Decision Day is the day you finalize your plans for next year and there are some concrete steps you need to take to ensure you have officially decided your future.
Tell The School
Each school that you applied and were accepted to provided you with a financial aid award package and instructions on how to accept. You need to return this paperwork to officially sign on as a student for next year. Typically schools want to hear back by May 1 to secure your position, and financial aid awards.
So if you haven't sent in your paperwork, today is the day!
Once you have completed your paperwork for the school you plan to attend - be sure to let any other colleges that offered you aid that you won't be attending. This is a common courtesy so they can reallocate your spot to someone else. This is also your chance to complete paperwork for reimbursements on housing deposits that you may be refunded.
Make Your Plans
Once you know where you're heading you can begin to make plans -
- Where you're going to live?
- What items do you need before you move in?
- Will you have a roommate? Have you completed the roommate matching application?
- Figure out your final financial plan
That last one can be a big one. If you have a gap in your financial aid funding that you have left to fill, now is the time to make a plan. Talk to the financial aid office about a payment plan or consider student loans. ICAN can help in this area and we're happy to talk to you about your needs and help you create a plan to cover your costs. Get in touch with an ICAN advisor at (877) 272-4692 to get started.
Watch for information about upcoming orientation sessions and be sure to register for an early session. Freshmen are the last to register for classes, so if you are in the last orientation session, you are getting the last available classes which may not give you the best schedule for next Fall.
Good luck and enjoy your final month of high school.
Brittania - ICAN Hiawatha Center
