October 1st is the first day you and your student can file their FASFA for the 2021-22 school year. The day is fast approaching whether you've been saving and planning for your child's college education the past 18 years or you just recently started discussing college plans with your child, senior year is the time when many decisions need to be made.

The summer before your child's senior year is a good time to narrow down college choices. If you haven't done so already, now is the time to research colleges online, request catalogs, attend college fairs, and visit campuses to help finalize the list of schools.

Be sure to note specific school deadlines for applications, scholarships, and financial aid forms and check it regularly. The following calendar is a general overview of the application and financial aid process.