Online Resources for College-Bound Students

1. Online Resources for College-Bound Students

2. Objectives • Learn about and explore websites for: • Test practice • General Advice • College Rankings and Locators • Financial Aid • Federal and State Sponsored Sites

3. Caveat • Please understand that Live Oak Public Libraries is not offering professional assistance and advice for test taking, college applications, or financial aid. This class’ sole purpose is to provide websites that assist the student and/ or parent in making informed decisions.

4. What tests will you be taking? Test Practice

5. Test practice

6. College and Career Advice

7. College and Career Advice • www.collegeboard.org (a nonprofit membership organization) • Links to SAT information from the homepage • A planning guide for students and parents • In the student section, select “Find a College,” and get guidance on different types of schools • Possesses a unique parent and professional section found at the top left of the “Student” pages

8. College and Career Advice • www.myfuture.com (created by the Department of Defense) • User-friendly • Create a personal profile • Get the job outlook for prospective careers • Utilize resume tips and a resume builder • View checklists for planning every aspect of entering college • Get advice for military options

9. College and Career Advice • Two Other websites: • www.collegebound.net • www.nextstepu.com

10. College Rankings and Locators

11. College Rankings and Locators -- General • U.S. News and World Report – http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges • Peterson’s – www.petersons.com • My College Guide – www.mycollegeguide.org • All About College – www.allaboutcollege.com

12. College Rankings and Locators • U.S. News and World Report • A wide variety of college ranking lists • Quick college search on home page • Knowledge Center with advice for college planning • Includes Graduate and Online Education

13. College Rankings and Locators -- Women • Women’s College Coalition – www.womenscolleges.org • Made up of member schools • Offers advice and reasons to choose women’s over coed • Provides other facts on women

14. College Rankings and Locators – Graduate Schools • British Council – www.britishcouncil.org/usa • Learn how to study abroad in the United Kingdom • www.gradschool.com • Simple search of graduate programs around the world

15. College Rankings and Locators – Students with Disabilities • Think College – www.thinkcollege.net • Heath Resource Center – www.heath.gwu.edu • University of Washington – www.washington.edu/doit/Resources/college.html

16. Paying for Higher Education Financial aid

17. Financial Aid • A variety of websites offer personal scholarship matching and advice on how to win those awards. • The potential student creates a profile, providing as much detail about him/herself as they feel comfortable. The site’s search engine will then match scholarships and awards it feels matches your needs, life circumstances, and interests.

18. Financial Aid • Websites • www.finaid.org (provides lots of information, uses fastweb’s scholarship search) • www.fastweb.com • Unique articles for success in school • Helps you plan your Spring Break the smart way • Links with the job search site Monster • www.scholarships.com • www.scholarsite.com • www.brokescholar.com

19. Government-sponsored sites

20. Federal • www.students.gov • Check out the “Online Study Help” with lots of information that students and teachers can use • www.studentaid.ed.gov • Has a convenient “How to Use Our Site” feature • Offers a College Savings Calculator and college planning tools for any age • Student loan information • www.fafsa.ed.gov • Helps you fill out the form required for all governmental monetary assistance

21. Georgia • www.gacollege411.org • Find out about the Hope Scholarship