Guide 04 · Prepare
A simple deadline tracker you can build in ten minutes
Aid paperwork has many small dates. One page is enough to keep them in view.
summary
- One row per item: what it is, who set the date, the date, and what you did.
- Use the official source for every date, and record where you found it.
- Check the tracker on a set day each week.
The columns
| What | Who sets it | Date | Done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reply to award letter | School | From the letter | |
| State program form | State agency | From its official site | |
| Document request | School aid office | From their email |
Where dates come from
Do not copy dates from a friend, a forum or a general list. Programs change dates from year to year and differ by school and state. Use the official page or your school’s aid office, and note the source in the row.
Keep proof
When you send something, keep a copy and note the day and how you sent it. If a question comes up later, you can answer in a minute.
Review weekly
Pick a day and look at the page. Two minutes a week is far easier than a scramble the night before a date.
General information only. Tuitnova is not a school, lender, scholarship provider, or financial aid office, and this is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Programs, rules, and dates vary and change; check with your school’s financial aid office or the official program website.