When should I start preparing for college admission?

You should start preparing in freshman year of high school. This includes focusing on grades, exploring extracurricular activities, and beginning to think about your interests and potential career paths.

What are the most important college admission deadlines?

Key deadlines include: Early Decision/Early Action (November 1-15), Regular Decision (January 1-15), FAFSA opens (October 1), and CSS Profile deadline (varies by school). Our timeline tracker helps you never miss a deadline.

How many college admission tasks are there?

There are 374+ tasks across all four years of high school, including academic preparation, standardized testing, extracurricular activities, college research, applications, and financial aid.

What is included in the admission timeline?

The timeline includes tasks for: A-G requirements tracking, standardized test prep (SAT/ACT/AP), college research and visits, application essays, letters of recommendation, financial aid (FAFSA/CSS), and scholarship applications.

Attend financial aid workshops - Junior Year College Admission

Overview

Understanding financial aid before senior year helps your family plan effectively and avoid last-minute stress. These workshops are genuinely helpful!

Cash for College Workshops (California)

Free workshops held statewide October-March that help families complete FAFSA and California Dream Act applications.

Find events at: csac.ca.gov/cash-for-college

What You'll Learn

How FAFSA works and what determines your aid eligibility
Difference between grants (free money!), loans (must repay), and work-study
CSS Profile requirements for private schools
California-specific aid: Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, Middle Class Scholarship, Blue and Gold
How to create FSA IDs

Important Parent Action

Both student AND one parent need to create separate FSA IDs at studentaid.gov. This takes 1-3 days to verify, so start early!

Overview

Understanding financial aid before senior year helps your family plan effectively and avoid last-minute stress. These workshops are genuinely helpful!

Cash for College Workshops (California)

Free workshops held statewide October-March that help families complete FAFSA and California Dream Act applications.

Find events at: csac.ca.gov/cash-for-college

What You'll Learn

How FAFSA works and what determines your aid eligibility
Difference between grants (free money!), loans (must repay), and work-study
CSS Profile requirements for private schools
California-specific aid: Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, Middle Class Scholarship, Blue and Gold
How to create FSA IDs

Important Parent Action

Both student AND one parent need to create separate FSA IDs at studentaid.gov. This takes 1-3 days to verify, so start early!

Attend financial aid workshops

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

Cash for College Workshops (California)

What You'll Learn

Important Parent Action

Helpful Resources

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks

Attend financial aid workshops

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

Cash for College Workshops (California)

What You'll Learn

Important Parent Action

Helpful Resources

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks