College and Career Overview

The following list of websites provides helpful information related to the college admissions process. Students and parents are encouraged to refer to the links below to assist in preparing for post-high school plans 

Education Planner
EducationPlanner is a career and college planning website that provides practical and easy-to-understand advice to help prepare students for the important decisions they will face in the future. Middle school students will discover their interests and the things that motivate them by participating in several fun, interactive activities that get them thinking about careers. High school students will discover and learn all about careers and colleges—including ways to pay—using simple search tools, clever interactive exercises, and straightforward instructions. This website also provides information and tools for parents and counselors to help them motivate and prepare today’s youth for a successful tomorrow. EducationPlanner is a public service of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and its student loan servicing operation, American Education Services (AES). 

College Answer
College Answer walks students and parents through the process of planning and paying for college. College Answer is presented by Sallie Mae and provides solutions for planning and paying for college. The site guides users through the entire process — from early planning and estimating, to applying for federal and private loans online. The “Education Investment Planner” is an interactive tool that offers easy-to-follow guidance on paying for college based on a family’s unique financial situation.

College Navigator
A site that allows future students to evaluate and compare institutions’ prices, financial aid, enrollment fees and academic disciplines by the Department of Education Institute of Education Statistics.

College Data
Online college advisory service for students and parents. Learn how to choose, prepare, apply and pay for college with advice and tools. Get college admission help and search for colleges and scholarships.

Campus Tours
Virtual Campus Tours, College Videos, and Interactive University Maps. CampusTours builds video tours, photorealistic interactive campus maps and custom data-driven multimedia applications for higher education, non-profit and government clients worldwide.

Common Application
The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to any of their 1000+ members. For those of you just beginning on the college search process, you might want to take an early look at the parts of a college application. Check out the information that colleges will want to know. An early look at the essay questions will give you time to think about experiences that reveal the true you, while the discipline statement might make you more aware of the impact of behavior on college acceptance. Once ready to begin applying to college, use of the common application will greatly streamline the procedure.

University of Hawai‘i – Financial Aid 
University of Hawaii system awards more than $16 million in institutional scholarship assistance. Find out information about financial aid awards funded by the U.S. Government, the State of Hawaii, corporate entities and private sources. UH Scholarship opportunities, Campus Financial Aid Offices phone numbers, and online college resources information.

University of Hawai‘i – Scholarships
The University of Hawaiʻi offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to students attending any of the ten UH campuses. Scholarships available include need and merit-based awards, scholarships based on specific majors, preference for geographic location, campus and other unique criteria. Within the UH System, students can apply for UH System Scholarships, campus scholarships, as well as scholarships that vary by campus department. Since campuses vary, students are encouraged to begin by looking at their home campus financial aid office website for more information.

Hawai’i Community Foundation
Online portal for applying to scholarships for students from Hawaii. The Hawai‘i Community Foundation is a public, statewide, charitable services and grantmaking organization supported by donor contributions for the benefit of Hawai‘i’s people. The scholarship program consists of over 150 different scholarship funds established by generous individuals, families, businesses or organizations to assist Hawai‘i’s residents in obtaining a college education. Some of the funds are part of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and some represent private foundations that have asked Hawai‘i Community Foundation to administer their scholarships. Students apply to the program and, if eligible, can be awarded from one or more of these funds.

College Board
Information about the SAT test, PSAT test, the CSS Profile, college searches, and much more. College planning resources include finding and comparing colleges, major and career profiles. BigFuture is the college and career search section of the website. Students can find helpful resources for applying to and paying for college.

ACT
Students can find helpful information including test preparation, college planning, financial aid, career planning. In addition, students may register for the ACT exam and request to send scores.

Number 2
Information available includes free online test preparation courses for the SAT and ACT. Students may also access user-friendly tutorials, practice sessions that dynamically adapt to each student’s ability level, a vocabulary builder, and more.

FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the free federal form required by almost all colleges for financial assistance. The form is to be filled out annually by current and anticipating college students to determine their eligibility for federal student financial aid. Students and parents may file online through the website to save weeks in notification time.

Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID
A FSA ID is required to access and complete the FAFSA online. It can be used each year to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your Federal Student Aid records online. When you receive one, you agree not to share it with anyone. Your FSA ID serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records, so you should never give it to anyone, including commercial services that offer to help you complete your FAFSA. Be sure to keep your FSA ID in a safe place.

Financial Aid Toolkit
Find the latest updates on FAFSA materials and websites on the Financial Aid Toolkit website.

Fin Aid
 A broad overview of everything related to financial aid: loans, scholarships, grants, savings, military, calculators, and other aid related information. A comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools.

FastWeb
A comprehensive search engine for scholarships of all types. Fastweb has materials to keep students informed, including research and resources on the financial aid process. Students can search scholarships, colleges, financial aid, jobs, military, and information related to student life.

Sallie Mae
Tips on managing student loans and financial aid. Information about how to save, plan and pay for a college education.

NCAA
The Eligibility Center site is a resource for tools and information for potential college athletes. Provides information about the application, division, sports and other resources to apply for NCAA eligibility. The first step in playing college sports, student-athletes must register with the to qualify for college athletics.

2023-24 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
Designed to assist with understanding the NCAA, NCAA Eligibility Center registration and academic requirements, and how student-athletes can work toward their collegiate dreams.

NCAA Eligibility Center
The Eligibility Center site is a resource for tools and information for potential college athletes.

NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ purpose is to promote the education and development of students through intercollegiate athletic participation. The website provides information for prospective student athletes and member schools.

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
Published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, OOH provides information on what workers do; the work environment; education, training, and other qualifications; pay; the job outlook; information on state and area data; similar occupations; and sources of additional information, for 324 occupational profiles, covering about 4 out of 5 jobs in the economy.

The Occupational Information Network (O*Net)
A free online database for the public, especially job seekers, students, workforce training professionals, and businesses, sponsored by the US government, that contains definitions for hundreds of job descriptions available in the United States. Use this link to browse by interests according to RIASEC Career Interest Inventory results.

Hawaii Career Pathway Map
Learn how to get from high school to college employment through a Pathway Map that routes interests to goals.

Good Jobs Hawai‘i
A partnership among the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges, employers and organizations that want to help people in Hawaiʻi attain a good quality job for generations to come.