How to Pay for College 2024-2025

Class of 2025 Calendar for College Planning

September 2024  Start a College Planning Folder for your important notes and documents.  Create FSA ID accounts at studentaid.gov. (See page 21 for more information.)  Register for SAT/ACT: If you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT, register for the next available test dates.  Participate in college fairs and  Identify your top three college choices and document important freshman dates for the year.  Start submitting applications, especially for early action or early decision deadlines.  Establish a weekly time to search for scholarship opportunities and apply by posted deadlines.  Enter ASLA’s $1,000 Scholarship drawing at asla.info. January 2025  Make an appointment with ASLA College Planning Services for FREE FAFSA HELP. meet with college representatives.

October 2024  Submit your 2025-2026 FAFSA at fafsa.gov using 2023 federal tax returns.  Complete and submit the Arkansas state aid application at sams.adhe.edu.  Ensure all early application materials are submitted to your top college choices.  Devote time, energy, and thought to writing required essays.  Visit march2success.com for free ACT prep lessons.  Download ACT’s “Encourage” College Planning App and search for colleges, scholarships, majors and more.  Plan to take or retake the SAT/ACT if necessary.  Enter ASLA’s $1,000 Scholarship drawing at asla.info. February 2025  Regularly check the status of your applications and financial aid forms.  Start the housing application process for your chosen college if you haven’t already.  Complete the College Cost Comparison Worksheet on Page 20 to compare college costs, check if you have completed the aid processes for a variety of programs, and determine if there is a gap to be covered between your college costs and anticipated financial aid.  Enter ASLA’s $1,000 Scholarship drawing at asla.info.

November 2024  If colleges, or scholarship applications, request Letters of Recommendation, use your list of teachers and mentors you can ask to submit a letter on your behalf. proofread any required essays.  Register to take the ACT at actstudent.org or the SAT at collegeboard.org.  Enter ASLA’s $1,000 Scholarship drawing at asla.info.  Finalize and have a teacher

March 2025  Once you’ve completed the FAFSA and college admissions applications, you should begin to receive financial aid offers from your colleges. FAFSA submission deadline at many schools. Check with your school for priority deadline dates.  Be watching for award offers from ADHE and accept those awards in your SAMS Account at SAMS. ADHE.EDU.  Enter ASLA’s $1,000 Scholarship drawing at asla.info.  March 1 is the recommended

 Review your FAFSA Submission Summary. Make any necessary corrections and re-submit FAFSA.  Enter ASLA’s $1,000 Scholarship drawing at asla.info.

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