Career & College Planning Resources
Resources
Following is a list of resources that may be helpful to you and your family. Simply click on any of the following links to be taken directly to the website.
CAREER and COLLEGE PLANNING
College Foundation of North Carolina: This website contains a wealth of information regarding high school planning, college entrance requirements, career assessments, and placement test preparation. You can even apply for North Carolina colleges online! Find links to every public and private 2-year and 4-year school in North Carolina. Check out the “Financial Literacy” quiz and enter to win a $500 scholarship for completing the lesson. This is also the easiest way to access the Residency Determination Application, now required for all North Carolina two-year and four-year college applications. You can also access a number of scholarships available only to North Carolina students, such as Forgivable Education Loans for Service. North Carolina College Application Deadlines and North Carolina College Open House Dates are also linked. Be sure to write down and keep your user name and password.
- Summer Enrichment Programs
- Succeeding in High School
- Admissions deadlines AND Open House dates
- Scholarships for NC Students
- Residency Determination Services
Helpful “College Preparation Checklist” for students and parents grades K-12 as well as adult students. “My FSA” allows students to learn about careers and colleges that match their interests. Information about federal grant and loan programs. Financial literacy tips and money management links appropriate for high school and college students. Suggestions for selecting a college, tips for the college application process, and career/college/scholarship searches.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published annually by the United States Department of Labor, includes information about 100s of jobs…such as training and education needed, expected earnings and potential growth, what workers actually do on the job, and working conditions. Also find job search tips and information on the current job market in each state.
Specific information for middle school, high school freshmen, high school sophomores, high school juniors, and high school seniors. Be sure to take the college quiz!
Publications and fact sheets about topics such as homework hints, preparing for college, and helping your child succeed. Special emphasis on typically underrepresented populations–such as first generation college students. Click on “Our Resources” then “Publications.”
https://collegeboard.roadtripnation.com/
Explore personality type, learning style, college majors, colleges and universities, and careers.
Photos and information about colleges nationwide. Virtual tours of colleges with 360 degree views of dorm rooms and facilities. Must create an individual user account with an email address.
Search colleges, graduate schools, and scholarships. Find test prep hints and college application tips.
Great resource for middle and high school students. Explore careers /complete self-assessments and download helpful planning guides.
www.collegesofdistinctions.com
Quick reference for schools listed as Colleges of Distinction. This is a great place to start exploring your options.
Create a free profile to search for college and scholarship matches.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE/PLACEMENT TESTS
American College Testing: This website allows your student to practice for the ACT and register for the ACT. Also includes a wealth of information about career and college planning. Write down and keep your user name and password!
The College Board: This website allows your student to practice for the SAT and register for the SAT. It also includes information for college planning, college research and comparison, and great college application tips. There is also information about Advanced Placement exams. Write down and keep your user name and password!
FINANCIAL AID
Federal Aid: Here you can electronically submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students interested in financial aid MUST complete this document (opens in October) if they are planning to begin college study. You may also want to try the “fafsa4caster” to estimate financial need. We encourage all families to complete this document EVEN IF you think you won’t qualify for federal aid: most college financial aid offices still consult this application in determining who might qualify for state grants or privately donated funds for students who demonstrate financial need.
http://ifap.ed.gov/EarlyFAFSA/EarlyFAFSAResources.html – Early FAFSA Resource
http://ifap.ed.gov/EarlyFAFSA/earlyfafsaFAQv1.html – FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.cfnc.org/home/sc/dr/webinars.jsp – Financial Aid Webinars
Link to all the college and university college cost calculators – maintained by the federal government
www.irs.gov–Search “Tax Benefits for Higher Education” to see how you might benefit from federal income tax credits for education expenses.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Please be very cautious with scholarship “scams.” We warn students to NOT pay for scholarship search assistance and to not provide private information to any online agency. However, following are some online services that should not ask for payment and might be able to connect you with potential scholarships based on the questionnaire you are asked to complete.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/scholarship/index.shtml – Federal Trade Commission site for scholarship scams
COLLEGE ATHLETICS
The following websites provide information about the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
http://www.ncaa.org/static/2point3/
This website contains helpful and comprehensive information for the college-bound student-athlete. You may wish to download and print the student “Guide.”
Electronically submit documentation for college athletic eligibility. Students considering playing sports in college are recommended to begin this process their sophomore year of high school.
http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/CBSA19.pdf
Please take a look at this comprehensive guide published annually by the NCAA if you are interested in playing college athletics!
Additional websites include:
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics: You can access information about this national organization, and you can submit your eligibility online. If your school of interest is a member of the NAIA, you are encouraged to register in the spring of your junior year.
National Junior College Athletic Association
National Christian College Athletic Association