Must See Websites
The following websites are filled with information regarding college search and selection, financial aid, and employment.
- this website has an interest inventory and a skills inventory to help the students find the career that best suites their personality. There are also college searches for the entire United States with links to the actual college website. Quick college comparisons of size, tuition, programs of study, etc. can be completed. Also, students can keep a log of all the volunteer hours, community service, clubs and organizations, and jobs that they have completed, and then the information will be compiled automatically into an updated resume if needed! Make sure you check out this sight.
- one of the best scholarship search sights. Students can set up a private mailbox, and as the website is updated, new scholarships that the students qualify for will be emailed to them. This is an extensive database; it requires about one hour to answer all the questions and set up an initial mailbox and search. There is also college information on this site.
- a scholarship search, financial aid information, and a financial aid calculator can all be found here. There are also links to searches on careers and colleges. Students can also register for the SAT here.
- everything you ever wanted to know about the ACT. Go here to register for the act electronically.
- a free, comprehensive, independent, and objective guide to student financial aid and warnings about scholarships scams. There is a link to other databases that students can search for free.
- UMKC’s financial aid information, but students do not have to go to UMKC to use the information. A free scholarship search and access to an electronic FAFSA are available here.
- a site that searches for colleges and scholarships. There is also information about student loans and access to ACT and SAT practice.
- tons of information about the college process including ten steps for parents, recommended books and websites, etc.
- federal site that deals with the FAFSA and has the electronic applications. Also has website links to two and four year colleges and universities with links to the individual college web pages.
- explains the application process students need to complete if they desire to be eligible for certain athletic programs at the college level.
- free test prep for ACT, Sat, and GRE and vocabulary builder.
- operated by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education with links to many more websites. A great site!
- an Internet version of the Occupational Outlook Handbook by the US Dept of Labor. Lists all the major jobs in the US, duties, salary, outlook, education needed, etc.
- valuable job search inform from resumes to the job search process to interviews.
- good for all ages planning to attend college. Financial aid information, application information, preparing for college, etc.
- a nationwide database to search for college options for those occupations that require going to career school.
- online applications for colleges, college search functions, and scholarship database
- college Opportunities On-Line (COOL) with directory of colleges and university with costs
- complete the free FAFSA online
information about funding your educations
- college, career and financial aid information
- information about state and federal aid
- education and career information
- The Path To College – a host of college planning articles
- The Nationals Assoc for Student Financial Aid Administrators website for parents & students preparing for college
- college prep information for students
- explains student financial aid program that the US Dept of Ed administers
- info on college prep and applying for financial aid.
What To Do When
11th Grade
This year the college search process begins in earnest. Exploration and testing should help you and your child to start developing a list of target schools by spring. Continue in earnest with involvement in school and community activities.
August/September
_____Make sure your classes are rigorous enough to prepare you properly for success in college
_____ Register for the PSAT/NMSQT if you believe you might qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Only ½ of 1% of the students do, but why not give it a shot? The test is not expensive, and it will give you valuable test taking practice.
_____Come to the Career Lab and familiarize yourself with the resources available. Start using what applies.
_____Go to and update any information on volunteer work and activities completed over the summer.
October/November
_____Evaluate your grades in your classes. Determine what you need to do to make sure your GPA is where it needs to be. See the counselor if you need help.
_____Start preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT by going to and by checking out the practice tests in the pamphlets.
_____Go to to check out possible careers.
_____Go to to complete an interest inventory and see what careers are recommended. Also look at the colleges that offer these career programs.
_____Attend the college fairs and find out about the available colleges. Use the comparison sheet to determine which ones you are most interested in attending.
December
_____Schedule campus visits during the Christmas break. Our goal is that you have narrowed your college selection to 2-3 best bets by the end of the year.
_____Take advantage of college students home from vacation. Ask them about their college and the best ways to prepare.
January
_____Evaluate academic progress. Are grades where they need to be? If they are not, see the counselor for test taking or organizational skills.
_____Watch the bulletin for summer enrichment opportunities. These really look great on scholarship applications. Apply now! And also be thinking about volunteer hours. There is really nothing exciting happening in January anyway. So do some volunteer work!
_____Start getting books and going to internet sights to prepare for the ACT.
_____Visit the many websites listed above. Do some careers work and try to determine an area of study you are most interested in pursuing.
_____Visit college websites and take virtual tours. Request information as needed.
February
_____Make some scheduled college visits. Seeing the college when it is really in session will give you a better idea of what it is really like.
_____Prepare for the ACT.
_____Set aside an area for college propoganda. You are probably going to get lots of it if you have hit any of the websites. Invest in folders and organize.
____Pick up an ACT packet and register for the April ACT.
March
_____Plan spring college visits
_____ Prepare for the ACT
_____Plan the classes you need to take next year to best prepare your for success in college.
April/May
_____Finalize summer plans that will best accentuate your applications.
_____go to and update your information
Summer
_____Visit the scholarship web pages and start enrolling. Remember: don’t pay for anything. You can find many free scholarship search services.
_____ Complete volunteer hours and attend programs to beef up your scholarship applications
_____Go on college visits
_____Prepare for the ACT – consider taking a speed reading class
_____Go to the websites listed in this booklet and mark as favorite the ones that are most helpful to you.
_____Narrow your college choices to 3-5.
_____Start writing general essays about “Why do you deserve this scholarship” and “Why do you want to attend this college” and a general essay that explains who you are. You will be able to use these later!!!!
12th Grade
We are really headed for the home stretch now! The first few months are filled with applications and decisions. Good luck!
August
_____Plan a special evening with the college bound child, while he or she is still sane. Discuss plans and goals for the months ahead and the pros and cons of target schools.
_____Buy a calendar just for your senior. Have them place all dates of importance on this calendar, including scholarship deadlines and ACT tests etc.
_____Ask the counselor about the dates for college fairs and financial aid seminars in your area. Place these dates on your calendar.
_____Schedule visits to the colleges you most prefer. Make sure you take a list of questions to ask the representative when you visit. Include campus overnights, when possible. This will give you a real feel for campus life.
_____Realize that many schools have free online applications. Apply to these! Maybe you will get an even better deal at a school you really had not given enough credit to. Make sure you make a copy!
_____Look ahead to the ACT registration deadline and put the dates for registration and tests on the calendar
September
_____Go to all the websites and start applying for scholarships. Put scholarship deadlines in your calendar so you make sure you don’t miss any. Make copies of everything you submit.
_____Sign up for the October ACT if needed
_____Oversee the start of applications. Note the essays needed for each applications and look for overlap to reduce the workload.
_____Set up one Saturday or early out day just to work on applications. Make sure to make copies!
_____Check out the careers lab to find books that will help you find scholarships.
October
_____By the middle of this month you should have applications in to at least three colleges.
_____Attend college fairs just to get more information and verify choices. You want to make sure you aren’t missing a great opportunity. It’s not too late to add another possibility to your list of colleges.
_____It’s time to laugh about the college admissions process. Don’t go crazy. Instead, plan an evening of fun. Ren the movies “OrangeCounty” or “Risky Business” to break the tention.
_____Sign up for the December ACT if needed.
_____Check those scholarship deadlines and get back online to find more!
November
_____Plan a Thanksgiving break that includes a college visit, if needed. Or if you have kept up with this calendar, plan a Thanksgiving break where the word “college” is never said!
_____Make sure all applications are off. Check on the status of them.
_____Keep looking in ALL the places for scholarships.
December
_____Plan a last minute look at the last few colleges. Christmas break is a good time to make some contacts.
_____Parents might want to get their taxes estimated at this time. Your accountant might have plans to help your FAFSA look better.
_____Keep applying for scholarships.
_____Apply for the February ACT if needed.
January
_____Prepare to complete your taxes as soon as possible. Then get ready to complete the FAFSA form also. The sooner these are filed, the better!
_____ Check on the status of any applications.
February
_____If confirmations have not been received, contact colleges by phone or email to verify completion of applications. Record the names of contacts.
_____ WAIT for verification
_____Check for any new scholarships.
March/April
_____Your wait is nearly over. You should be receiving confirmation letters by now.
_____Compare the financial aid package that each school is offering. If a school is not offering as large of a package as you would desire, set up a visit with the financial aid counselors of the school and bring documentation of the awards received to other colleges. Ask the desired school if they can come close to making the same award as the other school. This is bargain shopping. Don’t be afraid to ask for more!
_____Make sure you have sent transcripts from the colleges where you have earned dual credit.
April/May
_____Take AP Exams, if appropriate
_____Write thank-you notes to anyone who has been helpful in the application process. This is a great “in” with the financial counselors and/or admissions counselors of the school. Don’t forget the people who wrote recommendations for you.
_____Fill in all forms for the school you will attend. Watch for housing options and information about freshman orientation. Know when college registration will occur.
_____Make sure you fill out a form so the counselor can send a final transcript to the college you have chosen.
Summer
_____Organize a file to keep track of college. Have a file for housing, grades, financial aid, registration, and one for each class you will take. Do not throw away anything from a class until you have a grade in hand!
_____ENJOY! You’ve made it! Congratulations! Now sit back and enjoy your summer.
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