This interactive eLearning module was designed to help mentors and mentees explore the elements and attitudes needed for a successful transition to college including choosing a school, financing your education, taking placement exams, and taking ownership of your transition. What’s Next? College Knowledge provides online content, downloadable extension activities, and a planning workbook.

Technology Requirements & Tips

• Install the latest Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Reader on your computer or device and enable the sound to hear narration.
• This module works best over a broadband connection.
• Apple and Mobile Users: If you are unable to view the tutorial, click here for a PDF version of the module.

Worksheets and Activities

The worksheets and activities in this tutorial have been converted to PDF forms so that you can work on your plan electronically. When filling out a form electronically, save the form on your computer or device before filling in your information.

• Postsecondary Education Development Plan Workbook - A workbook that contains all of the worksheets and activities found in the module. Individual activities from this workbook are listed below.
• Choosing a School - A research activity for learning about various schools and discussion questions to help you weigh your options.
• Factors to Consider - A discussion guide to examine the various school and lifestyle factors to consider when choosing a program.
• Admissions Requirements - A worksheet to organize admissions requirements, key deadlines, and testing needs for schools.
• Research Financial Aid - A research activity to identify key dates and resources needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and explore scholarship opportunities.
• You Can Go Video Guide - A guide to help mentors and mentees explore profiles of students who have turned their school ambitions into reality.
• Prepare for Placement Tests - A guide to direct you to sample questions and tips for test taking and preparation.
• Taking Ownership Interview Guide - A guide for mentees to interview someone they admire about how they took ownership of their life when faced with a major transition.

Web Resources Mentioned in What’s Next? College Knowledge

Choose: Decide where to study

• College Navigator - Find the right college for you.
• AccreditedOnlineColleges.org - A complimentary database that provides in-depth information and details about the accreditation and availability of degree programs offered by colleges and universities throughout the US.
• Better Business Bureau - Research for profit colleges to see how they rate.
• Accreditation in the United States - Ensure the education provided by the institution meets acceptable levels of quality.
• Net Price Calculator Center - Find out what students like you paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.
• Cohort Default Rates for Schools - Learn about loan default rates for a particular school.
• Federal Student Aid Choosing a School - Figure out what schools are right for you.
• Technical College Locator - Look beyond traditional colleges to find technical and trade schools.
• Fun Phone Apps for College Applicants - Check out a listing of phone apps created by colleges and businesses to get their information into your hands.
• Subprime Opportunities: The Unfulfilled Promise of For-Profit Colleges and Universities - Educate yourself about under regulated for-profit colleges.

Finance: Find money for college

• FAFSA - Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Student Aid Deadlines - Search for state FAFSA deadlines.
• Federal Student Aid PIN Web site - Apply for your FAFSA PIN to access your records online.
• FAFSA4caster - Get an early estimate of your financial aid.
• Avoiding Scams - Avoid scams while searching for scholarships, filling out the FAFSA, and giving personal information to schools and lenders.
• Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Student Aid - Look up federal student aid eligibility and access other detailed information about financial aid for postsecondary education.
• Federal Student Aid Grant Programs Fact Sheet - Find quick facts about grant programs.
• Federal Student Aid Loan Programs Fact Sheet - Find quick facts about loan programs.
• Your Federal Student Loans: Learn the Basics and Manage Your Debt - Make informed financial decisions by understanding the federal loan process.
• Education Award for AmeriCorps - Learn about your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award and form a strategy on how to use it.
• Department of Labor Scholarship Search - Find more than 5,000 scholarship opportunities.
• bigfuture by the College Board - Search for scholarships, other financial aid, and internships from more than 2,200 programs.
• The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH Grant) - Plan to become a teacher? Decide if the TEACH Grant is right for you.
• National Health Service Corps (NHSC) - Plan to have a career in medicine, dentistry, or as a nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant? See if the NHSC Scholarship is right for you.
• Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships - Learn about this scholarship as you transition from community college to your bachelor’s degree program.
• Aid for Military Families - Find out what types of financial aid the government offers for military service or for family members of military personnel.
• You Can Go Videos - Explore profiles of students who share how they turned their school ambitions into reality.

Test: Prepare for placement exams

• SAT (test dates, approach, sample test & questions, tips for test day)
• ACT (test dates, approach, sample test & questions, tips for test day)
• Compass (sample test & questions, tips for test day)
• Accuplacer (approach, sample test & questions, tips for test day)

Own It: Take ownership of your future

• Best Apps for Setting Goals and Keeping Resolutions - Try a phone app to help you organize and meet your goals.

Other Web Resources

• College Prep Resource Page - Many thanks to Joanne McClaine and the Creative Girls Adventure Book Club for recommending this great resource from Student Debt Relief.
• Top Online Medical Assistant Schools - A list of the best online schools for medical assistants, all of which are fully accredited.
• Top 30 Criminal Justive Programs - Criminal justice programs that train students to work in law enforcement, forensic science, private investigation, and much more.
• RN to BSN Online Programs - This site is devoted to helping students learn more about a career in nursing.
• Best Online Universities - This site is dedicated to provide the best content to those searching for an online education.