It’s finally springtime! Flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up, and students will soon be prepping for finals and looking forward to the end of the school year. April is eventful, and a lot of your students will be off to college in just six short months. Be sure they’re ready for everything on the horizon with our April College Planning Calendar. Happy planning!
General monthly planning
- 9th grade: It’s never too early for high schoolers to start thinking about college. Help younger students get a jump-start as the end of the school year approaches with our advice on How to Think About College as a High School Freshman.
- 10th grade: Keep sophomores on top of the scholarship search so they can rack up awards before they even start the college search. These scholarship eligibility strategies can help!
- 11th grade: Planning for the future is starting to get critical for juniors! Share our spring planning checklist to help keep them on track and prepare for the fall.
- 12th grade: Many colleges are extending their decision deadlines because of this year’s FAFSA delays, so your seniors may have more time to make a deposit. If they’re not sure where they want to go in the fall, have them check out Our Best Advice on Making Your Final College Decision.
Month-long observances and events
- Autism Awareness Month: Learn how to help students with autism prepare for college and encourage them to seek out services to ensure their success with our article on Important Tips Autistic Students Need for Transitioning to College.
- Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Every day is an opportunity to learn about and avoid distracted driving, but students can promote awareness this month with many distracted driving scholarship opportunities.
- Financial Literacy Month: Help students learn about financial planning with articles like A High School Starter Guide to Financial Responsibility.
- National Poetry Month: Encourage your students’ creative sides by sharing some scholarships they could win with their poetry. Or if they’re trying to get a high AP test score, they can check out our Poetry Study Guide for AP English Language & Literature.
- Stress Awareness Month: Stress takes a major toll on all of us, both mentally and physically. Help your students deal with the hard stuff with all our stress management content.
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month: The sad fact is that sexual assault occurs on college campuses far too often—but it can also happen to younger students. Help keep everyone safe by educating about and discouraging harmful behaviors; promoting personal safety with blogs like 5 Smart Personal Safety Tips for High School and College Students; and encouraging them to speak up and seek help if they are victims.
Monday, April 1
CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship opens
Today is the first day to enter our Favorite Color Scholarship contest! Your students could win $1,000 just by telling us what their favorite color is. Create a free CX account (or log back in) and answer the question—no additional applications or long essays required!
Tuesday, April 2
World Autism Day
Today is a day to celebrate Autistic individuals across the globe and raise awareness about the learning differences for those who don’t know about it.
Thursday, April 4
Free financial planning webinar
Kaplan isn’t just helping students with the SAT and ACT this month—they’re also offering webinars on college planning in general! Students can sign up for their free Financial Planning for College: A Deep Dive Into Timelines class on Thursday the 4th from 7:30–8:30 pm ET.
National School Librarian Day
Today honors the professionals who keep school libraries in order. Be sure to thank your librarians today!
Friday, April 5
Start of National Wildlife Week
Sponsored by the National Wildlife Foundation, this week-long celebration is dedicated to honoring and supporting the beauty and diversity of America’s wild creatures.
- 3 Wild and Unique Experiences in South Africa for Gap Year Students: Animal-loving students can use this day to consider unique opportunities that align with their interests, like a Gap Year on safari in South Africa!
Saturday, April 6
National Student-Athlete Day
This day recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of student-athletes, both academically and athletically. Give your school’s student-athletes some extra praise today!
- 4 Things Student-Athletes Should Do This Summer: Here are a few ways high school athletes can stay busy, have fun, and even make a little money while staying involved with the sport(s) they love this summer (in between workouts and practices, of course!).
Sunday, April 7
World Health Day
Sponsored by the World Health Organization, this global awareness day promotes both mental and physical health, with the 2024 theme of “My health, my right.”
Free ACT prep class
Kaplan is offering their usual monthly ACT Live Online Trial Classes to help students prepare for the standardized test. The first free session of the month takes place on Sunday the 7th from 6:00–8:00 pm ET.
Start of National Library Week
Sponsored by the American Library Association since 1958, National Library Week honors the important role libraries and librarians play in our schools. This year’s theme is “Ready, Set, Library!”
Thursday, April 11
Free skill-building webinar
Kaplan is also helping students learn how to build skills for college with a webinar on leadership, communication, teamwork, and more. Students can plan to settle in for this session between 7:30–8:30 pm ET on Wednesday the 11th.
Saturday, April 13
ACT test date
Today is an ACT test date for students across the country.
Monday, April 15
World Art Day
Encourage students to pursue their artistic passions and celebrate all things art on this day designated by the International Association of Art.
Patriots’ Day
This holiday is celebrated in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and some places in Florida to commemorate the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy—some of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. The city of Boston celebrates by holding the annual Boston Marathon every year. #BostonStrong
Tax Day
Individual income tax returns are due to the US federal government today. Help your students learn about this ultimate financial task with our expert advice on What Is Important to Know About Taxes as a Student?
Wednesday, April 17
Free ACT prep class
The second Kaplan ACT prep session students can sign up for will take place on Wednesday the 17th from 5:30–7:30 pm ET.
Thursday, April 18
Free high school success webinar
Your students can create a road map for success with Kaplan's free Navigating High School: Coursework and College Goals webinar on Thursday the 18th from 7:30–8:30 pm ET.
Friday, April 19
SAT regular registration deadline
Today is the regular registration deadline for the May 4 SAT test date.
Sunday, April 21
Start of National Volunteer Week
This special week promotes service to others, but students also get the added benefit of boosting their résumés with volunteering experiences—a true win-win!
- Important Reasons You Should Volunteer in High School and College: If your students need some encouragement to get out there and help others, here’s some advice for them.
Monday, April 22
Earth Day
This annual event is dedicated to demonstrating support of environmental protection for our entire planet. Since it was first held in 1970, over one billion people in more than 193 countries have coordinated global events in honor of Earth Day.
Passover
The Jewish holiday of Passover begins today at sundown and commemorates the Israelite’s emancipation from slavery in Ancient Egypt. Chag Pesach sameach to all those who celebrate!
Tuesday, April 23
Late SAT registration deadline
Today is the late registration deadline as well as the deadline for changes and cancellations for the May 4 SAT test date.
Thursday, April 25
Free college admission tests webinar
Catch Kaplan's last free webinar of the month—All About College Admissions Tests: SATs, ACTs, and More—on April 25 from 7:30–8:30 pm ET.
Tuesday, April 30
CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship deadline
Today is the last day to enter our Favorite Color Scholarship contest! Remind your students to complete registration by today for a chance to win $1,000. They should also check out our list of scholarships with April deadlines before the month is over!
Did you know you can feature our top resources on your website? Head over to our Free College Widgets page to learn more. It’s also a great time for students to look for scholarships using our Scholarship Search tool!
