THE BEST ONLINE COLLEGE RESOURCES:USE YOUR ONLINE RESOURCES
EFFICIENTLY TO GUIDE YOU TO COLLEGE
Websites that will guide your high school career smoothly to college
Purpose of This Presentation:
Organize your high school plan Know where to go to look for the right
information for college Scholarship search Meet your deadlines Use your online resources wisely and
efficiently
What these websites do:
Provide timelines and checklists Direct you to appropriate resources in
areas that include: Finding the right college Taking the right classes College prep classes Testing Scholarships Paying for school• Also provides resources for parents and
counselors
What to Avoid
Websites that charge you fees for college prep
You do not want to pay for: Scholarship search engines Essay review FAFSA completion Any college search activity
Register for a free College Board account
My Road is free after having taken the PSAT/NMSQAT
https://myroad.collegeboard.com/
Organize your college preparation
Take career assessments
Search school info
Create a profile for college prep and applications
CSS Profile application for 2011-2012 available on October 1, 2010
Some schools require completion of the FAFSA and the CSS Profile in order to determine financial need
List of schools available on College Board
Pay for College section Contains useful
resources: scholarship search Compare loan rates EFC calculator
EFC calculator gives you an estimated amount that your family will be expected to contribute
Offers insight to how much your family will be eligible for financial aid
Offers a comprehensive search engine Can also include search for:
Federal aid programs Internships Loans Research grants
Make a profile to narrow your search For example, by:
Ethnicity Sport and Club Participation Academics
Offers free in-depth information on colleges
Includes: Cost of
Attendance Student body
profiles Majors offered More
https://www.petersons.com/
Free scholarship search
Make an account with Student Edge
Can search for 2 year programs, 4 year programs, and technical schools
Can narrow the search
Profile includes school information to narrow it
Student can provide additional information
Sign up for access to “Career” and “College” sections
Offers info on: Careers Scholarships &
Aid Study Abroad Opinions &
Advice More
take a career assessment quiz
Education needed to pursue careers
Search college profiles
Understanding and applying for financial aid
Make a free registration to access the scholarship search
Scholarship search is currently being updated, so unavailable for now
Other resources: FAFSA Loan information
Campaign created by the American Council on Education
Monthly newsletter
Provides students with: Organization College prep
tips Timelines
“Get Tough” campaign
Encourages students to take challenging classes in order to be prepared for college
Information specific to Illinois
College advice College
admissions Career choice
advice Paying for college Financial aid Applying to
colleges
All of this information is available free to Illinois students
All CPS students automatically get an account
Use your student ID number to register
Summary
Lots of information out there These five websites offer a vast amount
of information for: Organizing your high school career Finding out which careers match your interests Looking for the right school for you General information about FAFSA Applying for CSS Profile General information about loans FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS!