When should I apply for college??

Question

Iam about to start my senior year and I am wanting to go to a 4 year university...and when should I apply for financial aid?

Answer 1

Each college has a different application deadline. Check with each individual university to see when the application first becomes available for the 2007-2008 school year. Many schools do their admissions on a "rolling admissions" basis, meaning they begin admitting students to the class as soon as the application is available, and then stop once the class is full, even if highly qualified students apply at a later date. It is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible; check with the individual schools to see when that is. Some will even provide you with their application essay questions online before the application is available so that you may begin working on them right away. I suggest taking advantage of that "free time" to perfect your essays and then submit the application at the first possible date. Even in classes without rolling admissions, earlier applications are often considered more favorably than applications submitted near the deadline.

As for financial aid, again, check with individual universities about it. Usually it's customary to apply for financial aid after you apply to the school. Government sponsored aid may be available immediately. Check the site below for more information on that.

Answer 2

You should start applying at the start of your senior year of highschool. A lot of colleges and Universities require that you have your application in by a certain date. This date can vary greatly from school to school, so applying the earlier is better. Also you should fill out your free application for financial aid in January of 2007 so that you get the most out of your financial aid. Good Luck to you. P.S. make copies of those entrance essay's that you have to write ever school you apply to will want one. Oh yeah take it easy and enjoy your last year of childhood, don't take this crap too seriously it will not make or break your future. Do the best you can and try not to freak out, cause those applications can get pretty intimidating.

Answer 3

You should really start visiting colleges and applying the summer before your senior year. Once you get on their mailing list, most colleges will you send you stuff like a financial aid application form, with instructions and dates that it needs to be in by. Start as soon as possible. Check out what kind of local and/or state scholarships are in your area that you can apply for. Once you get back to school, pay your guidance councilor a visit, and ask about scholarships/financial aid.

Answer 4

Next year. YOu can't apply before a certain date in January and I think it's the first of the year. Start applying for college around then also; it will give you a good start. Start looking for your specific courses that you want to take now and do some research about the different colleges. Think of your options and then next year you can go for it!

Oh, if you're parents are going to be filling out the financial aid papers they will have to wait until they file their taxes.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

As soon as possible. I applied to college the summer before starting senior year and was accepted before the school year started. Applying as early as possible will give you a better chance of getting a good dorm, getting your financial aid, and calculating the cost of attendance. The date for fasfa, the free application for student financial aid, opens on January 1st. You can have all of your documents, like your parents and yours tax forms ready before hand, and it'll make the application (which is lengthy) go by alot faster. So, start now, and you could be eligible for your school's scholarships and whatnot. Universities do have cut off dates for fasfas....around march or so, but don't hold me to it. Start now!

Answer 6

Start gathering your letters of recommendation NOW! don't wait until thanksgiving when everybody else realizes they need them. If you know what schools you want to go to, check their application deadlines....NOW! There are different types of admissions. Rolling admissions means they constantly accept applications and there is no deadline. So the earlier you submit a complete application, the better. Early decision is a binding decision where you promise to attend the university despite what anyone else has offered you. Early action is non-binding. Both of these programs let you know before Christmas of your acceptance/denial. Regular admission means there is a specific deadline that you must meet.
Again, check with the schools you wish to attend to see what their financial aid deadlines are. Most have early financial aid deadlines to file the FAFSA.

Answer 7

Most colleges will state the deadline on the application. Aplly as early as you can to show initiative. Talk to your school guidance counselor about advice on when to apply for financial aid. Early is best there as well.

Answer 8

Apply for college? When you least expect it. I started applying when I started my senior year of high school. Now I just have to wait for my first year of College to start! University of Washington, yay!

Answer 9

your guidance counselor at school should be able to give you a lot of help with applying for both school and financial aid. go see them, and they can help you pick out good schools that match your interests, price ranges, etc.
good luck!

Answer 10

You should apply now. Not sure about the aid.