Online Resources

Counselors:

IMPORTANT: The most specific (and accurate) information regarding a specific college/university can be found on the university’s individual website.

Also - please be cautious about sites that conduct a scholarship search or other related services for a fee. Beware of companies that charge fees or "guarantee" scholarships. Offers that ask for money to “hold” the scholarship are likely to be scams.

Disclaimers: We try our best to keep this information up-to-date, but information changes quickly on the web. If you find a link not working, please report it to the Counseling Department.

Please remember to always keep safety in mind when entering personal information on the web

> Naviance
It is very important that parents and students visit this site often and update information. There is also a great deal of information that can be found on Naviance, including statistical data (acceptance rates, etc.) for MARIST students. This is great information to look at when creating a college list.

> College Board
Register for the SAT I and SAT II (Subject Test) exams. In addition, the College Board website provides tons of information on colleges and allows you the ability to compare financial aid packages.

> ACT
Register for the ACT (almost all universities accept either the SAT or ACT for admission). The website isn’t as extensive as College Board’s site, but it is getting better all the time.

> National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC)
Information not only concerning college search and selection, but also regarding admissions policies, trends, financial aid, and college counseling resources.

> Common Application
There are currently 391 universities that either exclusively use or accept the common application. (If given a choice ALWAYS choose the Common Application as it connects directly with Naviance and allow us to submit supporting documents, such as transcripts, electronically.)

> Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
File your free FAFSA application. The application for the following school year becomes available on January 1st. The earlier this application is completed and submitted, the better.

> NCAA Eligibility Center
Completing the NCAA Eligibility Center is required for students wishing to play a sport at a Division I or II university.

> Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC)

> GetCollegeFunds.org
Both of the OSAC links above provide online assistance in planning for and applying to college. In addition, OSAC provides the single online application and is the administrating organization for over 400 scholarship opportunities.

> Aspire Podcasts
Another unit of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission is ASPIRE, a program which seeks to increase awareness of college opportunities, planning for college readiness, and applications to college among high school students. One of the services it offers is a series of podcasts which provide valuable and quick information and guidance for students and parents involved in the college search and application process.

> YouniversityTV.com
A teen-friendly, highly interactive website that allows students to watch videos of virtual college tours, take a quiz that will match them to specific schools, search through career videos, and many other high-tech activities.

> Colleges That Change Lives
Based on the best-selling book “Colleges That Change Lives,” by Lauren Pope. It profiles 40 universities and emphasizes that searching for a college is a search for the “right fit.” From their website: “We support the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.”

> College Results Online
The most extensive site on the web to compare and contrast graduation rates from colleges and universities.

> National Center for Education Statistics
Federal government site for information on colleges and universities – reports all data that colleges and universities are required to provide the US government to receive federal aid; probably the most comprehensive site on the web.

> Fairtest
List of colleges that do not require standardized entrance exams (SAT & ACT) for admission.

> College Answer
Sallie Mae’s website – A very good resource for scholarship and financial aid information.

> Student Aid on the Web
The government’s aid website – everything you need to know about.

> SimpleTuition
Helps to sort out the differences among student loans.

> MeritAid
A comprehensive directory of merit scholarships and academic scholarships from colleges across the country.

> CSS/Financial Aid Profile
The CSS PROFILE (by College Board) required by some (especially smaller and more selective universities) as an additional Financial Aid document. It is more detailed than the FAFSA and costs a fee – however, sometimes it can find aid for families with larger incomes ($200K-$250K or less).

> Cappex
Lots of good information, as well as a tool called the “What are my chances?” Calculator that instantly tells a student his/her chances of being admitted to almost any college in the country. Students can also search colleges and scholarships.

College Search and Scholarship Search Sites