Salina Virtual Innovation Academy

Kansas Apply Free Days
Kansas's first Apply Free Days will be held on November 7-9, 2023, for Kansas residents! During these three days, any Kansas resident, regardless of age or income, can apply for free at any of our 7 public universities, 19 community colleges, 6 Technical colleges, and the 21 private member institutions of the Kansas Independent College Association. Eligible programs include general applications, certificate programs, associate degree programs, and bachelor's degree programs. (Graduate programs or other mid-degree applications will not qualify. All institutions will still have application fee waivers available during the entire year for students who qualify for financial hardship. Those forms will not be required during the Apply Free window. (Remember- Kansas Community Colleges, PSU, Washburn U, and many of our private institutions never have general application fees. Visit our new Apply Free Days website for more information and frequently asked questions.

2024-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Form
The 2024-25 FAFSA is scheduled to open on December 15, 2023. Students enrolling for the academic year 2024/2025 can submit their FAFSA; families should use their 2022 income tax information. Before students and parents can complete the FAFSA, the student and parent must create an FSA ID. To create your FSA ID go to FSA ID Website.

EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY

• February 1 - Priority deadline
• March 15 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid
• To apply for talent scholarships, contact the department directly. Contact information is on their site.

FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY

• December 15 - Priority deadline for general scholarship
• February 15 - Final deadline for general scholarships
• March 15 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

• December 1 - Priority deadline for premiere scholarships
• February 1 - College/Departmental scholarship deadline
• February 1 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid

PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY

• February 1 - Deadline for general scholarships

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

• December 1 - Priority deadline for general scholarships
• March 1-Priority date for Federal Financial Aid

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY

• WSU begins awarding scholarships for incoming freshmen in September. Apply early for full consideration for scholarships
• October 15 - Deadline for admittance to be included in the DSI Competition (Distinguished Scholars Invitational)
• December 1 - Deadline for freshman merit scholarships

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

• Register for the SAT and/or ACT if you didn’t take a college entrance exam as a junior or want to take one again. Remember: Your counselor can help with fee waivers.
• Take a look at some college applications. Make note of all the pieces of information you will need to compile.
• Check with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.
• Take every opportunity to get to know colleges. Meet with college representatives who visit your school, attend local college fairs, and visit campuses.
• Narrow down your list of colleges. Collect information about the application and financial aid process at each school.
• Create a checklist and calendar to keep track of standardized test dates, college application due dates, and financial aid deadlines. Make note of the other materials, such as recommendations or essays, you’ll need to complete your applications.

OCTOBER

• Some colleges will have deadlines (rolling, priority, early decision, and early action) as early as this month.
• If you cannot afford the application fees that many colleges charge, ask your counselor to help you request a fee waiver.
• Finalize your college essay. Many schools will require that you submit at least one essay with your application.
• Request personal recommendations from teachers, school counselors, or employers.
• Research scholarships. Ask your counselor, your colleges, and local religious and civic groups about scholarship opportunities. You should never pay for scholarship information.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

• Finalize and send any early decision or early action applications due this month. Have a parent, teacher, counselor, or other adult review the application before it is submitted.
• Every college will require a copy of your transcript from your high school. Follow your school’s procedure for sending transcripts.
• File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after Dec. 15 as possible. In addition to determining your eligibility for federal funds, many colleges and states use the form when distributing grants, so don’t delay. Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR)—it should arrive four weeks after the FAFSA is filed.
• Make sure testing companies have sent your scores directly to the colleges to which you are applying.
• Begin to organize regular decision applications and financial aid forms, which will be due in January and/or February.
• If needed, register for the January SAT. It is the last one colleges will be able to consider for a senior.
• Many popular and selective colleges will have application deadlines as early as Jan. 1. Others have deadlines later in January and February.
• If necessary, register for the February ACT (some colleges will be able consider it).
• In January, ask your guidance office to send first semester transcripts to schools where you applied. At the end of the school year, they will need to send final transcripts to the college you will attend.

FEBRUARY-MAY

• Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will start to arrive. Review your acceptances, compare financial aid packages, and visit your final choices.
• Don’t slack in the classroom. The college you decide to attend will want to see your second semester transcript.
• May 1 is the date when the college you plan to attend requires a commitment and deposit. When you’ve made your college decision, notify your counselor. Send in your deposit by the postmark date of May 1. If you’ve been offered financial aid, accept the offer and follow the instructions given. Also notify schools you will not attend of your decision.
• Request that your final transcript be sent to the college you will be attending.
• If you are wait-listed by a college you really want to attend, visit, call, and write the admission office to make your interest clear. Ask how you can strengthen your application.

Information Courtesy of 2023 National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)