While all the experts consulted by the Valley News agree that it’s never too early to start planning for college, Evan Leary, a financial planner at Family Financial Strategies in Lebanon, recommends following this calendar in the last year before your child goes to college.
Summer between junior and senior year: Research colleges and scholarships
October of senior year: Submit the FAFSA (Response comes within a week if done online, two weeks if filed manually; review for accuracy, submit additional information if required.)
November: Submit college applications
December: Submit CSS – referred to as the PROFILE (used to award non-federal financial aid and scholarships to private colleges that require the profile.)
Throughout this period student should be applying for scholarships
March: Financial aid award letters go out (regular decision)
April/May: Make final decision on where student will enroll and submit deposits
June/July: Student should work and save as much money as possible
September: Student should find on-campus employment