College Planning Websites

KnowHow2Go:  The KnowHow2GO campaign encourages low-income students and their families to take the necessary steps toward college.  The website features information, advice, and resources for students and mentors to prepare for college.

Michigan College Access Portal: The Michigan College Access Portal is a free resource for Michigan students and families to use in planning for college. It offers career guidance, information on college costs, and more.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by virtually all two- and four-year colleges, universities and career schools for the awarding of federal student aid and most state and college aid.   The annual Michigan deadline is March 1.

Federal Student Aid:  This site is intended to be the go-to source for information and resources about planning, preparing, and paying for postsecondary education.  Provides inspiration and hope to all students, and encourages them to consider and pursue a postsecondary education .

Federal Student Aid for Counselors:  Financial aid information, including tools and information about grants, student loans and scholarships, for counselors and mentors looking for information for students.

First Generation Student: Devoted to helping first-generation college students navigate the college application process, from beginning to end and beyond.

Student Aid on the Web:  Source for free information from the U.S. Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.

The College Board:  Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admission, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning.

  • Features a College Matchmaker Service , which searches a database of more than 3,800 schools by location, majors, cost, and more to find colleges that fit.

Mapping your Future:  Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative, public-service, nonprofit organization providing career, college, financial aid, and financial literacy services for students, families, and schools.

Michigan Transfer Network:  The Michigan Transfer Network allows students, advisers, and the general public to view transfer course equivalencies between many Michigan colleges and universities.

Encourage, Research, Prepare

College Preparation Checklist:  A "to do" list, starting with elementary school, to help students prepare academically and financially for education beyond high school.

FAFSA Basics:  From CFES - College for Every Student

Plan Your Path to College:  Reference Calendar from CollegeView - Use this calendar to help keep track as they prepare for college in high school.

College Navigator:  The NCES College Navigator search provides the ability to directly execute basic College Navigator searches from a web browser.

Activities and Workbooks

KnowHow2Go Mentor Workbook:  Tips and tools to educate yourself and your mentee about the college preparation process…and how to have fun while doing it.

50 Early College Awareness Week Activities :  From CFES - College for Every Student

101 Early College Awareness Activities:  From CFES - College for Every Student

Post College Visit Activities:  From CFES - College for Every Student

Get Ready for College:  A College Planning Guide and Workbook for Students in Grades 9 through 12.

College Positive Mentoring Activity Examples:  These activity examples are courtesy of the 2011 Detroit Pistons Mini-Grants recipients.

Pure Michigan Talent Connect:  Discover and learn about different careers, including the what skill sets are needed and how to gain them.