Finding a School | Writing an Application Essay | Financial Aid & Scholarships | California Information
Finding a School
Library Sources
| Title | Call Number |
|---|---|
| Petersons Guide to Four Year Colleges | 378 PETERSON |
| Barron’s profiles of American colleges | 378.73 BARRON’S |
| The college handbook | REF 378.73 COLLEGE |
| Fiske Guide to Colleges | 378.73 FISKE |
Online Sources
- College And University Rankings
- Links to various ranking sites, from the University of Illinois’s Education and Social Science Library
- College Blue Book
- A guide to thousands of 2- and 4-year schools in the U.S. and Canada, with information on programs, degrees, and financial aid sources. (WPL card required for access)
- College Net
- Forms for admission, tuition, financial aid, and scholarships (privacy protected)
- Quintessential Careers
- College Planning Resources for Teens – Directory of college and job information on the web
- College Navigator
- Search by programs offered, degrees offered, institution type, price, distance from home, school size, extended learning opportunities for adults (weekend and evening degree programs), and intercollegiate athletics programs offered.
- College View
- Search for colleges that meet your requirements: costs, majors, services, computing resources, types of residence, city size, etc.
Admissions and Writing an Application Essay
Library Sources
| Title | Call Number |
|---|---|
| How to Write Your College Application Essay | 378.1616 NOURSE |
| Acing the College Application | 378.1664 HERNANDEZ (Freedom) |
| On writing the College Application Essay | 808.06 BAULD |
| The Admissions Essay | 808.0663 POWER |
| Learning Express Library (Online) | Take practice tests (use WPL card # as username when registering) |
Online Sources
- ACT Assessment
- “A curriculum- and standards-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students’ academic readiness for college.”
- College Board Online
- Includes sections on SAT, AP, and College Planning.
- Common Application Online
- Apply simultaneously for colleges that use the common application form. You must register to use the site.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Library Sources
| Title | Call Number |
|---|---|
| College Board Scholarship Handbook | 378.3025 COLLEGEB |
| Peterson’s how to get money for college | 378.3025 PETERSON |
| Scholarships, grants & prizes | 378.34 PETERSON |
Online Sources
- Financial Aid
- U.S. Department of Education Student Guide
- FAFSA
- U.S. Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- College Net
- Forms for admission, tuition, financial aid, and scholarships (privacy protected)
- Scholarship Help
- Website that covers the facts about scholarships as well as advice on how to succeed in winning
scholarships - Educators for Fair Consideration
- “We provide scholarships and advisory services to low-income immigrant students who have gained admission to and/or are currently enrolled in U.S. colleges. We help immigrant students become catalysts for change, by creating mentorship, arts, and service opportunities in their communities.”
- Financial Aid for Minorities
- Part of FinAid.org
California Information
- California Colleges
- Provides information on financial aid and admissions planners for first-year and transfer students and virtual tours of CA campuses.
- California Student Aid Commission
- Resources and assistance in obtaining a higher education
