February may be a short month, but it’s packed full of important things to look forward to and do! There’s Black History Month, National School Counseling Week, college admission decisions rolling in, and a well-deserved week-long break from school. Here are some other important dates that students, counselors, and families should be aware of to make the most of the month. Happy February planning!
General monthly planning
- 9th grade: It can be hard to keep up academic momentum in the second half of the school year, especially during the first year of high school. Help freshmen with resources like How to Boost Your Second-Semester Grades for Academic Success to keep them on track right through the end of the year.
- 10th grade: The end of sophomore year is when many students begin thinking about college, so it’s a good time for them to start talking to their counselors about it. Help facilitate the conversation with guidance from our blog on The Best Time to Ask Your School Counselor These Important Questions. If they haven’t come to you already, consider reaching out!
- 11th grade: Juniors should use this month to start preparing for campus visits, whether they’re attending in person or conducting research online. Share our article on Campus Tours: What to Expect and How to Prepare Ahead of Time or our list of CX Featured Colleges That Offer Virtual Campus Tours.
- 12th grade: Seniors should be focused on finding and applying to more scholarships with resources like our Scholarship Search tool. You could also encourage them to fill out the 2025–2026 FAFSA if they haven’t already!
Month-long observances and events
- Black History Month: Celebrate and learn about Black history and culture this month with CollegeXpress by checking out all our Black History content!
- Career and Technical Education Month: Career and technical education prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers in fields like health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, and more. To learn more about what some of these careers entail and the kinds of earnings students can expect, check out our article on the Top 10 Career Fields in America: What You Should Know.
Saturday, February 1
College application deadline
Today is a common Regular Decision application deadline for colleges during the admission cycle. After this deadline, many colleges taking applications typically accept them on a rolling basis.
- What You Need to Know About Rolling Admission: Colleges with rolling admission policies are a great option for students who don’t get into their first-choice schools or want to expand their pool of applications regardless of admission decisions.
New CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship contest opens
There’s a new easy scholarship opportunity from CollegeXpress to apply for this month! From February 1–28, students can enter for a chance to win $2,000 with our Book vs. Movie Scholarship. Just create a free CX account (or log back in) and answer this question: When it comes to stories, which do you usually prefer: the book or the movie?
@Sealed with a Gif (SWAG) via GIPHY
National Freedom Day
Today honors the signing of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which abolished slavery.
SAT prep start date
Experts recommend that students planning to take the SAT on June 7 start studying for the test this month to be prepared in time.
Free college admission test classes and webinars
The first of Kaplan’s usual Digital SAT Live Online Trial Classes for the month will take place on Saturday the 1st from 2:00–4:00 pm ET. Help students sign up to prepare for this major exam!
Sunday, February 2
Free ACT prep courses
Kaplan is also offering free monthly prep classes for the ACT, with the first ACT Live Online Trial Class taking place on Sunday the 2nd from 12:00–2:00 pm ET.
Monday, February 3
Start of National School Counseling Week
School counselors are integral to high school student success. This year’s theme for the week-long celebration is School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive. Check out the American School Counselor Association to learn more, and enjoy your week!
Free SAT prep course
The next Digital SAT Live Online Trial Class students can sign up for in February falls on Monday the 3rd from 6:30–8:30 pm ET.
New Rising Researchers course begins
Moon Prep is hosting another Rising Researchers program in February—this Winter Camp is focused on Biology Meets No-Code AI and Machine Learning Programming. Students should be prepared to tune in for classes every Monday and Wednesday for four weeks from 7:15–8:45 pm ET. (Please note that this is not a free opportunity.)
Tuesday, February 4
Free SAT prep course
Catch another Digital SAT Live Online Trial Class from Kaplan the next day on Tuesday the 4th from 8:00–10:00 pm ET.
Wednesday, February 5
National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Today honors everything that incredibly talented and resilient women athletes can do and have accomplished. Help young student-athletes pursue their college dreams with these tips.
Saturday, February 8
ACT test date
Today is an ACT test date for students across the country.
Free SAT and ACT prep courses
The last Digital SAT Live Online Trial Class scheduled for February (so far) will be on Saturday the 8th from 1:30–3:30 pm ET. Kaplan is also offering another free ACT prep class today from 1:00–3:00 pm ET. Make sure students register before these free events fill up!
Sunday, February 9
Super Bowl LIX & National Pizza Day
What better excuse do you need to grab a slice (or even a whole pie) than the Super Bowl sharing the spotlight with National Pizza Day? Encourage your students to take a break from homework and test prep this Sunday to eat some good food and cheer on a couple of great teams!
- A Look at Where Pro Football Players Went to College: Know any big football fans procrastinating their college search? This blog could be what they need to spark some interest in the process!
Monday, February 10
Free ACT prep course
The next opportunity for students to get free ACT assistance from Kaplan is on Monday the 10th from 6:30–8:30 pm ET.
Friday, February 14
Valentine’s Day
Whether you’re snuggling up with your favorite person, going on a friend date, or enjoying an evening at home, we wish you a happy and love-filled Heart Day.
Monday, February 17
Random Acts of Kindness Day
Be sure to do something nice for someone else today and spread kindness wherever you go!
Presidents’ Day
Happy Birthday to George Washington and Abe Lincoln. To everyone else, enjoy the long weekend!
Tuesday, February 18
ACT scores released
Scores for the February 8 ACT test date will be released between now and April 4.
Friday, February 21
SAT regular registration deadline
Today is the regular registration deadline for the March 8 SAT test date.
- SAT or ACT? Tips for Deciding and Top Study Resources: Before your students register for an exam, make sure they know which one they should take and what kind of resources they can access for studying.
Sunday, February 23
Peace Corps Week begins
The Peace Corps is an incredible opportunity students can pursue during a gap year before college or after graduation. Learn more about volunteering and other options with our article on What to Do When You're Not Ready for the Real World.
Tuesday, February 25
SAT late registration deadline
Today is the deadline for changes, cancellations, and late registration for the March 8 SAT test date (additional fees apply).
Free ACT prep course
This is the last chance to get free ACT assistance from Kaplan this month. The last ACT Live Online Trial Class will be held on Tuesday the 25th from 5:30–7:30 pm ET.
Friday, February 28
ACT regular registration deadline
Today is the regular registration deadline for the April 5 ACT test date.
CollegeXpress monthly scholarship deadline
The last day of the month is the last chance for students to enter the $2,000 CollegeXpress Book vs. Movie Scholarship. Just create a free CX account (or log back into an existing account) before midnight and tell us if you prefer watching the movie or reading the book!
