Congratulations! You’ve filled out the application and received an acceptance letter. Now it’s time to enroll.

You may be wondering what to do next. Here is a list of important steps you need to take to continue on the pathway to college.

Don’t forget to pay your college application fee!

When you submit your application online, you may be required to pay an application fee. If so, you can pay your application fee the following ways:

  1. You can pay online via credit or debit card. Some colleges require a credit card to apply online. Do your research prior to the event to see if the college you want to apply to requires one. If you choose this option, you will need the following information: credit card type (Visa, MasterCard, etc.), credit card number, security code, name on credit card, and expiration date.
  2. You can submit your application online and pay via check in the mail. You will need to include a copy of your application Confirmation Page with your check.
  3. If you are eligible, you can choose the fee waiver option on most applications. Check with your school counselor about this option. You will need to include a copy of your Confirmation Page with the fee waiver. DO NOT CHOOSE FEE WAIVER OPTION IF YOU DO NOT QUALIFY. Ask your school counselor for more information.
  4. You can save your application, print it, and mail it in with your payment. Please note that The Common Application does not allow for paper submissions.

Print your confirmation page

Do not leave the computer lab without a hard-copy printout of your Confirmation Page! Some schools require this page to be signed and mailed to the admission office to complete the application process. Whether the school requires this form or not, you still need a printed copy for your records. Make sure you put this confirmation page in a safe place.

Follow up with transcripts, test scores and essays

Many admission offices require students to submit additional information in order to complete the application process. It is important to find out what other information is required and send it to the campus as soon as possible. The more quickly you submit all the necessary forms, the sooner you will receive a response from the admission office.

Transcripts: Talk to your school counselor about having your transcripts sent to the appropriate colleges.

Test Scores: You can list up to 4 colleges on your SAT registration form and your scores will be sent for free. If you have already taken the SAT or ACT, you can have your scores sent to colleges by logging in to your account on their websites. If you have not yet taken one of these tests, register for the SAT here or the ACT here. Make sure you know which test the college you are applying to requires. Some colleges do not require test scores for admission.

Essays: Make sure you submit all essays and/or respond to all of the questions on your application. If you need help drafting or editing your application essays, talk to a teacher, parent, or guidance counselor.

Give time for schools to contact you

Most campuses will acknowledge the receipt of an online application. If, after two weeks, you have not received an email or letter informing you of your application status, you can contact the campus to be sure they received it and ask when you might learn whether or not you have been accepted. Many schools may not release admission decisions until March or April. Be sure to check the email address that you provided on your college application – this is how colleges will correspond with you, and if something is missing from your application packet, they will let you know by email.

Inform yourself on how to pay for college

There are multiple resources to pay for college. Don’t let the cost of post-secondary education keep you from going. Visit the Paying for College page for more information and links to resources. Here are some of the steps you can take to learn how you can pay for college:

  • The Delaware Scholarship Compendium has information on many scholarships, including state and private scholarships available.
  • Speak with your family or school counselor about your financial aid options. Determine the course of action that will best fit your circumstances.
  • Mark your calendar for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) day at a college, university, or community center near you to learn more about your options.
  • Complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible.
  • Contact the college to which you are applying for campus-specific financial aid assistance.
  • Contact service organizations in your community about college grants they may offer to students from your hometown.