COLLEGE ONLINE RESOURCES Applying Going TO TO COLLEGE College Navigator A free service to help students find the right college fit. The site also offers information on financial aid and how to prepare for college. http://www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator The College Board s Big Future The site assists students and families determine a college application plan and how to research college options. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org College Data A site that helps high school students conduct college searches, predict their admission chances, calculate financial aid, and determine college costs. http://www.collegedata.com First in the Family Motivation, advice, support for first generation students on reaching their dreams. http://www.firstinthefamily.org Going2College A college and career planning website for students and families. http://www.going2college.org I m First A free membership website that offers support for first generation students who are college bound. http://www.imfirst.org Admitted.ly A fun family resource to help students research colleges, career interest, and take personality quizzes to help them find the right college fit. http://www.admitted.ly.com Chegg A comprehensive site with information on researching college options, tools for keeping track of your applications, financial aid information and a scholarship database. http://www.chegg.com
Going TO COLLEGE STANDARDIZED TESTING The SAT Many colleges and universities require the SAT as part of their admission process. The College Board provides testing instructions, and practice tests for both the SAT and the pre-sat (PSAT). http://sat.collegeboard.org The ACT A content based college entrance exam. Learn about the pre-act (PLAN) and the ACT. http://www.actstudent.org Fee Waivers SAT: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/feewaver.html Free Test Preparation Number2Pencil: http://www.number2.com Provides a diagnostic test, and practice exams for the SAT and the ACT. Khan Academy: http://www.khanacademy.org Mathematical learning resources for students, teachers, and parents through engaging lessons and podcasts. I Need A Pencil/CK12 Foundation: http://www.ineedapencil.com An SAT Prep site with challenging test examinations, and diagnostics to determine a predicted test score. Test Optional Information Fair Test: http://www.fairtest.org A searchable list of institutions no longer requiring the SAT or ACT.
Going TO COLLEGE VIRTUAL TOURS Campus Tours Virtual tours with interactive campus maps, videos and pictures. http://www.campustours.com ecampus Tours Virtual tours with a 360 degree view of over 1,300 institutions. The site also offers advice and information on the college application process and financial aid. http://www.ecampustours.com Know How 2 Go http://www.knowhow2go.org/campustour DIVERSITY FLY-IN PROGRAM Amherst College Diversity Open House https://www.amherst.edu/admission/diversity/divoh Hamilton College Diversity Overnight Program https://www.hamilton.edu/admission/diversityovernight Middlebury College Discover Middlebury Program https://www.middlebury.edu/admissions/visit/programs Oberlin College Multicultural Visit Program http://new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/admissions/mvp Smith College Women of Distinction http://www.smith.edu/admission/wod
FINANCIAL AID PAYING FOR COLLEGE The Federal Student Aid A comprehensive site offering information on preparing for college, information on types of financial aid, how to apply for aid, and how to manage your loans. http://studentaid.ed.gov The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completing your application is the first step in the financial aid process. This free application helps students and parents complete forms for the U.S. Department of Education to qualify for federal aid like the Pell grants, Federal loans, and work-study programs. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Federal Student Aid PIN You and a parent will both need to apply for separate pin numbers from the Federal Student Aid PIN website at http://www.pin.ed.gov. The pin serves as your signature. It is important that you keep this information confidential. Income Verification If you are chosen to verify your family income information reported on the FAFSA, please note that the Virgin Islands is not part of the Internal Revenue Service Data Retrieval. You will need to visit the Internal Revenue Bureau and request the information in person. FAFSA Help The Federal Student Aid Center provides assistance to families when completing the FAFSA. The center can be reached at 800-433-3243 or on http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/contact. The College Scholarship Service/Financial Aid Profile (CSS Profile) The CSS Profile is a financial application that is required by approximately 400 colleges, universities, and scholarship institutions. There is a cost for sending your PROFILE to each school or to a scholarship program. The first report is $25.00, and additional reports are $16.00 each. Your family may qualify for a waiver. Ask your high school guidance counselor if you are eligible for a waiver. http://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile
Scholarships PAYING FOR COLLEGE FastWeb A free online scholarship service with a directory of over 1.5 million merit and need-based scholarships. The site also offers other services including financial aid advice, application checklists, and financial aid calculators. http://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships The College Board Scholarship Search This free service is part of the College Board s Big Future resources that provides students with access to over 2,000 internships and scholarships. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship Other Scholarship Search Engines College Scholarships: http://www.scholarships.com Sallie Mae: https://www.collegeanswer.com National Scholarships AVOID SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS Avoid services that claim to guarantee scholarship funds, do all the research for you, or require payment prior to winning the scholarship. Check out the National Association for College Admission Counseling Scholarship Scam Web page at: http://www.nacacnet.org/ Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship. http://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated. http://cbcfinc.org/scholarship.html Gates Millennium Scholarship. http://www.gmsp.org Hispanic Scholarship Fund. http://www.hsf.net I m First Scholarship. http://www.imfirst.org/scholarship Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship. http://www.jackierobinson.org Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program. http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships Questbridge National College Match Scholarship. http://questbrdige.org Ron Brown Scholars Program. http://ronbrown.org The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (for HBCUs). http://ww.tmcf.org United Negro College Fund Scholarships. http://www.uncf.org Buick Achievers Scholarship Program. http://www.buickachievers.com/