Helpful resources
Resources for families
The sites I send families to most, all in one place. Each link opens in a new tab.
Key dates
The college calendar at a glance
Dates for the 2026–27 school year: juniors in the class of 2028, and seniors applying for fall 2027. Dates change each year, so always confirm on each college's website.
Testing dates to keep in mind
- OctoberPSAT/NMSQT (junior year), the test that counts toward National Merit
- Nov.–Dec.SAT: November 7 and December 5, 2026. ACT: December 12, 2026. These are also the last chances for many seniors.
- Jan.–Feb.ACT: February 27, 2027. There are no SAT dates in January or February.
- SpringSAT: March 6, May 1, and June 5, 2027
- SpringACT: April 10 and June 12, 2027
- JulyACT: July 10, 2027
- SummerDecide whether to retake the SAT or ACT before senior fall
Senior year
- August 1ApplyTexas and the Common App open for the new year
- Late Sept.–Oct.FAFSA and CSS Profile open. File as early as you can.
- Oct. 15–Nov. 15Early Action and Early Decision deadlines at many colleges
- Dec. 1–Feb. 1Regular deadlines at many colleges. Some Texas universities accept applications into the spring.
- January 15Texas priority deadline for the FAFSA or TASFA
- January–MarchMost admission decisions arrive
- May 1National decision day: choose a college and pay the deposit
Texas public high school seniors must also complete the FAFSA or TASFA, or turn in an opt-out form, before graduating. Your school counselor can help with the opt-out form. Check each college's website for its exact deadlines.
Applying to college
- Common App
One application accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, including many Texas schools.
- ApplyTexas
The application for Texas public universities and many Texas private and community colleges.
Finding the right colleges
- BigFuture by College Board
Free college search, career exploration, and scholarship information.
- College Scorecard
U.S. Department of Education data on costs, graduation rates, and earnings after college.
- NACAC College Fairs
Free in-person and virtual college fairs where students meet admission reps.
Testing
- SAT (College Board)
Test dates, registration, and free official practice.
- ACT
Test dates, registration, and test prep resources.
- Bluebook (official SAT practice)
College Board's free app for the digital SAT, with full-length official practice tests.
- Khan Academy
Free, self-paced lessons and practice, including prep for the digital SAT.
- Kaplan Test Prep
Paid SAT and ACT prep courses, practice tests, and books, plus some free events.
Paying for college
- FAFSA (Federal Student Aid)
The free federal application for grants, work-study, and student loans.
- Federal Student Aid Estimator
Estimate how much federal aid your student may qualify for before filing the FAFSA.
- TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid)
Texas's state aid application for students who can't file the FAFSA. Check current eligibility rules before applying.
- CSS Profile
A financial aid application some private colleges require in addition to the FAFSA.
- College For All Texans
Texas's official site for state financial aid, grants, and college planning.
FAFSA completion resources
- How to Create a StudentAid.gov Account: a step-by-step guide that's easy to print and share.
- 2027–28 FAFSA Preview Presentation: a PowerPoint and PDF from Federal Student Aid that walk through the 2027–28 FAFSA screens and common situations.
- Alamo Colleges Financial Aid: personalized help with your FAFSA questions.
Student athletes
- NCAA Eligibility Center
Where Division I and II athletes register and check academic eligibility.
These links go to outside websites that PrepSeat doesn't own or control. I'm not affiliated with these organizations and don't receive anything for recommending them, and dates, rules, and requirements can change, so always check the official site. I don't complete the FAFSA or CSS Profile for families, but I'm glad to point you in the right direction.