Postmark applications for VSAC-assisted scholarships! Apply (with all completed documents) by the deadline to be considered for the 150 scholarships VSAC administers to Vermont students. Search for other scholarships as well.

Stay in the fast lane for financial aid. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR), received after you submit the FAFSA, and make corrections as needed. Log-in to myVSAC to check the status of your Vermont grant application.

Follow up with details to avoid road blocks or delays. Do you need to send tax returns to financial aid offices? Schools that required the CSS Profile may ask for signed copies of 2009 federal returns by a certain deadline.

Enrolled in an AP class? Check with your school to be sure you are registered by March 15 for the AP exams, given in early May. Use VSAC’s online test-prep tools to prepare.

Compare offers. College acceptances and financial aid notifications may start arriving this month. Use VSAC’s online Award Letter Comparison Tool (Excel) to evaluate your choices. Look for remaining notifications by April 1.

Contemplating a gap year? Many colleges allow you to defer admission for one year to pursue an internship, volunteer (community service such as AmeriCorps, for example), or take an educational trip. Plan your course now.

Not sure about college majors (PDF)? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. The good news is that you don’t need to know what you want to do right now. Take this time to explore your career options using Vermont Guidance Central.

Think summer (and beyond!). Will you get a summer job to earn money for college expenses? Volunteer for a cause? Plan ahead so you'll make your time between high school graduation and college count.

Decision time! Compare offers using VSAC’s online Comparison Tool (Excel), then select a school and place a deposit by May 1. Keep in mind that financial aid can be used for many types of education after high school. Check with VSAC for details.

Look for Vermont grant notifications! Check your application status at myVSAC. Update the FAFSA once 2009 tax returns are complete and send in signed copies if needed to stay on track for financial aid.

Undecided? Get on campus if possible. Spend a night in the dorm, attend classes, and talk to students and faculty. Can you imagine yourself there in the fall? For an inside look at what other students have to say, go to www.unigo.com.

Make your final choice! Most colleges require students to select a school and place a deposit by May 1. Sign and send back your financial aid award notification letter (PDF), too. (Be aware that the addresses for financial aid and admissions may be different.)

Prepare for AP exams given in May using free online AP test-prep tools. Review what to bring on exam day. You may get college credit or entrance into higher-level courses if you score well on the test.

Firm up summer plans. Will you get a job? Attend a summer learning program? Take advantage of opportunities designed specifically for high school students.

Doing a gap year? Find out the requirements for deferring admission and make sure you complete all the forms needed for your program to approve the request. (Some schools may require that information when you accept the admissions offer.)

Focus on your studies. If grades slump in your final semester, you may face probation from the college or even withdrawal of an admissions offer.

Congrats! You’ve made your choice! As you celebrate, check that your deposit and acceptance arrived at the admissions office, and that your signed notification letter (PDF) made it to the financial aid office. (These may be separate campus addresses.)

Fill in the financing gaps. Many families use federal education loans — Stafford loans (for students) and PLUS loans (for parents) — to finance a portion of the college bill. Learn more. Contact VSAC if you have any changes to your Vermont grant status.

Take AP exams in early May. Arrange to have exam scores sent to your college for possible course credit. AP courses or dual-credit classes you’ve taken may help you qualify for upper-level courses (saving you effort and money).

You’ve got mail! Because of federal privacy rules, college info may come to you, not your parents, by snail mail or e-mail. So if you’ve been using high school e-mail, switch to your college e-mail account.

Finalize gap year details if it's on your radar to pursue other interests before heading to college or other education programs. Discuss specifics for deferring admission, and complete any required paperwork.

Avoid senioritis! Your school-to-be wants to see you finish the year strong. You’ll be asked to send in your final high school transcript, so don’t allow your grades to falter in the final stretch. Need an incentive? Glimpse some differences you'll face (PDF) at college.

Search for a summer job. Most colleges expect students to pitch in for college expenses. Create a resume that showcases your abilities and work ethic, and practice managing your money — you’ll need to perfect that skill next fall!

Send thank-you notes to everyone who helped you this year. It’s old-fashioned, but do it anyway. E-mail thank-yous are fine — just send ’em! Then congratulate yourself (and your parents) for completing the college admissions process!