RESOURCES TO EXPLORE
Big Future (College Board's college and scholarship search service)
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Fifty $20,000 and two hundred $10,000 scholarships for high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA (apply in Aug. of senior year):
https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
NYS's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Excelsior and other scholarships, grants, loans, college majors, college fairs:
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Applicants must be nominated by school faculty, staff, or administrators; aimed at students who are most likely to succeed in fields of computer science, education, engineering, etc. Requirements: 3.3 GPA; person of color; U.S. Citizenship or residency status:
Questbridge
National nonprofit based in Palo Alto, CA that “connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth” (from families of four with income under $65,000) with leading colleges and opportunities:
Resources offered:
Student Resource Center, with 3 toolkits: Preparing for College, Applying to College, Paying for College
Programs offered:
--College Prep Scholars offers “awards and opportunities to develop a strong college application that shares your unique story” (apply in Mar. of junior year)
--College Match “helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to selective colleges (apply in Sep. of senior year).
Reach Higher
Michelle Obama’s initiative “to inspire every student in the U.S. to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training proram, a community college, or a four-year college or university":
https://www.bettermakeroom.org/reach-higher/
Resources and tools offered:
--UpNext, a free texting tool that offers personalized support on all things college access
--Financial Aid Shopping Sheet
--College Calculator
--College Finder; link to FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Scholarmatcher (college search tool for students from low-income households)
Free college search tool designed to assist prospective college students from households earning less than $50,000 a year:
https://scholarmatcher.scholarmatch.org/
Scholarships.com
Free scholarship search engine and financial aid resource:
New York State Tuition Assistance Program
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. Depending on the academic year in which you begin study, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,165. TAP is a grant--it does not have to be paid back:
https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nys-tap.html
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Required for those seeking federal financial aid:
Edmit (free personalized college and financial aid search)
Founded by former university administrators, Edmit Free is a personalized college and financial aid search tool designed to help families find colleges that meet their academic goals and are within their financial means:
The Education Trust—New York
Statewide education policy and advocacy organization "focused first and foremost on doing right by New York’s children. Although many organizations speak up for the adults employed by schools and colleges, we advocate for students, especially those whose needs and potential are often overlooked.
CSS Profile (College Board)
Filling out the CSS Profile is required for students interested in accessing non-federal sources of financial aid:
Tuition-free Summer Programs for High School Students
Thanks to our colleagues at Top Tier Admissions for this excellent list: https://www.toptieradmissions.com/prestigious-tuition-free-summer-programs/
Colleges That Offer Generous Financial Aid Packages
Bestcolleges.com ranks U.S. colleges and universities that best serve students (in terms of financial aid packages offered) whose family income falls below $48,000 per year:
Resources for Undocumented Students
A valuable collection of resources for undocumented students from the College Board:
Annuity.org (nonprofit financial literacy site)
Topics covered include: filling out the FAFSA; merit scholarships; how student loans work; planning for life after college; budgeting; saving:
Much Smarter