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 state.
Step 1 – Find an Adult Who Can Help (and be a pain until you do!)
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 Achievers programs at 165 centers
nationwide will be actively participating in KnowHow2GO events and contests
throughout the year. Click
here to find out if there is a participating program near you.
www.collegeaccess.org/accessprogramdirectory
The National College Access Program Directory is a free online
resource for students, parents, counselors, and researchers 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 ten-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 not-for-profit organization
founded in 2001 for the purpose of making public the voices and views
of adolescents. On its website, WKCD documents young people's lives,
learning, and work, and their partnerships with adults both in and out
of school.
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 challenge—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. Find a college that fits your
goals with the “College MatchMaker,” get it together with “My
Organizer,” and prepare and register for the SAT.
www.nacacnet.org
National Association for College Admission Counseling offers
online resources for college preparation, international students and
scholarship scams.
Step 3 – Find
the Right Fit
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. Find a college that fits your
goals with the “College MatchMaker,” get it together with “My
Organizer,” and prepare and register for the SAT.
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 financila aid professionals about financial aid
resources and how to apply, and get information regarding statewide
student services, admission requirements, and more.
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.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.
National Association for College Admission Counseling offers online resources for college preparation, international students and scholarship scams.
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.
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators offers a range of resources to help students, parents, and counselors navigate the college aid process.