Financial Aid: Significant Need – Academic Record: Below Average – Path: College

Use the resources in the links below to get information for making a plan.  Complete the Aspiration Plan form after exploring the information.

Click the links below to get information about how to pay for college and how to make decisions about return on investment.

LinkDescription
College Costs by MajorCollege Costs by Major
College Score CardReturn on Investment information for any college
What is a living wage?Living wage calculator
FAFSAApplication for federal aids and student loans
FAFSA 4casterThis will forecast your eligibility amounts.
What you need for FAFSAWhat you need before you get started on FAFSA
Scholarship search engineScholarship search engine
College Board Scholarship SearchScholarship search engine
QuestbridgeHigh quality private colleges looking for high achieving low-income students
Carolina CovenantFree tuition for low-income students
Pell GrantsTuition money that does not need to be paid back. Eligibility depends on financial need.
Americorps Education CreditsYou can earn college tuition credits by being an Americorps volunteer.
Voucher for Fostered YouthFinancial aid for students who are or have been in foster care.
NC Foster Care VouchersNorth Carolina's version of the foster care tuition voucher application.
Net Price CalculatorUse this Net Price Calculator to help you plan what college will cost.
Financial Literacy ResourcesGovernment website for Financial Literacy curriculum and resources
CLT scores and scholarshipsScholarships based on Classic Learning Test scores
CareerOneStopScholarship finder sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor
CappexCreate an account to get a personalized list of scholarships.
College GreenlightResources for low-income and historically underrepresented students.
Student Scholarship SearchThis site uses your grade, GPA, state, gender, and ethnic background to match you to scholarships.
FastwebFind scholarships specific to your needs.
Going MerryFind and apply to scholarships in one place by creating an account to this website.
Scholarship AmericaAnother free site to search for scholarships.
ScholarshipsFree search for over 3.7 million scholarships and grants.
UnigoCreate a free scholarship profile to find scholarships that you may be eligible for.
Global ScholarhipsA scholarship search engine dedicated to supporting international students' academic dreams through scholarship opportunities.

Your academic record may not truly reflect your academic ability.  You can improve your scores by studying and retaking the ACT/SAT.

LinkDescription
ACT AcademyFree practice for the ACT
Practice TestsFree Accuplacer practice tests.
Kaplan ACT PrepFree Kaplan ACT Prep
SAT Prep Khan AcademyFree SAT Prep

Click the links to explore information about what careers including which are fastest growing, education required, and expected salaries.

LinkDescription
Skills MatcherMatch your skills to careers.
ONET Skill MatcherOnet Skills Match
Career InfoResearch careers
Overview of Employment and WagesStats on jobs and wages
Fastest Growing CareersExplore fastest growing careers.
Fastest Growing IndustriesExplore fastest growing industries
STEM CareersExplore STEM career options
NC PromiseIn-state tuition is $500 a semester at 3 NC Colleges
Alice Lloyd CollegeTuition Free for low-income students.
Barclay CollegeTuition Free Christian college
College of the OzarksTuition Free Christian college
Curtis Institute of MusicTuition Free based on music talent
Deep Springs CollegeTuition Free 2-year school
Vanderbilt OpportunityVanderbilt has good financial aid for students who need it.
Warren WilsonWarren Wilson College has affordable or free tuition
Webb InstituteNeeds based tuition waivers