Win a $5,000 Scholarship

Applying to college?
Use our 4-step guide.

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Keep your college planning on track

Learn about preparing, applying, and paying for college.

Your December Checklist

View College Planning Calendar

Fill Out the FAFSA®

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens in December. Work with your family to begin gathering tax information, asset records, SSNs, and federal school codes.

Wait for Early Decision News

If you applied early decision, you might start to hear back. If you got in, make sure to withdraw applications from other colleges you applied to.

Submit Your Applications

Some regular decision applications have December due dates (though some can be as early as November). Even if your applications aren’t due until January, it’s a good goal to finish them up before the holidays.

Check Up on Your Transcripts

Double-check that your transcripts have been sent to each college you applied to.

Win a $5,000 scholarship from Discover® Student Loans.

Both students and parents are eligible.