For parents of college-bound high school seniors, now begins a month of agony.

Over the next four or five weeks, parents across the United States will endure that most excruciating of all rites of passage: hounding, badgering and otherwise harassing their children into filling out their college applications in time to meet the deadlines.

Believe me, it’s not a pretty sight.

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The Application Process

J a n u a r y - F e b r u a r y :

1. Complete your federal tax return as early as you can. (If you are unable to complete your tax return in time to meet the financial aid application deadlines, estimate to the best of your ability. If you miss these deadlines, you will reduce your opportunity to obtain financial aid.)

2. Complete the FAFSA and ask that the results be sent to the schools your son or daughter is applying to. (You will be mailed an acknowledgement after completing the FAFSA. Verify that the information shown in the acknowledgement is accurate, and submit any corrections immediately.)

3. If required, complete the PROFILE and/or each school’s financial aid applications. Many colleges have their own scholarships, based on academic or extracurricular achievement. If you feel that the information in the FAFSA does not accurately reflect your family circumstances, contact financial aid offices directly for guidance.

M a r c h - A p r i l :

1. Colleges will notify you of their admission decisions and make financial aid offers.

2. Celebrate your acceptances! Review financial aid awards, and make a deposit to hold your student’s place in the first-year class of the college of his or her choice.

S u m m e r :

1. Complete necessary loan forms, if applicable.

2. Begin making tuition payments.