April is busier than most families expect. Here are the forms commonly missed and the actions that set your student up for a smooth enrollment.
CLASS OF 2026 · APRIL ACTION GUIDE
| FOUR FORMS FAMILIES OFTEN MISS FERPA Waiver At 18, you lose legal access to your student’s academic records without their written permission. Have the conversation before they leave home. Health Insurance Waiver Colleges auto-enroll students in their health plan. If they’re staying on your family plan, file a waiver — or you’ll pay for both. Immunization Records Required before move-in at virtually every school. Meningitis vaccines are often mandatory. Start gathering records from your pediatrician now. Disability Accommodations High school IEPs and 504 plans do not carry over. Your student must register with the disability office and provide new documentation. Start in spring. |
FIVE ACTION ITEMS FOR APRIL 1 · Commit by May 1st Compare aid letters, decline other offers promptly, and let your student click Submit — owning the decision matters. 2 · Submit Housing This Week Applications open in April/May and close fast. Early filers get the best options — honors communities, themed housing, and LLCs fill quickly. 3 · Appeal Financial Aid The award letter isn’t final. A polite call to the financial aid office — especially with a competing offer or changed circumstances — works more often than families expect. 4 · Register for Orientation Early First sessions have the most energy and opportunity. Look for pre-orientation programs — students who attend arrive already knowing people. 5 · Look Up AP Credit + Placement Tests Check the college’s AP credit policy before exams. Find out if placement tests are required before registration opens — missing them is one of the most common first-year mistakes. |
| Want a personalized enrollment checklist? Students are notified of deadlines on their college portal — which means parents are often the last to know. Book a free appointment and I will create a shared checklist for both of you, and walk your student through every critical step from commit to move-in. Sample checklists: University of Washington | San Diego State University Book a free 20-minute consultation → College Launch Consultation |
