esf

Fall Semester

• Make campus visits.
• Continue your extracurricular involvement.
• Narrow down college choices and apply for college admission, meeting priority deadlines.
• Finalize your résumé and write required essays.
• Request letters of recommendations and other admission requirements two to four weeks before due.
• Apply for housing at each college you consider.
• Find out if you qualify for scholarships at each college where you are applying and meet deadlines.
• Start the financial aid application process for each school to which you are applying. 

Spring Semester (after January 1)

• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.fafsa.ed.gov, meeting your college’s priority deadlines.  Call ESF at 601.321.5533 if you need help with the FAFSA.
• Complete your Mississippi grant application by going to www.mississippi.edu.
• Ask your guidance office in January to send first semester transcripts to schools where you applied. You will need to request final transcripts after you graduate.
• Keep track of important financial aid and scholarship deadlines.
• Observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork including award letters, promissory notes, housing information, etc.  You may be required to log in to the college Web site to complete these steps.
• Decide which college to attend and notify the school of your decision.  Don’t forget to notify the schools you will not attend of your decision.
• Notify your college about any outside scholarships you received.

Summer before College

• Make sure your final transcript is sent to the school you will be attending.
• Getting a summer job can help pay some of your college expenses.
• Attend summer orientation if offered.  Check into buying your books and supplies early.
• Call or meet your roommate to get acquainted and to make a list of what you will need to take with you for your residence hall room.

Timeline for Grades 9-11