It's your Senior year! Time to get ready for college. Here is a monthly task list.

January

• Gather you and your parents previous years tax records, including w-2 forms, bank statements, tax returns etc. This information will help you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete and send financial aid and admission applications before the specified deadlines. 
• If you are a high school male you must register for the Selective Service when you turn 18. In order to submit your FAFSA you are required to do so.

February

• Make copies of all your financial aid forms and keep them in a safe place. 
• Make arrangements to take the Advanced Placement exam. 
• Ask your counselor to complete mid-year grade reports for the colleges that require them.
  

March

• Once you receive your Student Aid Report in the mail, find out if you need to make any changes or if all the information is accurate. The SAR will tell you your Expected Family Contribution. If you do not receive your SAR within 4 weeks of you submitting the FAFSA, call the Federal Student Aid Center at 319 337 5665
• Schools will begin sending your admission decision letters and financial aid awards. If you haven't done so, make sure you visit the schools you have an interest on attending.
  

April

• Compare Financial Aid award letters and evaluate which school meets your needs both financially and academically. 
• Make sure you know when your acceptance deadlines are schedule and notify schools your acceptance or rejection before the deadlines.
  

May

• Take AP exams you signed up for.

Summer (June-August)

• Have your counselor send your final school records to the college or university of your choice.
• Attend your college orientation.
• Register for college prep courses or classes that are required for your major. 
• In July, most schools send you room assignment information. Consider calling or emailing them to introduce yourself.

September

• Obtain recommendation letters from your teachers, employers and community organizations. Provide them with a self addressed, stamped envelope for each school. Allow each person at least a month to write and send your recommendation letters. 
• If you need to retake the SAT or ACT, now is the time.
  

October

• Send thank you letters to those people that wrote recommendation letters for you.
• Attend college fairs in your area.
  

November

• Have your school send your transcripts to the college of your choice.
• Begin brainstorming what you will write for your application essays. Include your achievements, challenges and any facts about yourself that will have Admission Officers connect to you.
  

December

• Submit your college applications.
• Search scholarship and grant opportunities.
• Remember, it is important that you submit your FAFSA as close to January 1st as possible. You may fill out the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

What about the high school Junior year?