Deadlines

The time you spend in college might be the most deadline-heavy time of your life. From study groups to exams, you're on a time-table that lasts all semester. Beyond the classroom, deadlines for financial aid should be a top priority in your busy schedule.

Research Deadlines
Just like a car or home loan, failing to make payments on your student loan can affect your credit, making it harder to obtain credit in the future. You may not always get a reminder from the financial aid office or your lender, but it's essential to know deadlines for reapplying or repaying. Keep track of your deadlines, and stay in touch with the financial aid office for more information.

Upgrade Your Calendar
It's hard to keep track of day planners, loose forms and schedules, and important emails. You may want to simplify your life by keeping a large desktop calendar in a place where you'll see it every morning--the kitchen wall, or next to the front door. Financial aid deadlines can be the most important and yet the easiest to forget. Keep it all on a calendar and you'll be more likely to stay on top of them.

Help Yourself
Your college has a financial aid office that's just a phone call or email away. They're experts on your financial aid, and they can answer questions and help you stay on top of deadlines. Keep them on speed dial.

Save the Dates
Get ready for these big financial aid deadlines:

• FAFSA on the Web: begin filing in January
• Institutional Aid - check with your financial aid office
• State Financial Aid: Varies - check with your financial aid office
• Income Tax Return: Mid-April (you may need to submit copies of tax returns to the financial aid office to verify information you submitted on the FAFSA)

Once you get organized, it's easier to be on top of the deadlines that affect your financial aid.