Essays, applications, extracurriculars, GPAs, letters of recommendation, more essays; the college planning and application process is stressful at best and overwhelming at its worst. These five free college planning resources can help you start strong in your preparations for college, or help you re-route if you’re feeling off track and overwhelmed.
5 Free College Planning Resources
College Point
CollegePoint provides free college advising to high-achieving, low- and moderate-income students. Launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies and America Achieves in 2014, CollegePoint has counseled over 70,000 students.
Qualified students receive a virtual advisor to provide support and guidance to navigate the college application process. To qualify, a student must have a GPA greater than 3.5, a score in the 90th percentile or higher on the PSAT, SAT, or ACT, and an earned family income less than $80,000 per year.
Sound like you? Head to their website to learn more and sign up for free college counseling.
Olive Book Test Tip Videos
Olive Book’s Test Tip video series on YouTube covers college advice, too! When you have a minute, pop on over to YouTube to take advantage of these free college planning resources that take 10 minutes or less to watch.
Tips for Picking a College
4 Tips for Writing the Common App Essay
Easy Schedule to Complete the Common App
College Vine
College Vine provides college planning advice to students for free online. On their website you can build a college list, calculate your chances of admission, and even receive personalized advice.
They also host frequent livestreams that provide even more advice and insight into the college admissions process. These livestreams cover everything from live essay reviews to Q&A’s with current college students.
Visit the CollegeVine website here.
Watch CollegeVine livestreams here.
Khan Academy College Admissions Course
This wouldn’t be a complete list of free resources without at least one mention of Khan Academy, right? Khan Academy created a College Admissions course to guide you through the application process, starting in high school and beyond.
Take Khan Academy’s free college admissions course here.
Private Student Loans Calculator
If you are interesting in taking out private student loans to pay for college, it’s important to have an idea of future monthly payments. We recommend taking a look at a student loan calculator like this one from Education Loan Finance that automatically generates estimated monthly payment amounts. Understanding the financial impact of your student loans long term can help you choose the appropriate loan type for you!
Free Olive Book ACT or SAT Online Course
This isn’t a college admissions resource, but taking the SAT or ACT is a necessary step along the way. Because we’re committed to access for every student to great test prep, with every Olive Book ACT or SAT course purchased we give a course to a student in need for free.
All students who qualify for an SAT or ACT fee-waiver also qualify for access to any Olive Book course for free. And if you currently qualify for SNAP benefits, Medicaid, free or reduced school lunch, unemployment benefits, or any other aid, you qualify for a free course, too. Just email us at info@olive-book.com and we’d love to help.
More College Resources:
2020-2021 Guide to the FAFSA
How to Find College Scholarships
How to Ask for a College Recommendation Letter
4 Tips for the Common App Essay