Visit Colleges
If possible, visit colleges that have invited you to enroll.
Review Acceptances
Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers.
- Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you.
- In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what—they can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit.
Choose a College
Choosing the Right College, a video by FAFSAMADEEASY: Comparing colleges to narrow your choices before applying helps make your final choice easier.
When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.
- Sign Up for New Student Orientation. These are one to two-day sessions to give first-year students and transfer students an overview of what to expect as a new college student. Often, family members are invited to attend orientation along with their students. It can include: tours of the campus and residence halls, placement tests, class registration, help with a peer counselor/staff advisor, and meeting new classmates.
- Sign Up for On-Campus Housing. Many schools group freshmen together in the same dormitories or areas of campus, meaning you will be living with other first-year students and sharing this new chapter with others in the exact same situation.
