{"id":3038,"date":"2026-10-02T12:09:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T17:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/blog\/?p=3038"},"modified":"2026-10-02T16:48:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T21:48:52","slug":"october-college-checklist-fafsa-psat-and-applications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/blog\/october-college-checklist-fafsa-psat-and-applications\/","title":{"rendered":"October College Checklist: FAFSA, PSAT, and Applications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n MONEY MONDAY \u00b7 FOR HIGH SCHOOL FAMILIES\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Hello, October!\n <\/h1>\n\n

\n By Sherri \u00b7 Imagine Scholarships \u00b7\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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FAFSA<\/h3>\n\n

Find the money.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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PSAT<\/h3>\n\n

Find your opportunities.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Applications<\/h3>\n\n

Finish what you started.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Pumpkins are appearing on porches, football is in full swing, and somewhere a high school senior is suddenly realizing that college application deadlines are no longer \u201cmonths away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

October is a BIG month for high school families. It\u2019s a big month for me, too. I\u2019m headed to my high school class reunion\u2014and I haven\u2019t seen some of these people in 40 years! How is that even possible?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also notice something new with Money Monday. After years of sharing college and scholarship advice with you, Money Monday is getting a little more room to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through our partnership with Red Kite, my newest Imagine Scholarships articles will now be featured on the Red Kite blog. I\u2019m still here, still writing, and still bringing you the practical college, scholarship, and financial aid information you\u2019ve come to expect\u2014just with even more resources available to help your family along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of it as the same Money Monday, bigger toolbox. I\u2019m excited about what\u2019s ahead, and I\u2019m especially excited that you\u2019re coming with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And speaking of what\u2019s ahead, October has plenty happening for high school students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This month, I want you to focus on three things: FAFSA, the PSAT, and college applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And because I don\u2019t believe in getting scared until Halloween, let\u2019s make sure none of these sneak up on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FAFSA \u00b7 STUDENTS & FAMILIES<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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FAFSA is open \u2014 let\u2019s get it done<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have a student heading to college next fall, the 2027\u201328 FAFSA is available now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and it is the gateway to federal grants, work-study and federal student loans. Colleges and states may also use FAFSA information when awarding their own financial aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n My Top 5 FAFSA Tips\n <\/h3>\n\n
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  1. \n 1<\/span>\n

    \n Don’t wait because you assume you won’t qualify. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see families make. Income alone doesn’t tell the whole financial-aid story. Complete the FAFSA and let the process determine eligibility. Some schools won\u2019t consider you for scholarships if you don\u2019t already have a FAFSA on file.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n

  2. \n 2<\/span>\n

    \n Get your StudentAid.gov accounts ready first. Students need their own account, and required parent contributors need their own accounts as well. Do not share an account or create one account for the whole family.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n

  3. \n 3<\/span>\n

    \n Let the student start the FAFSA. This can make the process easier. The student completes their portion and then invites the required parent contributor to complete theirs.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n

  4. \n 4<\/span>\n

    \n Add the colleges you’re considering \u2014 even if you haven’t applied yet. Don’t wait until you’ve been accepted to send FAFSA information to a school.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n

  5. \n 5<\/span>\n

    \n Submit early, then check your work. After submission, review your FAFSA Submission Summary and watch for requests for corrections, verification or additional information. Filing the FAFSA is step one \u2014 following up matters too.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n <\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \n Money Monday reminder: FAFSA is FREE. You should never have to pay someone simply to submit the federal form.\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    PSAT \u00b7 HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Juniors: the PSAT matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    October is also PSAT\/NMSQT month, and juniors should take this one seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yes, the PSAT gives you excellent practice for the SAT and helps identify the areas you need to strengthen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But there’s another reason I want juniors paying attention:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The junior-year PSAT\/NMSQT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That can mean academic recognition and scholarship opportunities. So while I don’t want students panicking over the PSAT, I also don’t want them walking into it thinking, \u201cOh, this is just a practice test.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \n 5 Tips to Do Your Best on the PSAT\n <\/h3>\n\n
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    1. \n 1<\/span>\n

      \n Practice in the digital format. Get comfortable with Bluebook and the way questions appear on screen before test day.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n

    2. \n 2<\/span>\n

      \n Take at least one full-length practice test. Knowing the material is important. Knowing how to pace yourself through the test is important, too.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n

    3. \n 3<\/span>\n

      \n Study your mistakes \u2014 not just your score. A missed question is actually useful information. Was it a math concept? Grammar rule? Reading comprehension? Timing? Figure out why you missed it.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n

    4. \n 4<\/span>\n

      \n Learn to move on. Don’t let one stubborn question steal time from five questions you could answer correctly. Make your best choice and keep moving.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n

    5. \n 5<\/span>\n

      \n Don’t cram the night before. Your best last-minute test prep is remarkably boring: sleep, eat breakfast, arrive prepared and breathe. A rested brain beats a 1:00 a.m. study session every time.\n <\/p>\n <\/li>\n\n <\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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      \n And remember: your PSAT score isn’t a label. It’s information. Use it to decide what you need to work on before taking the SAT.\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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      APPLICATIONS \u00b7 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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      I don\u2019t get scared until Halloween…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      …and neither should you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If you’re a senior submitting college applications this fall, October is your get-it-done month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Do not plan to hit \u201csubmit\u201d at 11:57 p.m. on the deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Technology fails. Passwords disappear. Essays suddenly contain a typo you’ve somehow read past 37 times. Recommendation letters go missing. Parents begin asking questions. Everyone gets cranky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      No one needs that kind of excitement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      \n Your October Senior Checklist\n <\/h3>\n\n