August through November
You should already be applying to the schools you may want to attend. Now is also the time to begin searching for scholarships that can help you pay for your education. As you search for scholarships, make a list of those you are interested in and for which you are eligible. Be sure your list includes application deadlines and information about how to apply.
Search for scholarship opportunities available to you.
Ask you parents if the companies they work for offer scholarships.
Check with the financial aid offices for the colleges you are interested in attending.
In addition to searching and applying for scholarships, you should:
Take the ACT or SAT. If you haven’t already taken the ACT or SAT, you should register to take one of these tests by October of your senior year.
Check with your school’s guidance office to find out if it will offer a financial aid information program during the fall or winter and plan to attend if one will be offered.
December through March
Keep searching and complete the applications for the scholarships for which you are interested and eligible. Make sure you read the directions carefully and pay attention to submission dates. The majority of scholarship opportunities available to graduating seniors will be offered through the e-Grant online application.
Please be aware of the following dates:
e-Grant online application open on December 1
If you are graduating from high school this year, or even if you are already in college, you need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid—commonly known as the FAFSA—to be considered for federal student financial aid.
Complete and submit your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Before you fill out the form, you and your parent/gaurdian must each get a PIN from www.pin.ed.gov. Filling out the FAFSA online is the best way to do it, but you can still get a paper form by calling 1-800-433-3243 or 1-800-730-8913 if you are hearing impaired. You may request up to three forms.
Online Scholarship Deadline: February 20.
April through June
In the spring you will begin receiving information about the various forms of financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) for which you have applied:
If you submitted the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report. If you filed electronically, you will receive your SAR electronically. Review your SAR and make sure the information is correct. If corrections are necessary, respond promptly.
Scholarship applications are reviewed.
Scholarships presented. If you are awarded a scholarship, you will be given your award and most will require that you respond or sign an agreement by a specific date. These deadlines are just as important as the initial application deadline.
July through August
Submission deadline for scholarship recipients to submit required documents to ensure scholarship distribution.
Other Resources
FAFSA
U.S. Department of Education FREE Application for Federal Student Aid Web Site.
FAFSA filing season begins January 1. Be sure you file well in advance of any pertinent state and/or college-imposed deadlines. (For Michigan students, your FAFSA must be received by the federal processor no later than February 20 to qualify for state-based grant assistance.) Click on the logo to be redirected to the site or visit www.fafsa.ed.gov
Fast Web
This site matches students to scholarships, a source of local, national, and college-specific scholarships. Search and compare detailed college profiles including tailored scholarship matches Click on the logo or go to www.fastweb.com to visit the site.