The websites below will help you explore career options, plan for college, understand financial aid, calculate costs, and search for scholarships. Please note that some websites that offer free services may also include other services for which there is a fee. Because so many free resources are available, we recommend that students and their parents be very careful about paying any fees for scholarship matching services or financial aid consultants. For sound advice about using fee-based services, visit “Scholarship Scams” at www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml.
PLANNING FOR COLLEGE
bigfuture.org www.bigfuture.org
The College Board’s comprehensive website guides students through each step of the college planning process, from finding colleges that fit through applying for financial aid. Includes search-and-match tools and informative videos. Students can create a personalized plan for college.
Career Cruising www.careercruising.com/ssp
To access Career Cruising, log in to your Delaware Student Success Plan (SSP). Contact your advisor or school counselor if you do not have your user name and password. You will find tools to assess your skills and interests, write your resume, explore careers, learn about financial aid, and search for scholarships. In English and Spanish.
EducationPlanner www.educationplanner.org
One-stop career and college planning site. Provides information and interactive tools to help you research careers, choose a college, and find ways to finance your education. A public service of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
FAFSA4caster www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
This U.S. Department of Education website helps you get an early start on the financial aid process by providing you with an early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. You can transfer your data to FAFSA on the Web when you’re ready to apply. In English and Spanish.
Get Schooled https://getschooled.com
Nonprofit organization that is focused on reversing the student drop out trend and empowering students to take control of their education. Website includes tips and tricks to find a career, finish school, pay for college, and prepare for college.
KnowHow2GO www.knowhow2go.org
Campaign that targets low-income and first-generation students and their parents and mentors to encourage them to start the college preparation process early. The mentors section is provided in English and Spanish.
Mapping Your Future http://mappingyourfuture.org
Helps you develop a career plan, select a school, apply for admission, explore financial aid options, and manage your money. Provides information for middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. In English or Spanish.
YouCanGo! http://youcango.collegeboard.org
Listen to stories from students who thought they couldn’t go to college but overcame financial, academic, and personal obstacles and found a way. This website will help you explore your options, find nearby colleges, and the learn about the next steps you should take.
Technical Schools Guide http://www.technical-schools-guide.com A free resource covering all the technical schools and programs in the US. Their website has career guides and resources to help people discover career paths that match their skill sets and life goals.
U.S. College Search http://www.uscollegesearch.org A free resource covering all the colleges and program offerings in the US. Their website has occupational guides, financial aid resources and FAQ’s on all the different programs.
Regionally Accredited Online Schools http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org A free and informative resource that ranks each university throughout the nation by size, degrees offered, tuition costs, admission, graduation, and retention rates. Site highlights schools offering online degree and certificate programs.
CAREERS
CareerOneStop www.careeronestop.org
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Helps individuals explore career opportunities to make informed employment and education choices. Sections include: Explore Careers; Education & Training; Resumes & Interviews; Salary & Benefits; Job Search; and People & Places to Help.
Delaware Career Compass www.delawareworks.com/oolmi/Home.aspx, “Publications”
Comprehensive step-by-step career and education guide published annually by the Delaware Department of Labor
Delaware Job Link https://joblink.delaware.gov/ada/default.cfm
Delaware Department of Labor website that provides information about the state job market. A Delaware JobLink Job Seeker account lets you conduct a job search, build an online resume, receive email notification of new jobs, search for training opportunities, and more.
TESTS
ACT http://actstudent.org
Information about registering and preparing for the ACT test. Also provides information about planning for college, financial aid, and career planning.
College Board www.collegeboard.org
Information about registering and preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, AP, and CLEP tests. Has information for parents and students, including planning for college, finding a college, applying to college, and paying for college. In English and Spanish.
Number2.com www.number2.com
Free online test preparation courses for the SAT, ACT, and GRE tests. Includes user-friendly tutorials, practice sessions that dynamically adapt to each student's ability level, a vocabulary builder, and more.
SELECTING A COLLEGE
- Campus Explorer www.campusexplorer.com
- CampusTours www.campustours.com
- CollegeInSight http://college-insight.org
- College Navigator http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
- CollegeView www.collegeview.com
- College Week Live www.collegeweeklive.com
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation www.chea.org
- Historically Black Colleges & Universities http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/whhbcu
- Hispanic-Serving Institutions www.hacu.net
- My College Dollar http://apps.facebook.com/mycollegedollars
- Peterson's www.petersons.com
- Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com
- U.S. News & World Report www.usnews.com/sections/rankings/index.html
ADMISSIONS
National Association for College Admission Counseling www.nacacnet.org
The Student and Parents Resources section provides tools to help students transition from high school, including advice on college preparation, searching for a college, applying to college, paying for college, and succeeding in college. Website also provides schedules for free national college fairs and free performing and visual arts college fairs.
STATE & FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
- Delaware Higher Education Office www.doe.k12.de.us/dheo
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov
- US Department of Education Student Aid on the Web www.studentaid.ed.gov
FINANCIAL AID ADVICE
- FinAid www.finaid.com
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) www.nasfaa.org/Home.asp
SEARCHING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
- bigfuture www.bigfuture.org
- Career Cruising www.careercruising.com/ssp
- CareerOneStop Scholarship Search www.careeronestop.org/EducationTraining/Pay/Scholarships.aspx
- CollegeNet www.collegenet.com
- Fastweb www.fastweb.com
- Latino College Dollars www.latinocollegedollars.org
- Scholarships.com www.scholarships.com
SPECIAL INTEREST
Heath Resource Center www.heath.gwu.edu
Online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Serves as an information exchange on educational resources, support services, and opportunities.
MinorityRecruit www.minorityrecruitonline.com
Helps students find colleges and workplaces that understand the meaning of diversity. Includes in-depth articles on diversity issues and a list of minority scholarships.
National Collegiate Athletic Association www.ncaastudent.org
Website discusses academic eligibility requirements, amateur eligibility, financial aid, and recruiting rules.
SREB Electronic Campus www.electroniccampus.org
Provides e-learning opportunities from accredited colleges and universities offering courses and degrees in 16 southern states.
SREB Teacher Center www.theteachercenter.org
Information for students planning to teach as well as for new and experienced educators.
ThinkCollege www.thinkcollege.net
Website for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Designed to share what is currently going on, provide resources and strategies, let you know about training events, and give you ways to talk to others. The information is for transition-aged students as well as adults attending or planning for college. Provides resources and tools for students and families.
Today’s Military www.todaysmilitary.com
Information about U.S. military colleges, service, careers, and educational benefits. Helps students make an informed decision about serving in the military. In English and Spanish.



