AUGUST
Activities
•Narrow down your college choices to three different schools. 
•Request admissions information and school catalogs for those schools.

SEPTEMBER
Important Dates
September 9, 2009 – deadline to register for the October SAT
September 18, 2009 – deadline to register for the October ACT

Activities
•Check the websites of your three college choices for online applications.  If they do not have applications available online, request an application by mail.
•Begin work on the Gates Millennium Scholarship now! Download all materials from our Forms & Instructions page on this website, visit the Gates web site, or request a Gates booklet from your high school counselor.
•Begin asking employers, teachers, guidance counselors, and your Talent Search guidance specialist for a letter of recommendation to accompany your admissions applications.
•Begin searching for scholarships

OCTOBER
Important Dates
October 1, 2009 - NSU College Fair
October 1, 2009 – deadline to register for the November SAT
October 10, 2009 – SAT Test Date
October 24, 2009 – ACT Test Date
October 30, 2009 – deadline to register for the December SAT

Activities
•Attend financial aid information night or college fairs at your school.
•Visit your three college choice campuses.  Make an appointment with faculty, staff, and students if possible.
•Begin completing applications for every scholarship you wish to apply for.
•Contact the financial aid office of your three college choices to find out what forms they require.
•Finalize all materials you wish to include with your application submission.
•If you are thinking of attending NSU, attend their college fair in the student union ballroom and sign up for the River Hawk Rally (Senior Day) on October 10. This way, you can attend the football game, eat lunch on campus, receive free t-shirts, and more!

NOVEMBER
Important Dates
November 6, 2009 – deadline to register for the December ACT
November 7, 2009 – SAT Test Date

Activities
•Complete admissions applications for your three college choices by the school deadlines.
•If you have not already done so, attend financial aid information night or college fairs at your school.
•Request financial aid forms and applications by mail from your three college choices, if you have not done so already.
•Follow up on obtaining letters of recommendation from your employers, teachers, guidance counselors, and Talent Search guidance specialist.
•Visit the FAFSA web site and register for a PIN number. Even if you think your family makes too much money, you will still need to complete the FAFSA form.  Many colleges and scholarships require a FAFSA be filed.  Your parents will also need to register for a PIN number. You can download a FAFSA on the Web worksheet there or here, so that you can see what the FAFSA looks like.
•Continue working on the Gates Millennium Scholarship.

DECEMBER
Important Dates
December 5, 2009 – SAT Test Date
December 12, 2009 – ACT Test Date
December 15, 2009 – deadline to register for the January SAT

Activities
•Finalize your admission applications to your three college choices.
•Your Gates Millennium Scholarship application should be completed and ready to submit by Christmas break. Don't wait until right before the deadline on January 11 to submit it.
•Gather all documents you will need to fill out the FAFSA and start a file with copies of everything, including the PIN numbers for you and your parents. They should prepare to file their taxes as soon after January 1 as possible.
•Watch for early admissions notices, because they may arrive in December or January.

JANUARY
Important Dates
January 5, 2010 – deadline to register for the February ACT
January 11, 2010 – deadline to apply for the Gates Millennium Scholarship
January 23, 2010 – SAT Test Date

Activities
•Start checking your mailbox for acceptance letters from your three college choices.
•As soon as possible after January 1, have your parents gather and complete their income tax forms.
•Download a FAFSA On The Web Worksheet from the Forms & Instructions page on this web site Begin filling out the worksheet to help speed the FAFSA filing process online.  If you need help, please contact your Talent Search guidance specialist or call the U.S. Department of Education at (800) 433-3243.
•Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible. It can be based on last year's tax information and you can change it later when your parents get their taxes done, but encourage your parents to file their taxes quickly.
•For free FAFSA advice, consider attending a College Goal Sunday event in your area with your parents.  A calendar of events can be found at http://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org/.
•Check your acceptance letters from your three college choices to make sure you know their scholarship deadlines. Most are by February, and apply now for any that you qualify.
•Check on the housing deadlines for your three college choices. Some colleges have limited housing and are first come-first served, so you will need to get your housing deposits in ASAP. Some colleges fill up the nicer dorms first, so the earlier the better if you are going to live on campus.

FEBRUARY
Important Dates
February 4, 2010 – deadline to register for the March SAT
February 6, 2010 – ACT Test Date

Activities
•Pay attention to deadlines.  Always submit requested information and materials on time.
•You might want to research Advanced Placement (AP) or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests.
•Watch your mail for a notice stating that your Student Aid Report (SAR) is ready.  Once you receive your SAR, check carefully for errors and make any necessary corrections.
•Attend a College Goal Sunday event in your area, if possible.
•Check your high school for local scholarships that are available.

MARCH
Important Dates
March 5, 2010 – deadline to register for the April ACT
March 13, 2010 – SAT Test Date
March 25, 2010 – deadline to register for the May SAT

Activities
•Check with the financial aid offices of your three college choices and ensure that your paperwork is complete.  •Submit any additional forms, such as tax return forms, as requested.
•Check copies of your health records and make sure you are caught up on any necessary vaccinations. Most colleges require a copy of recent health and shot records.

APRIL
Important Dates
April 10, 2010 – ACT Test Date
April 15, 2010 – deadline for Oklahoma Student Financial Aid priority consideration
April 29, 2010 – deadline to register for the June SAT

Activities
•Most financial aid award letters arrive during this month.  Compare the financial aid award letters and see which college offers you the most aid.
•Make your final decision on the college you will be attending, and mail any required deposits.
•Return the financial aid award letter to your final college choice.
•Notify the other two colleges that you have chosen NOT to attend.
•Plan for registration, enrollment, orientation, and housing and mark your calendar with important dates.

MAY
Important Dates
May 1, 2010 – SAT Test Date
May 7, 2010 – deadline to register for the June ACT

Activities
•Make plans to attend any required summer orientation sessions at your college choice.
•Follow up with your high school counselor or registrar to ensure that your final high school transcript has been forwarded to your college choice.
•Send thank you notes to everyone who has been a part of your "college team."

JUNE
Important Dates
June 5, 2010 – SAT Test Date
June 12, 2010 – ACT Test Date
June 30, 2010 – deadline to apply for the OHLAP/Oklahoma’s Promise program

Activities
•Notify your high school guidance office of your final college choice as well as any scholarships you have received.
•Contact the financial aid office at your final college choice to ensure that all paperwork is complete.

AUGUST
Congratulations!  You are ready to begin your first semester of college!  Be sure to contact your Talent Search guidance specialist to let them know which college you are attending.