12th Grade Student Checklist | Pinnacle Charter Schools

Checklist for 12th Grade Students

12th grade is the crucial year to prepare for college admission and apply for federal student aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Here’s what students and parents should focus on throughout the year to stay on track and manage federal student aid efficiently.

Students

To Do:

All Year

• Work diligently towards graduation—second-semester grades can impact scholarship eligibility.
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities and aim for leadership roles.

Fall

• Complete and submit your FAFSA® form as soon as possible after its Oct. 1 release at fafsa.gov. Also, complete any other financial aid applications required by your chosen schools. Aim to submit by early February, meeting the earliest financial aid deadline of your selected schools.
• Expect your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks after submitting the FAFSA form. Review it, make any necessary corrections, and submit them promptly.
• Register for and take required standardized tests for college admission. Verify the test requirements with the colleges you are interested in.
• Apply to your chosen colleges, ensuring careful preparation of your applications and adherence to deadlines.
• Request your counselor and teachers to submit necessary documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation) to the colleges before application deadlines.
• Complete any remaining scholarship applications.

Spring

• Visit colleges that have offered you admission.
• Review and compare financial aid offers from colleges.
• Contact financial aid offices if you have questions about the aid offered. Establish a relationship with the financial aid staff for ongoing support.
• Decide on the college you wish to attend, notify them of your commitment, and submit any required financial deposit by May 1.

To Explore:

• Watch videos in the “FAFSA: Apply for Aid” playlist on YouTube to understand the FAFSA process better.
• Follow the office of Federal Student Aid on Twitter and Facebook for regular financial aid tips.
• Make informed decisions about student loans by reviewing resources on Federal Versus Private Loans and Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students.

REMEMBER: Register for all tests in advance and prepare adequately. If you face difficulty paying registration fees, ask your school counselor about fee waivers.

Parents

To Do:

• Assist your child in filling out the FAFSA form.

To Explore:

• Ensure your child’s personal information is safe during financial aid applications by reading Federal Student Aid and Identity Theft.
• Read IRS Publication 970 to understand how you might benefit from federal income tax credits for education expenses.
• Understand the benefits of federal student loans.
• Help your child learn about the responsibilities of accepting a student loan by reviewing “What should I consider when taking out federal student loans?” together.
• Review communications from schools where your child sent FAFSA information. If offered Direct PLUS Loans, refer to the Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students and Federal Student Loans: Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents booklets.