Online Resources
There are so many incredible online resources, here are some key sites to know and bookmark as you begin planning for the next step.
Testing:
SAT: Registration & Practice Tests
https://www.collegeboard.org/
Khan Academy: A resource to assist students in areas of academic need. This is also an excellent resource for SAT prep! You can connect your Khan Academy account to College Board and customize your studding.
https://www.khanacademy.org/
https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
ACT: Registration & Practice Tests
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
SAT vs. ACT: Should you take both? YES! Learn more about the two using this link!
https://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-act
Researching Colleges:
Research different colleges & what they offer!
https://www.collegeboard.org/
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-search
https://www.niche.com/
Compare the different schools that you are considering.
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
Applying to Colleges:
Common Application: Apply to over 700 colleges in one application
http://www.commonapp.org/
Common Black College Application: Apply to 53 different HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) in one application
http://commonblackcollegeapp.com/
Coalition for College Access: Apply to 140 different colleges and universities in one application
http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
Financial Aid:
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Use this application to apply for Federal and State Aid. If you are planning to pursue ANY type of education after high school, you should file the FAFSA. Many scholarships also require that you have filed FAFSA in order to be awarded scholarship money. FAFSA opens on October 1st every year. Make sure to check a school’s filing deadline in order to qualify for the maximum amount of grants & scholarships.
https://fafsa.gov/
FSA ID: You & your parent will need to create separate FSA IDs on this website in order to begin your FAFSA.
https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
College Abacus: Compare the estimated out-of-pocket price of different colleges & universities
https://collegeabacus.org/
Scholarships:
The College Companion: Local scholarship search, updated regularly
http://thecollegecompanion.com/scholarships/
National & State-wide Scholarship Search:
https://www.fastweb.com/
https://www.scholarships.com/
https://www.collegeboard.org/
Career Exploration:
Career Cruising: A self-exploration and planning program that helps students of all ages achieve their
potential in school, career and life.
https://public.careercruising.com/en/
O*Net Online: The O*NET program is the nation's primary source of occupational information. The O*NET database is an interactive online application for exploring and searching occupations.
www.onetonline.org/
Virginia Wizard: VA Wizard is a comprehensive career and college planning website that provides students with the ability to assess their skills and explore associated career clusters; find specific occupations in demand, and the top employers within their local areas and other regions of Virginia.
www.vawizard.org
Workforce Agencies & Job-Training Programs:
Richmond Technical Center Adult Education: Attend classes at the Richmond Technical Center in the evenings to become certified in trades such as barbering/cosmetology, automotive technology, food service and culinary arts, HVAC, manufacturing, EMT, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and welding.
http://web.richmond.k12.va.us/rtc/Programs/AdultEveningCareerTechnicalEducation.aspx
JobCorps: FREE program to provide job training and technical certifications in a residential environment. Live on a campus, stay in a dormitory, and eat in a cafeteria just like at college while getting hands-on training in a trade or career. There are locations throughout Virginia and neighboring states. Certifications available in areas such as Nursing, Medical Coding, Security, Automotive Technology, Welding, Carpentry, etc.
https://recruiting.jobcorps.gov/
Resource Workforce Center: Visit the Resource Workforce Center to access job search resources, career counseling, resume assistance, computer skills workshops and more! Located in Eastern Henrico, Downtown Richmond, & Chesterfield.
Goodwill Community Employment Center: Visit the Goodwill CEC for assistance with career planning, take a vocational assessment, apply for jobs, get help with a resume and learn about financial wellness. Located in Richmond on Chamberlayne Ave, Midlothian Turnpike or Mechanicsville Tpke.
http://goodwillvirginia.org/services/community-employment-centers/
Other GREAT Online Resources:
ECMC Opportunities: ECMC Opportunities book helps high school students choose the right college, understand admission requirements, identify types of financial aid and more! Hard copies are available in the Future Center.
https://www.ecmc.org/students/opportunities-guide-workbook.html
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia: Many different resources around higher education!
http://schev.edu/