THE COLLEGE TOUR

WATCH NOW

Each episode of the award-winning TV series,
The College Tour, shares the story of a single college or university through the authentic lens of its current students. Learn from real students about their real experiences on campus, as we offer viewers an insider’s perspective on college life and college culture. This TV series is a comprehensive guide to aid your college research, helping you answer the ultimate question: ‘Which college is best for me?’ Take the ultimate campus tour now by watching episodes of this informative TV series.

TROJAN PATHWAYS

Lake City's College & Career Resource Center!

This website is designed to help plan and obtain your future college or career goals.

Resume / Cover Letter / and References Packet - Tips and Samples

(Even though the packet above is designed for getting a Ministry job, you can use the same information and principles for going after ANY job)

Other Resume Templates

Classic Resume

Modern Resume

Elegant Resume

Dublin Resume

Harvard Resume

Request Transcripts through Parchment

Most Universities require that all Seniors & Graduates need to have their High School TRANSCRIPTS sent to the colleges through this electronic portal system.

College Board develops and administers standardized tests and curricula used by K–12 and post-secondary education institutions to promote college-readiness and as part of the college admissions process

Make sure you have an account set up with

College Board

College Board account set up or reset checklist

If you have forgotten your Login Information please follow the following directions

College Board Login Issues Guide

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Writing Effective College Essays

Tips for writing an Effective Application Essay

College Essay Prompts - Current trends in prompt selection across different student populations

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Register for and take the SAT or ACT if unsatisfied with previous score.

Please fill out this questionnaire to identifying your career/educational goals. This EDP Questionnaire will document what you identify as your career goals and your plan of action to achieve them.

Educational Development Plan - Questionnaire

Put all of your deadlines on a calendar. -- Remember, these deadlines are real. You won’t get extensions or second chances.

____ Check your school e-mail regularly for college or career related updates.

____ Attend meetings with college, career or military representatives who visit Lake City High School.

____Apply online to the college of your choice or sign up for on-site admissions. (School SAT testing day for underclassmen in October will be set aside to walk all Seniors through application process)

____ Research scholarship opportunities; apply before deadlines. Forms available online (follow the SCHOLARSHIPS link on the High School page of the school website).

____ Ask teachers for LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION if college applications require them. Give them a worksheet that lists your high school and community involvements as well as honors or awards you have received. Be sure to give them a specific date by which you’ll need the letters – and give them plenty of advance notice.

____ Schedule visits to colleges; many colleges have special fall visiting days for high school students.

____ Students planning to play college athletics must become eligible through the NCAA or NAIA. See the counselor for more information.

____ Attend FINANCIAL AID NIGHT in October at Lake City High School. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) which is available online starting October 1st. Even if you figure you won’t qualify for financial aid, complete it anyway. The FAFSA is often required for scholarship, loan, and work/study eligibility too.

This PowerPoint presentation was created to answer all your basic questions about the Financial Aid process for College access

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FINANCIAL AID NIGHT - PowerPoint Presentation

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Early Financial Aid Resources

Applying for Financial Aid With the FAFSA® Form Video

How to Fill Out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Form Video

Tips for Preparing To Fill Out the FAFSA Form

2025-26 FAFSA Prototype - Demo

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2025-26 FAFSA Worksheet - Required Information for completing FAFSA Application

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Get your FSA ID

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APPLY HERE - FAFSA - APPY NOW

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COMMON QUESTIONS

What is my Dependency Status - Your dependency status determines whose information you must report when you fill out the FAFSA.

Who counts as a parent on the FAFSA form? - Identifies which parent(s) will be a required contributor on the FAFSA form.

Reporting Parent Information - Is my parent a Contributor

If I need to change some information on my FAFSA - How to Correct / Update FAFSA - or call Federal Student Aid at 800-433-3243

Federal Student Aid - studentaid.gov

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Numerous - FEDERAL STUDENT AID - Videos

AVOID SCAMS while searching for scholarships, filling out FAFSA form, repaying your student loans or giving personal information to school and lenders.

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FEDERAL STUDENT AID ESTIMATOR - provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index to determine federal student aid eligibility." Students and families can use this as a resources to estimate how much financial aid they will need to attend the college of their choice.

Estimate your monthly loan payment

MiSSG - MI Student Aid Programs

Learn about the State of Michigan's financial aid programs, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines.

MI Student Aid Financial Aid 101 - The MI Student Aid Financial Aid 101 presentation is a 29 minute PowerPoint overview of the content found in our Planning & Paying for College Guide  (higher education options in Michigan, economic impact of earning a certificate, Associate Degree, or Bachelors Degree, Federal aid, State of MI aid, scholarship searching, FAFSA application info, and other helpful resources).

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MI STUDENT AID - Create an account by clicking on the MI STUDENT AID link, Scrolling down to STUDENTS AND FAMILIES and then clicking on - MISSG STUDENT PORTAL. For students to have access to the MiSSG Student Portal, they must have a current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file (typically received 3-4 days after submission) or have a Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) record.  First time student users must have their Social Security number when signing up to create a username and password.

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help students pursue their dreams, goals, and aspirations in the Mitten State! Graduating high school seniors are eligible to earn a skill certificate or degree at their local community college tuition-free just by filling out the new and simplified FAFSA. Beginning Fall 2024, students from the Class of 2023 and beyond may be eligible for the Community College Guarantee, which includes: In-district tuition, contact hours, and mandatory fees. And an additional $1,000 Michigan Achievement Bonus award for Pell-eligible students, which can be used toward additional college costs. Map of Michigan Community College Districts

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MI STUDENT AID - SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT PROGRAMS - The state of Michigan offers a variety of scholarships and grants for students. Take a look at our program detail pages for more information and to see which ones you may be eligible for.

Do you need money for College? - MI Student Aid - Programs at a Glance

Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) - TIP Flyer

Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Michigan Postsecondary Plan Poster

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR AWARD LETTER - Congratulations on receiving your financial aid award letter! This resource will help you have a better understanding of the sources of financial aid you have been awarded.

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HOW TO WRITE A FINANCIAL AID APPEAL LETTER - Writing an appeal letter could help you receive a better financial aid package from your school if your financial circumstances have changed. Financial aid, including student loans, can help students pay for higher education. But sometimes, the financial aid award letter you receive from a school doesn’t match the amount that you need to pay for college. When this happens, you can write an appeal letter to your school to request more funding.  This guide will explain when it makes sense to appeal a financial aid package and how to write a financial aid appeal letter.

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MICHIGAN RECONNECT - offers Michiganders 25 years or older with a high school diploma a low-cost path to a college education. Reconnect pays the remaining balance of in-district tuition and mandatory fees after other state and federal financial aid have been applied. Students who attend out of-district community colleges will receive a large tuition discount.  If you’ve been thinking about starting or returning to college to prepare for a secure and rewarding career, now’s the time.

MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (MCAN) free statewide college advising hotline. CALL or TEXT - 810-373-5385 - College Bound Michigan Resource Hub - Michigan high school students can receive timely answers to their questions about post-secondary education.  The hotline can be reached from 9 am to 5 pm. Messages received after business hours will be responded to the next business day. This service is staffed by college advisers from MCAN's AdviseMI program and the Michigan State University College Advising Corps. The hotline initiative is also partnered with the Detroit Regional Chamber and Detroit College Access Network. All advisers are well-trained and most are volunteering a year of national service with AmeriCorps.  The college advisers staffing the hotline will complement the work of school counselors.  As K-12 staff are working hard to move to virtual education and provide needed accommodations to all students. The hotline will provide an added layer of support to schools, students and families. 

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Michigan Colleges and Universities

Post-Graduation Opportunities Informational Packet

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Search Postsecondary Schools in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is excited to announce the availability of a new Public Search page that allows the general public to search the entire list of postsecondary schools by license type, in-state, out-of-state, accredited, non-accredited, licensed schools, schools with expired licenses, schools by county or city, and by school programs, as well as by word match. 

The search tool can be accessed at Michigan.gov/pss in the Announcements section, or directly through the Postsecondary License Search tool.

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Bureau of Services for Blind Persons - The Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) believes in the capacity of people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employment and independence. BSBP provides training and services that empower people to achieve their individual goals.

The ACT Test

Everything you need to know about registering for the ACT, test dates, what to bring on test day, and more!

2023-24 Test Dates

____ Continue to research for scholarship opportunities and apply before deadlines. Forms available online (For Local and National Scholarships just follow the SCHOLARSHIPS link on the High School page of the school website).

___ Most College Housing Applications open up December 1st. Make sure you apply as early as possible.

___ Research and apply for Grant and Private College scholarship Aid. College Applications and Private College Scholarship Applications deadlines are Feb 15th / March 1st.

____ File the FAFSA online by March 1st deadline (preferable completion date is by January 1) at www.fafsa.gov.edu.

____ Contact the financial aid office at the colleges on your list and submit completed financial aid forms to the appropriate colleges/agencies as soon as possible.

____ End of March: Admission and financial aid notifications are mailed.

____ April: Most admission decisions and financial aid award letters arrive this month. Carefully compare financial aid award letters from the colleges that accept you.

____ Inform counselor if college has requested your seventh semester grades.

____Contact the colleges if you have any questions about the financial aid packages they’ve offered you. Make sure you understand all terms and conditions.

____If you didn’t get enough aid to be able to attend a particular college, consider your options, which may include appealing the award.

____Make a final decision, accept the aid package and mail a deposit check to the college you select before May 1 (the acceptance deadline for most schools).

____On the waiting list at your first-choice college? Don’t let that cause you to lose your aid at another college that has accepted you. Accept that award in case you don’t make it off the waiting list.

____ Notify any colleges you do not plan to attend.

___ Apply for College Housing - Deadline is May 1st.

____ Notify the Career College Advisor and Counselor of your decision by May 1st.

____ Thank people who help you get into college and/or post-secondary options. Write them a note of thanks that includes your college plans.

___ Updated Transcripts and SAT Scores must be sent to Colleges by July 31.

American Legion & Aux Boys and Girls State

Great Opportunity for Junior boys and girls! Programs that teach young men and women in their Junior year the function of government, a glimpse of life in a college dorm, leadership, management and communication skills.  7 day summer programs at colleges in Michigan.

For boys - www.michiganlegion.org/boysstate 

For girls - https://michalaux.org/

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) - is a statewide network of vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals developing creative, customized solutions that meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and business. We deliver individualized services that assist potential employees with differing abilities to prepare for, pursue and retain careers. We partner with business in employee development, business consulting and corporate relations. We are committed to building the workforce of tomorrow... today. 

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STEMM-Up - is a job readiness program that offers training, coaching, job shadowing, and internships to improve your quality of life and excel in your career in the post-pandemic world. The goal is to work with people with disabilities from marginalized communities to find or advance in jobs in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or medicine (STEMM). This goal is attained by providing you with skills leading to advancement and excelling in your career.

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Bureau of Services for Blind Persons - The Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) believes in the capacity of people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employment and independence. BSBP provides training and services that empower people to achieve their individual goals.

Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MTCI) - is a post-secondary vocational and technical training center for adults with disabilities in Michigan. It is the 2nd largest rehabilitation training center in the country and located on Pine Lake in southwestern Barry County. MTCI conducts vocational and technical training programs and provides the supportive services needed to prepare Michigan citizens with disabilities for competitive employment. More information about MTCI

COMPARE COLLEGES

Flipping the College Decision-Making Paradigm

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UNIVERSITY HQ - Is a leading independent education organization, that provides students with the necessary resources to prepare and plan their career path in their chosen field. Search here for the BEST COLLEGES by state.

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Choose the right school that fits the your needs and goals. BestColleges.com

BEST COLLEGES in MICHIGAN

BEST ONLINE COLLEGES in MICHIGAN

BEST COMMUNITY COLLEGES in MICHIGAN

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This resource from Intelligent.com will help guide those who want to pursue higher education. The guide provides information such as top colleges and universities, available financial support, and future employment opportunities to further assist you in making the right decision for your future.

TYPES OF COLLEGES - This chart provides a breakdown of the different types of colleges and universities.

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List of MICHIGAN COLLEGES

List of Michigan Colleges with FREE or NO Application Fees

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Find the college that's the best fit for you by using one of the following college comparison tools. Filter your search for colleges by selecting from different categories such as test scores & selectivity, type of school, location, campus & housing, majors & learning environment, sports & activities, academic credit, paying, support services and diversity. Then see how they stack up against one another by ranking, alumni salary, tuition and financial aid, and admissions data.

COMPARE COLLEGES - CollegeBoard - BigFuture

COMPARE COLLEGES - U.S.News

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COLLEGE RESULTS - College Results Online (CRO) is an interactive, user-friendly Web tool designed to provide information about college graduation rates for nearly any four-year college or university in the country.

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TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLLEGE

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www.christianconnector.com provides a FREE Christian college information service as well as scholarship drawings and info

AFFORDING COLLEGE IN MICHIGAN and OTHER HELPFUL LINKS

FINANCIAL AID AWARDS - COMPARE AID CALCULATOR

Map Out Your Financial Aid Award Letter

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Options that are available to help pay College bill

Private scholarships from UNIVERSITY

State funded scholarships

Scholarships from your local community foundation (amount varies)

Student employment or work-study (amount varies)

Student/family savings (amount varies)

Military benefits (amount varies)

Monthly payment plan through UNIVERSITY (payments from August to March)

Federal Direct Loans in the student's name (up to $5500)

Parent Plus Loans (up to the full cost of attendance)

• SVSU has a good example of a NET PRICE CALCULATOR - svsu.edu/costquiz

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CALENDAR TIMELINE for the College Application-Financial Aid Process
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COLLEGE SURVIVAL GUIDE - For teens and parents, put out by Wells Fargo. Click TITLE or PICTURE to get a free copy.

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Affording College in Michigan

This guidebook for STUDENTS and PARENTS includes information on planning and applying for college, including financial resources to assist with affording college in Michigan.

Michigan - Financial Aid Programs at a Glance.pdf

Michigan - Budget And College Checklist.pdf

CONSIDERATIONS When Paying for College

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Focus on NET PRICE, not Sticker Price for the accurate cost to attend college.  Colleges that at first may look too expensive, may turn out to be affordable.

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Success In The New Economy

Scroll down and watch this short video - Types of Federal Student Aid

Listen to this short NPR Podcast - Paying Off Student Loans Puts a Dent in Wallets and the Economy

Financial Aid Options Worksheet

What To Do If Parents Can't Help Pay for College

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FAFSA4caster - FAFSA4caster is for anyone who is not yet ready to submit a FAFSA form.   Parents can use FAFSA4caster to receive early estimates, create scenarios based on future earnings, and establish college funding strategies.  Students also can use FAFSA4caster to get an idea of what aid they might receive.

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Tips and Tools for Helping Students think about Paying for College

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Determining College Fit and Affordability Worksheet - As you narrow the COLLEGE choices fill out all sections for each college to make quality comparisons.

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www.collegetransfer.net is a good site if you want to start at one college and transfer to another!

https://studentloans.net/guide-to-paying-for-college/ - good information on Paying for College!

TheDream.US - Tips for undocumented students

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ENGLISH to SPANISH Glossary of Student Financial Aid and Postsecondary Education.pdf