities listed for Every Year of High School
❏ Invite your parents and attend your campus CCMR information presentations and events
❏ Sophomore Year take the PSAT10/NMSQT in the fall, and connect results online to Khan Academy in order to practice the skills needed to prepare for the SAT and be on track for college readiness.

❏ Complete activities listed for Every Year of High School
❏ If you plan to take a dual credit course your junior year to earn college credits while in high school, speak with your school counselor to determine whether you need to take the TSIA2 during your sophomore year
❏ Take the PSAT again and connect results to Khan Academy to practice the skills you need to improve to be on track for postsecondary readiness
❏ Speak with your teachers and counselor after receiving your PSAT scores to determine which AP or dual credit classes you should take your junior year

❏ Complete activities listed for Every Year of High School
❏ Try to earn the best grades you can. Keep in mind that if you are applying for early admission to college (earlier application window), colleges will need to consider your grades from your junior year because your senior fall grades will not be on your transcript until spring of your senior year
❏ In October, take the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
❏ Consider scholarship opportunities on Big Future (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search)
❏ Prepare for the SAT or ACT test with a preparation resource
❏ Register for spring semester SAT/ACT dates if necessary

❏ CFB offers the SAT during the school day
❏ You may choose the colleges to which you would like your scores sent

❏ Register with the NCAA and NAIA eligibility centers online if you are a candidate for college athletics, and speak with your counselor to make sure your high school courses are aligned with college athletics requirements
❏ If you are considering joining the military, speak with your counselor to arrange an appointment with a recruiter
❏ Whether or not you are interested in joining the military, consider taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to learn about your strengths. You will not be required to enlist in the military, but the results platform is very helpful and informative
❏ Along with your parent/legal guardian, review tax/income reporting requirements and that you will need prior-year records to be filed and complete when you complete FAFSA during your senior year (https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college/checklists)

❏ Meet with your counselor to evaluate your transcript and select your senior year classes
❏ If you are enrolled in a program that culminates in an industry certification, review testing requirements and verify that you will take any remaining courses required to complete the certification requirements
❏ View scholarship opportunities and deadlines online at www.fastweb.com and www.scholarships.com and speak with your counselor to learn about local scholarship opportunities to prepare for the application process
❏ If you did not meet college readiness scores on the SAT or ACT, take the TSIA2 test. CFBISD offers the TSIA2 during the school day in the fall and spring
❏ Visit colleges. Students and parents can sign up for free tours and spring previews
❏ If you are applying to college during the summer, make sure your SAT or ACT scores have been sent to each college (https://account.collegeboard.org/login/login)

❏ If you are submitting college applications during the summer, you will need to ensure that you provide accurate personal identifying information (including social security number if applicable) on your admissions application to facilitate matching of your admissions application to your financial aid applications later

❏ Review requirements for creating an FSA ID, which will be needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.

❏ You will not be able to complete your FAFSA application until the fall semester of your senior year. If you create an FSA ID now, be sure to write down exactly and keep in a memorable location your username, password, and the email address you used to create the account. You will need parent/legal guardian information

❏ Review FAFSA eligibility criteria (https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements)
❏ Students who are classified as Texas residents but who cannot apply for federal student aid are encouraged to complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) during their senior year

❏ More information about TASFA can be found on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board - College for All Texans website: (http://www.collegeforalltexans.com)

❏ Create a college application calendar

❏ Some colleges open their college admissions applications during the summer. Check the websites of the colleges to which you are interested in applying to review their requirements and timelines
❏ If you plan to apply to college during the early decision or early action windows, it is recommended that you start preparing your materials late in your junior year so that you can meet the early fall application deadlines during your senior year (https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/applications/early)

❏ Make a list of your top 10 postsecondary options and review the requirements on each organization’s website

❏ Email or call admissions offices with any questions you have
❏ Consider making a list of your dream schools, schools you think you have a good chance of being admitted, and a few safe schools based on grades and financial fit

❏ Begin working on your college essays if required.
❏ ApplyTexas (Link not out yet)
❏ Common Application

❏ Identify three teachers and/or counselors whom you could ask to write letters of recommendation

❏ Complete activities listed for Every Year of High School
❏ If you have not yet applied for admission to your postsecondary options, you should check each admissions webpage to learn the priority admissions application deadline

❏ Select 6-8 options you are interested in applying to and review their admission requirements on their admissions webpages
❏ Prepare your application, essays, and scholarship applications before the priority deadline so that you can submit them on time
❏ Submit your application and all requested documentation before the priority deadline

❏ Review and meet all eligibility deadlines for The Dallas County Promise
❏ In September, submit university-specific scholarship applications. Visit your potential colleges’ financial aid websites for deadlines and requirements
❏ Consider asking three teachers from a core academic subject or counselors to write letters of recommendation no less than one month in advance of when you need them. Submit them, if required, as part of your admissions application package
❏ If you have not yet earned the college-ready scores on the SAT, ACT, or TSIA2, take the TSIA2 again. CFBISD offers the TSIA2 during the school day in the fall and spring
❏ Take the SAT and/or ACT again as necessary. CFBISD offers the SAT school day test in the fall for seniors
❏ Before October 1st, the student and parent should create an FSA ID to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA completion is now required in Texas for high school graduation (https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing)
❏ Starting in December, complete the FAFSA.

❏ FAFSA Application (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa)
❏ On the FAFSA, list all colleges to which you are applying
❏ Use the Search button to ensure that you add your high school correctly
❏ Complete as early as possible because many applications are selected for a verification process that sometimes requires sending additional documentation or information
❏ The Texas priority deadline is January 15th. Submit your FAFSA before this date in order to be considered for the most money
❏ Watch for emails regarding incomplete or missing information and respond promptly to requests
❏ Keep your FSA ID and identifying information. You will need to resubmit FAFSA every year of college to be considered for financial aid

❏ Students who are classified as Texas residents but who cannot apply for federal student aid are encouraged to complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)

❏ FAFSA eligibility criteria (https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements)
❏ More information about TASFA, including the paper application to download on or after October 1st of your senior year, can be found on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board - College for All Texans website (http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/)

❏ Ask your counselor about financial aid completion assistance. CFBISD has partnered with local colleges to provide assistance with FAFSA and TASFA completion.

❏ Attend any of the after-school and weekend assistance sessions offered throughout the district (even events hosted on other campuses)

❏ In addition to FAFSA, complete any additional financial aid paperwork and essays for the schools to which you are applying

❏ This may also include college-specific financial aid applications. Check your college’s financial aid website for these requirements and consider calling or emailing the financial aid department at the college to double check that you have completed all aid requirements
❏ This may also include the CSS/Financial Aid Profile for non-federal aid for participating institutions. It will open October 1st

❏ https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
❏ https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/getting-started-your-css-profile-application

❏ View scholarship opportunities online at www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, your selected colleges’ financial aid webpages, and the CFBISD and campus websites

❏ Visit your campus counseling office to ask about local scholarship opportunities

❏ Submit all essays and applications before final deadlines
❏ Submit a request to your campus for your transcript to be sent to each college
❏ Send your SAT and/or ACT scores sent to each college to which you are applying

❏ SAT
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/scores/sending-scores
❏ ACT
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/sending-your-scores.html

❏ After you apply to colleges, set up online user accounts/portal for each college to which you are applying

❏ Typically colleges will correspond to you through your online user portal for that college
❏ Check all accounts regularly until you have decided which college you will attend
❏ You might not receive emails or phone calls when additional information is needed from you; therefore, it will be important that you check these online accounts

❏ Review Selective Service Registration requirements

❏ All male U.S. citizens and male immigrants, whether documented or undocumented, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service
❏ Males must register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday
❏ Males will be asked on FAFSA and TASFA applications if they have registered
❏ Service Registration does not automatically enlist a male in the military
❏ Information

❏ If you want to join the military, speak with your school counselor to arrange an appointment with a recruiter if you haven’t already
❏ Decide which postsecondary option you will pursue

❏ If you applied under Early Decision and were accepted, confirm with the college that you will attend

❏ Students whose first language is not English may take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Admissions officers may look at TOEFL scores for these students, understanding that students whose first language is not English may have difficulty with verbal sections of the SAT or ACT (https://www.ets.org/toefl)
❏ If you are enrolled in a program that culminates in an industry certification, verify the completion of your program requirements and the status of your certification
❏ Compare financial aid award letters received from colleges

❏ You might need to log into your student account online to view them
❏ Colleges may offer different award amounts, and the cost of attendance may be different for each school. Consider taking the total cost of attendance listed by the college, minus the awards (gift aid) that will be granted to you at the school, and pay attention to the remaining student responsibility

❏ Get a meningitis shot and save the record. Submit a record of the shot to the school nurse for it to be loaded into the state database. The meningitis vaccination is necessary for college admission
❏ Apply for student housing if you plan to live on campus
❏ Register for college freshman orientation at the college you will be attending and identify course registration requirements/deadlines
❏ Contact the colleges that accepted you that you decided not to attend. Let them know that you plan to attend elsewhere
❏ Meet all deposit deadlines
❏ Graduate from high school
❏ Submit a request to your campus that your final official high school transcript will be sent to your selected postsecondary institution