Resources
Having resources at your fingertips to help you navigate the college planning process is a must.
Below are just a few of the many that we recommend you bookmark.
College Planning
College Navigator – National Center for Education Statistics
- A federally maintained website featuring current admissions, retention, graduation, and financial aid data on colleges and universities throughout the Country.
- Contains a user friendly school search engine which provides a list of colleges and universities based on criteria you input.
- 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation
- Provider of data on college admissions, educational attainment, and career outcomes
- Serves families, colleges, and employers
FairTest — The National Center for Fair & Open Testing
- Nonprofit working to end the misuses and flaws of standardized testing and to ensure that evaluation of students, teachers and schools is fair, open, valid and educationally beneficial
- Maintains an up-to-date list of colleges and universities not using the SAT or ACT for admission purposes
- Provides detailed information by college
- “Go To” site for information on PSAT, SAT, and AP Exams
- Registration site for the SAT
- Provides free practice for the SAT
- Curriculum and standards based tool designed to assess readiness for college
- Provides information on preparing for college
- Registration site for the ACT Exam
- Designed to help parents, educators, and counselors guide students in navigating their online presence
- Teaches students how to communicate, collaborate, explore, and advance themselves in the digital world in which they live
·Using tools they have already mastered teaches students how to strategically apply to college and for scholarships
Applications
Every college and university has their own application requirements. Some only offer students one specific application to complete and submit; others offer students a choice.
The Common Application is the most recognized online college application platform. It allows students to submit one application to any of its member institutions. However, many of the participating colleges and universities have individualized requirements that students must also submit in order for their applications to be considered complete.
A list of member colleges and universities and any institution’s specific application requirements can be found on the Common Application’s website.
Financial Aid Resources
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- The required federal form for any student seeking need-based financial aid
- Required by some colleges and universities for those students seeking merit-based scholarships
- US Department of Education Resources
- Provides detailed information on different types of financial aid
- Provides detailed information on how to apply for aid
- Association of financial assistance professionals at higher education institutions
- Provides extensive resources for students and parents
FastWeb and FinAid
- Both of these websites provide a wealth of information on financial aid and scholarships
- Provide practical tips and advice on paying for college
Test Prep, Tutoring, and Other Educational Service Referrals
We maintain a database of other educational service providers that have been recommended to us by our clients and whose work we are familiar with.
We make no endorsements but can offer recommendations of companies that provide services your student(s) may need. If you choose to work with one of our recommendations, we coordinate with them as appropriate and necessary, thus ensuring a cohesive approach to meeting the needs of your student. If you are in search of referral for a particular service, contact us.