There are a lot of organizations out there to help you prepare for college. Here are some of the best. You can also Find a Local Resource in your community. Visit www.micollegeaccess.org/mcan-in-your-community to view a listing of all LCAN’s or to find out more about what is happening in your community.
The Michigan College Access Portal is a one-stop-shop FREE online resource for student and their families in Michigan to simply the process of transitioning from high school to college and career. MichiganCAP offers students, parents, counselors, and adult learners easy-to-use web-based, personalized tools to insure that each step in the process of choosing and applying for college is completed successfully. Visit www.michigancap.org.
Click to download KnowHow2GO student brochure in English or Spanish.
College Planning Resources is an online library for use in helping middle school and high school students and their families prepare for college. The library lists websites and publications for students and parents to use independently and materials that caring adults can use to advise students.
Step 1 – Find an Adult Who Can Help (and Be a Pain Until You Do!)
www.ymca.net
The YMCA of the USA, a leader in helping young people fully develop their potential, is the first national outreach partner of KnowHow2GO. YMCAs with college preparation and teen leadership programs will be distributing information on KnowHow2GO. YMCA Black and Hispanic Achiever programs at 165 centers nationwide will be actively participating in KnowHow2GO events and contests.
www.collegeaccess.org/accessprogramdirectory
The National College Access Program Directory is a free online resource for students, parents, counselors and those operating college access programs.
www.collegegoalsundayusa.org
At College Goal Sunday, you can get free, on-site, professional assistance filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, talk to financial aid professionals about financial aid resources and how to apply, and get information regarding statewide student services, admission requirements and more.
www.projectgrad.org
Project GRAD® has a 10-year track record of successfully helping at risk students make it through K-12 school systems and graduate from college.
www.whatkidscando.org
What Kids Can Do, Inc. (WKCD) is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2001 for the purpose of making public the voices and views of adolescents. On its Web site, WKCD documents young people’s lives, learning and work, and their partnerships with adults both in and out of school.
www.ecmcfoundation.org/RTCD_download.html “Realizing the College Dream” is a curriculum guide that supports teachers, counselors and community-based organization staff in their work to increase the expectations of attending college by low-income, first-generation college-going students and their families.
www.firstinthefamily.org
First in the Family is packed with useful resources and heartfelt stories from students who are the first in their families to go to college. First in the Family guides students through the key issues—from cultural conflict to academic challenges—facing first-generation students.
www.actstudent.org
The ACT student site provides information on many aspects of planning for college, including career planning and financial aid. You can also register for the ACT and find materials to prepare for the test.
www.collegeboard.com
The College Board offers a variety of tools and resources to help you prepare and plan for college. Use “College MatchMaker” to generate a list of colleges that match your preferences. Create and manage your personal list of colleges with “My Organizer.” Get ready for the SAT by taking an official, free practice test. www.nacacnet.org
National Association for College Admission Counseling offers online resources for college preparation.
www.yic.gov/secondary/index.html This website guides aspiring students through resources that will help them make informed decisions about the critical choice of going to college.
onlinebachelordegreeprograms.com An informational resources for those looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree-related education and career. Covers various topics ranging from what you can do with a bachelor degree, links to related resources, and information about this specific field within the job market.
http://nsse.iub.edu/html/pocket_guide_intro.cfm A Pocket Guide to Choosing a College, available in English or Spanish.
www.actstudent.org The ACT student site provides information on many aspects of planning for college, including career planning and financial aid. You can also register for the ACT and find materials to prepare for the test.
www.campuscompare.com CampusCompare is a free, comprehensive online resource for college-bound students searching for the school that is right for them. CampusCompare offers data on a range of topics including academics, campus life, athletics, college trends, financial aid, scholarships and more, for more than 3,000 colleges and universities. Search, compare and connect with schools in one all-inclusive site that features a number of fun and interactive tools.
www.collegegrazing.com College Grazing offers free, interactive self-discovery surveys to help you identify your college needs and desires. Based on the premise that self-awareness will lead to better college decisions, College Grazing offers immediate feedback about your college preferences, readiness, characteristics and much more.
www.michigancollegetour.com Find links and information about Michigan colleges and universities, including admission requirements, financial aid, student loans and scholarships available, campus visits, application deadlines, and academic and athletic options.
www.dreamit-doit.com Find something you can really get into. Check out the types of jobs that are right for your skills, your attitude, your passions. Dream it. Then see what jobs and resources are out there to make it happen. Do it.
www.driveofyourlife.org/tutorial/lp1.html Drive of Your Life is a fun online career exploration game that helps middle and high school students learn more about themselves, higher education and careers. This educational tool lets students answer a series of questions about themselves to learn what careers could interest them and then go on a virtual drive to learn more about each of those careers – all in their own customized car.
www.educationplanner.org Check out their career assessment tool for help finding a career that suits you. You’ll also find tips on completing college applications and tools to help you decide among colleges once you’ve been accepted.
www.mapping-your-future.org Mapping Your Future is a resource for career, college, financial aid and money management information.
www.mycollegeoptions.org My College Options is a free service that provides students with the opportunity to create a personal online college and career planning profile. Students can match their individual needs, talents, abilities, goals and interests with the offerings of 3,500+ accredited post-secondary institutions across the United States.
Step 4 – Put Your Hands on Some Cash
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Learn all about the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, usually the first step in seeking financial aid for higher education.
www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov
The Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs are the largest source of student aid in America. These programs provide more than $80 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance. Learn more about and how to apply for this aid.
www.nasfaa.org
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators offers a range of resources to help students, parents, and counselors navigate the college aid process.
Información en Español Para consultar un folleto en linea con mas informacion y consejos, haga clic aquí.
Paso 1 – Encuentra un adulto que pueda ayudarte
www.knowhow2go.org/partners/media/CIPJumpSpafinal.pdf Dale un empuje a tu educación provee información para los jóvenes y sus familias respecto a la preparación académica y la planificación financiera para la universidad, y presenta a algunos de los estudiantes y profesorado de las instituciones afiliadas con “College Is Possible” de ACE.
Paso 2 – Esfuérzate al máximo
www.yosipuedo.gov
Esto es la Iniciativa de la Casa Blanca en la Excelencia Educativa para Americanos hispanos. Encuentre información a sobresalir en la escuela en todos niveles del grado.
Paso 3 – Encuentra lo que mejor se adapte a ti
www.educationplanner.org
EducationPlanner es el único sitio de planificación de su carrera y la universidad. Tenemos la información que usted necesita para investigar carreras, elegir una escuela postsecundaria, solicitar en línea, y encontrar modos de financiar su educación.
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/spanish/fafsa.jsp
Aprenda todo acerca del FAFSA, la Aplicación Libre para la Ayuda Federal de Estudiante, generalmente el primer paso a buscar la ayuda financiera para la educación superior.