HHS SENIOR CHECKLIST
August
 Ensure that your senior schedule meets all graduation
requirements for your diploma.
 Identify what SOL tests you have left to take for
graduation.
 Acquire an e-mail address for college applications,
SAT/ACT registration and FAFSA applications.
 Pay your senior dues.
September
 Discuss your career and/or college plans with your high
school counselor.
 Complete a senior information sheet for your guidance
counselor.
 Request college applications.
 Arrange campus visits.
 Register to take the SAT/ACT, if necessary.
 Continue to search for scholarships and ways to pay.
 Check out www.virginiamentor.org for scholarships,
SAT/ACT prep, college and career information.
 Stay organized: File copies of applications and
correspondence. Keep your calendar up-to-date tracking
important dates and deadlines.
 Attend college fairs and College Night Plus.
October
 Verify that your transcripts are accurate.
 Find out which financial aid applications are required at
your choice colleges.
 Ask for letters of recommendation to include with your
admissions and/or scholarship applications. (Ask teachers,
coaches, counselors, employers who know you pretty
well.)
 Work on admissions application essays. Have at least one
other person proofread your essay.
 “Early Decision” candidates should complete college
applications.
 Submit a completed transcript request form to your
guidance counselor.
November
 Continue completing your college applications.
 Search for additional sources of financial aid. Check out
the scholarship drawer in the Guidance Career Center.
 Order your cap and gown.
December
 Complete school applications ideally by December 1.
 Collect family tax information.
 Stay organized and keep up your grades!
January
 Attend the financial aid workshops at HHS with your
parent/guardian(s).
 Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.
Some student aid programs award funds on a first-come,

first-serve basis until funds are depleted. Waiting too long
to submit your FAFSA could be costly.
Fill out and submit other required financial aid forms.
Follow instructions carefully and make copies.
February-March
 College decisions start arriving.
 Watch the mail or e-mail for your Student Aid Report
(SAR). Carefully examine the results. A mistake could
cause you to miss out on college funding.
 Don’t panic if you are selected for verification. Just
provide the college with the documents they need.
 Stay on top of important financial aid deadlines.
 Respond quickly to college requests for additional
documentation.
 College acceptance and financial award letters start
arriving.
 Complete your graduation application and turn it in to
guidance.
April
 Carefully analyze your letters.
 Make a decision, most colleges request your reply by May
1, and send in your tuition deposit.
 Notify other colleges that you will not be attending.
 Register for Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if necessary.
 Mark your calendar with important deadlines (housing,
meals, transportation, financial aid, etc.).
May
 Let your guidance counselor know where you are
attending college (if applicable) so that they can send
your final transcripts.
 Notify the college financial aid office of any additional
funding you will be receiving (scholarships and loans,
etc.).
 Evaluate student loan lenders and take time to understand
student loans.
 Send thank you notes to individuals who helped you get in.
June
 Attend graduation practice.
Summer
 Still need money for college? Complete necessary loan
applications. Borrow only what you need to cover the
cost of your education. Every dollar you don’t borrow is a
dollar you don’t have to repay.
 Register for and attend orientation.
 Complete any college financial aid info received, if you
have questions-ASK.
 Finalize your budget.