It's undoubtedly that time of year, seniors, where you start to hear your friends and classmates talking about applying to college and for financial aid. Are you feeling pressure that your plans may not be yet fully laid out? Don't be! It is important to recognize your friends and classmates may have very different timelines than you may have based on a variety of factors. You've got time!

Your job is to understand how you are applying to college (Early Decision? Early Action? Regular Admission?), when the deadlines for your specific schools are, and what you need to do to meet the admissions requirements. Each college may have its own admissions deadline and then perhaps a different deadline for when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is due.

In addition to keeping an open line of communication about your college admissions and financial aid processes with your parent(s) and school counselor, the best thing you can do is to stay organized. Feel free to use our college planning timeline on the first two pages of our College Admissions Insider for our College Guru's Suggested Timeline to keep track of your important college deadlines.

One of the first deadlines in the application process is for those students applying Early Action or Early Decision. Early application status is generally intended for students who are a strong fit for a particular college or university. Most early applicants have grades and standardized test scores at or above the average admitted student for the college. To apply early, students will have to adjust all their timelines so that the pieces of their application are ready to send in early November (usually by November 1st or 15th). If you think you might be a good candidate for Early Action or Early Decision, it is important to have a conversation with your school counselor to determine if this is indeed a good fit for you. Learn more about applying to college here!

There is still plenty of time to meet with one of our Center for College Planning (CCP) College Counselors to talk through the college admissions process and to identify a list of schools that may be a good fit and match for you (and to file your FAFSA!). Call us at 888.747.2382, ext. 119 to schedule your appointment today!

This November, 50 public high schools in New Hampshire are participating in the state’s “I Am College Bound/I Applied” initiative, part of a national campaign to encourage all high school seniors to pursue a postsecondary education. Seniors at are encouraged to submit at least one college admission application during a designated school day with the support of school and local higher education professionals.

Students who submit an application during their high school's event will be able to apply to every New Hampshire college and university for FREE! Students should register with their school counseling office by Thursday, November 1^st (but it's also okay to walk-in during your school's event!). For a list of participating high schools and to learn more about this program, click here.

As you think about applying to college, it is also time for you to think about paying for your education. The federal government provides some self‐help aid, and if you are interested in accessing this aid (of course you are interested!), you will need to apply for federal financial aid by filing the 2020‐2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In order to file the FAFSA, you and one parent will need an FSA ID. An FSA ID, which is comprised of a username and password, will provide access to the Federal Student Aid's online systems and serves as your legal signature for your FAFSA as well as any future federal student loan applications. For tips on setting up your FSA ID, click here.

The Center for College Planning (CCP) helps families file the FAFSA in our Concord office every day of the year. For a list of dates, times, and items you will need to have if you would like us to help you file your FAFSA, click here. Call us at 888.747.2382, ext. 119 to book an appointment today.

An added benefit? Our FAFSA Filing Frenzy Contest runs through the Spring ‐ and your senior class could win cash to use towards a school‐sponsored senior class activity. Learn more here ‐ and talk with your school's counseling office to see how your school could participate!

High school juniors, parent(s), and guardian(s) are encouraged to attend our 21^st Annual Destination College, a FREE statewide college planning event! This not‐to‐be‐missed event will be held on the beautiful campus of Saint Anselm College on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Attendees will hear from experts on a variety of college planning topics and also attend a FREE college fair featuring representatives from more than 60 colleges from throughout New England.

The event is open to all New Hampshire high school juniors, but registration is required. Registration for this event will open in mid‐January 2020. For more information, visit destinationcollege.org.