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College application timeline · Junior → Senior year
The college application process spans 18 months — from junior spring through senior May. This timeline shows what to do each month, what scholarship deadlines coincide, and when the decisions that actually cost money happen.
The two deadlines most students miss — and they cost money
Month-by-month plan
January (Junior Year)
Junior yearRegister for SAT/ACT — aim for spring testing (March, April, or June)
Start your college list: 10–15 schools, research reach/match/likely balance
Shadow a professional or start a new activity that shows a theme
Scholarships this month
QuestBridge College Prep Scholars application opens (early juniors)
Research local Rotary and civic club scholarships — many open in spring
February–March (Junior Year)
Junior yearRetake PSAT if applicable, review score report for SAT prep areas
Visit 2–3 campuses (virtual tours count)
Begin résumé: log every activity, award, and job since freshman year
Scholarships this month
Local community foundation scholarships open (many: Feb–April)
High school internal scholarship lists posted — ask your counselor
April–May (Junior Year)
Junior yearTake AP exams — scores matter for credit and some scholarship applications
Finalize your college list to 8–12 schools
Draft your Common App activity list (150 characters per activity)
Ask a teacher for a recommendation letter — now, before senior year rush
Scholarships this month
Apply to all local and community foundation scholarships before deadlines
Look up Coca-Cola Scholars, Elks MVS, and Horatio Alger — note October deadlines
June–July (Between Junior and Senior Year)
Junior yearDraft your main Common App essay — have a strong first draft before August
Research financial aid: read each school's net price calculator
Create a spreadsheet: school, deadline, essay prompts, financial aid deadlines
Consider an SAT/ACT retake in summer if scores aren't where you want
Scholarships this month
Flinn Scholars application opens — check if you're eligible (top AZ students)
QuestBridge National Match application opens in August — prepare your profile
August (Senior Year starts)
Senior yearFinalize Common App essay — get feedback from 1–2 trusted readers
Open the Common App and fill in the basics
Confirm your college list: reach, match, and safety schools confirmed
Send fall grades to any schools that request them (Common App Updates)
Scholarships this month
QuestBridge National Match application opens (~August 1)
Flinn Scholars first-round deadline (AZ students, top academic profile)
September (Senior Year)
Senior yearAsk recommendation writers to confirm (give them your résumé + essay draft)
Complete your school list with specific deadlines mapped out
FAFSA opens October 1 — gather your tax returns and FSA ID
Write school-specific supplemental essays for your top schools
Scholarships this month
Coca-Cola Scholars application opens (September)
HSF (Hispanic Scholarship Fund) application opens — profile due before October
Elks MVS application opens
October (Senior Year)
Senior yearFile the FAFSA as close to October 1 as possible — AZ Promise priority is October 1
Submit Early Decision / Early Action applications (most deadlines: Nov 1 or Nov 15)
Complete any remaining SAT/ACT testing
Scholarships this month
Coca-Cola Scholars: deadline October 31
Elks MVS: deadline varies by local lodge (many in October)
Horatio Alger Arizona: deadline October (check annually)
QuestBridge National Match: deadline October 1
November (Senior Year)
Senior yearSubmit Early Decision / Early Action applications if not done
Work on Regular Decision applications (most: January 1)
Follow up with recommenders to confirm submission
Scholarships this month
ASU scholarship application opens (submit by February 1)
UA scholarship application: submit as early as possible
Gates Scholarship: November deadline
December (Senior Year)
Senior yearSubmit Regular Decision applications — don't wait until January 1
Review financial aid award letters as EA/ED decisions arrive
File CSS Profile if any schools require it
Scholarships this month
Local Rotary club scholarships start opening (December–February)
Dell Scholars: application opens December 1
January–February (Senior Year)
Senior yearSubmit all remaining Regular Decision applications by January 1
Priority FAFSA deadline for most AZ schools: February 1
Submit ASU and UA scholarship applications by February 1
Accept or decline any Early Decision offers
Scholarships this month
ASU scholarship deadline: February 1
UA scholarship priority deadline: February 1
LULAC scholarship applications open
Community foundation awards: most open February–April
March–May (Senior Year)
Senior yearCompare financial aid award letters — use the Aid Finder to decode them
Consider appealing if a package seems low (financial aid appeal guide)
Commit to a school by May 1 (National Decision Day)
Send final transcripts and enrollment confirmation
Scholarships this month
High school internal scholarships: most senior-year deadlines are in spring
Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis: spring deadlines
State of AZ community foundation: apply before April/May deadlines
Tools for each stage
FAFSA prep checklist
Everything you need before you sit down to file — October 1 matters.
EA vs ED vs RD — when to apply
Binding ED vs non-binding EA: which is right for you and your aid situation.
Scholarship deadline calendar
August 2025–May 2026 deadlines for 30+ scholarships, by month.
Essay topic brainstormer
Start your Common App essay in June — don't wait until August.
Arizona's biggest scholarships
Flinn, QuestBridge, Obama Scholars — verify your on-track status now.
Build your college list
Reach / match / likely tool — with Arizona public university quick-adds.