High School Checklist

Junior Year in High School
 
  • Begin to look for scholarships offered by foundations, clubs, and other organizations that match your background, accomplishments and goals.
  • Ask your high school guidance counselor for help locating resources that detail these "private" scholarships.
  • Visit trustworthy web sites like www.finaid.org, www.fastweb.com,  and www.collegeboard.com.  As a rule, do not pay anyone to search for scholarships for you.
  • As you discover possibilities, contact each organization to ask for application procedures and materials.
  • Take the PSAT. Those who score highest nationally often are eligible for significant scholarships.
  • Toward the end of your junior year, take the ACT and/or the SAT test.
Senior Year in High School
 
  • Consider taking the ACT and/or SAT a second time to possibly raise your score.
  • Apply for admission to Cornerstone University.
  • Apply for those "private" scholarships that fit your profile before each program's deadline.
Winter of Senior Year in High School
 
  • In January or early February (for Michigan residents, the priority filing deadline for new students is March 1) complete your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The school code for Cornerstone is 002266. You will probably need your parents' assistance. If you cannot file online, you may complete a paper form, but processing will be slower.
  • If you have questions while completing the form, call the Student Financial Services office at Cornerstone or 1-800-4-FED-AID, or log onto www.finaid.org.
  • Respond quickly and completely to any university requests for additional information.
  • Apply for institutional scholarships by the first Monday in February. Apply by visiting the university aid section of our website.
Spring of Senior Year in High School
 
  • If you submitted your FAFSA by mid-February, you should receive a financial aid offer by early April.
  • Note: If you find that you are running a little behind on this schedule, do not give up. Even students begin the financial aid process late are usually able to get some help paying for college.

  • If you complete each step of this process in a timely manner it will be much easier and less stressful.