Timeline

Use this timeline as your guide throughout the annual financial aid process. Take the time to note events as they occur so that you have a record of when you complete them. Also, look ahead to plan for upcoming events.

Benchmark	Event
Mid-junior year in high school	Begin scholarship search process by collecting information on scholarships, their deadlines and application processes.
Mid-August	Admission application to UC for upcoming year available.
December 1	Admission application, transcript, and test scores must be received for Cincinnatus Scholarship Competition consideration.
January 1	FAFSA available. Complete the application as soon as possible after this date each year.
April	Initial Financial Aid Award Offers sent to students with complete records. Award Offers are sent continually as FAFSA data is received and students provide supplemental information, if requested. Use Check My Aid to monitor your aid status.
When accepting aid	Estimate your bill to understand amount needed to cover your expenses and plan for any out-of-pocket expenses.
After accepting aid	New UC loan borrowers complete loan counseling and promissory note(s).
Late May	Fall eBill available.
July 1	FAFSA should be submitted by this date to ensure completion of the full process in time for fall eBill payment due date. Students may continue to apply after this date though aid may not be processed by the time fall payment is due.
Mid-September	Postings of jobs for Federal Work-Study awardees available. Fall classes begin.
Mid-November	Winter eBill available.
January	Winter classes begin. Begin timeline again (see January 1)for next year's aid.
Early March	Spring eBill available. Students attending summer classes should contact One Stop regarding summer aid eligibility.
Late March	Spring classes begin.
Early June	Summer eBill available. Cincinnatus community service hours due for renewal of scholarship awards.
Mid-June	Summer classes begin.

Any time a student exits the university for more than just the summer (even if they plan to re-enroll later), exit counseling is required of student loan borrowers.

Key to being timely is to complete your FAFSA each year as soon after January 1 as possible.

Because some aid programs are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, an early application receives priority consideration for limited funding sources.