Choosing a College
College Navigator from the US Department of Education will search for colleges and universities by degree types offered, location, test scores, athletics, and more.
College Scorecard from the US Department of Education will tell you the average cost of a school, graduation rates, test score requirements, and other important information.
Illinois Career Information System has tools to search associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs by areas of study, location, size, and other criteria.
Peterson's Test Prep has tools to search undergraduate, distance learning, and nursing programs.
Virtual Campus Tours are available for free at hundreds of college campuses with these sites:
Find slides and resources from our program College Knowledge: Maximize College Visits from Home here!
Paying for College
How and When to Apply for Financial Aid from ISAC is a great first stop in the financial aid process, and includes a schedule fo when to complete certain steps, explanation of important terms, and more.
All college applicants and students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. Find more info here:
- This resource from the US Department of Education has details on every step of the FAFSA process
- ISAC has a great Guide to the FAFSA for Illinois students
- The FAFSA4caster (FAFSA Forecaster) helps you see what kind of aid to expect
Illinois and Federal Financial Aid Programs is a list created by ISAC to explore even more funding options beyond the FAFSA
Both the library's Peterson's Test Prep and the Illinois Career Information System have tools for searching available scholarships by numerous criteria
This Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet from ISAC will help you compare your final cost for school after being accepted and learning your financial aid awards from multiple schools