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Preparing For College

 Preparing for college can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. Below are some steps and helpful information to make preparing, applying, and paying for college easier.
Fall of your Senior Year in High School
  • Early in your senior year, select three or four schools that interest you, and obtain admission applications and general information from each.
  • Make a note of important deadlines and meet them.
  • Make an appointment with your high school guidance counselor early in the school year to discuss your top school choices and your career path.
  • Schedule a visit to each college/university through the Admissions/Recruiting Office.
  • Schedule admission and placement examinations, including:
  • Schedule follow-up visits with your High School Guidance Counselor throughout the year to verify that all of the necessary information has been forwarded to your school choices:
    • Test scores
    • Transcripts
    • Letters of reference
    • Essays, if necessary
  • Keep your guidance counselor informed of any offers or acceptance letters that you may receive
  • Go to www.pin.ed.gov to register for a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Your PIN serves as your e-signature for the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are a dependent student, a parent should also register for a PIN at this time. See instructions on the Senior's Guide to Planning for College.

Download the complete Senior's Guide to Preparing for College

How to Apply for Financial Aid

  • Apply online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. *Note: If you are asked to "pay" for this application, you are at the incorrect website.
  • The Central Processor sends a Student Aid Report (SAR) to you and your college within four to six weeks. Just review and follow the SAR instructions. Note: In order for your college to receive the SAR, you must list the college or university.
  • The school determines your aid based on your SAR information. You will be notified if additional documents are needed. If the college/university selects you for verification, please submit a signed copy of your tax returns to the financial aid office immediately.
  • Your financial aid office will contact you to accept your award. At this time, select Lela as your lender (Lender code: 805149) to receive the savings of no federal default fee, when utilizing a no-fee guarantor (effective July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010).
  • Once your financial aid office processes your loan, you will receive a Master Promissory Note (MPN) or certification in the mail that you must complete and return as instructed. The loan funds will be sent to your school when your request has been processed.
  • Any questions? Feel free to contact Lela’s Customer Service Department toll-free at 800-228-4755 or email us at info@lela.org.

College Goal Sunday

In February of your senior year, attend a College Goal Sunday event at a location closest to you to get help completing your FASFA. For more information about College Goal Sunday, visit www.collegegoalsunday.com.

Spring of your Senior Year

  • Apply for Financial Aid on or after January 1, 2009 and typically prior to May 1, 2009 to be included for all aid if you plan to attend the Fall 2009 semester. Check with your school for specific dates unique to their campus.
  • Receive, review, and revise your Student Aid Report (SAR) from each of your college choices. Make certain all the information on your SAR is correct.
  • Compare acceptance and financial aid packages from each of your college choices.
  • Accept all financial aid packages now. You can decline them later, once you make your final decision.
  • Select a college, and notify the others that you are declining their offers.
  • Look for summer jobs to help with college costs.

Consider All Types of Financial Aid

Scholarship Opportunities

  • Register for Lela's Quarterly $1000 Scholarship Drawing. Click here to register.
  • Search online here. Visit bookstores or libraries to review directories of scholarship opportunities.
  • Check with your guidance counselor for scholarship information he/she may receive throughout the year.
  • Search local newspaper archives for ideas from past scholarship announcements and awards.
  • Search the Internet, using your personal interests or strengths as keywords.
  • Create a list of all potential scholarships. Include information such as requirements, deadlines, and award amounts, and submit the information on a timely basis.
  • Plan to spend at least 50 hours conducting your scholarship search.
  • February is officially "Financial Aid Awareness Month" (FAAM). Check back for additional scholarship opportunities for Louisiana High School Seniors during FAAM.
  • Check with the college of your discipline (College of Nursing) at your campus for other scholarship opportunities.