Timelines

FIND TIME TO MEET APPLICATION DEADLINES!

By now, you’ve probably learned that applying to college requires submitting lots of information. It’s easy to lose track.

If you are a high school senior, here are a few critical dates to remember:

September

• Register for fall SATs and ACTs and remember to include Fairmont State’s code (our SAT code is 5211; our ACT code is 4520) on your registration forms--that way we’ll automatically receive your scores. (If you already took the SAT last spring, this is a good chance to raise your score.) Don’t forget to study!
• Meet with your high school college counselor to make sure you’re on track to graduate and that your classes meet our admission requirements. If you’re able, take AP or honors classes—colleges like to see seniors continue to challenge themselves.

October

• Come visit us.
• Take your SAT or ACT exams. (Good luck!)
• Register for ACTs, if you plan to take them in December. (Fairmont State’s code is 4520.)

November

• Submit your application.

December

• Take your ACTs.
• Remind your "letter-of-recommendation" writers to complete letters and mail them in.
• Use your holiday break to tie up any loose application details.

January

• Complete the FAFSA—this is your key financial aid form. Though many schools give students March deadlines for completing the FAFSA, financial aid is generally awarded on a first-come-first-served basis. The sooner you get the process started, the sooner you’ll receive an award (if you qualify).
• If you are from West Virginia--complete the Common Application for State Level Financial Programs to receive consideration for the PROMISE Scholarship (you need a 3.0 GPA or above in your core classes and overall). Your deadline to apply for the PROMISE Scholarship is January 31. The deadline to apply for the West Virginia Higher Education Grant using the same Common Application is March 1.

February

• File your FAFSA, if you haven’t already, by February 14.
• Finish and submit any scholarship applications.

March

• Come visit us.
• Take note of whether or not you have received your Student Aid Report (SAR). This is the document that arrives after you complete the FAFSA. Check it for accuracy and submit any changes if necessary.

May

• Take any appropriate AP exams. Scoring well can earn you college credit and save you money!

June

• Celebrate your graduation from high school!