College Access Resources
Each student in Career Beginnings is assigned a college counselor who is always available to answer questions about the college process. Our advisors make regular visits to our high schools. You can find out when our staff will be at your school here: hartfordconsortium.org. Click on ‘Calendar/What’s Happening’.
Do you have a question about the college process?
Call or email:
Carisa Lovejoy 860 702 3809, clovejoy@metrohartford.com
Here are some web sites to help your college planning process.
http://www.firstinthefamily.org/
This site is dedicated to first generation college goers. It has step by step checklists, inspirational videos, scholarship material and breaks down the college process and experience for those who do not have family members with college experience.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
This site will take you to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This site has instructions on filling out the application, and includes deadlines. Parents and students must register and get a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov to apply for the FAFSA.
http://www.pin.ed.gov
This Web site is your source of information for the Federal Student Aid PIN.
Your PIN can be used each year to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your Federal Student Aid records online. If you receive a PIN, you agree not to share it with anyone. Your PIN serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records, so you should never give your PIN to anyone, including commercial services that offer to help you complete your FAFSA. Be sure to keep your PIN in a safe place.
http://www.knowhow2goct.org/
This site provides step by step guidance for college bound students from the middle school level on up through senior year. They also have many excellent links to other resources including scholarship information.
http://number2.com/
Number2.com is a website that offers students access to comprehensive free online test preparation courses for the SAT and ACT.
http://commonapp.org
The Common Application is a not-for-profit membership organization that, since its founding 35 years ago, has been committed to providing reliable services that promote equity, access, and integrity in the college application process. We serve students, member institutions, and secondary schools by providing applications - online and in print - that students and school officials may submit to any of our more than 400 members. Membership is open to colleges and universities that promote access by evaluating students using a holistic selection process.
http://www.collegeboard.com/
College Board is the company that administers the SAT. Students can learn about the SAT, register for the test and prepare for the test using this site. All students must get a PIN number by registering on this site so that they can then register for the SAT. This site also has excellent material on the college process and useful links. This is the primary site to use when searching for good college matches.
http://www.ctmentor.org/
This site is dedicated to CT colleges and universities. Students can apply to any CT college through this site. This site also allows parents/mentors and guidance counselors to track student applications.
http://www.fastweb.com/
This site is a clearinghouse for scholarship and financial aid searches. Students can register on this site, create a profile, and search for scholarship possibilities.
http://www.hfpg.org
This is the website for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. It has links to scholarships as well as summer opportunities. The Hartford Foundation is an excellent place to search for local scholarships.
http://www.blackexcel.org
This site is dedicated to African-Americans who are college bound. It has good links to scholarship possibilities.
Here is material used at our workshops:
college essay writing presentation
This PowerPoint presentation offers helpful hints on how to write a compelling college essay.